Dozens Of Vintage Boats Moor Up In Central London This September

The Classic Boat Festival returns to St Katharine Docks in September 2026. Image: St Katharine Docks

Some 50 vintage boats will moor up at central London's only marina for a free festival.

The Classic Boat Festival returns to St Katharine Docks — next to Tower Bridge — on Saturday 12- Sunday 13 September 2026 as part of the Totally Thames Festival. It's the 17th time the event has been held, once again extending into the west basin so that larger vessels such as Thames sailing barges can take part.

You can climb aboard some of the boats. Image: St Katharine Docks

Among the vessels on display are several of the surviving Dunkirk Little Ships, which sailed across the Channel to rescue trapped Allied soldiers in 1940. There's also the chance to see historic tugs, as well as motorboats from the Bates Star Craft range.