Dragon Boat Races
A sincere thank you to the thousands of people that joined us at our 25th Anniversary!!!
RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival
Festival Pier (100 Tim Healey Way) - Pawtucket, RI
Free Event!
Bring a chair and join the thousands of people who attend each year for great entertainment, exciting competition, family-fun, and a prime opportunity to learn more about Chinese and Taiwanese cultures!!!
The Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival is an extraordinary event for the whole family to enjoy! The races continue to use the fiberglass Taiwanese-style dragon boats gifted to Blackstone Valley Tourism Council by the Republic of China (Taiwan) and incorporate the skill of flag-catching in each race.
But that’s not all… the Taiwan Day Festival presents some top-notch entertainment! The day has cultural performances, many art & crafts tables, and the always-popular dumpling eating contests. The festival also has a great selection of vendors, interactive activities, and food trucks!
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Festival Pier, Pawtucket, RI
Race Day/Free Parking & Shuttle Bus Information (scroll down)
Festival Info
Join us for some great entertainment throughout the day including:
A performance by Grammy-nominated act, Ten Drum Art Percussion Group, from Southern Taiwan
Traditional Chinese Lion Dances performed by RI Kung Fu & Lion Dance Club during Flower Ceremony and Welcoming Ceremony
Breast Cancer Supporters Flower Ceremony - pink carnations donated by Check the Florist/Gilmore’s Flower Shop
Our legendary Chinese Dumpling Eating Contest!
Arts & crafts tables, retail vendors
Interactive games and kids activities
Authentic Asian cuisine + Food Trucks
Free Shuttle Bus Service and Parking
With so much to see and do…the Taiwan Day Festival is truly a great opportunity to witness some wonderful traditional Chinese and Taiwanese entertainment!
2026 Event Times
/ Schedule
Dockside/On the Water
8:30 AM: Races Begin
9:15 AM: Breast Cancer Charity Supporters Races
10:00 AM: Flower Ceremony
Under the Big Tent
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM: Welcoming Ceremony
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Ten Drum Art Percussion Group
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM: Dumpling Eating Contests
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM: Race Awards Ceremony
*Schedule Subject to Change
Our Races
The Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races is a Mixed Division race series, which requires a minimum of 8 females. The Mixed Division will contain finals for prizes, medals, and bragging rights.
The course length is 200 meters long up the Pawtucket River, with three boats racing at a time. A unique element to our races is that we use larger Taiwanese-style dragon boats, wood paddles, and incorporate flag catching. Don’t miss that flag! You don’t want a penalty added to your time!
The races are great for experienced clubs or a company looking for a fun & different way to team-build and get promotion to thousands of spectators!