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The Cardboard Boat Race Sails Back Into Hollywood Marina

On Saturday, November 7, crews push hand-built cardboard boats across the bay at Hollywood Marina from 10 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon, with race pre-registration opening October 5.

By Nanci Gilbert, PA September 28, 2026
Event · Saturday, November 7, 2026
Header image for "The Cardboard Boat Race Sails Back Into Hollywood Marina"

The Hollywood Cardboard Boat Race returns on Saturday, November 7, from 10 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon at Hollywood Marina, 700 Polk Street. Teams build a boat from cardboard and duct tape, ride it across the water, and the crowd at the rail decides which designs earn a second lap or a swim.

Sink, float or glide, the show is the point

Part engineering, part theater, the race draws builders of every skill level and watchers of every age. Some hulls skim the water like proper boats; others settle quickly toward the bottom, which is half the entertainment. The marina setting, the palms and the open sky make a pleasant morning of it either way.

Enter or watch, everything happens on the water

Pre-registration for the race opens on October 5, 2026, and signing up is required for crews. For everyone else the event is simply a free show from the dock. Arrive in time for the early heats and to claim a good spot at the rail before the crowd gathers.

Nanci Gilbert, PA is a South Florida realtor who guides growing families, sellers, and buyers across Miami-Dade and Broward. Questions about this topic? She answers every message within one business day.