Experience the Thrill: 2026 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races Kick Off on June 19

Translation result [Herald Economy=Kim Myungsang] Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is back on Victoria Harbour. About 220 teams from 16 countries — including South Korea — will compete in this signature summer celebration that blends pulse-pounding dragon boat racing with cultural and culinary experiences.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board says the 2026 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races kick off on June 19.

Boats crowned with dragon heads set the scene as paddlers race to the beat of drums. The festival, held around the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to mark the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu), began in 1976 in Shau Kei Wan. It has since grown into an official Asian Games sport and one of Hong Kong’s most iconic festivals.

To mark the 50th year, the festival runs for 13 days along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade from June 19 through July 1, offering cultural events, food pop-ups and hands-on activities. The main races take place June 27–28 in Victoria Harbour, featuring roughly 220 teams from 16 countries and territories, including South Korea.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board aims to present dragon boat culture in a way that resonates with a new generation. By pairing adrenaline-fueled races with interactive programs, the festival showcases Hong Kong’s unique fusion of tradition and contemporary energy — and reinforces the city’s standing as Asia’s events capital.

During the festival, Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars and Salisbury Garden will host traditional culture demos, VR dragon-boat simulations and live performances. Visitors can try intangible cultural heritage workshops and traditional craft sessions to get hands-on with Hong Kong’s cultural traditions.

A Dragon Boat Food Lane and Beer Garden will serve up Hong Kong street food and festival snacks. Organizers will offer complimentary beer and zongzi — the sticky rice dumplings traditionally eaten during the festival — and feature a 22-meter giant dragon boat on display, plus photo zones and other on-site activations.

Beyond Victoria Harbour, neighborhoods across Hong Kong will stage events that reflect local character. In Tai O, a centuries-old dragon boat water parade — a ritual in which a small boat carrying a deity is floated along village waterways — returns. That tradition was designated a national-level intangible cultural heritage of China in 2011.

Festivities will also take place in Stanley, Aberdeen, Sai Kung and along the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin. Each district brings its own vibe and flavor, giving visitors an up-close look at local culture. For more details, visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s official website.