All About The Event!

Get ready to make a splash this summer as the Chester Raft Race returns for another unforgettable event!

Join us for a day filled with laughter, music, free entertainment and plenty of river fun. See dozens of handmade rafts strutting their stuff down Chester’s beautiful River Dee, racing to win awards while raising money for fantastic causes.

Watch from the river banks, then visit the meadows event village for food, drinks & entertainment throughout the afternoon.

When & Where?

Date: Sunday, 12th July 2026

First rafts on the river: 10:00am

Last rafts on the river: 12:30pm

Meadows event village open: 10:00am

Meadows event village close: 4:30pm

Award Ceremony: 2:00pm

Live Music: 12:30pm-2:00pm

Race Viewing Location: Chester Groves, CH1 1SD

Meadows Event Village: Chester Meadows, CH4 7BB

One of the biggest in the UK!

Chester Raft Race has been going for over 50 years, and is known as one of the biggest and best raft race events in the country.

Expect to see 30-40 rafts out on the water between 10am and 12:30pm, all competing for awards such as fastest raft, best dressed, most innovative or greenest... there's even award for the fastest sinker!

There's plenty of friendly competition which makes witnessing the event a great day out for the whole family.

Cheer on your favourite teams, give them all your own scores out of 10 and enjoy the once a year spectacle of people from all over the UK messing about on boats on the River Dee!

The race is put on to raise funds for fantastic charities, and we hope everyone can drop a coin in a bucket to support the event.

We can't wait to see you on the riverbank!