Dragon Boats Festival
Friday 16 February from 7pm to 8pm Saturday 17 February from 8am to 5pm Sunday 18 February from 1pm to 2pm
Free
Watch the biggest dragon boat festival in the southern hemisphere as more than 3,000 paddlers churn up the waters and battle it out.
The 2024 festival will see 3 exciting days packed with competition, music and entertainment.
Friday 16th February - 7pm - 8pm Opening Ceremony
Traditional Eye Dotting Ceremony, Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony, Dragon Dancing, Dragon Boat Racing Finals and Medal Presentations
Saturday 17 February
Sports racing
Sunday 18th February - 1pm - 2pm Closing Ceremony
Dragon Boat Racing Finals and Medal Presentations for the 2024 Sydney International Grand Championship, Regional NSW Championship and Pink Championship.
Enjoy the fierce spectacle of Dragon Boating taking over Darling Harbour.
Key highlights:
Dragon Boat Races: Teams from across New South Wales, Australia and abroad will compete in exhilarating dragon boat races, showcasing their strength, skill, and teamwork.
Cultural Performances: Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture with traditional performances, including lion and dragon dances, and mesmerising martial arts demonstrations.
Gourmet Delights: Indulge in a diverse array of culinary delights from food stalls featuring authentic Lunar New Year specialties. From traditional dumplings to modern fusion dishes, there's something to tantalise every palate.
Family-Friendly Activities: The festival is a perfect outing for families, with a dedicated Chill Out Zone featuring a DJ, lounge furniture and misting stations to stay cool, while our roving street performances will keep the family on their toes.
Ceremonial Blessing: Witness the traditional eye-dotting ceremony, believed to awaken the spirit of the dragon boats and bring good luck to the participants.
Dress-up Race: Prepare for the debut of the dress-up race. 6 magnificent crews will be bringing additional colour to the event with coordinated costumes for their entire boat. Come down Sunday from midday to see the excitement of this race.
Championship Sunday: Sunday will also feature the debut of the Sydney International Grand Championship to determine the top mixed crew from the weekend, the Regional NSW Championship to crown the top Regional NSW crew and the Pink Championship to crown the top Breast Cancer Survivor crew.