Ottawa 
Events Description
Established in 1994, The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is North America’s largest dragon boat festival. The Festival, currently boasts 200 teams in competitive, corporate and community categories, and is one of the hottest sporting and entertainment events in the Nation’s Capital.
The festival takes place in the natural setting of Mooney’s Bay Park, where spectators and competitors can enjoy a beverage or some tasty treats from a variety of food trucks while shopping at a number of exhibitors!
Participants from all backgrounds and skill levels, from beginners to world champions, will have the opportunity to compete for greatness in a diverse range of divisions including the Sue Holloway Cup, named after Olympic medalist and Canadian Sports Hall of Famer for competitive teams who are registered with Dragon Boat Canada. Community teams will also hit the water to compete in the Breast Cancer Paddlers Cup, teams whose members are breast cancer survivors, Pride Challenge Cup, the first 2SLGBTQ+ dragon boat division in Canada, introduced in 2016 and two of the festival’s newest divisions, the Para Challenge Cup, teams whose members are para-athletes and the All Cancer Paddlers Challenge Cup, consisting of athletes of all genders and ages who are survivors of any type of cancer. Corporate teams will come together for a team building weekend (and friendly competition against other teams in their industry!) in various divisions including the Building & Development Challenge Cup, High Tech Challenge Cup, and Professional Services Challenge Cup. These divisions and many more are some of the highlights of the weekend’s events.
HOW MUCH
Free for spectators.
Dragon Boat Team registration – Here
WHEN & WHERE
June 19-21, 2026
Friday | 5 PM – 9 PM
Saturday, | 7 AM – 6 PM
Sunday | 7 AM – 6 PM
Venue: Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive, Ottawa
Mooney’s Bay Park is located 1 1/2 km south of Riverside Drive and Heron Road intersection. The Park is 1/2 km north of Riverside Drive and Walkley Road intersection. Riverside Drive is accessible directly from the Queensway (Highway 417). Look for the Riverside South exit.
– Free parking will be available at Canada Post Headquarters on Riverside Drive during festival hours.
This to do this weekend in Ottawa
