Thousands of spectators are expected to line the banks of Salford Quays as the annual Dragon Boat festival returns this weekend.
Teams of experienced and amateur rowers will race colourful boats past Media City while spectators tuck into authentic food and watch traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural performances.
First held at the Salford Water Sports Centre in 2012, the festival has attracted visitors from across the region for more than a decade. This year’s event takes place at MediaCity and Salford Quays on 13 and 14 June.
On the back of the event’s success, organisers and partners have agreed a new five-year commitment to host the UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in the city.
“The agreement reflects the strong partnership between Salford City Council, the Xinhua Chinese Association (XCA) and the British Dragon Boat Racing Association (BDA) and recognises the significant contribution the festival makes to tourism, community cohesion and cultural exchange,” a Salford Council spokesperson stated.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival has become one of the highlights of Salford’s annual events calendar, attracting visitors and showcasing the diversity, creativity and welcoming spirit of our city.
“We are delighted not only to welcome the festival back in 2026, but also to secure its future in Salford for the next five years. This long-term commitment demonstrates the strength of our partnership with organisers and our shared ambition to continue growing this fantastic event.”
Adding to the significance of the weekend, representatives from Salford City Council will join international partners at the festival’s opening ceremony for the signing of a new friendship agreement between Salford and the city of Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province, China.
The agreement builds on a growing relationship between the two cities, which has developed through cultural exchanges and collaboration surrounding the creation of the highly anticipated Chinese Streamside Garden at RHS Bridgewater.
The garden, inspired by the landscapes and horticultural traditions of Yangzhou, has helped foster stronger ties between communities in both cities and created new opportunities for international cooperation.
“The signing of a friendship agreement with Yangzhou represents the next chapter in a relationship that has already delivered real benefits for Salford, particularly through the development of the Chinese Streamside Garden at RHS Bridgewater, a landmark project and the first of its kind in the UK,” Mayor Dennett said.
“It demonstrates how cultural partnerships can bring communities together, strengthen international understanding and create opportunities for future collaboration.”
Since first arriving in Salford, the UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival has grown into one of the largest celebrations of Chinese culture in the UK, attracting thousands of spectators each year and providing a unique opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together through sport, culture and shared experiences.
Further details about the 2026 festival can be found on the dedicated Dragon Boat festival website.
