The Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival runs from Friday evening to Sunday evening on the third weekend of August each year.
General Schedule
Specifics for each year's festival are posted in early to mid-August.
Saturday all day
Throughout the day enjoy vendors, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and the beverage gardens—after you race, please! The day wraps up with a paddler party.
Morning races—all teams race once in randomly assigned heats
Opening ceremony
Afternoon races—all teams race once in randomly assigned heats
Sunday all day
Throughout the day enjoy vendors, food trucks, and the beverage gardens—after you race, please! The day wraps up with the awards ceremony.
Morning races—semi-finals
Mulan (women's) division
Mixed divisions from lowest to highest
Pink Ribbon Ceremony
Afternoon races—finals
Mulan (women's) division
Mixed divisions from lowest to highest
Awards ceremony
Upcoming festival
Latest information
Festival Team Divisions
Mixed – requires a minimum of 8 female and 8 male paddlers
Women's – paddlers are all female with steersperson and drummer of either gender
Novice Challenge – 250 meter course for teams with a minimum of 8 first year paddlers
Pink Ribbon Challenge – 500 meter course for teams where all paddlers are breast cancer survivors
Grassroots – 250 meter course for mixed teams that do not have more than 2 experienced paddlers
Get involved in a festival!
There are many ways to get involved, either as an athlete or a supporter.
Register as a Paddler
If you are an individual paddler, steersperson or drummer and wanting to join a team, please register below. This registration form is for new and/or experienced individuals. If you have been invited by a team manager to join a particular dragon boat team, please register with our online form. Paddler Registration Form
Register Your Team for the Festival
Team managers, please register your dragon boat team on the online form: Team Registration Form or Grassroots Team Registration Form for new teams with no more than two experienced paddlers, who will receive a coach, a steersperson, one practice prior to Festival, and Festival registration.
Sign Up as a Festival Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer at the festival, practices, or in any other way, read our volunteer page for more information. Volunteer Registration
Sponsor the Festival
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival, please email the externalrelations@edbfa.ca.