Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival 2023 This Weekend in Lethbridge

The ATB Financial and Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest events in Lethbridge every year; not to mention it has lots for visitors, racers, and locals to see and do. With Three action-packed days of activities, races, and more, below we've complied a list of all the incredible programming for the festival, so you can plan your weekend accordingly. 

Main Events

Opening Ceremony

When: June 23rd @ 6 PM

Things kick off on Friday, June 23rd at 6 PM with the opening ceremony. The ceremony will feature a performance of O Canada by Alyssa McQuaid. There will then be a few words said by Steve Leavitt, Justin Friesen, and other local dignitaries to share their excitement about the weekend's events. They will be followed by Kimberlee Davis who will share the story of the Dragon Boat Festival. The Ceremony will conclude with the dragon dance, blessings of the boat, and finally with the dignitary Paddle!

Rose Ceremony

When: June 24th @ 12 PM

An integral part of the Dragon Boat Festival will continue again this year, with the rose Ceremony taking place on Saturday, June 24th at Noon. Every year, survivors of breast cancer walk to the peninsula of Henderson Lake after the C Cup race. While the women walk, they are given a rose. The song “The Rose” is performed, and rose petals are tossed into Henderson Lake, as an act of solidarity with those still battling breast cancer, and as an act of remembrance to those who have lost their battles.

Closing Ceremony

When: June 25th @ 3:30 PM

Everyone's last chance to celebrate the incredible Dragon Boat Festival Weekend is the closing ceremony! The closing ceremony will be MC’d by none other than Kimberlee Davis. Here the race awards will be handed out to the participants of the race, along with the torch being passed to the next festival chair. The perfect ending to an incredible event-filled weekend.

Weekend Long Events & Activities

Live Entertainment

The weekend may be focused on races, but there is still non-stop entertainment happening on their live performance stage! From 5 – 10:30 PM on Friday, 11 AM – 10:30 PM Saturday, Sunday 11 – 5:45. Don’t miss any of the best live performances in Lethbridge this weekend!

Kids Zone

ATB Financial provides a dedicated space for the little ones on the festival grounds where kids of all ages can find activities and enjoy live entertainment. On Saturday, June 24th from 10 AM – 4 PM and Sunday, June 25th from 10 AM – 3 PM, this is the best place for little people to experience the fun and excitement of the Dragon Boat Festival!

Racing

While we likely don’t need to make mention of it, we would be amiss to not at least say that there will be some incredible and hair-raising Dragon Boat Races throughout the weekend on Henderson Lake. Friday, June 23rd from 5 – 7:30 PM, Saturday, June 24th from 8 AM - 5:15 PM, and Sunday, June 25th from 8 am – 3 PM. Don’t miss the main event of the festival!

Beer Gardens

If you enjoy some time on the lake, but prefer your time on the lake accompanied by a bubbly brew, then the beer gardens during the Dragon Boat Festival will likely be your favorite part of the weekend! Open Friday, June 23rd from 4 – 11 PM, Saturday, June 24th from 11 AM – 11 PM, and Sunday, June 25th from 11 AM – 7 PM. If you're feeling philanthropic, feel free to donate your time by volunteering for the beer garden below!

Vendors & Food

Don’t let an empty stomach stop you from having the best possible Dragon Boat Festival weekend you can have! With a wide selection of local food trucks available throughout the festival grounds all weekend long, hunger will be no match for the fun to be had at Dragon Boat Festival! Once you’ve filled up, take a moment to browse the incredible wares of local vendors, before getting back into the dragon boat racing action!