Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival

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Sports & AdventureOttawa
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe festival's breast cancer survivor team
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: CAD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival in Ottawa

Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is a multi-day dragon boat racing competition held each June at Mooney's Bay on the Rideau River, drawing hundreds of corporate, community, youth and breast cancer survivor teams. Running since the early 1990s, it has grown into one of North America's largest dragon boat events, combining continuous racing with a festival village of food vendors, cultural performances and children's activities.

Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival has grown into one of the largest dragon boat racing events in North America since its founding in the early 1990s, filling Mooney's Bay on the Rideau River each June with hundreds of teams competing across corporate, community, youth and breast cancer survivor divisions.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's breast cancer survivor team tradition sets it apart from most sporting events, rooted in research linking dragon boat paddling to safe post-treatment exercise, and Ottawa's event has sustained that community and fundraising dimension for decades alongside pure competition

02

The mystery stays covered

Its scale, hundreds of teams racing across a multi-day schedule, makes it one of the largest dragon boat gatherings in North America, drawing everyone from elite competitive crews to first-time office teams on the same course

03

The city starts moving

Mooney's Bay's open grassy banks give spectators a clear, free view of races without any grandstand requirement

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams hold a central place in the festival's identity

Water and renewal

Living ritual

connected to research that established dragon boat paddling as safe

The sacred route

Living ritual

effective post-treatment exercise

The local code

Living ritual

with survivor races and fundraising woven into the competitive schedule

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Ottawa to work differently.

What to wear

Summer riverside clothing works well for spectating: comfortable shoes for grassy banks, sun protection including a hat and sunscreen, and a light layer for occasional wind off the water...

Safety

Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Ottawa you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

CAD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map45.41 N, 75.70 WOpen in Google Maps

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Nearest airportYOW — Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Ottawa to work differently.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Ottawa you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ottawa via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ottawa, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearSummer riverside clothing works well for spectating: comfortable shoes for grassy banks, sun protection including a hat and sunscreen, and a light layer for occasional wind off the water, plus quick-dry gear and water shoes for anyone racing.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Canada and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival?

Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is listed for Past edition: 20–22 June 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Ottawa, Canada. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdragonboat.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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