Celebrate the height of summer in the Inner Harbour!

Festival Visitor Info

Plan your weekend at the Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival presented by Fairway Market. Enjoy dragon boat races on the Inner Harbour, the sizzle of the food trucks, and the beats from the Main Stage for free all weekend long!

Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival presented by Fairway Market

August 8-9, 2025

FREE ADMISSION!

Location: Inner Harbour, Ship’s Point, and Chinatown, Victoria

Victoria, get ready to race! Celebrate the height of summer at the Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival presented by Fairway Market. Enjoy iconic dragon boat races in the Inner Harbour, exciting music and cultural shows on the Main and Patio Stages, marketplace vendors and bars, Chinatown booths, and more in the heart of Victoria.

2025 programming schedules will be published in Summer 2025! Race schedules are on the Race Info page. 2025 race registration is now open with a 10% early bird discount at register.dragonboatbc.ca until March 31.

Since 1994, the Festival has brought communities together through dragon boat activities. Come down this August and explore what we have to offer- all for free!

The Festival is the Island’s original dragon boat festival, started during the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and is organized annually by the non-profit Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society.

Festival Activities

2024 Friday August 9 Schedule

NOTE: Friday August 9 consists of land activities only, with the generous support of the Greater Victoria Sport Tourism Commission and TD.

  • 8:00 PM: Welcome Remarks
  • 8:15 PM: Lion Dance and Kung Fu Demonstrations from Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club
  • 9:00 PM: Outdoor Movie Night: Kung Fu Panda

2024 Saturday August 10 Schedule

Race Program

  • Race grid available soon at victoriadragonboatfestival.com/paddlers!
  • Heats, Semi Finals, and Finals
  • Medal Presentations

Cultural Program

  • Patio Stage: Active from 12:00-5:00 PM
  • Main Stage: Active from 12:00-6:00 PM
  • Cultural Demonstrations, Activities, and Pavilions: Active from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

Marketplace and Vendors

  • Denny’s Pop Up Breakfast in the Harbour (Patio Stage): 8:00-11:00 AM
  • Food Trucks and Bar: Active from 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
  • Vendors: Active from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM