The 3rd Annual AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival comes to White Rock Lake on May 17 — free admission, dragon boat races at dawn, live cultural performances, hands-on workshops, 15-plus food vendors, and a full day of celebration at one of Dallas’s most beautiful outdoor venues.
On a Sunday morning at White Rock Lake, the sound of drums begins before most of Dallas has finished its first cup of coffee. The paddlers take their positions. The dragon boats — brilliantly painted, fiercely carved — line up at the start. And then the race begins.
The 3rd Annual AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival comes to the Bath House Cultural Center on May 17, 2026, presented by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and Dallas United Crew Delite. Racing begins at 8:30 a.m. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an awards ceremony from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Admission is free.
What Dragon Boat Racing Actually Is
Dragon boat racing traces its origins to ancient China more than 2,000 years ago. Teams of paddlers — typically 20 per boat — synchronize every stroke to a drummer’s beat, racing across the water in boats carved and painted in the image of the dragon, a symbol of power, good fortune, and protection. The sport has spread across the world and today is one of the fastest-growing water sports in the United States.
Dallas United Crew Delite, DUC PINK, and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture are proud partners of the festival, bringing thrilling dragon boat races, cultural festivities, and community camaraderie to White Rock Lake.
You Can Actually Race
You don’t have to be on a team to get on the water. Individuals and small groups are welcome to register for the Motley Crew — participants will be placed on teams to compete. Between race heats, enjoy festival activities including exhibitions, vendors, performances, and food trucks. Whether you’ve never held a paddle or you’re a seasoned racer, the Motley Crew is your way in.
Volunteer opportunities are also available for those who want to be part of the experience from the shore.
Live Performances, Workshops, and Art
The festival features live performances, hands-on workshops, art, food, and vendors throughout the day. The performing arts stage showcases music, dance, and cultural traditions from communities across the AAPI diaspora — South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander artists all represented in a program that reflects the extraordinary diversity of the AAPI community in North Texas.
Hands-on workshops invite festival-goers of all ages to engage directly with cultural art forms and traditions. Interactive art installations and exhibitions round out a full day of cultural programming that goes well beyond the races.
15-Plus Food Vendors — From Across Asia and the Pacific
Food and merchandise are available for purchase from a curated lineup of vendors including R&R Catering and Events, Drip n Roll, Martabak deLuna, Sweet Little Joys, Bamboo Kitchen, Khanh’s Katering, Crunchies Eggrolls and More, Angel Touch Kitchen, Sayuri Asian Cuisine, Tea Scoop Boba Tea, The Bop Bop, Love Song Kitchen, Pink Oasis, Bobaddiction, and Mint’s Kitchen.
That is a lineup covering Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Indonesian, and fusion cuisines — more variety than most food halls offer in a full year, all in one lakeside afternoon.
How It Started
Around 7,000 people attended Dallas’s first AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival in 2024. Organizers included the City of Dallas and the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals. The festival recognized the historical, cultural, and artistic contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in North Texas.
Three years in, it has become one of the most anticipated AAPI Heritage Month events in the state.
Event Details
Event: 3rd Annual AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 Racing: Begins at 8:30 a.m. Festival: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Awards Ceremony: 4 – 4:45 p.m. Location: Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake, 521 E. Lawther Dr., Dallas, TX 75218 Admission: Free Food and merchandise available for purchase
Paddler registration and volunteer sign-up: dal.city/aapifest2026 Presented by: City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and Dallas United Crew Delite Partners: NAAAP Dallas-Fort Worth, Dallas Park and Recreation, Dallas Code Compliance Services Website: dallasculture.org/aapi-heritage-dragon-boat-festival Facebook: City of Dallas Culture
