2026 KC Dragon Boat Festival Update + About the KC Dragon Boat Festival
PThank You for an Incredible 2025 Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival!
We didn’t think we could top our inaugural event in 2024, but with 28 teams, fierce competition, phenomenal cultural performances, unique food truck options, and a variety of artisan booths, we’re pretty sure we knocked it out of the park! The energy, teamwork, and community spirit made this year’s festival one to remember. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
Check out the highlights:
Looking Ahead
As Kansas City prepares to host the World Cup in 2026 - and with the KC Pink Warriors and many other BCP dragon boat teams heading to France to compete in the IBCPC Participatory Festival - we’ve decided to pause the Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival in 2026.
This will allow our team and community to focus on these incredible international opportunities and return in 2027 with an even bigger and better event!
We’re so grateful for your support and enthusiasm for this growing tradition. Stay tuned for updates as we begin planning our next exciting chapter.
❤️ Thank you for being part of the Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival — where culture, community, and competition come together on the water.
About the Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival
Presented by GWN and the KC Pink Warriors, the Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival celebrates the ancient sport of dragon boat racing — a thrilling blend of culture, community, and competition. Set against the scenic backdrop of Shawnee Mission Park, the festival transforms Kansas’s most visited park into a vibrant celebration of teamwork, tradition, and fun.
Located just 25 minutes from downtown Kansas City — a city known for its arts, culture, and award-winning BBQ — the festival welcomes racers, spectators, and families alike to experience a high-energy day filled with racing, performances, food, and entertainment.