Calgary’s Dragon Boat Race and Festival is making its return this August, and the Glenmore Reservoir is about to get a whole lot busier.

The two-day event will bring together teams from across the city for competitive dragon boat races, along with cultural performances, food trucks and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.

This year’s festival will also celebrate 34 years of dragon boat racing in Calgary, continuing a tradition that has brought together paddlers, families, and spectators for decades.

Now let’s take a look at what’s going down at this year’s festival.

What to expect at Calgary’s Dragon Boat Race and Festival

The festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, at North Glenmore Park, bringing together hundreds of teams who will head to the water to showcase their teamwork, speed and skill.

According to the Calgary Dragon Boat Society, the sport is a team paddling competition where crews race long, colourful boats across the water, working together to move in sync toward the finish line. With dozens of paddlers in each boat, the sport is all about communication, timing, and teamwork.

And there’s so much more to the festival than just the races. Visitors can explore the Dragon Marketplace, where they can browse local vendors and learn more about the community groups taking part in the festival.

The festival grounds will also feature food trucks, along with cultural performances taking place on the Main Stage. And if you’ve got little ones, feel free to bring them along. Families can explore the Trico Homes Kids’ Play Zone and enjoy the family-friendly beer gardens.

On Saturday, one of the festival’s most meaningful traditions will also return this year with the Breast Cancer Survivor Race and Pink Flower Ceremony. The event honours survivors and remembers those who have been lost, along with the families that have been impacted by breast cancer.

Pricing and parking details

The Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival is completely free to attend, so you can check out the races, performances, and activities without needing a ticket.

If you’re planning on driving, keep in mind that there will be no public festival parking available at North Glenmore Park during the event weekend. Instead, visitors can head over to Mount Royal University Lots A and B or the East Gate Parkade, where you can park for free before hopping on a complimentary shuttle that will take you straight to the festival grounds.

The Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival has been a summer tradition for over three decades, and this year’s celebration is set to keep that going. So grab your friends, head down to the water, and get ready to cheer on all the teams!

Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival

When: Saturday, Aug. 8, to Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: North Glenmore Park – 7305 Crowchild Tr. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

Recent posts:
10 awesome things to do in and around Calgary this week (July 20 to 24)
This tiny Alberta town has been a backdrop for major Hollywood movies

Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

Read articles