Race Schedule: Festivals and Regattas

The Society produces and operates the following races in BC. The Society serves additional events across BC through its community equipment lease program, cultural planning services, and race administration.

May 4, 2024 (AM): Burnwater Youth Regatta: The first race of the season, the Burnwater Youth Regatta is Western Canada’s largest regatta featuring youth teams. Cheer on these young athletes for free, and soak in the festive environment!

May 4, 2024 (PM): Burnwater Spring Sprint: The Burnwater Spring Sprint is back! Kick off the season on False Creek with 3 X 500 M races in all divisions. Races will be held on the afternoon of the Burnwater Youth Regatta.
June 1, 2024: Vessi 500 Championship: The Vessi 500 Championship features Mixed and Women’s teams racing off in BC’s second largest dragon boat race! Come down and watch races on False Creek every 15 minutes. The event also serves as a testing ground for teams prior to the continent’s flagship dragon boat festival.
June 21-23, 2024: The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival: Meet us at the intersection of sport and culture; Concord Pacific Place comes alive as well over 100,000 visitors kick start summer on False Creek. Over 200 teams from across Canada, the US, and the world come together at the continent’s flagship dragon boat festival. Kick off summer with us on the shores of False Creek with headliner music concerts on the TD Main Stage, cultural displays and demonstrations, and the city’s biggest outdoor licensed patio.
July 27, 2024: Harrison Dragon Boat Festival – Organized in partnership with the Fraser Valley Paddling Club: One of the race calendar’s most popular events is back! Sneak away for the weekend, and join us at scenic Harrison Lake to soak in the sun.
August 24, 2024: FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival: Celebrate summer on the shores of the Fraser River at the FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival! Steveston comes alive as 2,000 paddlers and 20,000 festival-goers converge for one of Richmond’s most popular community festivals at Imperial Landing Park. Enjoy great dragon boat racing, local cultural and music performances, local outdoor marketplace, and food trucks.
September 28, 2024: Oddball Fall Classic: Welcome Fall and close out the racing season on False Creek at the Oddball Fall Classic. Watch exciting sprint races throughout the day to close out the racing season, and celebrate afterwards with your team. Plus, put your team to the ultimate challenge at the Oddball Fall Classic. Close your season in an unforgettable way, and opt-in to the Oddball 2,000 Challenge- a full 2K turns race.
© 2024 Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society