QUEENS, NY — July 30, 2026 — The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (HKDBF-NY) will host the 2026 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 8–9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine.
HKDBF 2026: YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE
The 2026 festival celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolizing energy, passion, courage and bold transformation—a fitting theme for a festival that brings together athletes, families, businesses, community organizations and cultural leaders from across New York City and beyond.
As one of the largest and oldest dragon boat festivals in the United States, HKDBF-NY continues to draw thousands of spectators, athletes, families and media outlets to Queens for a weekend celebrating sport, culture, heritage and community.
A WEEKEND OF CHAMPIONSHIP RACING
Following the Team Time Trials, the excitement continues during the festival on August 8–9.
Teams will compete throughout both days from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., culminating Sunday with the challenging U.S. Dragon Boat Open Championship Race.
The 2026 racing program will feature a diverse lineup of competitive and invitational races, including the new:
• America250 Invitational
• Hong Kong Teak Boat Dragon Boat Movement 40th Anniversary Invitational
The 40th Anniversary Invitational honors the original teak dragon boats gifted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, recognizing the history and enduring relationship between Hong Kong and the New York dragon boat community.
The festival will also feature the Municipal Invitational, bringing together teams representing elected officials and government agencies, including the NYC Comptroller’s Office, New York State Attorney General’s Office, New York State of Health, NYC Department of Transportation, NYC Department of Correction, New York City Department of Design & Construction, Board of Elections in the City of New York, NYC Department of Sanitation and NYC Parks.
Additional special races include the Michael Lau Legacy Race, David Archer Legacy Race and Sponsor’s Challenge, along with Corporate, Health Care, Education, Women’s, HK Family, Non-Profit, Media and Regulated Industry Invitationals.
CHARITY RACE RETURNS
The popular Charity Race returns in 2026, giving participating teams an opportunity to compete while supporting charitable organizations selected by the winning teams.
Over the years, the HKDBF-NY Charity Race has contributed more than $300,000 to New York City charities, demonstrating the festival’s continuing commitment to community service and philanthropy.
OPENING DAY PARADE & DRAGON EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY
The festival officially opens Saturday, August 8, with a spectacular Dragon Dance Dragon Dance Troupe performance by the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute, leading participating teams in a colorful parade toward the Main Stage.
The parade will culminate in the traditional Dragon Eye-Dotting Ceremony, a centuries-old tradition symbolizing the awakening and blessing of the dragon for competition.
Adding to the excitement, Mr. & Mrs. Met will make a special appearance during the opening celebration. On Sunday, Paw Patrol will be our special guest for photo opportunities.
WORLD-CLASS CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT
The Main Stage will showcase accomplished multicultural artists, musicians and performers throughout the weekend.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
Emcee: Anny Peng
• 10:30–11:30 AM: Chinese Music Ensemble of New York
• 11:30 AM–12:30 PM: Opening Ceremony
• 11:30 AM–12:30 PM: Dragon Dance, Team Parade & Eye-Dotting Ceremony by Wan Chi Ming Dragon Dance Troupe, plus Mr. & Mrs. Met
• 12:30–1:30 PM: Thai Dance — SARARUM
• 1:30–3:00 PM: Cantopop Vocalists — Echo, Paige, Rin & Vincent
• 1:45–3:00 PM: Cantopop Vocalists — Echo, Paige, Rin & Vincent
• 3:00–4:00 PM: Valerie Green / Dance Entropy
• 4:00–5:00 PM: New York Shaolin Temple Kung Fu
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
Emcee: Anny Peng
• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: New York Chinese Cultural Center
• 12:00–1:00 PM: International Violinist Daisy Jopling
• 1:30–2:00 PM: Dance Fusion Choreography “Afromanbo” by Carmen Mejia, Paw Patrol
• 2:00–3:00 PM: Manhattan Taiko, Shamisen & Japanese Folk Dance, Paw Patrol
• 3:00–4:00 PM: Chinese Theatre Works — Chinese Guzheng Music & Peking Opera
• 4:00–5:00 PM: New York Shaolin Temple Kung Fu
FOOD, CULTURE & FAMILY FUN
Beyond the racing and entertainment, visitors will experience a vibrant international marketplace featuring multicultural cuisine, traditional arts and crafts, sponsor activations and community programming.
