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Barrow's giant weekend of fun is back! The Brilliant Barrow Weekend returns to the town centre with the Soapbox Derby on Saturday 15th August, plus even more fun at The Dockside Festival at The Dock Museum on Sunday 16th August.
Download the event programme now and start planning your weekend, plus read on to find out all the best ways to spend this weekend of free family fun.
Dalton Road will be transformed into a high speed racecourse as our teams take on the course using nothing but gravity and a lot of nerve!
From the first kart setting the pace at 10am through to the grand finale at 5pm, expect cheering crowds and lots of action. Watch as the teams manoeuvre down a track filled with obstacles, from ramps to foam and giant sharks, it's got it all.
Our 18 teams are ready to take on the track and compete to be crowned Barrow Soapbox Champion 2026 - but they'll need you to come down and cheer them on to do it!
You'll be hungry after watching all that Soapbox racing, so why not treat yourself to lunch in the town centre?
With a huge variety of restaurants and takeaways, whatever you're in the mood for, Barrow town centre has got you covered. Our teams break for lunch during the race, giving you time to recharge and eat something delicious from one of our town centre businesses.
Download the Barrow Buzz app to find the perfect lunch spot, search 'Barrow Buzz' on the app stores.
The most hotly contested award, Joker of the Day celebrates the Soapbox team that have gone above and beyond to give their spectators a great day out and some huge laughs!
Our teams will be taking part in the awards ceremony at the Orsted finish line stage at the end of the day's racing, with trophies awarded for the fastest time, most creative kart, joker of the day and more.
Find the awards stage outside the Townhouse.211, with trophies awarded from 4:30pm.
Experience all the fun of the fair as Taylor's Funfairs bring their rides to Barrow town centre. From thrill rides to kids favourites, unleash your inner child and enjoy the nostalgia of the fair.
Heading to The Dockside Festival? Travel in style with free vintage bus rides from Barrow town centre, plus a free park and ride service from Furness College Channelside.
With shuttles running all day, leave the car at home and experience a journey like no other as you take in the scenery of Barrow from one of our vintage buses.
Whether you're looking for some high energy drumming from Boom Dang, a rendition of Yellow Submarine from South Lakes Rock School, or want to experience a live Viking weapons display - The Dock Museum amphitheatre is coming alive for The Dockside Festival, with live entertainment all through the day.
Download the event programme for performance times.
Step into the mouth of a Giant Whale! They say long ago this whale swallowed a crew of pirates, and tales can be heard from within the stomach to this day… Catch performances from the crew as they tell tales of the ocean throughout the day inside the whale.
Download the event programme for performance times.
No trip to The Dockside Festival is complete without visiting The Dock Museum, home to artefacts and treasures from Barrow and the surrounding areas.
Learn about Viking settlers, Barrow's shipbuilding heritage, and even a World War II medal awarded to a pigeon from Dalton!
Local business gets into the Soapbox spirit
The Barrow Soapbox Derby returned to the town centre on Saturday 15th August, bringing thousands of spectators into the town centre for a great day out. Barrow BID organises a calendar of events throughout the year, designed to boost footfall in the town centre. As visitors enjoy the free entertainment, they are encouraged to explore […]
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