2026 Colorado Dragon Boat:
A Year of Connection, Culture, and Community Impact
In 2026, Colorado Dragon Boat brought communities together through our signature events that celebrated AANHPI cultures, promoted cultural understanding, and created opportunities for connection through sport, film, food, music, and the arts.
From the shores of Sloan’s Lake to the screens of the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival and the vibrant gathering at Riverdale Regional Park, our events welcomed people of all backgrounds to experience the richness and diversity of Asian cultures. Together, these events demonstrated the power of cultural celebration to build bridges, strengthen community relationships, and foster a greater sense of belonging.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Bringing Cultures Together. Celebrating Community.
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is more than a festival, it's a place where cultures connect, traditions come alive, and communities come together.
In 2026, our flagship event welcomed approximately 200,000 attendees to celebrate the richness and diversity of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultures. With 40 dragon boat race teams, 38 food vendors, more than 100 marketplace vendors, and over 60 cultural performances, the festival created opportunities for cultural discovery, athletic competition, artistic expression, and community connection.
From cultural education in Dragonland to performances, local artists, and small businesses sharing their talents, every part of the festival helps build understanding and appreciation across communities. More than 200 volunteers helped bring this extraordinary gathering to life.
Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival
Every Story Builds a Bridge.
Stories have the power to change perspectives, deepen understanding, and bring people closer together. The Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival celebrates that power by bringing Asian stories and voices to the screen.
In 2026, the festival sold 1,600 tickets and presented seven feature films from across Asia. Beyond the screenings, audiences connected through two community panels, two local showcases, a cultural fashion show, an Asian marketplace, and Reel Bites, a culinary experience celebrating the connections between food and culture.
By creating space for diverse stories, local creatives, cultural expression, and meaningful conversation, the festival invites audiences to look beyond their own experiences and discover the people, traditions, and perspectives that make our communities stronger.
Riverdale Regional Park Dragon Boat
Regatta and Night Market
A Community in Motion.
The Riverdale Regional Park Dragon Boat Regatta & Night Market brings the excitement of dragon boat racing together with the energy of cultural performances, local vendors, food, and community celebration.
In 2026, more than 5,000 attendees joined us for an event featuring nine dragon boat race teams, more than 20 vendors, six food trucks, and 13 performances. Traditional drumming and a drone show added to an experience that brought athletes, families, local entrepreneurs, performers, and visitors together.
The regatta and night market create additional opportunities for people to experience dragon boat racing, discover cultural traditions, support small businesses, and build connections in a welcoming community setting.
Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders.
Strong communities are built by people who are empowered to lead, inspire, and create change. Colorado Dragon Boat’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) invests in the next generation of leaders by providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and meaningful community connection.
Over the past 14 years, ELP has served 51 emerging leaders across six graduating classes, helping up-and-coming leaders develop their skills, expand their networks, and strengthen their capacity to make a difference in their communities.
Designed for emerging leaders ages 21–35, the program creates space for participants to learn from one another, build relationships, and explore what it means to lead with purpose. Offered every other year, ELP represents a sustained commitment to developing leaders who can carry their knowledge, experiences, and connections forward.
Our next cohort will begin in Spring 2027, continuing a legacy of investing in people whose leadership can have a lasting impact on our communities.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
By The Numbers
Join Colorado's annual celebration of Asian and Asian American heritage with the LARGEST Dragon Boat Festival in the US!
Performers and Vendors
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We are currently looking for Sponsors and Supporters for Colorado Dragon Boat. Your financial support will help our AANHPI communities come together to celebrate and promote our culture and communities!
