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.

In 2024 the event happens on August 24th.

Other events that happen around the same time elsewhere in the Lower Mainland include the PNE Fair, Ribfest Langley, Symphony in the Park in Abbotsford, Chilliwack Flight Fest, and the Chilliwack Corn Maze.

This article contains the following information about the festival:

Dragon Boat Racing in Steveston Village

The regatta is a one-day festival which in 2024 happens on Saturday, August 24th. That’s on the same weekend as the Richmond Maritime Festival which happens close by on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Another similar event is the much larger Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival which is a three-day event. It usually happens in False Creek near Science World in mid-June.

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.

2023 Festival Schedule

Below was the schedule of events for the 2023 Steveston Dragon Boat Festival. This schedule will likely be similar when the event returns in 2024. The exact schedule for this year is TBD as of mid-July.

9:00 am – Dragon Boat races begin
10:00 am – Food and market vendor stalls open
11:00 am – Main Stage entertainment begins
12:00 pm – Beer Garden opens
7:30 pm – Festival ends

2023 Entertainment Schedule

Every year there is live music and other entertainment on the main stage. Below was the schedule for 2023. For the most up-to-date details visit the Steveston Dragon Boat website.

11:00 am – Coastal Wolf Pack
12:30 pm – Hon Hsing Athletic Club Lion Dances
2:00 pm – Ginalina Presents: Sun Moon Lake Trio
3:00 pm – Rachel Carino
4:00 pm – Hayley Wallis and the Bright Futures
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 compete 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.

Advice & Tips

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.