The 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races finally come back after four-year cancellation (2019-2022). This year, it will be on the 24th and 25th of June 2023 off TST Harbour Promenade, only two days after 2023 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Celebration. For two-day weekend, the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade at Victoria Harbour will transform into a giant party celebrating with not only over thousands of athletes from around 20 countries, but also their boats and races. Come to celebrate, cheer and support your favorite dragon boat team.
In the previous years, along with the exciting races, there were also the carnival with beer party, fun games and food gala for visitors to enjoy.
If you cannot make it to Dragon Boat Festival and the International Dragon Boat Races, from April to December, Hong Kong also has many various regional dragon boat races. Check out the schedule and locations of the dragon boat races and see which one fits you better.
2023 International Dragon Boat Races
What is 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races – What to expect?
The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races are along with the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships one of the top dragon boat races. It is a great way to experience an ancient Chinese tradition combined with the spectacular backdrop of Victoria Harbour‘s skyline.
The history of Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races started 43 years ago when Hong Kong fishermen organized an international dragon boat event in 1976. Only ten teams (9 locals and one foreign team from Japan) participated in that race.
Since then, Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races grew rapidly over the years. In 2018 it had 200 teams with over 4,000 paddlers from 12 countries around the world.
As a matter of fact, these events are one of the best chances to experience the whole package of dragon boat races, traditions paired with entertainment in a relaxed party carnival-like atmosphere.
Watching the races along the harbour promenade is free of charge.
This is another opportunity to enjoy the spectacular dragon boat races and traditions, in case you have missed the celebrations of the Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Festival).
When is 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races?
The 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will be on the 24th and 25th of June 2023. Be prepared that this mega event is one of the highlights of the year and usually draws more than tens of thousands spectators to the harbourfront.
Key events of 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races
This year, the paddlers will be back and compete for 15 championships of standard boat competition. Most matches will have Heat round in the morning and semi-final and final in the afternoon.
On 24th of June 2023:
– Mixed Championship
– International Mixed Championship
– Youth Championship cum HKCDBA Chairman Shield
– Open Championship
– International Open Championship
– International Women’s Championship
– Women’s Championship
– 18 Districts Trophy
– President Shield
On 25th of June 2023:
– Mixed Grand Championship
– Hong Kong Championship
– International Championship
– Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Championship
– International Open Grand Championship
– Fancy Dress Competition
Apparently, due to the impact of pandemic, this annual activity was cancelled for four years. The scale of this year is not as big as before. Moreover, in the past, besides standard dragon boat, there was also races of small dragon boat. This year’s International Dragon Boat Races has only standard dragon boat on 500-meter race course.
Did You Know
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“In the past, there were two sizes of dragon boats in Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races: the standard dragon boat and small dragon boat. The standard dragon boat is about 12 meters long and carries 20 persons on board (18 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1 steersman). The small dragon boat is only 9 meters long and needs only 10 paddlers to row (also with 1 drummer and 1 steersman).”
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“There are also long dragon boat races. Usually, the longer the dragon boat the more difficult to handle as well as runs faster. However, in recent years, the formal dragon boat races and competitions are only using standard dragon boats and small dragon boats. If you would like to watch long dragon boat competition, you can visit the “Aberdeen on Tuen Ng Festival.
The paddlers will get on boats at the Public Pier and race in the middle of Victoria Harbour.
Don’t be fooled by the serious international dragon boat races. There is plenty of extra unmissable Carnival action this year as well. Look out for the Fancy Dress Race where local and overseas dragon boat teams will dress up in specially designed costumes and fight for the “Best Costume Award”.
Be sure to mark down this legendary event where you can enjoy spectacular modern dragon boat racing action with the stunning Hong Kong skyline as a backdrop.
General Info and Details
When and where does 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat races take place?
Date: 24th of June, 2023 (8:00 am to 7:00 pm)
25th of June, 2023 (8:00 am to 5:30 pm)
Venue: Victoria Harbour close to Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade Event Space
Ticket: Free admission
How to get to 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races?
The easiest way is to take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui or East TST station and walk toward waterfront or take Star Ferry from Central/Wanchai Pier to TST.
San Miguel BeerFest (not for 2023)
San Miguel BeerFest has been paired with Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races since 2013. Being the famous Hong Kong local beer brand, San Miguel has sponsored a special party to support the local event. It has turned to be an important annual event for the town.
However, for the moment, there has no information about the BeerFest for 2023 yet and it has high possibility that there will not be BeerFest once again since 2018.
In the past, tourists could get beer coupons from Hong Kong Tourism Board and redeem the free beer from the BeerFest. There was no better way to wind down from the thrilling Dragon Boat Race action with a cup of cold beer.
Dragon Boat Carnival in the past
Besides watching the dragon boat races and enjoying beer, the event holder used to arrange the large carnival for all the visitors. In 2018, there were man-made beach, where kids can enjoy splashing fun and relaxing on the beach next to Victoria Harbour.
In addition, there were food trucks parking around. From traditional local food to Western hotdogs, visitors would find something to fill their stomach.
Other important dragon boat races in Hong Kong (2023)
Dragon Boat Races are not only traditional but also serious in Hong Kong, especially because Hong Kong was a small fishing village. Every year from March to December, every month there are some dragon boat races in different districts.
In case you cannot make it for the Dragon Boat Carnival, here are other important dragon boat competition in the coming days.
Tsuen Wan Dragon Boat Race (11th of June 2023)
The Sun Life Hong Kong DB Short Course Races in Stanley (1st of July 2023)
Lamma Island Sok Kwu Wan DB Race (1st of July 2023)
Tai O Dragon Boat Championship (9th of July 2023)
Tseung Kwan O DB Competition (9th of July 2023)
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Premier Race (16th of July 2023)
Tai O Small DB Race (13th of August 2023)
Kwun Tong Dragon Boat Race (3rd of September 2023)
Sai Kung Summer Vigor Small DB Race (3rd of September 2023)
King of The World DB Competition (2nd of October 2023)
Tsing Yi Small DB Carnival (8th of October 2023)
Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Gala (9th of October 2023)
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Championships September, November & December 2023)
For more details about the Dragon Boat Races (race course, boat type etc.), you can check Best dragon boat races in Hong Kong.