If you’ve never been to Knaresborough Bed Race, this might just be the year to experience it. The iconic event is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026 with the fitting theme, “The Swinging Sixties”, marking its beginnings in 1966. While people were listening to The Beatles and celebrating England’s World Cup triumph, four pioneering teams were launching a tradition that has now spanned six decades.
Today, the event is one of North Yorkshire’s most popular annual spectacles. This year, 90 teams comprising 630 runners and passengers will take part. Over the years, the race has entertained thousands of spectators and raised millions of pounds for local charities. Alongside the racing, visitors can enjoy food stalls, live entertainment, and a vibrant carnival atmosphere, making it a fantastic family day out.
The race, which takes place this Saturday 13th June, still follows much of the original route used in 1966. Starting and finishing at Conyngham Hall, competitors race through Waterside, tackle the steep climb up Castle Ings towards Knaresborough Castle, before taking on the event’s most famous challenge — swimming their decorated beds across the River Nidd. It is a highly competitive and action-packed event, with the fastest teams completing the gruelling course in around 13 minutes.
Chairman of the Bed Race organising committee, Jatinder Khalsi, said: “Themes are changed every year, which keeps the Best Dressed Bed competition fresh and really alive.
“This year, with the great significance of six decades of Bed Race, what else could we have had as a theme but ‘The Swinging Sixties’? The idea is to give the teams the broadest canvas possible to spark their creativity and come up with ingenious designs. It all adds up to a wonderful parade through the town.”
If you’re planning a visit, it’s a jam-packed day from start to finish. Activities begin at 9am at Knaresborough Castle, where teams gather ahead of judging for the Best Dressed Beds competition, which starts at 11am. The winners are announced at 12.30pm.
From 1pm, the teams and their decorated beds parade through the town’s historic streets to Conyngham Hall. Once there, the decorations are removed and competitors change into racing gear ahead of the main event.
The race itself begins at 3pm, with teams setting off at 10-second intervals. Spectators line the route to cheer on the competitors as they tackle the demanding course, with the final teams usually crossing the finish line between 3.15pm and 4pm.
For more information head over to the website here.
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Feature Image Credit: Great Knaresborough Bed Race/
