Dragon Boat Festival 2025: Race Schedule

China's Dragon Boat Festival is referred to as Duanwu Jie ('Start-of the-Fifth-Solar-Month Festival') or Tuen Ng Festival (in Cantonese areas). Dragon boat races and rice dumplings are two of the most distinctive elements of the festival.

In 2025, Dragon Boat Festival falls on Saturday, May 31. People on the Chinese mainland enjoy a 3-day national holiday from May 30th to June 1st, whereas Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan celebrate the occasion with a 1-day public holiday.

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Which month is Dragon Boat Festival most likely to be in?

Dragon Boat Festival's date varies from year to year on the Gregorian calendar, falling in June most years or in late May. Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese Lunar Calendar, so the festival is often called the 'double fifth' festival. Why is it celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month?

Dragon Boat festival is celebrated in remembrance of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and statesman who drowned himself in a river on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (June 27, 278 BC) in protest of his beloved homeland's fall.

Learn more about the story of Qu Yuan.

Is Dragon Boat Festival a Public Holiday?

Dragon Boat Festival is a public holiday in China. In Chinese mainland, it is a 3-day national holiday including weekend, the same as in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

This annual event, with its roots in the Chinese mainland, has spread to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Now, it is also widely celebrated in other Asian countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia, as well as many other cities in the world, such as Denver in the U.S., Vancouver in Canada, and Wellington in New Zealand.

During this festival, people gather together to enjoy various cultural activities and traditions.

Dragon Boat Festival 2025 in Hong Kong

• Where to celebrate: Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade/Victoria Harbour
• When: TBC in 2025 (June 15 to 16, 2024)

The 2024 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races welcome thousands of dragon boat athletes from all around the world. The public can enjoy world-class dragon boat competitions and cheer for their favorite teams.

Dragon Boat Festival 2025 in Singapore

• Where to celebrate: Bedok Reservoir
• When: TBC in 2025 (June 7 to 9, 2024)

Singapore's festival is a prestigious and international-standard dragon boat competition, which is held annually. It is also a great event for families to enjoy. In addition to watching the races, you could see traditional ritual performances and enjoy traditional Chinese food.

Dragon Boat Festival 2025 in Denver, Colorado

• Where to celebrate: Sloan's Lake Park in Denver
• When: TBC in 2025 (July 22 to 23, 2024)

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the USA. It is an annual 2-day event for races and summertime family outings. More than a mere dragon boat competition, it has become a cultural bonanza featuring art performances, Chinese cultural activities, Asian marketplaces, and food showcasing. This culture celebration brings the communities together through tradition, culture, and entertainment.

Dragon Boat Festival 2025 in Malaysia

• Where to celebrate: Teluk Bahang Dam in Penang
• When: TBC in 2025 (October 25th to 27th, 2024)

In Malaysia, Dragon Boat Festival usually celebrate in Penang, which was the first place outside of China to host a Dragon Boat Festival event, and it has continued annually for over 30 years.

Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival in Canada

• Where to celebrate: False Creek in Vancouver
• When: TBC in 2025 (June 22 to 23, 2024)

Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is held annually on False Creek in Vancouver. The celebration welcomes over 200 teams from across Canada and the rest of the world, including teams from the USA, China, Germany, and Australia. It is recognized as the biggest and oldest international dragon boat racing event in North America. This year is the 35th anniversary of the continent's flagship dragon boat festival.

Dragon Boat Festival 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand

• Where to celebrate: Lake Karapiro
• When: TBC in 2025 (March 1 to 4, 2024)

This event welcomes youth teams, such as high-school-aged paddlers, competing across mixed, girls', and boys' divisions, as well as teams of colleagues, clubs, and other groups from society. Whether you are an experienced dragon boater or a rookie, you would have the opportunity to participate. This free event gives friends and families the chance to enjoy the exciting competitions.

Dragon Boat Festival 2025 in Taiwan

• Where to celebrate: Dajia Riverside Park
• When: TBC in 2025 (May 22, 2024)

Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships has become a unique feature of Taipei for sports tourism. This event combines racing, training, and traditional dragon boat culture, attracting lots of skilled paddlers to compete.

Dragon Boat Festival Dates for 2025 to 2035

This table below shows you when Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated from 2025 to 2035.