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Description
- When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Public event 9:00 AM–6:30 PM | Races 8:00 AM–5:30 PM | Lion & Dragon Blessing Ceremony 12:00 PM
- Where: Concord Pacific Place, 88 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC (races load in/out from Creekside Paddling Centre, Olympic Village)
- Cost: Free admission
- Hosted by: Dragon Boat BC, presented by Concord Pacific
Dragon boat racing returns to False Creek for a special one-time event celebrating Vancouver's culture and community. Free to attend, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Regatta combines a full day of racing with live music, cultural pavilions, food trucks, and a marketplace of local vendors spread across Concord Pacific Place. This year's Regatta was created as a bridge event following the cancellation of the 2026 Festival to accommodate global sporting events hosted in Vancouver, paving the way for the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival's full return in 2027.
2027 Festival Announcement & Lion and Dragon Blessing Ceremony
At 12:00 PM on the TD Main Stage, Dragon Boat BC ushers in a new era for the festival with a special ceremony unveiling the official dates and poster for the 2027 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival. The ceremony features remarks from Dr. Hedy Fry (MP for Vancouver Centre), Minister Niki Sharma (Deputy Premier and Attorney General), Mayor Ken Sim, Concord Pacific President and CEO Terry Hui, and TD Senior Vice President Kevin Hamaoka, along with the announcement of the artist selected for the new festival artwork.
Following the remarks, eight lions and one dragon join the dignitaries in a mass lion and dragon dance to unveil and bless the new artwork, a traditional gesture meant to bring good luck to the festival's next chapter.
Entertainment & Cultural Programming
TD Main Stage
Headliner performances throughout the day, including a set from globally-renowned EDM artist HOANG, as part of a 100% local artist lineup.
Community Cultural Pavilions
- Chinatown Pavilion: Free youth arts activities and calligraphy demonstrations with the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a pop-up exhibition from the Chinese Canadian Museum on "Momentum: Power and Identity in Sport," and a photo opportunity with prize giveaways from the Chinatown Storytelling Centre.
- Indigenous Pavilion: More information coming soon.
- Pride Pavilion: More information coming soon.
Roaming Entertainment
Surprises and roaming performers throughout the site all day long.
Family Discovery Program at the Chinese Canadian Museum
Ahead of race day, the Chinese Canadian Museum hosts a special program inspired by its Momentum exhibition on August 15 at 11:30 AM (English) and 1:30 PM (Cantonese). The program features a live performance of Band of Dragons by the Five Blessings Collective, followed by a presentation from Dragon Boat BC on the history of dragon boat racing. Included with museum admission; use discount code CCM_IN for a free ticket while supplies last.
On-Site Amenities
- Race Registrar: In the Plaza by the Dragon Zone Office
- Washrooms: By TD Main Stage and the Cultural Pavilions
- Water: Fountain by the Team Photo Wall and public fountain outside Tap and Barrel
- First Aid: Stations by the fountain and on the docks
- Bike Parking: Along Carrall Street, just south of Pacific Boulevard
- Food Trucks & Vendors: Along Carrall Street leading to the Seawall
- Team Photo Wall: By Racer Village at the fountain — open to all teams regardless of race results
Food Trucks
Booster Juice, Crema Ice Cream, Fusion Icy, Gary's Kettle Corn, Grumpig's Kitchen, Insomniac's Coffee, It's All About Grill, Kampong – Taste of Malaysia, REEL Mac & Cheese, Roasted Revolution, The Taco Tigre, and Truckin' BBQ.
Marketplace Exhibitors
Abreast In A Boat, Adele Joy Designs, BAK'D Cookies, Batiqua, BC Wildfire Services, Beya Design, Capybara Labs, Casa de Nata, Costco, Crafts and Creation, Drinc Events, Fidget Factory 3D, Gary's Kettle Corn, ggümm Studio, KY Crochet, Leo Liam, Lucky Jewelry, Paint in the Flow, Personality.ca, Safras Resin Art, Silver FX Inc, Soumak Boutique, Star Creations 3D, Sweven Print Design, Tiana's Boutique, Twinkle & Co, The Press, Untamed Fernie, and the YWCA MicroEnterprise Program.
Getting There
On-site parking is not available due to other bookings in the area. Pay parking lots are available nearby at Parq Casino, Plaza of Nations, and the Chinatown Parkade. Public transit to Stadium SkyTrain station or biking to the site is encouraged, with complimentary bike parking available along Carrall Street.
Road closures for the day:
- Carrall Street closed from Pacific Boulevard to the Seawall
- Temporary loading/racer drop-off zones on Pacific Boulevard from Griffiths Way to Carrall Street
- Bike lane slow-down zones along the Seawall from Plaza of Nations to Concord Community Park
For Racing Teams
Team registration and name changes close Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM. Wristband pickup runs August 17–21 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM) at the Dragon Boat BC offices, 1 Athletes Way, with day-of pickup available at the Race Registrar tent. Roster caps are temporarily raised to 30 racers per team for 2026, though only 26 medals will be awarded per team.
About Dragon Boat BC
The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society (Dragon Boat BC) is the non-profit organizer of North America's flagship dragon boat festival, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, and runs Dragon Zone Paddling Club, the largest paddling club in Canada. Beyond racing, the organization produces cultural programming and community initiatives, working to make paddling accessible to everyone through its All Access and youth programs across BC.
Plan Your Visit
- Event: Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Regatta
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Time: Public event 9:00 AM–6:30 PM | Races 8:00 AM–5:30 PM | Blessing Ceremony at noon
- Location: Concord Pacific Place, 88 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC
- Admission: Free
- Website: dragonboatbc.ca/competition/summerregatta
A one-time celebration of Vancouver's dragon boating tradition, this regatta brings together racing, a headliner EDM set, cultural pavilions, and a noon-hour lion and dragon blessing unveiling the festival's return in 2027 — all free to attend for anyone who wants to spend the day along False Creek.