Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival
Dive into this adrenaline-pumping, culture-packed festival!
Feel the thunder of drums and the splash of paddles as colorful dragon boats compete in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival. When you're not watching the races, feast your senses on Chinese acrobats, martial arts displays, and mesmerizing dance performances. With traditional art exhibitions to admire and mouthwatering cuisine to savor, you don’t want to miss this festival!
What is the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival?
For over 25 years the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival has been captivating Southern California. This annual event transforms the Marine Stadium into a vibrant celebration of culture, sport, and community. The festival features one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California, bringing in teams from across the country. Spectators are treated to an exhilarating race and rich cultural experience, including Chinese art demonstrations, acrobatic performances, traditional and modern dance shows, live music, and martial arts displays.
What is Dragon Boat Racing?
Dragon Boat Racing is a thrilling water sport steeped in over 2,000 years of history and Chinese folk rituals commemorating the poet Qu Yuan. When Qu Yuan drowned in the Miluo River in 278 BCE, local people raced out in boats to save him, beating drums to scare away fish and evil spirits and throwing rice into the water to prevent them from eating his body. This event evolved into an annual tradition, eventually becoming the dragon boat races we know today. In 1976, it emerged as a modern international sport in Hong Kong, quickly spreading worldwide and captivating audiences with its blend of athleticism and cultural heritage.
Today's races feature long, narrow boats adorned with dragon heads and tails, powered by teams of oarsmen working in perfect synchronization. A drummer at the bow sets the pace, while a steersperson guides from the stern. This unique sport demands strength, endurance, and precise coordination. From its ancient roots to its modern competitive form, Dragon Boat Racing continues to honor tradition while exciting participants and spectators alike.
When & Where
Mark your calendars for July 27, 2024! The Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Marine Stadium, located at 5225 E Paoli Way, Long Beach. This picturesque venue in Alamitos Bay, was created in 1925 and expanded in 1932 to host the Olympic rowing events during the 1932 Summer Games.
Plan Your Trip
Long Beach is a waterfront playground located right in the heart of Southern California.
They say nobody walks in L.A., but that doesn’t mean you need a car in Long Beach.
