Saturday · 7 AM – 5 PM
OPA Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, July 25, 2026
OPA Dragon Boat Festival is listed for Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Ohana Paddling Association in Honolulu, Oahu, 7 AM – 5 PM.
The Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival brings the Chinese dragon boat racing tradition to Ala Moana Beach Park's lagoon each July. By 2019 the Honolulu event had reached its 24th consecutive year, drawing teams from across Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, and overseas to race on the park's lagoon.
Each competing crew of 21 pairs paddlers with a drummer who keeps the stroke cadence. The 2019 field included roughly 30 teams — among them the Honolulu Police Department, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and international clubs. Racing opens at 8 a.m. and continues through the afternoon.
- 24th annual running in 2019; established mid-1990s Honolulu tradition
- ~30 teams from Hawaii, mainland, and overseas competing (2019)
- Each 21-person crew pairs paddlers with a drummer for cadence
- Races start at 8 a.m. and continue through the afternoon
Plan your weekend on Oahu
While you’re out for OPA Dragon Boat Festival, see who else is open — and meet the makers and farmers behind Hawai‘i’s markets.
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Good to know
When is OPA Dragon Boat Festival?
OPA Dragon Boat Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, 7 AM – 5 PM.
Where is OPA Dragon Boat Festival?
You'll find OPA Dragon Boat Festival at Ohana Paddling Association, Ala Moana Beach Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI in Honolulu, Oahu.
Should I confirm OPA Dragon Boat Festival before going?
Yes. Our listing is based on https://www.ohanapaddling.org/dbfestival; https://www.chinesechamber.com/events-1/dragon-boat-festival; https://www.facebook.com/DragonBoatHI/; https://alohavisitorguides.com/dragon-boat-festival/. Event dates and times can change, so confirm with the host before you go.
About cultural festivals
Hawaii's cultural festivals gather food, performing arts, craft, and community across a weekend or longer. Many trace to the islands' Japanese, Okinawan, and broader Asia-Pacific communities and feature taiko, hula, bon dance, and street-food booths.
Some are free block parties and some are ticketed convention-center markets. Come for the performances and stay for the food booths, craft vendors, and local-product marketplaces.
- Check admission before you go — marketplace and convention-center events may charge entry.
- Parking fills early — rideshare or transit is usually easier.
- Schedules and venues can shift year to year; confirm before you go.
Sources: source; source. Dates and times can change — confirm with the organizer before you go.