2023 festivals

Canalway Cavalcade

29th April – 1st May, 2023

IWA’s Canalway Cavalcade will return to London’s Li le Venice for a 40th anniversary celebration. The event is held annually over the three days of the early May Day Bank Holiday and is a vibrant waterways celebration. London’s Li le Venice will be transformed with hundreds of colourful boats, live music, re eshment stands, cra stalls and family activities. Boat bookings are now closed though you can still a end this unique festival as a visitor. waterways.org.uk/cavalcade

Reading Water Fest

10th June, 2023

IWA Guildford & Reading Branch plan to be present at Reading Water Fest, which is organised by the Reading Borough Council and the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. There will be live entertainment, stalls, children’s activities, boat rides and the famous duck race.

Committee roles

The Canalway Cavalcade committee is seeking new members so please do consider joining the fantastic team behind this vibrant canal festival in the heart of London’s waterways. Current vacancies include Marketing & Social Media Assistant, Secretary, Site & Services Assistant, and Treasurer. For more information, or to register your interest in a committee role, please contact Christine Smith: christine. smith@waterways.org.uk

The IWA Festival of Water committee is also looking for new members to join them in planning and arranging this popular event. Come and join the team of volunteers who organise one of the most eagerly anticipated inland waterways events in the country. For more information contact the Festival of Water team: event.volunteer@ waterways.org.uk.

Ware Boat Festival

30th June-2nd July, 2023

Join us at the beautiful and historic market town of Ware on the upper reaches of the River Lee for IWA Ware Boat Festival. The event returns from Friday, 30th June to Sunday, 2nd July for a weekend of boating activity and socialising. The boat festival is an integral and important part of the wider Ware Festival so there will be plenty of activities. Boat bookings are now open so please visit our website to secure your place. waterways.org.uk/ware

Festival of Water

26th-28th August, 2023

Join us at the 2023 IWA Festival of Water on the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Pelsall Junction (near Walsall) for a bank holiday weekend of fun for all who love spending time by the water. A full programme of music and dance will take place over the weekend. Boat and campsite bookings are now open so visit our website to secure your place. We are also seeking stallholders and traders so download a trader booking form if you are interested in trading at this year’s event. waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater

Whitchurch Canal Festival

2nd-3rd September, 2023

IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch will be represented again at the 2023 Whitchurch Canal Festival. Last year, the branch ran boat trips during the festival. These were popular (and free) but raised a substantial amount in donations. If you would like to help out on the stall this year, then get in touch with the branch: shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk.