Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2025 Enjoy Races, Food, & Fun on the Charles River

The Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, held each year in June, features sleek 39-foot long Hong Kong-style fiberglass boats with dragon heads and tails racing down the Charles River. 

On the Cambridge side of the Charles, drum dances, yo-yo performances, music, and Lion dances entertain crowds of spectators, making this one of the biggest Boston Chinese cultural events of the year.

Dragon boat races began around 2,300 years ago as a ceremony to commemorate the life and death of Chinese poet-political leader Qu Yuan (340-278 B.C.). 

Today, the races take place around the world and have become sporting events and celebrations of Chinese culture.

The Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival attracts racers from Boston and the rest of New England, other East Coast locations from New York to Florida, and Canada, making it the biggest dragon boat race in the U.S. and the longest-running festival in North America. 

Everyone is welcome to participate, from first-time paddlers to dragon race experts.

Traditionally held on the 5th day of the 5th moon on the lunar calendar (late May to mid June on the solar calendar), the Festival usually takes place a week or two after Memorial Day - check the Boston Events Calendar for June for the exact date.

Teams sporting names such as the Dragon Boat Club of Boston, MIT Transgenic Dragons, The Boat for Kids Who Don't Paddle Good, the Wellness Warriors, and MathWorks Chinese represent clubs, businesses, schools, and communities.

Although races start early in the morning, cultural activities begin at noon with the "Eye-Dotting Ceremony."

Accompanied by traditional Chinese drums, painters apply dots around the eyes of each boat's dragon.  According to ancient legend, this ritual gives the dragons the power to soar.

Check exact dates/times for the Dragon Boat Festival in our June calendar

Photo credit:  Dragon Boats on the Charles River by Michael Naselroad; courtesy of Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

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Map Showing Where to Watch Boston's Dragon Boat Race

Boston Dragon Boat race seeding trials take place on Saturday at the MIT Pierce Boathouse dock.

Races on Sunday take place in the Charles River, at docks on the Boston side. 

The length of the race course is about 500 meters.

The races start between the River and Western Avenue Bridges, near Western Ave, and end near the Weeks Footbridge.  Those bridges also provide excellent spots for viewing the Dragon Boat races.

Although you can also watch the races from either side of the river, you'll probably want to be on the Cambridge side because that's where the festival takes place. 

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More about the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

In addition to all of the performances, the festival includes activity areas for children, arts and crafts sponsored by the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA), informational booths set up by local Chinese community centers and similar organizations.

You'll also find lots of delicious food for purchase, thanks to many of Boston's top Chinese and other Asian restaurants. 

About 20,000 people typically attend the Boston Dragon Boat races and festival.

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See Boston by Water:  Harbor Sightseeing Cruises

Tour Boston by boat - the best way to see the city!  

Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights and Schooner Adirondack III:

 Popular Cruises

• Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
• Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
• Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience!  Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar

Sailing Cruises on the Adirondack III & IV:

• Adirondack Day Sail - Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands - Starts May 1
• Adirondack Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors - Starts May 1

Mothers Day Cruise

• Mother's Brunch Day Cruise with Live Jazz - Celebrate your mom while you enjoy a delicious brunch and live jazz on this relaxing Harbor cruise - May 11 (don't wait to book - this always sells out!)

Fun Book Your July 4th Cruises Now (because they sell out far in advance!)

• Northern Lights - Harborfest Fireworks Cruise on a 1920's style commuter yacht - July 2
• Adirondack - Harborfest Fireworks Cruise on an 80-foot schooner - July 2
• Adirondack - USS Constitution Turn-Around Cruise with Continental breakfast- July 4
• Northern Lights - USS Constitution Turn-Around Cruise with 3-course brunch - July 4
• Northern Lights - July 4th Fireworks Cruise - 3 hour cruise from Boston featuring Winthrop's spectacular fireworks  - July 4
• Adirondack - July 4th Fireworks Cruise - 3 to 3.5 hour cruise from Boston to watch Winthrop's fireworks - July 4

Labor Day Cruise

• Labor Day Fireworks Cruise on Northern Lights - You'll love this crowd-free option for watching the brilliant Labor Day Fireworks over Boston Harbor after a leisurely cruise on this classic commuter yacht - Find out more

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Need a Boston Hotel or Apartment?

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More Things to Do in Boston 

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