The 2025 Canterbury Duck Race, run by the Rotary Club of Canterbury, will take place on Sunday 21st September.
Once again it will be part of the Canterbury’s Great Stour Riverfest. The event is part of a series of exciting and fun events featuring the river, organised by Canterbury City Council and the local community.
The Great Stour Riverfest promises a lively series of events with something to interest the whole family. It takes take place from 21st to 28th September 2025.
Our Duck Race will be held on the opening day on Sunday 21st September, with the race starting at 1pm. All the action takes place at Westgate Gardens (near Westgate Towers) Don’t forget to put a note in your diaries and calendars!
This year things will be slightly different as we are offering two races instead of the usual one. The main event will be preceded by a new race exclusively for local businesses. For more details on that, click here.
The big race – which has been running for over 25 years and is FREE to attend – is a popular, family-friendly event – which is lots of fun.
As usual, thousands of yellow ducks will be launched into the River Stour from the bridge by Toddlers Cove and will “swim” towards the entrance to Westgate Gardens. We hope that the Lord Mayor of Canterbury will attend the launch.
Individuals can sponsor ducks for the Duck Race for £2 each in the build-up to the race (details below). The sponsor of the winning duck (first under the bridge), along with the second place and third place duck will receive cash prizes. £50.
The Race is our biggest and most important fundraiser – all profits from the Race will go to the many local and international causes we support.
Volunteers will be in the water to ensure none of the ducks wander off and that all ducks are collected back after the event. Members from all three Rotary Clubs in Canterbury (ours, Forest of Blean and Canterbury Sunrise) will be helping to staff the event.
We look forward to seeing you at our sponsorship stalls:
- Dates and locations to follow shortly
- Dates and locations to follow shortly
- Dates and locations to follow shortly
- Dates and locations to follow shortly
- Dates and locations to follow shortly
Look out for our Facebook event for the Duck Race here – and please share news of the Race with all your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you there!
Note: The time given is for the start of the race, weather conditions and any other restrictions allowing. **Please arrive early, especially if you want to sponsor a duck on the day.**
You can find out more about the Great Stour Riverfest and other events here. Please contact Riverfest organisers if you have queries relating to other events.
Picture: Ducks “swimming” along the Stour during the Duck Race. Picture credit: Rotary Club of Canterbury.
If you run a business and want your company to compete in the Corporate Duck Race on the same day, click here.
