Up to 3,000 rubber ducks will be launched on Regent’s Canal in Paddington this summer, for the annual charity rubber duck race.
Now in its 19th year, the race raises money for local charity Cosmic (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care), by allowing the public to sponsor a duck. Each anatine toy has a number daubed on it before the race begins. They’re (rather unceremoniously) dumped into Paddington Basin from buckets on the St Mary’s footbridge above at 12pm, and the first duck to bob 100 metres to the finish line is declared the winner.
This year’s prizes include a pair of Eurostar tickets to a destination of your choice.
It’s £4 to sponsor a duck, and you can sponsor one — or as many as you like — over on the Cosmic website ahead of the race. The ducks are rounded up and collected at the end of the event, so won’t be left to float around London’s waterways.
Quackers as it sounds, the lunchtime rubber duck shenanigans are a mere amuse bouche to the day’s main event — the dragon boat race. Up to 22 teams, each consisting of 16 rowers and a drummer, take part in the water-based dash, which has the crews going head-to-head in traditional Chinese dragon boats over a 100m course, ending in Paddington Basin.
While there’s a prize for the fastest team, equally coveted is the ‘Best Dressed’ prize, given to the crew with the most imaginative fancy dress costumes. Pirates, drag queens and Minions have taken part in previous events.
The Rubber Duck Race takes place at 12pm-2pm, and the Dragon Boat Race at 5pm-9pm, both on Thursday 30 July 2026. Both are free to watch, no need to book. Do consider donating to the charity if you can, though.
