Just in time to make the most of the last full month of summer, one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the United States is making its way back to New York City this August–and it won’t cost you a dime to attend.
On Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, more than 180 teams in colorful teak boats will race down Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for the 36th edition of Queens’ wildly entertaining Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (HKDBF-NY). The largest multicultural festival in New York, the event attracts more than 40,000 spectators and visitors over the course of the weekend.
And unlike so many NYC events that come with a price tag, this one is completely free!
🛶 From tradition to a multicultural celebration in NYC
Over the course of more than 30 successful years, NYC’s Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival has evolved from its riverside roots to become one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the United States.
The festival commemorates ancient patriot-poet Qu who drowned himself in the third century B.C. to protest against his emperor’s policies.
According to legend, local fishermen raced out to the river to save him, but couldn’t. To prevent his body from being eaten by the fish, they threw rice dumplings into the water as an offering to his heroic spirit.
This was the beginning of Dragon Boat Racing.
The NYC festival began in 1990 when the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York City promoted and organized the inaugural Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, which was held on the Hudson River in Battery Park City.
Today, more than 120 teams of 20 crewmen–consisting of 18 paddlers, a drummer, and a steers person–from across North America participate. The teams race across the water in teak boats, custom made by a small coterie of craftsmen in Hong Kong.
Each weighing one ton, the boats are colorfully decorated with a hand painted dragon head at the front and tail at the rear making them works of art gliding across the water.
👀 What to Expect at NYC’s Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
For one weekend in August, Flushing Meadows Corona Park will transform into an international, multi-cultural celebration and sporting event.
Here’s what you’ll find across the two day festival:
- Thrilling dragon boat races: Watch hundreds of teams paddle for victory in everything from NYC Open races and Youth Invitationals to Charity Races, Nonprofit Competitions, Corporate Challenges, and more. Racing begins at 9 am each day and continues into the early evening
- Live cultural performances: The Main Stage will come alive with live music, traditional dance, martial arts demonstrations, and other performances celebrating cultures from around the world
- Arts & Crafts Village: Browse handcrafted goods and watch artisans showcase traditional folk arts and cultural crafts
- International Food Court: Fuel up with a wide variety of global eats, authentic snacks, and refreshing drinks from vendors representing cuisines from around the world
📅 Event details at a glance
- What: NYC Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2026
- When: Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 | 10 am – 6 pm
- Where: Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
- Cost: Free and open to the public
- Getting there: 7 train to the Mets-Willets Point Station + MTA shuttle bus to the festival
- Register your team: Registration is open online through July 31st, 2026
Don’t miss out–it’s not every day you get to experience an unforgettable weekend of vibrant culture, thrilling dragon boat races, and family-friendly fun!