Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival

Orlando International
Dragon Boat Festival

October 17th, 2026

Cap off your racing season in style at one of the largest and most anticipated dragon boat events in Florida! The Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival brings together paddlers from across North America and beyond for a high-energy celebration of sport, culture, and competition in the vibrant city of Orlando.

This international showcase attracts teams hungry to extend their racing calendar, and there’s no better destination than Orlando—known for its sunny skies, world-class attractions, and warm hospitality. Held at the scenic Turkey Lake in Bill Frederick Park, this late-season regatta offers crews one final opportunity to test their mettle on the water while soaking in Florida’s unbeatable autumn weather.

Teams can expect a top-tier racing experience with smooth logistics, fair racing, and exciting formats—including the exhilarating 2k pursuit for top Mixed crews, a festival highlight that thrills both paddlers and spectators alike. As one of the final MLDB stops of the year, this event is the perfect way to celebrate a successful season or gear up for the next.

Beyond the racecourse, the festival grounds are alive with culture, flavor, and fun. The Health and Wellness Village features a range of services and products promoting active, balanced lifestyles. Foodies will love the Food Truck Bazaar, offering international flavors that reflect the diverse community Orlando is known for. Don’t miss the Asia Trend Cultural Expo, showcasing live performances, interactive exhibits, and vibrant displays celebrating the many cultures of Asia.

With its central location, family-friendly atmosphere, and wide range of off-water attractions, Orlando is more than a race—it’s a travel experience. Extend your stay and explore everything the city has to offer, from theme parks and entertainment districts to lush nature preserves and culinary gems.

Whether you’re a seasoned team looking for one more shot at glory or a new crew wrapping up an exciting season, the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival delivers the perfect blend of competition, culture, and celebration. Don’t miss your chance to race under the Florida sun and close out your season with a splash!

Event Specs

verified_userSRDBA Member
sports_scoreMixed, Women's, Open, ACP, BCP, Paradragons
waterDistance: 500m, 2K
supportInflatable PFDs Allowed
military_techBCP / ACP Ceremony
emoji_eventsIndustry Cups
rowingOptional Practice
health_and_safetyHealth & Wellness Village
music_noteLive Entertainment
music_noteCultural Expo
fastfoodFood Truck Bazaar
liquorBeer Garden

Calling All Solo Paddlers Or Small Groups

Are you looking to get on the water, but don’t have a team? GWN is pleased to offer a program for solo paddlers or small groups.

Experience Dragon Boat Train and Race: A five-week program, with one practice per week and finishing up at the Major League Dragon Boat Festival in your community. This is a perfect opportunity to try the sport. We supply you with all the equipment needed – paddles and lifejackets – all you have to do is show up in clothes that can get wet!

Experience Dragon Boat Race Ready: A program designed for people looking for minimal commitment and just want to race. The program offers a 1-hour practice and then participation in the event.

Event Details

Pricing

Category	# of Races	Before Jan 1st	Before July 1st	After July 1st
Mixed / Women’s / Open / ACP / BCP / Paradragons / Senior 55+ (3 x 500m)	3	$1,200	$1,300	$1,400
Mixed / Women’s / Open / ACP / BCP / Paradragons / Senior 55+ (Out-of-State) (3 x 500m)	3	$1,050	$1,100	$1,200
Mixed / Women’s / Open / ACP / BCP / Paradragons / Senior 55+ (Out-of-Country) (3 x 500m) NOTE: Out-of-Country Rate does not qualify for MLDB rewards.	3	$600	$675	$750
Combination Team (Women’s / Open) (3 x 500m) MUST consist of at least 90% of paddlers participating on a primary team.	3	$600	$600	$700
Practice Session		$75/session
Practice Coach/Steersperson		$50/session

Team fees are in USD and do not include applicable taxes (6.5% sales tax).

Payment Methods
We accept Visa, Mastercard, or Check.

Please note: Effective January 2026, a 3% surcharge applies to all credit card payments. No surcharge applies to non-credit card payment methods.

Introducing Event Guard
Offers your team peace of mind against the unknown. The rate for this event is $95 USD plus applicable taxes and must be purchased when registering your team for the event.
Cancellation or Postponement: If the event is cancelled or postponed more than 12 hours in advance of the scheduled first race, receive a full refund.
Cancel for Any Reason: Cancel anytime up to 30 days in advance of the event for any reason and receive a full refund.

Registration Process for tax-exempt teams
Register your team, choose the “check” option on the payment page. Please email your valid tax-exemption certificate to info@gwnevents.com along with the invoice number and method of payment (check or credit card). GWN will send you an invoice without taxes, if paying by credit card, an authorization form will be sent.

