Free cycling festivals will be held in Blackpool and Hull to coincide with the 2026 Tour of Britain women's and men's races, organisers said on Monday. The events are billed as family-focused celebrations designed to showcase cycling and encourage local participation ahead of the professional races.
When and where the festivals will run
The women’s Tour of Britain begins on 19 August, with a four-day programme that finishes in Royal Leamington Spa on 23 August. The men’s race starts on 2 September. Festival activities for the public are scheduled in:
- Blackpool — 20 August, from 11:00 to 14:00 BST, with activities opening ahead of the race finish outside the Solaris Centre on New South Promenade.
- Hull — 4 September, from 11:00 to 14:00 BST.
| Date | Location | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August | Blackpool (New South Promenade) | 11:00–14:00 BST | Free family cycling festival; activities before race finish |
| 4 September | Hull | 11:00–14:00 BST | Free family cycling festival |
Route highlights and community reach
The women’s route will pass through a string of towns in northern and mid‑Wales and England before the finale in Leamington Spa. Stages include:
- Cockermouth
- Clitheroe
- Blackpool
- Mold
- Llandudno
- Llanidloes
- Hay‑on‑Wye
- Finish: Royal Leamington Spa (23 August)
Organisers say the local festivals are scheduled to complement the professional action on the road, offering informal, family-friendly cycling activities and a chance for residents to engage with the event atmosphere.
"Last year's festival brought the community together, creating a real showcase of what the joy of cycling can bring to people," said Jonathan Day, director of events at British Cycling Ventures.
Why the festivals matter
The brief, free events serve several purposes. They offer a low-barrier entry point for families and casual cyclists to take part in cycling-themed activity, while also providing a community focus around the international race. For host towns, the arrival of Tour of Britain stages typically delivers a boost in footfall and local interest during the race day, with accompanying media attention.
Blackpool’s festival will open prior to the race finish outside the Solaris Centre, creating an opportunity for spectators to combine community activities with watching the elite riders conclude the stage. In Hull, the festival will follow in early September to coincide with the men’s race passing through the city’s area.
Event organisers have emphasised access and inclusivity, keeping the festivals free and family-centred. The staging of both men’s and women’s races across diverse towns and regions also underlines the growing profile of professional women's road racing, which in recent years has attracted increased coverage and prize parity efforts.
Local authorities and cycling organisations usually work together to manage road closures, safety marshals and spectator areas on race days; while detailed operational arrangements for these events were not published in the organisers' announcement, communities typically receive guidance from local councils in the run-up to the race.
With the women’s race starting in mid‑August and the men’s in early September, the back‑to‑back schedule means two opportunities for different communities along the route to host festival activities and capitalise on the international attention the Tour brings.
Further practical information on the free festivals, including activity schedules and any registration requirements, is expected to be released by British Cycling Ventures and local event partners as the race dates approach.
