Thank you for joining us at the 2025 FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival! The sunny day matched the sunny energy from the crowds cheering on our teams. While we can’t wait to be back in Richmond again soon, the wait will be just a little longer than usual: due to schedule conflicts with other events and scheduling challenges, the 2026 edition of the FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival originally scheduled for September 2026, is postponed to August 2027.

This step was only taken after exploring a range of options with stakeholders like the City of Richmond and the Province, while also speaking with racers. Unfortunately, we have determined that no other option was viable in delivering the event.

We want to thank all of our partners and racers for stepping up to make this event a success in the past- and we know with your support, it’ll come back stronger than ever next year. We also want to recognize FreshCo for being title partner since 2023; as their partnership with this Festival comes to an end, we’re grateful for the memories created with their help, and look forward to future collaborations with them at our other events.

If you were registered for this year’s FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival, we’ll be in touch soon with your team administrators to confirm if you’d like to carry forward your registration to 2027, to another one of our events, or get a credit or refund.

But, still have much more in store. Visit dragonboatbc.ca/race to see our other events in the 2026 race season! We look forward to writing the next chapter of this story with you all in 2027.

August 2027  |  Imperial Landing, Richmond

The Richmond Dragon Boat Festival hits Steveston Village! We invite you to the Fraser River to watch as teams face off at Richmond’s only dragon boat race in September.

We’re very excited to bring back one of the most anticipated events of Steveston! This year’s event promises a thrilling day of fierce competition, vibrant cultural performances, and community celebration, all set along the Fraser River. 

When: August 2027  |  8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: Imperial Landing
Cost: FREE ADMISSION!
What: Dragon boat racing, live music, cultural demonstrations, and much more!

Click here for the 2025 Festival Site Map. 2026 Map coming soon.

2025 Festival Schedule

Getting here

Public Transit

We’re a short walk away from multiple bus routes! Head over to www.translink.ca to plan your trip.

Driving

GPS/Google Maps: Fentiman Place Parkade

Parking is available at the Fentiman Place parkade, a short walk away from the race site. Please enter the area on Fentiman Place off Garry Street, proceed to the end of Fentiman Place, and follow signage on site. Parking is available for a minimum donation of $10 (all proceeds to Richmond Food Bank and Learning Buddies Network). Parking is limited, so please plan to carpool. The parking lot will open at 7:00 am.

At the Festival

Exploring the Festival while on wheels or walking your dog can be difficult because of the crowds. We strongly encourage you to lock up your bike, carry your board, and leave your pup at home.

Amenities

Washrooms: throughout site
Festival Merchandise: Imperial Landing: Oddball Workshop Tent
First Aid: Ask any staff/volunteer for assistance

Red Truck Patio Bar Service: Main Plaza
Water Stations: by Marshalling Tents
Food Trucks: by Main Plaza

Charity Partners

Richmond Food Bank: Richmond Food Bank is the charity partner of the Richmond Dragon Boat Festival. Serving on average 2,200 people per week, the Richmond Food Bank is a dynamic hub that connects people, food, and services essential to health and well-being. Visit richmondfoodbank.org to donate and learn more. On-site programming and partial proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Richmond Food Bank.

Learning Buddies Network:Learning Buddies Network is the charity partner of the Richmond Dragon Boat Festival. Learning Buddies Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping elementary school students develop essential literacy and math skills through free one on one, after school mentoring in a fun group setting who otherwise would not have the help they need. Visit www.learningbuddiesnetwork.com to donate and learn more. On-site programming and partial proceeds from the Festival will benefit Learning Buddies Network.

Explore Around

We encourage all visitors to please visit the Maritime Festival as well on August 23 and 24.

More information can be found at richmondmaritimefestival.ca

The Richmond Dragon Boat Festival is held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands and waters of the Musqueam peoples.