August 23, 2025  |  Imperial Landing, Richmond, BC

Thank you Richmond for joining us in 2024 on the shores of the Fraser River. Despite a rainy start to the day, the sun came out as almost 70 teams took to the water in one of the region’s favourite race venues. Thank you to FreshCo and the Province of BC for their instrumental support for this event. For 2025, please stay tuned on important updates on this event.

The FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival is back this August! Soak in the sun on the shores of the Fraser River, and watch as 69 teams face off at Richmond’s only dragon boat race.

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 23, 2025  |  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 Festival Site Map

2025 Festival Information Coming Soon

2024 Festival Schedule

Special Festival Displays

One Hundred Years of Wisdom – Debra Sparrow Musqueam Boat Display
With the support of the BC Arts Council.

In 2022, the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society commissioned 9 local artists to create unique artwork celebrating the spirit community, culture, and competition through their own lens to commemorate the landmark arrival of a fleet of 18 new racing dragon boats. The boats are raced at high-level international competition, and displayed as learning and cultural tools throughout the year at different community events.

Renowned Musqueam artist and elder Debra Sparrow created artwork for a boat reflecting on shared links between different communities. Her boat- titled One Hundred Years of Wisdom will be displayed for the first time in Richmond at the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival, encouraging visitors to reflect on the unceded Musqueam territories the Festival is held on, and the shared linkages between Chinese and Musqueam communities.

“I am always honoured to be asked to bring the beauty of our creative process forward and collaborate with different cultures. Creating designs to apply to the dragon boat, it came to mind the ways in which cultures use the water.

These designs represent the movement and swirling water after a paddle has dug deep to move canoes and dragon boats along swiftly on their way. The colours honour the red of Lunar New Year, and the reds we use in our blankets. The black represents the mud deep under the rivers used to dye wool. Histories tell the story handed down through generations. Know who you are…know where you come from.” – Debra Sparrow, 2022.

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 FreshCo 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 FreshCo 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 24.

More information can be found at richmondmaritimefestival.ca

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