When is the next Thornton-le-Dale duck race?

The Bank Holiday Duck Race takes place on Sunday 30 August 2026 at 3:00pm, running from Priestmans Lane down the beck to the Beck Isle thatched cottage.

How much is a duck in the Bank Holiday Duck Race?

Tickets are £2 per duck, as published for the 2026 Bank Holiday race and correct at the time of writing, so check locally before you travel. Ducks are sold locally at Overbrook Caravan Park, Wardill Bros and Balderson's Ice Cream Parlour. No price is published for the Easter Monday race.

First place wins £50, second £25 and third £15. Proceeds support Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall and Manthorpe Play Park.

Is there also an Easter duck race?

Yes, a duck race is also held on Easter Monday, raising money for the volunteer-run village Christmas lights. Start times vary, so check locally closer to the date.

Where does the duck race take place?

Along Thornton Beck in the centre of the village. Spectators gather on the banks and the bridge.

Is the duck race free to watch?

Yes, watching is free. You buy a numbered duck to enter the race itself.

Is the duck race suitable for children?

Yes, it is very much a family event. Children can paddle in the shallow beck in fine weather, but keep them supervised near the water.

What's on

Thornton-le-Dale Duck Race

Name: Thornton-le-Dale Bank Holiday Duck Race
Start: 2026-08-30T15:00:00+01:00
Location: Thornton-le-Dale

Thornton-le-Dale holds a duck race on the beck at Easter and again over the August Bank Holiday. Thousands of yellow ducks are released into Thornton Beck in two of the village's best-loved fundraisers.

Bank Holiday Duck Race: Sunday 30 August 2026

When: Sunday 30 August 2026, 3:00pm.
Route: From Priestmans Lane down the beck to the Beck Isle thatched cottage.
Tickets: £2 per duck, as published for the 2026 Bank Holiday race, correct at the time of writing, so check locally before you travel.
Prizes: First £50, second £25, third £15.

Proceeds from the Bank Holiday race support Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall and Manthorpe Play Park.

Tickets are sold locally at Overbrook Caravan Park, Wardill Bros and Balderson's Ice Cream Parlour.

Coming for the afternoon? See visitor information for parking guidance, and eating and drinking for places to eat before or after the race.

Hundreds of numbered yellow plastic ducks drifting down the clear, shallow water of Thornton Beck between grass banks and overhanging greenery — The ducks strung out down Thornton Beck below the footbridge during the Bank Holiday race.

Yellow ducks drifting towards a low stone weir on Thornton Beck beneath overhanging trees, with one spectator seen from behind at the water's edge — The ducks strung out down Thornton Beck below the footbridge during the Bank Holiday race.

The Easter Monday race at a glance

When: Easter Monday, annually.
Where: Thornton Beck, in the centre of the village.
Why: Raises funds for the volunteer-run village Christmas lights.
Cost to watch: Free.

What to expect

The duck race is one of the simplest and cheeriest events in the village year. On Easter Monday, crowds gather on the banks of Thornton Beck and on the bridge as thousands of numbered yellow plastic ducks are tipped into the water and float downstream.

It is a fundraiser first and foremost: the proceeds go towards the village Christmas lights, which are put up and run by volunteers each winter. You can usually buy a duck for a small donation to enter the race; prizes go to the first ducks across the line.

The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly. The beck is shallow and clear, and on a warm Easter Monday children often paddle at the edge while they wait for the ducks to come through. Bring waterproof footwear if you want to join them, the stones are slippery.

Visitor guidance

Arrive early, the green and beck-side fill quickly once the start time is announced.
Parking, use the village car park off Maltongate (YO18 7SD). See the parking guide for details.
Supervise children near the water, the beck is shallow but fast-moving in places, and the banks can be uneven.
Bring cash, duck entries and any refreshments are usually cash-only on the day.
Check the date, Easter Monday moves each year, so confirm the exact date before travelling. The village calendar is on what's on.

Common questions

When is the next Thornton-le-Dale duck race?: The Bank Holiday Duck Race takes place on Sunday 30 August 2026 at 3:00pm, running from Priestmans Lane down the beck to the Beck Isle thatched cottage.
How much is a duck in the Bank Holiday Duck Race?: Tickets are £2 per duck, as published for the 2026 Bank Holiday race and correct at the time of writing, so check locally before you travel. Ducks are sold locally at Overbrook Caravan Park, Wardill Bros and Balderson's Ice Cream Parlour. No price is published for the Easter Monday race.
What are the prizes?: First place wins £50, second £25 and third £15. Proceeds support Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall and Manthorpe Play Park.
Is there also an Easter duck race?: Yes, a duck race is also held on Easter Monday, raising money for the volunteer-run village Christmas lights. Start times vary, so check locally closer to the date.
Where does the duck race take place?: Along Thornton Beck in the centre of the village. Spectators gather on the banks and the bridge.
Is the duck race free to watch?: Yes, watching is free. You buy a numbered duck to enter the race itself.
Is the duck race suitable for children?: Yes, it is very much a family event. Children can paddle in the shallow beck in fine weather, but keep them supervised near the water.