Dragon Boat festivals for 2026
Each year, the Fraser Dragons aim to compete in at least
five regattas. In past seasons, we’ve raced at events such as the Burnwater
Spring Sprints, FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival, Penticton Dragon Boat
Festival, and the Oddball Fall Classic — and even traveled as far as Hawaii for
competition.
Below are the regattas we are tracking for the 2026 season:
TBA – Inlet Spring Regatta (Port Moody, BC)
Held each April on Burrard Inlet at Rocky Point Park, the Inlet Spring Regatta
is Canada’s first dragon boat event of the season. Featuring 200m BUK boat
races, live music, food trucks, vendors, and a Yellow Dog beer garden, it draws
teams from across BC. We acknowledge that this event takes place on the
ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the shared
territories of the səl̓ilw̓ət (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), qʼʷa:n̓ ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm
(Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
(Squamish), Stó:lō
(Sto:lo), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm
(Kwikwetlem) First Nations.
May 2, 2026 (PM) – Burnwater Spring Sprint (Vancouver,
BC)
Kick off the season on False Creek with 3 x 200m races across all divisions.
This event runs alongside the Burnwater Youth Regatta.
May 30, 2026 – Vessi 500 Championship (Vancouver, BC)
BC’s second largest dragon boat event, featuring Mixed and Women’s teams racing
every 15 minutes on False Creek. This championship also serves as a tune-up for
the continent’s flagship festival.
June 20–22, 2026 – Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival
(Vancouver, BC)
The biggest dragon boat festival in North America, welcoming over 200 teams and
250,000 visitors from around the world. The event combines elite racing,
cultural performances, concerts, and the city’s largest outdoor licensed patio
at Concord Pacific Place.
July 25–26, 2026 – Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival
(Victoria, BC)
A unique “pentathlon” racing format — 500m, 200m, 100m, a flag relay, and a
guts & glory race — capped with a final 500m showdown. Hosted in Victoria’s
scenic Inner Harbour.
July 25, 2026 – Harrison Dragon Boat Festival (Harrison
Lake, BC)
One of the most popular summer festivals, run in partnership with the Fraser
Valley Paddling Club. Teams race on beautiful Harrison Lake with a relaxed,
scenic weekend atmosphere.
TBA (Early August) – Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat
Festival (Victoria, BC)
Celebrate summer in Victoria’s Inner Harbour with competitive races, cultural
performances, live music, Chinatown booths, food vendors, and more.
TBA – FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival (Richmond,
BC)
Steveston’s Imperial Landing Park hosts this popular community event featuring
2,000 paddlers, 20,000 visitors, cultural shows, and food trucks.
TBA (September) – Penticton Dragon Boat Festival
(Penticton, BC)
Celebrating its 25th year on Skaha Lake, this two-day festival is famous for
its sandy beach venue, full-course race visibility, food trucks, beverage
garden, and vibrant team village.
TBA (Late September) – Oddball Fall Classic (Vancouver,
BC)
Close out the racing season on False Creek with sprint races and the optional
2,000m Oddball Challenge — a thrilling test of endurance to finish the year in
style.