Dragon Boat Festival: Tradition, Culture and Celebrations in Hong Kong

A dragon boat team is racing

Updated 16 January 2026

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The Dragon Boat Festival — known as Tuen Ng in Cantonese and Duānwǔ Jié in Mandarin — is one of the most lively cultural events of the year in Hong Kong and many other East Asian communities. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, usually landing in late May or June on the Gregorian calendar. This year, Dragon boat festival falls on the 19th of June and is a public holiday in Hong Kong.

Learn how public holidays like the Dragon Boat Festival affect your domestic helper’s entitlements in Hong Kong with HelperChoice’s Annual Leave and Holidays guide.

What the Festival Commemorates

The Dragon Boat Festival is rooted in a story that dates back over 2,000 years. It is commonly linked to the loyal poet and government official Qu Yuan, who lived during China’s Warring States period. Faced with political betrayal and exile, Qu Yuan is said to have drowned himself in the Miluo River in despair for his homeland’s fate. Locals who admired him rowed out in boats to try to save him, beating drums and throwing rice into the water so fish would not consume his body. Over time, these acts became the basis for dragon boat racing and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).

Hong Kong’s Unique Way of Celebrating

In Hong Kong, the Dragon Boat Festival has grown into a vibrant cultural and sporting spectacle, blending ancient tradition with modern community celebration.

Dragon boat races are at the heart of the festival. Long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails glide across the water in competitive races — each team of paddlers moving in sync to the rhythm of a drum. The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races draw local and international teams, turning the city’s harbors and waterways into lively arenas for both sport and cultural celebration.

Aside from racing, locals and visitors alike enjoy traditional customs and festive foods. Eating zongzi — glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or lotus leaves with savory or sweet fillings — is a central part of the celebration and symbolizes both respect for heritage and communal sharing.

Traditions and Symbolism

In 2009, the festival even made it to the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural list. While the festival’s most famous activities are dragon boat competitions and festive foods, deeper meanings also exist behind these traditions:

Dragon boat races originally aimed to ward off evil spirits and drive calamity away, especially since the fifth lunar month was historically considered a period of misfortune and illness.
Zongzi, besides commemorating Qu Yuan’s story, symbolize protection and nourishment.
The festival traditionally encourages unity, resilience, and seasonal balance as the community moves into summer

Modern Celebrations and Community Spirit

Today, the Dragon Boat Festival is a public holiday in Hong Kong and remains one of the city’s most colorful cultural events. Teams compete in races at major waterfront locations, families gather to share traditional foods, and many people enjoy the festive atmosphere alongside friends and relatives.

What began as a thoughtful tribute and protective ritual has become a symbol of community strength and cultural continuity — blending meaningful tradition with spirited competition and celebration.

Tips for Families and Visitors in Hong Kong

Combine a festival day with a harbor front walk, local markets, or other summer event winning team is guaranteed good luck and happiness for the year! May the best team win!