From the humble beginning of only 27 teams participating in the first festival back in 1989, the Living Realty Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival has evolved to a much bigger operation over the past two decades. Organized by the Toronto Chinese Business Association in collaboration with GWN Dragon Boat, the Festival will once again welcome 120-150 teams with over 5,000 athletes to Toronto Island. This year we are pleased to announce that the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is a DBC Race Series Event. 

Don't have a team? We have the Experience Dragon Boat Program, click here for more information. 

In 2019, as the Festival celebrates its 31st year, it promises to continue to be one of the most exciting summer events in Toronto and one of the most prestigious dragon boat festivals on the North American dragon boat calendar. Once again, this year, the Festival will welcome teams from across Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean Islands, Europe and Asia. 

Event Details

Location

Address:  The event will take place on Toronto Island. Access via a short ferry ride from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

Jack Layton Ferry Terminal:

9 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3 (at the foot of Bay St at Queens Quay, just west of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel)

Participants to take the passenger ferry to Centre Island. On Saturday, the ferry will start at 6:00 AM and every 30 minutes after OR the ferry will depart whenever it is fully loaded. On Sunday the ferry will leave at 6:30 AM and every 30 min after.

Ferry Tickets:
To acquire ferry tickets to get your team to the Island, click here.

Purchasing 10 or more tickets will qualify your order for a 10% discount (please note for any group ticket purchases, all passengers must be present with the individual who purchased the tickets).

Site Map: The 2019 site map will be posted one week before the event.

Directions:

From the West : Exit the Gardiner Expressway at Spadina and follow Lakeshore Blvd Eastbound to Bay St. Turn right and the Ferry Terminal is directly south at the corner of Bay St. & Queens Quay W.

From the East:  Exit the Gardiner Expressway at Yonge St. Stay left for Lakeshore Blvd. Turn left onto Bay St. The Ferry Terminal is directly south at the corner of Bay St. & Queens Quay W.

Via TTC: From Union station take the 509 Harbourfront or the 510 Spadina streetcar south to the Bay and Queen's Quay stop. The entrance to the ferry docks is on the south side of the street, just east of the Westin Harbour Castle hotel. 

Park Rules: We're committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for participants and spectators. Before heading out to the races, there are some things you should know:

Pets are welcome on Toronto Island but should be leashed at all times. No BBQ grills and/or cooking devices are allowed on park grounds.

Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites.  Teams will receive waste bags during check-in and there will be waste bins located throughout the Athletes' Village.  Let's all work together to keep Toronto Island clean and green.

Medical Services : Medical services and first aid will be available on site. If you're in need of medical attention, please report to the medical tent for immediate assistance. Toronto Police officers will also be on site patrolling the grounds.