For more information (i.e. refund policy, multi-event discount, etc), please visit our FAQ page.

Racing Divisions

At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered.
To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.

Bonus Racing

Time permitting, the top teams* in the Mixed division will compete in a 2,000m race. *Depending on the number of boats per heat.

Registration Add-Ons
Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20 team site (footprint, not tent rental) within the Athletes’ Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available. For more information on rentals, please refer to the “Athletes’ Village” tab below. Teams may also order practices, for more information please refer to the “Practice” tab below.

Location

Address
The event will be held at Bill Frederick Park (Turkey Lake). 3401 S Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL 32835

Site Map
Stay tuned for the 2026 event site map.

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:

No dogs are allowed at Bill Frederick Park.
Cooking equipment and BBQ grills are not permitted on site.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on site.

Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites. In addition to handing out waste bags during team check-in, there will be wastebaskets located throughout the Athletes’ Village to maintain the park’s cleanliness. Let’s all work together to keep Bill Frederick Park 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.

Schedule

Race Schedule
The 2026 Race Schedule will be posted Monday, October 12th.

Racing Divisions

At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered.
To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.

Bonus Racing

Time permitting, the top teams* in the Mixed division will compete in a 2,000m race. *Depending on the number of boats per heat.

Industry Cup Races
To qualify for a Cup race, at least 70% of the crew must be part of the same company or industry. Please note, teams noted with the initials of the industry, i.e. Public Services = PS are teams racing in the noted industry cup.

Live Results
Get live race results and progressions on race day using your phone. Visit gwnresults.com

Race Marshaling
Marshaling on race day will begin a half-hour before the first race of the day. Teams must be in the Marshalling area 30 minutes before their scheduled race throughout the day.

Race Day Check-In
Every Team Captain must check-in their team at Race Headquarters on race day. Registration will be open from approximately 7:00AM to 10:00AM. All waivers must be completed prior to check-in. Please visit the FAQ section for more information on how to check in on race day.

For a speedy check-in, ensure that all waivers for your team are completed. The electronic waiver deadline is 11:59AM EST on Wednesday, October 14th 2026. After this, only paper copies will be accepted.

Team Captain’s Meeting
There will be a Team Captain’s meeting in front of the Marshaling Area to discuss race day rules and address any questions, one hour prior to the first race.

Awards

Industry Cup Races
First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.

Consolation Finals
First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.

Grand Finals
Third and second-place teams will receive bronze and silver medals, respectively. First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.

Awards Ceremonies
Ceremonies will take place after each Industry Cup, Consolation Race, and Grand Final Race. GWN Staff will gather the winning teams as they come off the water and will be directed to the Awards Area.

Awards Photo Wall
Winning teams are invited to capture the moment on race day at our featured MLDB photo wall, thanks to Showtime Photo Booth. Their memorable setups will add a fun, celebratory touch as you commemorate your race experience.

Entertainment

2026 Schedule of Events TBA.

Vendors

Asian Cultural Expo presented by Asia Trend:

Marketplace:

Food Vendors:

Smoothie Express

Interested in being a vendor? Email us at sales@gwnevents.com to learn more.

Parking

Pre-Event Practice Parking
Parking will be available at Bill Frederick Park during practices on Friday October 3rd for $5.00 per vehicle (exact payment is preferred), $2.00 per driver only, $1.00 per person for buses and 15/16 passenger vans. Upon entering the park, please follow directional signs to the festival parking area.

Race Day Parking
Complimentary parking will be available at Bill Frederick Park on Race Day. Upon entering the park, please let the Front Gate know that you are with the dragon boat festival and follow directional signs to the festival parking area.

Bill Frederick Park Front Gate will open at approximately 6:30AM (exact time will be determined the week of the event).

To help cut down on congestion in and out of the park, carpooling to the event is strongly recommended. It is best to plan extra time so that you are not delayed getting to your team tent.

Volunteer

Looking to have some fun on the docks? GWN is always looking for fantastic volunteers.

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of the exciting and fast-paced action that is dragon boat racing. You’ll also get to experience the energy and excitement of the festival event atmosphere and be a part of a vibrant community of dragon boat enthusiasts. Volunteers will be needed to help with various tasks in ensuring the safety and smooth operations of the event through the various outlined tasks:

Boat Marshalls: Will be on the dock assisting paddlers with getting in and out of the boats. This position should be filled by people who are comfortable around the water.
Results Runners: Will be posting the results from the Timing Officials at the Registration Headquarters. This position requires neat handwriting.
Team Marshalls: Will assist the Marshalling Manager in ensuring that all teams are ready to load into boats at the correct time to maintain smooth running of the races.
Crowd Control: Will ensure one-way flow traffic from the Marshalling Area after boats are unloaded.

