Yale-Harvard Regatta Day Festival

The Yale-Harvard Regatta, or Harvard-Yale Regatta (depending on your allegiance), is a historic intercollegiate sporting event (the oldest in the country). Teams of rowers race down the Thames River, ending in Gales Ferry. 2026 marks the 159th running of the event, and 174 years since its inaugural year! The regatta was first held on The Thames River in 1878 and since then every race except 5 have been held there.

The races begin at 1:15PM for the 3rd varsity boats (2 miles), 2:00pm for the 2nd varsity boats (3 miles), and 3:00pm for the 1st varsity boats (4 miles). All races start at Mamacoke Island.

There will be food trucks, yard games like cornhole, and Touch-a-Truck.

Limited parking is available as well as on-street parking. 

This festival is rain or shine and will only be canceled if the Regatta is canceled due to lightning or extreme weather.

All-time records:

• 1V (Sexton Cup): Harvard leads 97–60 (1 no result)
• 2V (F. Valentine Chappell Trophy): Harvard leads 78–43
• 3V (New London Cup): Harvard leads 77–42–1
• 4V/Combination (Snider Cup): Harvard leads 18-9 (this race is run on the Friday before the other races)