This year Dragon Boat Festival lands on May 31st, read on to learn all about one of the best-known Chinese traditional festivals and all of the Dragon Boat Festival London events.
What is Dragon Boat Festival?
The Dragon Boat Festival (龙舟节long zhou jie) also known as Duanwu Jie (端午节) is a traditional Chinese holiday.
The festival supposedly originated from the story of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and minister from the Warring States period (340 – 278 BC). He drowned himself in the Miluo River as a protest against government corruption. Locals raced out in boats to save him and threw rice into the water to keep fish and evil spirits away.
From this event, the modern Dragon Boat Festival was born. Two of the most famous traditions associated with the festival are racing dragon boats and eating Zongzi. They are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. They can be sweet or savory, filled with ingredients like meat, beans, or egg yolks.
When is Dragon Boat Festival 2025?
China’s Lunar calendar means festivals don’t land on the same day every year. Dragon Boat Festival falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar. That usually works out as May or June. The Dragon Boat Festival in 2025 is on 31st May.
In China, the festival is marked by a public holiday, giving workers a three-day weekend.
Dragon Boat Festival London Events 2025
While there are no major festivals in London as we experience for Mid-Autumn Festival or Chinese New Year, there are still some Dragon Boat Festival events in London for 2025.
Note, China Minutes is not associated or endorsing any of the events below.
On Friday 30th May, Charing Cross Library have a free Dragon Boat Festival event, including Storytime and DIY crafts. Click here to learn all the details.
Yun Gui Hanfu have organised an event in Croydon on May 31st, which includes a dance performance, trying on Hanfu (traditional Han clothing), and then a DIY workshop. Click here for details and tickets.
Also on May 31st, Dear Asia have organised a Mahjong workshop to coincide with the Dragon Boat festival. Whether you are an expert or a brand-new beginner, there is a level for anyone. Click here for details and tickets.
St Mary’s Catholic School have partnered with Link Chinese to host a family-focused Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, 31st May. They promise lots of activities, including Zongzi eating, DIY crafts, and traditional dancing. Click here for more details.
Play Mandarin, a training centre for young Mandarin learners, is also hosting a Dragon Boat Family Festival on Sunday, June 1st. Click here for more details.
If you liked this article why not read: Fast Boats, Sticky Rice, and Good “Duck”: A Festival Like No Other
