Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival

Name: Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival
Start: 2025-07-26
Location: Marine Stadium

July 25, 2026

Dive into this adrenaline-pumping, culture-packed festival!

Feel the thunder of drums and the splash of paddles as colorful dragon boats compete in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival. When you're not watching the races, feast your senses on Chinese acrobats, martial arts displays, and mesmerizing dance performances. With traditional art exhibitions to admire and mouthwatering cuisine to savor, you don’t want to miss this festival!

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, courtesy by Pirath Charoenthaivanich

What is the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival? What is Dragon Boat Racing? When & Where Spectating Participating Plan Your Trip

What is the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival?

For over 25 years, the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival has captivated Southern California. This annual event transforms the Marine Stadium into a celebration of culture, sport, and community. The festival features one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California, bringing in teams from across the country. Spectators are treated to an exhilarating race and unique cultural experience, including Chinese art demonstrations, acrobatic performances, traditional and modern dance shows, live music, and martial arts displays.

Rowers on a yellow dragon boat during the festival in Long Beach — Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, courtesy by Pirath Charoenthaivanich

What is Dragon Boat Racing?

Dragon Boat Racing is a thrilling water sport steeped in over 2,000 years of history and Chinese folk rituals commemorating the poet Qu Yuan. When Qu Yuan drowned in the Miluo River in 278 BCE, local people raced out in boats to save him, beating drums to scare away fish and evil spirits and throwing rice into the water to prevent them from eating his body. This event evolved into an annual tradition, eventually becoming the dragon boat races we know today. In 1976, it emerged as a modern international sport in Hong Kong, quickly spreading worldwide and captivating audiences with its blend of athleticism and cultural heritage.

Today's races feature long, narrow boats adorned with dragon heads and tails, powered by teams of oarsmen working in perfect synchronization. A drummer at the bow sets the pace, while a steersperson guides from the stern. This unique sport demands strength, endurance, and precise coordination. From its ancient roots to its modern competitive form, Dragon Boat Racing continues to honor tradition while exciting participants and spectators alike.

When & Where

Date

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25, 2026. The event takes place from from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location

The Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival is held at the Marine Stadium, located at 5225 E Paoli Way, Long Beach.

Parking

There are a variety of options for event parking, including curbside and metered spots. Plan ahead and click here to view a parking map.

Watching the Festival

Admission

The Dragon Boat Festival offers free entry for walk-up spectators. You can catch the best views from the shoreline and in designated areas near Marine Stadium.

Spectators can also access food trucks, vendor booths, and cultural performances, such as Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese Acrobats, traditional dance, music, and martial arts.

Stay tuned for the official event schedule, coming soon!

How to Participate

Start a Team

A full crew consists of up to 23 members, including:

14–18 paddlers (minimum of 14 on race day)
1 drummer (must be at least 12 years old)
1 steersperson (must be at least 15 years old)
plus 2 alternates and 1 team leader

To sign up, submit your team application form, roster, and waivers here.

Race Day Rules

If you plan on participating, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations, including marshalling procedures, penalties, and safety requirements. You can find a copy of the rules here.