Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race

June 7-8, 2025

The Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race is an annual cultural event hosted by the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association (PKSCA) that is held in early June as a sanctioned event of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. The event features as many as 96 dragon boat teams from all over the world who race in Taiwan-style dragon boats. There are three divisions: Mixed, Women, and High School. The race is held on the Willamette River located at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. 

Olympia Dragon Boat Festival

July 12, 2025

The Olympia Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant community celebration hosted annually at Olympia’s scenic Port Plaza. Organized by the Olympia Dragon Boat Club and South Sound YMCA, this event showcases teams from across the Pacific Northwest competing in spirited races on Budd Inlet. The festival highlights teamwork, cultural heritage, and local entertainment, offering food vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities along the waterfront. 

Held in Salem, Oregon, as part of the World Beat Festival, this race brings together regional teams to compete on the Willamette River. Hosted by the Salem Multicultural Institute, the event emphasizes cultural celebration and community unity. Races feature various divisions including mixed, women’s, and youth crews, complemented by global food vendors, cultural exhibits, and live performances across Riverfront Park. 

The Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is one of Canada’s premier dragon boat events, held in late summer in the Victoria Inner Harbour. With teams from across North America and beyond, the festival celebrates sport and culture through competitive racing, multicultural entertainment, and community engagement. The festival also raises awareness and support for local charities through its "Paddlers for Life" program.

Held each September on the Willamette River, the Portland Dragon Boat Festival is hosted by DragonSports USA and draws up to 72 teams and over 1,400 paddlers from across the West Coast and beyond. Set against the scenic backdrop of Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the event features 500-meter and 2000-meter races in traditional Hong Kong-style dragon boats. With a vibrant festival atmosphere including local food vendors, merchandise booths, and a popular beer garden, the event celebrates Portland’s paddling community and promotes the growth of the sport in the region.

This prestigious two-day event, hosted by the California Dragon Boat Association, is one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the United States. Held on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay, the festival attracts over 120 teams from around the world. With international competition, cultural performances, food trucks, and a vibrant vendor village, it’s a high-energy showcase of athleticism and heritage.