Stay tuned as one of Victoria’s most beloved summer traditions makes its return this August!
The Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
It will take place over a couple of days, kicking off Friday, August 8th and running until Saturday, August 9th, at a variety of locations in Victoria.
To launch the festival, Friday will feature Dragons on the Coast: Victoria’s Dragon Boat Story, which is a new exhibit made in collaboration with the Victoria Chinatown Museum in Fan Tan Alley.
The immersive experience encourages visitors to explore the community roots of dragon boat racing in Victoria. Highlights include an original teak dragon boat head, memorabilia from the sport’s debut and decades of local history.
On Saturday, the Inner Harbour will become a spectacle of speed and spirit, with over 30 teams taking to the water for races. Starting at 8 a.m., paddlers will tackle a 250-metre course that stretches from Laurel Point to Ship Point Pier.
More than just racing, this event is a celebration of culture, community and local connection. This is why, in addition to racing, attendees will be treated to a dynamic lineup of performances!
Some of which include Chinese opera and lion dances, Indigenous artists, and high-energy dance sets from local artists such as Aftershock, Hit List and Hot Pot.
Plus, there will be an array of food trucks, and Vancouver Island Brewing will serve up cold drinks at their pop-up patio bar, so you can cool off and get a front-row view of the action in the water.
This event is free to attend, making it a fun and affordable activity for all!
If you wish to learn more about this event, and stay up-to-date with festival times and programming, you can visit their website.
Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
- Where:
- Exhibit: Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley
- Races: Inner Harbour, 900 Wharf Street
- When:
- Friday, August 8th: Exhibit opens, and will be accessible from Thursdays to Sundays until September 8th, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, August 9th: Races begin at 8 a.m., and other festivities are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