FOOD TRUCKS
• Cousins Maine Lonster Food Truck
• Habanero Pibil Mexican Food Truck
• Sausage Kings Food Truck
• Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck
FOOD VENDORS
• Hong Kong Street Food Corner
• Bayside Lemonade
• YaYa Tea
The Hong Kong Street Food Corner will offer traditional Cantonese cuisine and give festival guests an authentic taste of Hong Kong.
HKETO DRAGON RIDERS
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York will host its popular festival tent directly opposite the Main Stage, where visitors can participate in games, activities and prize giveaways.
The HKETO NY Dragon Riders, a dragon boat team comprised of Friends of Hong Kong, will also compete for championship honors during the festival.
COMMUNITY VILLAGE
The Non-Profit Community Village will connect families and visitors with organizations providing important programs, resources and services, including:
1. Office of NYS Attorney General Letitia James *
2. Office of NYC Comptroller Mark Levine *
3. New York State of Health *
4. Board of Elections in the City of New York *
5. New York City Parks – Urban Park Rangers *
6. New York City Department of Transportation *
7. New York City Emergency Management *
8. New York City Department of Sanitation *
9. New York City Department of Correction *
10. New York City Department of Design and Construction *
11. NYPD Recruitment Section *
12. Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)
13. New York Hall of Science
14. Queens Public Library
15. Queens County Farm Museum
16. Lewis Latimer House
17. Waterfront Alliance
18. Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park
19. Founders District, Scouting America
*Government Agencies
2026 SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNERS
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York thanks its sponsors, corporate partners, community partners and media organizations for their continued support.
Sponsors & Community Partners
• Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO)
• HSBC
• Bank of China
• Flushing Bank (OceanFirst)
• Resorts World
• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
• Metropolitan Park / New York Mets / Hard Rock
• Shanghai Commercial Bank
• Con Edison
• JPMorganChase
• National Grid
• Bank of America
• Spectrum
• Citizens
• Raising Cane’s
• Paw Patrol
• USTA Eastern
• Hong Kong Tourism Board
Media Partners
• PIX11
• Sing Tao Daily News
• Multicultural Radio Broadcasting Inc.
• The Queens Courier
• AM Metro New York
• GoodNews Broadcast
• The Queens Chronicle
• ChinaAmerica Radio
2026 HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK
August 8–9, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Rain or Shine
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York
FREE ADMISSION
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York invites New Yorkers, visitors, families and communities from across the region to come together for a spectacular celebration of sport, culture, heritage, food and community.
Media Invited to Attend Coach Interviews and On-Water Training Sessions
QUEENS, NY — June 24, 2026 — The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York will host its annual Dragon Boat Coach Clinic and Training Weekend on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, bringing together coaches and team leaders from across the region as preparations continue for the 2026 festival season.
The Coach Clinic provides instruction on race strategy, paddling techniques, team development, safety protocols, and best practices for building successful dragon boat programs. The event serves as a key training opportunity for both new and experienced coaches leading teams competing in this year’s festival.
Members of the media are invited to attend and interview coaches, organizers, and participants.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: Dragon Boat Coach Clinic & Training Weekend
WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 2026, and Sunday, June 28, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: 11:00 AM
WHERE:
Meadow Lake
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens, New York
PHOTO & INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
Coach training and instructional demonstrations
Dragon boats on the water during practice sessions
Interviews with coaches and team leaders
New and returning teams preparing for competition
Festival organizers discussing the upcoming 2026 season
Scenic waterfront action shots from Meadow Lake
Team-building and athlete development activities
EVENT BACKGROUND
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York returns to Flushing Meadows Corona Park on August 8–9, 2026, bringing together hundreds of teams and thousands of spectators for one of the largest dragon boat racing events in North America.
The Coach Clinic plays an important role in preparing team leaders for a successful racing season while promoting athlete safety, competitive excellence, and community engagement. Teams continue to train throughout the summer leading up to the Festival’s two days of racing, cultural performances, food, and family-friendly activities.
Community members interested in participating can still register a team, join an existing crew, volunteer, become a sponsor, or support the festival as a community partner.
MEDIA RSVP
Donyshia Boston-Hill
Director of PR / Marketing
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York
Email: dbh.hkdbfny@aol.com
ABOUT THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York is the premier dragon boat racing event in the United States, celebrating athletic competition, cultural heritage, community engagement, and international friendship. Each year, the festival brings together thousands of participants and spectators for a weekend of racing, entertainment, food, and cultural programming in the heart of Queens.
