Steveston Dragon Boat Festival

The second of two major dragon boat race events in Metro Vancouver each year, the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival takes place in Steveston Village in August.

This event happens on August 23rd in 2025.

Other events that happen around the same time in the Lower Mainland include the PNE Fair, Farewell to Summer Fireworks, World of Love Multicultural Carnival, and Salmon Sessions Music Festival. In the Fraser Valley there is also the Chilliwack Corn Maze, and the weekend before there is Ribfest Langley and Symphony in the Park in Abbotsford.

This article contains the following information about the festival:

Dragon Boat Racing in Steveston Village

The regatta is a one-day festival that happens towards the end of summer. In 2025 the event runs on the same weekend as the Richmond Maritime Festival which happens close by on both the Saturday and Sunday of August 23rd and 24th.

Another similar event is the much larger Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival which is a three-day event. It happens at False Creek near Science World in June, 2025, from the 20th to the 22nd.

Dragon Boating Location

The Steveston Dragon Boat Festival takes place in Richmond‘s Steveston Village between the Britannia Heritage Shipyard and Imperial Landing. The Britannia Heritage Shipyard is located at 5180 Westwater Drive. Imperial Landing, meanwhile, is at 4000 Bayview Street further to the west.

Festival Schedule

Below was the schedule of events for the 2024 Steveston Dragon Boat Festival. This schedule will likely be similar in 2025, but with exact details to be confirmed.

9:00 am – Dragon Boat races begin
10:00 am – Food and market vendor stalls open
12:00 pm – Beer Garden opens
12:00 pm – Main Stage entertainment begins
6:00 pm – Festival ends

Entertainment Schedule

Every year there is live music and other entertainment on the main stage. Below was the schedule for 2024. For the most up-to-date details visit the Steveston Dragon Boat website. The entertainment schedule for 2025 is to be confirmed.

12:00 pm – Sichuan Face Changing Performances
1:00 pm – Coastal Wolf Pack
2:00 pm – Hon Hsing Athletic Club Lion Dances
3:00 pm – Luc LeMans
4:00 pm – Hon Hsing Athletic Club Lion Dances
5:00 pm – Luc LeMans

Dragon Boat Racing Details

At the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival many teams compete in races that are 250 metres and 500 metres in distance. Each boat has about 20 paddlers plus a steerer and a drummer. Eighty teams competed in 2024.

The cost for participation is about $1,100 for women and co-ed teams, $900 for seniors (co-ed teams and women) and $600 for juniors (of 12-18 years of age). Early bird registration discounts are also available most years.

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your visit to Steveston Village and the Richmond Dragon Boat Festival.

TIP #1: Parking is available starting at 7:00 am for race participants at the T Homma School. It’s right by the Britannia Heritage Shipyard at 5180 Westwater Drive. The cost is about $5 with proceeds going to the Richmond Food Bank. Spaces are limited so plan to carpool.

TIP #2: Steveston Village is a beautiful and very interesting place. There is a walking and cycling path that goes for miles all along the water. The Britannia Heritage Shipyard is itself a National Historic Site, as is the Gulf of Georgia Cannery located in the heart of Steveston Village. While you’re in the area, get out and explore!

TIP #3: Also taking place in Richmond on Saturday is the Richmond Night Market which costs around $5 and is located at 8351 River Road not far from the Bridgeport SkyTrain Station. Especially if you’ve never been, and you like markets, it’s worth checking out.

TIP #4: If you want to compete in the dragon boat racing, register well in advance as the event sells out well before race day.