Observations from the 30th Bergisch Dragon Boat Competition
In 2025, Dragon Boat Festivals continued to be a global celebration of tradition, sportsmanship, and community engagement. The festivals, held in various locations worldwide, showcased intense races with teams from community groups to international participants.
One of the most significant events took place in California, at the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival on July 26. The festival, held at Marine Stadium from 8 AM to 6:30 PM, featured one of California's largest dragon boat competitions. Alongside the races, attendees were treated to Chinese traditional art demonstrations, acrobatics, dance, music, and martial arts performances. The event offered a blend of excitement and cultural celebration, attracting a large crowd[1].
Another successful event was the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, which concluded on June 12. The races featured top athletes, vibrant colours, and traditional drumming, transforming the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade into a lively carnival. Visitors could enjoy food, photo spots, acrobatic shows, a beer garden, and a festive atmosphere from day to night[2].
The Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races, held on June 7-8, saw over 60 local, national, and international teams competing in heats every nine minutes on the Willamette River. The event, free to the public, has been a tradition since 1989 and includes community and cultural engagement[3].
The Seattle Dragon Boat Festival took place on June 14, featuring numerous teams across divisions. The festival, held at South Lake Union Park, concluded successfully for 2025, fostering sportsmanship and local pride[4].
The End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival, scheduled for June 14 in Maryland, aims to raise awareness and funds to combat hunger in the local community. The event features boats with 16 paddlers and a drummer racing to the finish line, combining competitive racing with fundraising and community building[5].
Regarding cancellations, there is no information indicating any cancellations of these major events in 2025 from the available data. These festivals typically include competitive heats with winners recognized through trophies or medals, especially in established events like the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races and Portland Rose Festival races[2][3].
On a different note, in Germany, the Dragon Boat Festival was held on Friday and Saturday. School classes participated in the WSW-Schülercup on Friday, while competitions were held for the Erfurt-Cup (large boats) and Sparkassen-Cup (small boats) on Saturday. A special award was presented to the PAKi-Azubi-Cup teams during the festival[6].
Interestingly, the Dragon Boat Festival has only been cancelled twice in the past few decades, with one of those instances being in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, the spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival continues to thrive, bringing people together through shared traditions and competitive spirit.
For those who missed the events, a photo gallery is available for viewing, capturing the energy, excitement, and cultural celebrations of these Dragon Boat Festivals[7].
[1] Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival: https://www.longbeachdragonboat.org/ [2] Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races: https://www.hkdba.org.hk/ [3] Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races: https://www.rosefestival.org/ [4] Seattle Dragon Boat Festival: https://www.seattledragonboat.org/ [5] End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival: https://www.endhungerdragonboat.org/ [6] German Dragon Boat Festival: No specific source provided. [7] Dragon Boat Festival Photo Gallery: No specific source provided.
Sports enthusiasts could experience the thrill of the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival in California on July 26, where one of California's largest dragon boat competitions took place. In a different part of the world, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races concluded on June 12, showcasing top athletes, vibrant colors, and traditional drumming.
