Third annual Dallas AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival to be held over the weekend
Dallas, Texas—The City of Dallas is preparing to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the return of its annual AAPI Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival, an event that will combine cultural traditions, dragon boat racing, live performances, food, art, and community activities along the shores of White Rock Lake.
City officials announced that the third annual festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Bath House Cultural Center near White Rock Lake.
The event is designed to recognize the cultural, artistic, and historical contributions made by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities throughout North Texas while also celebrating the wide diversity found across Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Festival organizers said attendees can expect dragon boat races, live cultural performances, educational workshops, visual art displays, food vendors, merchandise booths, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.
Traditional Ceremony And New Survivor Race Highlight Festival
Beginning at noon, city leaders and community representatives will participate in a formal speaker program that includes remarks from officials as well as a traditional dragon boat eye-dotting ceremony, a long-standing cultural practice intended to bless the event and bring good fortune to the races.
One of the major additions to this year’s festival will be the debut of the Breast Cancer Survivor Cup, a new dragon boat racing category presented by Dallas United Crew and sponsored by the UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center.
Festival organizers said the event connects the ancient tradition of dragon boating with modern breast cancer recovery and survivorship programs.
Dragon boating has historical roots tied to Asian culture and has also gained recognition in recent years as a rehabilitation activity that can help breast cancer survivors physically and emotionally during recovery.
A cancer awareness ceremony organized by Dallas United Crew and UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center is scheduled to take place at 12:30 p.m. during the festival program.
The event is also being organized alongside the National Association of Asian American Professionals as part of broader AAPI Heritage Month celebrations.
Officials said the festival will showcase traditions and cultures representing East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Pacific Island communities from regions including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
In addition to competitive dragon boat races, organizers said races will include corporate teams, community groups, and competitive divisions.
The festival will also feature a “Motley Crew” option for people interested in learning the sport and participating as part of a team during race day activities.
Multiple Dallas Organizations Collaborating On Event
The large-scale festival is the result of a collaboration involving several city departments and community organizations, including the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Dallas Park and Recreation, Dallas Police Department, Dallas Code Compliance Services, the Association of Asian American City Employees, and the National Association of Asian American Professionals.
Dignitaries from the city and members of the local AAPI community are expected to attend the celebration alongside sponsor representatives from organizations including the Dallas Mavericks and 99 Ranch Market.
City leaders say the festival continues growing each year as Dallas works to celebrate cultural diversity while creating opportunities for education, recreation, and community connection across North Texas.
