General Race Information

Looking for specific information? Use the search bar below!

Venue

The Seattle Flying Dragons are excited to return this event to beautiful Lake Union! 

The races will run on the south end of the lake with a view of the Seattle skyline and iconic Space Needle across the finish line!  The paddler village will be in Lake Union Park overlooking the racecourse.  The race is within walking distance of several restaurants and attractions in the South Lake Union Area.  Multiple transit options are available to and from downtown. 


Physical  Address
Lake Union Park
860 Terry Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109

 

  • Racecourse

  • Performers include CHIKIRI and the school of TAIKO, International Lion Dance Team, Filipino Community of Seattle Kalahi Cultural Dance Ensemble, Graceland Manila, GDPT Lieu Quan

    Performance Schedule

  • 2025 Festival Merchandise

  • Fundraising Raffle, Vendor and Exhibitor Information

  • Roster requirements by division, races and distances.

    Roster Requirements

  • All racers and volunteers are required to complete a liability wavier for race day.

    Liability waivers are required to be completed by all racers, volunteers, and those participating in the learn to paddle event.

  • Parking Information- the parking lot located at 1010 Valley Street is accessible for loading and unloading only

  • Paddler Village Tent Assignments - The paddler village is for registered racing teams only.

  • Thank you sponsors!

Paddler Village Amenities (for registered racing teams)

  • One 10x10 foot tent will be provided for each registered teams.

  • A water station will be provided, please bring your own water bottles to refill.

  • Food and merchandise vendors and information booths will be on-site

  • The festival will have cultural performers throughout the day

  • Raffle and event jerseys will be available for purchase on race day

Race Rules

The 2024 rules will apply to the 2025 festival. Changes in race rules will be posted here and sent to team managers for registered teams

Download Seattle Dragon Boat Festival Race Rules

Racecourse

The racecourse will be marked with buoys. Boats will be loaded and unloaded at the north wall of Lake Union Park (orange box below). Chase boats will be on the course for safety and to communicate with other recreational boaters. 

Parking

There is free parking on weekends in the lots along the East side of Westlake Ave N, which is first-come-first-served.


Some Amazon parking garages offer free parking on weeknights (4pm-2am) and weekends (7am-2am) – no special validation is required, just pull a ticket and you won't be charged on the way out provided that you exit during the free parking hours. These garages include:

  • Fiona – 6-minute walk to the race venue (500 Boren Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109)

  • Obidos/Rufus – 7-minute walk to the race venue (1049-1099 Republican St, Seattle, WA 98109)

  • Ruby/Dawson – 9-minute walk to the race venue (1043 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109)

  • Invictus – 9-minute walk to the race venue (1043 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109)

  • Arizona – 10-minute walk to the race venue (1001-1099 Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109)


Please DO NOT park in the paid lots along Fairview Ave N or the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) parking lot, these are intended for customer parking only. The small lot on Valley Street (1010 Valley St, Seattle, WA 98109), is reserved for vendor loading and unloading only.

Several public transit options are also available between Lake Union Park and the downtown core.

Event Schedule (tentative)

  • 7:30am: Team Managers and Steer’s Meeting, by the Marshalling tent

  • 8:00am: Opening Ceremony

  • 8:30am: Racing begins

  • 9:00am – 2:00pm: Asian Cultural Performances every hour

  • 4:00pm: Last race

  • 6:00pm: Site close

Performance Schedule

9:00 AM CHIKIRI & The School of TAIKO

CHIKIRI & The School of TAIKO is a Japanese Taiko group founded in Seattle in 2009 by two Japanese immigrants, Ringtaro and Asako Tateishi. Their repertoire, created by Ringtaro, offers a blend of ancient Japanese culture with modern Western rhythms.

IG: @school_of_taiko

10:00 AM International Lion Dance Team

The mission of the International Lion Dance and Martial Arts Team is to preserve and promote the rich traditions of martial arts and lion dance by cultivating discipline, strength, and cultural pride.

IG: @international_liondance

11:00 AM FCS Kalahi Cultural Dance Ensemble

FCS Kalahi Cultural Dance Ensemble is an intergenerational Filipino folk-dance troupe from the Filipino Community of Seattle. FCS Kalahi celebrates and shares the rich Philippine culture through dance, music, and audience participation.

IG: @FILIPINOCOMMUNITYOFSEATTLE

1:00 PM Graceland Manila

Known as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, as well as being one of the most influential performers/entertainers to American and world audiences, Elvis Presley’s presence and spirit continues on.

IG: @gracelandmanila

2:00 PM GDPT Lieu Quan

GDPT Lieu Quan is a Vietnamese Buddhist youth group founded in 1978. To connect with their Vietnamese culture the youth learn how to read, write, and speak Vietnamese and they also learn traditional Vietnamese dances as well as get to join the Lion Dance team and get to perform around Seattle.

Facebook: GDPT Lieu Quan