Kick off summer in Vancouver at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival 協平世博龍舟節 and celebrate its 35th anniversary from June 24-25 at Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park, and False Creek (across the street from Main Street SkyTrain Station).
Dragon boats come from an ancient Chinese tradition that is equal parts racing and culture as well as a showcase of the local community. Experience a weekend of edge-of-your-seat races and an inspiring cultural program at North America’s flagship dragon boat festival.
This year, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival (CPDBF) welcomes back teams from the Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Australia, USA, and Canada. Explore the intersection of culture and sport with racing, headlining music, cultural pavilions and demonstrations, a local marketplace, food vendors, and family-friendly activities, all nestled between sea and sky in Downtown Vancouver on the shores of False Creek. CPDBF is free for the general public to attend.
Things to Do
- International Dragon Boat Races – June 24-25, 9am-6pm
- TD Main Stage – June 24-25, 11am-8pm
- Indigenous and Chinese Cultural Pavilions – June 24-25, 10am-5pm @ Creekside Park
- Marketplace and Food Vendors – June 24-25, 10am-8pm @ Creekside Park
- Public Art Program – June 24-25, various times @ Creekside Park
Witness the Concord Pacific Champion Race Series on Saturday, June 24 at noon featuring some exciting 100m knockout races for the International Cup, 24U Cup, Breast Cancer Cup, Senior Cup, Pride Cup, and Para Cup.
The boats to be used were unveiled last year and feature local artwork from BIPOC, LGBTQ2+, and female artists. Furthermore, there will be a 100% local, independent, and diverse music lineup. You can also check out the Chinatown, Indigenous, and Pride Pavilions showcasing grassroots organizations, cultural demonstrations, master artisans, and local businesses.
CPDBF has also expanded its array of food truck vendors on the city’s biggest outdoor patio, plus a larger local artisan marketplace than ever before in partnership with Got Craft.
Join CPDBF on its Championship Weekend and take part in the interactions between tradition and the current-day multicultural communities.
Visit the Dragon Boat Festival’s website for more event details, race schedules, and exciting announcements to come.