Colorado Dragon Boat Festival 2026 (August 29 and 30, 2026)

On August 29 and 30, the annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF) brought the vibrant spirit of the Asian community to Sloan’s Lake, on the border of Denver and Edgewater, Colorado.

Since its start in 2001, the CDBF has grown into one of the largest Asian cultural celebrations in North America, featuring sports, culture, music, and food all in one place. This year, 40 teams competed in exciting dragon boat races over two days.

The opening ceremony was attended by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Edgewater Mayor Steven Conklin, and Consul-General Hiroyuki Okajima along with many distinguished guests.

The “Nichi-Bei-GO” team from the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC) was the only Japan-related team in the festival, and Consul Sanae Kanno joined the team in both practice and race, connecting with the local community. Teammates enjoyed special Japanese bento lunches prepared by Consulate Chef Jo—an extra treat for the day!

We are truly grateful to the CDBF team and all participants and supporters for making this event a wonderful tradition that unites the Asian community and the region. We look forward to seeing everyone again on the lake next year!