A Night of Lights on the Thames: Beaumont Studio at the 2026 Illuminated Boat Parade
There are some events that are simply made for the camera, and the Illuminated Boat Parade in Henley-on-Thames is certainly one of them.
On Saturday, 19 September 2026, the River Thames was transformed as boats of all shapes and sizes took to the water, covered in lights and spectacular creative designs. After keeping a close eye on the weather in the days leading up to the event, it was fantastic to see conditions improve and the evening turn out to be a beautiful one.
For Beaumont Studio, it was a pleasure to be back in Henley to capture the event from both the air and the ground.
Although the main parade didn't begin until 7:30pm, our day started much earlier. We arrived on site at around 2pm to carry out our safety checks and assess the locations we would be using for drone operations. With large numbers of people expected along the river and public areas, making sure suitable take-off and landing areas were established was an important part of the preparation.
Once everything was checked and ready, we could concentrate on the filming. As the afternoon moved into evening, Henley began to fill with spectators, boats gathered on the Thames and the atmosphere gradually built. Then, as daylight disappeared, the lights came on.
The Illuminated Boat Parade travelled upriver from Fawley Meadows, passing Phyllis Court and Boathouse Row before reaching the Leander Club. The boats then completed two illuminated circuits, giving spectators plenty of opportunities to see the incredible designs.
And there was plenty to see.
The participating boats ranged from smaller unpowered craft to much larger vessels, with crews creating illuminated designs inspired by a huge variety of themes. There were boats inspired by James Bond, Mamma Mia, Popeye and plenty of other imaginative ideas.
From the riverbank, the sight was impressive. From the air, it was something else entirely.
The drone footage captured the boats moving through the darkness, with their lights reflected across the surface of the Thames. The surrounding buildings and riverside venues were also illuminated, creating a spectacular backdrop for the evening. Combined with handheld filming from the riverbank, we were able to capture both the scale of the parade and the atmosphere among the spectators.
One of the biggest highlights of the evening for Beaumont Studio wasn't actually flying the drone. We were given the opportunity to interview the three celebrity judges who had been brought together to assess the illuminated boats.
The judging panel featured Dame Mary Berry, Jerry Hall and Edd China, three people with very different backgrounds and careers.
Dame Mary Berry is one of Britain's most recognisable television personalities and food writers, with a career spanning decades in cookery, publishing and television. She became particularly well known to millions of viewers through The Great British Bake Off.
Jerry Hall has enjoyed an international career as a model, actress and television personality. Having become one of the world's most recognisable models, she has gone on to work across fashion, television, film and theatre.
Edd China brought a very different perspective to the panel. The inventor, engineer, designer and television presenter is best known for Wheeler Dealers, as well as his extraordinary engineering projects and unconventional creations.
Getting all three judges on camera was a real privilege and one of the highlights of the evening for our team.
The interviews gave us the opportunity to go beyond simply filming the parade.
Hearing directly from the judges about the event, the boats and the creativity on display added another dimension to our coverage. For Beaumont Studio, this is exactly what makes event filmmaking so rewarding. Great event coverage isn't just about capturing what happens. It's about capturing the people, personalities, atmosphere and little moments that tell the story of the day.
The event was free for spectators watching from the public towpaths, while the Leander Club opened its doors from 6:30pm for food, drinks and viewing. By the time the parade was underway, the riverbanks were full of people enjoying the spectacle. The weather played its part too.
After some uncertainty in the run-up to the event, the evening turned out to be a great one, with conditions that allowed the parade to really show off its illuminated boats and gave us some fantastic opportunities for filming.
There was a real sense of community throughout the evening. Families, boating enthusiasts, visitors and local residents all gathered along the Thames to enjoy the spectacle.
The evening eventually moved towards the official prize-giving at the Leander Club, bringing a memorable night on the river to a close.
Watch the Illuminated Boat Parade
We've created a dedicated film showcasing the 2026 Illuminated Boat Parade, bringing together the aerial footage, handheld filming and the atmosphere of this fantastic evening in Henley-on-Thames.
