MKE Dragon Boat Festival

Front page it is! Thanks Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for sharing the 2026 Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival!

Lori Nickel, sports reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS), had never been to a dragon boat race and was excited to learn more about it! So she signed up to be a volunteer as a marshall at this year’s Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival!

We got a twofer, as she did this cool video for the MJS! … “Behind the scenes of Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival” … check it out!

VIDEO: Behind the scenes of Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival. A total of 51 boats competed in the Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival on July 11, 2026. We went behind the scenes with the participants.

💙 Thank You to Our Amazing Sponsors! 🐉🚣

The 2026 would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, partners, and community champions.

Thank you for helping us bring together culture, community, competition, and celebration at our new home on the Summerfest Grounds!

Special thanks to:

Milwaukee County Human Resources
Molson Coors
SC Johnson
Foth
Milwaukee World Festival Inc.
Friends of Lakeshore State Park
Rockwell Automation
Wisconsin Chinese Chamber of Commerce (WCCC)
Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC)
Jonco Industries
Arena Americas
Kohler
Stryker
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Harley-Davidson
PKSD Accident and Injury Lawyers
Wok on Campus
Chinese Christian Church of Milwaukee (CCCM)
Northwestern Mutual
Artisan Ramen
China Lights Wisconsin
Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc.
Clarios

Because of you, thousands of people were able to experience the excitement of dragon boat racing and the richness of Asian culture right here in Milwaukee.

See you in 2027! 🐲❤️

Thanks Above MKE / Charlie Antoine Photography for such great photos!

Missed the Milwaukee Dragons Boat Festival this year? No problem, come and join in 2027 🐉🛶

More than one thousand paddlers took part in the Dragon Boat racing at Milwaukee's Lakefront on Saturday. See link below ⬇️

📸 Lori Nickel

What a perfect day for today’s Dragon Boat Festival! The weather gods beamed sunlight and cool air as over 50 teams competed for fun and sport and spectators cheered their favorite teams on!

Thank you WISN 12’s Van McNeil for capturing the excitement and enthusiasm of our community this morning!

See the following clips of WISN’s coverage!
🛶 PanAm’s Rick Granite describes the sport of dragon boat racing
👩🏻‍⚖️ MCCC’s Yujing Wang speaks of the Asian cultural performances and activities
🚣🏻GRAEF’s team captain describes their 10+ year participation in our 🐉 festival
🔮Racine’s Pink Paddling Power team captain shares their dragon boat journeys

https://youtu.be/Ko6ycLann5w