If you would like to volunteer, we can promise some food, drinks, a really cool shirt, and community service hours (if applicable) so please complete this Volunteer Form to join our team! To get more info or ask any questions, feel free to send us an email at volunteers@gwnevents.c o m.

Results

Check out past event results.

2025

2024

2023

Additional Information

Accommodations

The official host hotels of the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival:

Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive ICON Park
8250 Jamaican Court
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 1-407-345-8250

Features: Free parking, 2 miles from the venue.

Group Name: Dragon Boat Rate
Group Rate: $179 + taxes
Room Block Deadline: September 15th, 2026
Reservations: Call 1-800-871-5831 and quote the Dragon Boat Rate

BOOK ONLINE

Travel

RENTAL CARS

Discount rates have been negotiated with Hertz Rent-a-Car for Major League Dragon Boat participants.

Hertz Rent-a-Car
To book your vehicle, please click here and enter discount code CDP2188961 or call 1-800-654-2240 and quote the code.

At the time of reservation, you will receive 20% off the retail rate using the discount code above.

AIR TRAVEL

GWN is proud to offer Major League Dragon Boat participants discounts on flights with United Airlines.

United Airlines
Participants can save 5% – 10% off airfares if traveling within US 50 States and between US 50 States and Canada.

To book your travel, visit united.com or call 1-800-426-1122 and use meeting code ZRVY714702.

Athletes Village

Each team registered at the festival will get a 15 x 15′ footprint (not rental) in the Athletes’ Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available to rent.

Team Sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams must contact GWN to book their site after they have registered for the festival and paid fees in full.

Teams wishing to rent a tent can do so using the “Get More” option in the Crew Management Tool.

Product	Price
10′ x 10′ Tent	$350.00
10′ x 20′ Tent	$475.00
20′ x 20′ Tent	$650.00
Chair Rental	$5.00
Table Rental	$30.00

Prices are in USD and do not include applicable taxes (6.5% sales tax).

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Download or view a copy of the 2026 Venue Map.
2. Review the site availability grid below.
3. Select a site based on availability.
4. Email your selection to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.

ATHLETES’ VILLAGE SITE AVAILABILITY

BCP/ACP Village
7.	8.	9.
10.	11.	12.

Athletes’ Village
1. Reserved	2. Reserved	3.
4.	5. Reserved	6. Reserved
13.	14.	15.
16.	17.	18.
25.	26.	27.
28.	29.	30.
31.	32.	33.
34.	41. Reserved	42. Reserved
43.	44.	45.
46.	47.	48.
49.	50.	57.
58.	59.	60.
61.	62.

Practices

Practices for the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival will be held at the event site.

Bill Frederick Park (Turkey Lake)
3401 S Hiawassee Road
Orlando, FL 32835

Please note that the cost for parking at Bill Frederick Park is $5.00 per vehicle.

Each practice will be 50 minutes. Please arrive at the venue 30 minutes before your scheduled practice time. Practices will not be extended if a team is late.

Practice sessions are $75 each plus applicable taxes; coach/steersperson are $50 each plus applicable taxes. These can be purchased through the online registration system by clicking on the “Get More” button.

Each paddler must complete an online waiver before attending a practice. A GWN representative will be on-site to check teams in, provide assistance, and collect waivers.

For more information on what to bring, etc. visit our FAQ Page.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Ensure team fees are paid.
2. Check practice availability in the calendar below.
3. Email your preferred date/time to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.
4. Let GWN know if you require a coach/steers.

Please allow 48hrs for confirmation of practice times.

Note:Bill Frederick Park closes at 7:00PM. Please ensure paddlers leave promptly after the last practice of each day.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

	Friday October 16th
4:00PM – 4:50PM	1.
5:00PM – 5:50PM	1.
6:00PM – 6:50PM	1.

Participants Checklist

To review the participant checklist, click here.

Charity

Orlando Community and Youth Trust

The Orlando Community & Youth Trust, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was created in 1994 to leverage public and private funds to support and enhance Orlando’s programs, services and facilities in partnership with the city’s Families, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) Department.

Example of programs supported by the Trust include equity and economic mobility initiatives; after-school, academic, arts and athletic programs serving children residing in the City’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods; and programs that benefit the City’s senior population.

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