Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

You don’t need a passport to soak up the culture and flavor of Asia at the annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. The FREE family-friendly festival returns to Sloan’s Lake Park in northwest Denver on Saturday & Sunday, August 29 & 30, 2026. Festival hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This festival is one of the few of its kind in the U.S. with two full days of fast-paced dragon boat racing (boats start their match-ups at 8 a.m. each morning).

More than 42 dragon boat teams will race, including competitors returning fresh from winning gold medals at the 2025 World Dragon Boat Championships.

Colorful Flag-Catching Taiwanese-style boats are crewed by 18 paddlers, one drummer and one flag catcher. There will also be the Hong Kong-style division. On these slimmer boats there are 20 paddlers.

While the competitions are at the heart of the festival, there are plenty of other activities.

Sample culinary delights from 35+ vendors such as rice noodles, Bubble Yea, eggrolls, sushi, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches and more at the Taste of Asia Food Courts.

With 100+ merchants from every corner of Asia and the Pacific, shopping at the Marketplace is like shopping in Asia’s open-air markets. Find a fascinating array of art, jewelry, fashion, decor, and more.

Back by popular demand are live art demonstrations that showcase local AANHPI artists.

Dragonland returns with cultural, educational and family-friendly programming for kids of all ages. Find art demos, face painting, local performers, Kendama workshops and more.

Entertainment takes center stage, literally, with more than 60 performances on three separate stages. Performances include Japanese Taiko drumming, martial arts demos, Mudra Dance, hula dancing and much more.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival 2026 Map

Getting To The Dragon Boat Festival

There is NO PARKING onsite.

There are FREE Shuttles from the Auraria Campus to the festival. Pay to park at the 5th Street Garage, Cherry, or Elm Lot.

The address for 5th Street Garage is 1351 5th St. Denver, CO 80204.

Parking Prices

• 5th Street Garage – $15
• Cherry Lot – $10
• Elm Lot – $10

Please note that none of the parking fee goes to Colorado Dragon Boat. It is a payment that Auraria charges and keeps. 

Shuttles run every 20 to 30 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Bike or walk to the festival. Bike lock stations will be available.

Use RTD/ Light Rail. The closest Light Rail Station and Light Rail Park and Ride is the Sheridan Station at 1198 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, 80204. It is a 25-minute walk to the site.

Ride Share. Dropoff at corner of Sheridan Boulevard and W Byron Pl.

Upcoming Events in the Denver Area

Look at our full events calendar, where you can type in any date, or check out what’s happening over the next few days right here: