The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races return this weekend (June 27-28) with a milestone celebration: the 50th anniversary of the event, which also marks 35 years for both the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association and the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). The IDBF added to the occasion by announcing earlier this year the relocation of its headquarters back to Hong Kong, with formal incorporation in the city on April 29, 2026.
This year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has extended the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival to 13 days (June 19 – July 1), starting on the historic Tuen Ng Festival and ending on July 1, the 29th anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The festival serves as the headline event of "Hong Kong Summer Fun," offering a packed programme of races, entertainment, and cultural activities along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui.
More than 220 teams from 16 countries and regions will compete, including special 50th Anniversary Fishermen Invitational Cup and 50th Anniversary Championship races. Visitors can enjoy a 22-metre traditional wooden dragon boat, a dragon boat-themed installation in collaboration with the film Minions & Monsters, live music, and intangible cultural heritage performances like Wing Chun and Chinese juggling. The IDBF's relocation to Hong Kong, supported by a new government pilot scheme to attract sports associations, underscores the city's global hub status. As IDBF President Claudio Schermi stated, "Incorporation in Hong Kong is not a conclusion, but a beginning." The festival continues a tradition dating back over 2,000 years, commemorating the poet Qu Yuan, with dragon boat races and zongzi dumplings enjoyed across Hong Kong.
For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.
