Anwar Shahadat, NEW YORK — The annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York returned to Meadow Lake at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on August 8–9, bringing together dragon boat teams, spectators and members of New York’s diverse Asian-American community.
The two-day festival features competitive dragon boat racing alongside cultural activities and community events. The races use both traditional-style dragon boats and modern boats, with teams competing in races on Meadow Lake. Organizers describe the festival as one of the largest multicultural dragon boat events in the United States.
New York Attorney General Letitia James was among the public officials associated with the festival. James has previously attended the event and highlighted its role in celebrating New York City’s diversity. In remarks at the festival in an earlier year, she said, “Today we’re going to again celebrate our diversity.”
The festival has become an annual fixture in Queens, combining an international sporting competition with Chinese and broader Asian cultural traditions. The 2026 event continues that tradition, drawing participants and visitors to Meadow Lake for a weekend of racing, cultural celebration and community engagement.
