Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival: Vancouver's Waterfront Celebration of Sport and Culture

Every summer, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival brings a beloved tradition to False Creek, combining Vancouver's beautiful waters with Chinese tradition. The Dragon Boat Festival highlights the city’s connection to Chinese cultural tradition and is a way for visitors to experience a signature summer event.

2026 Dragon Boat Festival Update

This summer, the festival will be reimagined due to Vancouver hosting the FIFA World Cup™. While the full Dragon Boat Festival will not run in its usual format, visitors can still experience the excitement of dragon boat racing at the Concord Pacific Summer Dragon Boat Summer Regatta on August 22nd starting at 9 AM.

The one-day waterfront celebration will feature Vancouver's top dragon boat teams before they head to the 2026 Club Crew World Championships, alongside live music on the TD Main Stage, Indigenous and Chinatown cultural programming, artisan vendors and food trucks. Local EDM artist Hoang will headline the evening entertainment, and Dragon Boat BC will also unveil details of the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival's return from June 25–27, 2027.

Dragon Boat BC’s cultural programming is supported by the BC Arts Council and the Government of British Columbia.

For the latest details on this year's Summer Dragon Boat Regatta, including programming and event information, visit the official event page.

What is The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration of culture and communities, a tradition that has helped shape Vancouver into the city it is today.

The Dragon Boat Festival traces its roots back to Expo 86, when Vancouver’s Chinese community introduced dragon boat racing to False Creek through a series of exhibition races featuring teak boats from Hong Kong. The event quickly captured the city’s attention and helped establish dragon boat racing as a beloved annual tradition.

During the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, over 200 teams compete across the water in a series of fast-paced boat racing competitions. Spectators can follow the races from the Seawall and surrounding waterfront areas for a great way to catch the excitement and explore one of Vancouver’s most scenic spots.

Why Experience The Dragon Boat Festival?

Set along the False Creek waterfront, with views of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival offers an unforgettable setting for a day of racing, culture, and entertainment. Catch show-stopping entertainment at one of the city's most scenic spots.

The Dragon Boat Festival is one of Vancouver’s most exciting summer events, where visitors can experience dragon boat racing and a local lineup of musicians and cultural performers on the TD Main Stage. Visitors can also check out the community pavilions featuring hands-on arts and crafts and artisan demonstrations, all at one free waterfront festival.

In previous years, festivals have also included activities to celebrate the cultures of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations through Indigenous programming and performances, alongside Chinese cultural traditions and other community celebrations. Other activities included lion and dragon dancers, live music, food trucks, local artisan markets, and family-friendly activities such as crafts, face painting, and games.

During the festival's usual run, admission is always free, perfect for visitors wanting to spend a day watching the races and soaking up all the festival atmosphere.

Why The Festival Matters

The festival is about more than the excitement on the water. Since dragon boat racing was introduced to Vancouver during Expo 86, it has become part of the city's cultural story. The festival has grown into one of North America's largest dragon boat festivals and an enduring celebration of the city's multicultural identity. By bringing together dragon boat racing, cultural performances and community celebrations, the festival reflects the diversity that makes Vancouver unique.

Visitors can explore that connection beyond the festival grounds in our historic Chinatown neighbourhood, to the Chinese Canadian Museum and Chinatown Storytelling Centre, where stories of Vancouver’s Chinese Canadian community continue to be shared and celebrated.

Explore More Dragon Boat BC Events

Dragon Boat BC hosts dragon boat races across the region, with many free-to-attend events that include cultural programming, music, food trucks, artisan markets, and local non-profit spotlights.

Its seasonal calendar includes competitive races, community regattas, youth events and paddling days where beginners can get on the water and try the sport. Visitors can also find introductory programs that teach the basics before giving new paddlers the chance to race as part of a team. Explore Dragon Boat BC’s events calendar for upcoming festivals, races and community paddling opportunities throughout the season.