The Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival returned to Marine Stadium on Saturday, July 25, with a day full of competition, live performances, food and fun. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the festival drew hundreds of attendees to the waterfront.
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The event is one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California, with more than 100 teams competing in various categories and divisions – from all-female cancer survivors to high school students. Teams come from across California and the country to attend the event each year, organizers said.
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams maneuver to their racing position as others return from their heat during the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Students from Lowell High School in San Francisco cool off before their next race during the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A team prepares to race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Brothers Jace, 9, and Vai Ueligitoue, 8, paddle their rubber dingy as their mom races in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams exit their boats after a race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Teams race in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium in Belmont Shores on Saturday July 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The colorful, intricately crafted boats made their way across the water as a beating drum led the way. People along the shore watched and cheered on their favorite teams as they crossed the finish line.
Dragon boat racing has its roots in an ancient folk ritual held over the past 2,000 years throughout southern China, according to the event’s website. While competitions have taken place annually for more than 20 centuries as part of religious ceremonies and folk customs, dragon boat racing has emerged in modern times as an international sport.
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The Long Beach event, which is organized by the Southern California Dragon Boat Club, began in 1995 in San Dimas, with a Monterey Park dentist, Dr. Howard Chen, responsible for bringing the races to the coastal town. Chen helped organize the event and moved it to Long Beach the following year, where it has remained.
This year’s festival also had Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese acrobats, and performances in traditional dance, hip-hop, music and martial arts. There were also several vendors and food options for attendees to choose from.