Hundreds of rubber ducks will take to the waters of the River Hiz next month as the much-loved Great Hitchin Duck Race makes its return after a decade away.

The family-friendly event will take place on Thursday 2 July as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations for Hitchin Street Food Monthly.

More than 200 yellow rubber ducks are expected to enter the river before racing downstream from bridge to bridge in a bid to be crowned champion duck.

Residents and local businesses can sponsor their own ducks and cheer them on from the riverbank as they battle it out for victory.

Ducks can be secured through the Visit Hitchin Shop at a cost of £3 each, with a maximum of three ducks per person. Organisers say all proceeds will be reinvested into supporting Hitchin town centre.

The event is being sponsored by Richard Taylor Travel.

Hitchin Town Centre Manager Danny Pearson said: "The ducks have arrived and are ready to race!

"We are delighted to be able to bring back The Great Hitchin Duck Race to the waters of the River Hiz. We are thrilled to be working with the Street Food Monthly team and Richard Taylor Travel who have been quackers for this event since we hinted at bringing it back.

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"It has been fun trying to figure out the best places for the ducks to race and we've had to make a couple of changes from when it last took place ten years ago."

He added: "We love working with the Hitchin community and we have had fun talking with local people and businesses who wish to sponsor a duck.

"This event is all about having fun, attracting people to our wonderful town centre and marvelling at the fleet of yellow rubber ducks."

The race will run between 5pm and 5.30pm on Riverside and forms part of Hitchin Street Food Monthly, which returns for its 10th anniversary year featuring independent food traders, bars and live music.

Organisers are encouraging visitors to come along for the duck race and stay for an evening of food, drink and entertainment by the river.

Event details

The Great Hitchin Duck Race

📍 Riverside, Hitchin

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📅 Thursday 2 July 2026

🕔 5pm to 5.30pm

Ducks can be purchased through the Visit Hitchin Shop for £3 each. With only 200-plus ducks available, organisers are advising people to secure theirs early to avoid missing out.