The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races return this weekend (June 27-28) for their 50th anniversary, with a record 220 teams from 16 countries and regions competing along Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has extended the festival period to 13 days (June 19 – July 1), starting from the traditional Tuen Ng Festival and culminating on the 29th anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
This year marks significant milestones: the 35th anniversaries of the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association and the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), which earlier this year announced the relocation of its headquarters back to Hong Kong. The IDBF formally incorporated as International Dragon Boat Federation Limited in Hong Kong on 29 April 2026, a move IDBF President Claudio Schermi called "not a conclusion, but a beginning." The Federation has applied for funding under the HKSAR Government's Pilot Scheme to Strengthen the Presence of Hong Kong in Asian and International Sports Associations, which supports sports bodies establishing regional or global headquarters in the city.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam described the event as the headline of Hong Kong Summer Fun, featuring a stronger race line-up and more vibrant entertainment than previous years. New competitions include the 50th Anniversary Fishermen Invitational Cup and the 50th Anniversary Championship, honoring traditional dragon boat racing. Along the Avenue of Stars, visitors can see a 22-metre traditional wooden dragon boat, a dragon boat-themed installation in collaboration with the new film Minions & Monsters, live music, and intangible cultural heritage performances such as Wing Chun, Chinese juggling, and traditional music.
The Dragon Boat Festival traces its origins over 2,000 years to the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Luo River. Villagers raced out in boats, banging gongs and drums to scare away creatures from his body. Today, the tradition continues with races across Hong Kong, and festive foods like zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) are widely available.
The event underscores Hong Kong's reputation as the birthplace of modern international dragon boat racing and its strengths as a global hub city. The IDBF's return to Hong Kong and the extended festival period highlight the city's position as the Events Capital of Asia, attracting international participants and spectators while boosting tourism and cultural exchange.
