Watch This Insane and Hilarious Bathtub Race in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

On Saturday, April 4, 2026, Liar’s Bench Beer Co. hosted its annual Bockfest, welcoming spring with plenty of beer, bites from The Goat, and (unexpectedly) bathtub racing.

If you’ve never seen it before, you’re not alone.

It's racing in a bathtub.

What Is Bathtub Racing?

So bathtub racing is when teams compete in modified tubs outfitted with wheels or, in some cases, propellers.

Somewhere between a relay race and a bobsled run, each team typically includes four to five members, with two to four pushers and one brave driver steering. It’s chaotic, fast-paced, and far more entertaining than you think!

More than anything, the races embody the true spirit of the festival. Crowds line the course, cheering, laughing, and sipping their beers as the tubs wobble toward the finish line. It’s a uniquely fun way to bring the whole community together.

Bockfest 2026 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Of course, Bockfest is still about the beer!

This year’s lineup featured 21 breweries spanning New England and beyond, including Banded, Belleflower, Bunker, and Tributary from Maine; Castle Island and Cisco from Massachusetts; Schilling, Stoneface, Vulgar, WHYM, and Loaded Question from New Hampshire; Zero Gravity, von Trapp, and Mothership from Vermont; and a few outliers like Black Hog (Connecticut), Okay Beer (New York), Tröegs (Pennsylvania), and even Standard Deviant from California.

As for whether participants are allowed to race after indulging, well, that remains unclear.

But judging by the energy of the crowd, a little beer only seemed to add to the fun.

READ MORE: This Dover, New Hampshire, Restaurant Is a Must Visit for Brunch Lovers

Would you do tub racing? Are there other tub races in New England? Let me know!