London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at London’s Regatta Centre on Sunday 25th June 2017.
The 22nd edition of the London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (HKETO), which is the territory’s official representation in the United Kingdom.
Out on the water, 40 competing club, corporate and amateur teams battle it out throughout the day for 6 cups. The competition sees race teams of 16-20 people from absolute beginners to seasoned paddlers take part in 3 race heats, with dragon boats and drums provided.
On land, the event’s accompanying food festival represents the culinary tastes of South East Asia, with entertainment including live music on the East West Festival stage, showcasing new artists from the East and West, martial arts displays, and traditional Chinese lion dancing.
The free, family-friendly event is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors from across the UK and overseas.
Europe’s most spectacular Dragon Boat Festival will include the following attractions:
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7 hours of dragon boat races with trophies presented at 5.00pm -
Food festival offering the flavours of South East Asia including breakfast serving from 08:30 -
Live music on the East West Festival stage showcasing new music and entertainment from East and West -
Traditional Chinese lion dancing and cultural dance performances -
Martial arts displays from YouTube sensation Master Wong
Appearing live on the East West Festival stage, presented by DJ Alice from Spectrum radio, are new and breaking musical talent and entertainers from all corners of the globe including BBC Introducing-supported indie pop band The Atmospherics, songwriter-based electronic duo Ooberfuse, and award-winning Brits School attendee, Chris Gadd. Also appearing will be YouTube sensation Master Wong, who with 1,115,000 Youtube subscribers, and over 150 million views on his channel, is one of the most recognised martial artists.
Fentimans will be hosting Fentimans Botanical Bar. Their award-winning drinks including famous ginger beer are handcrafted using the Fentiman family’s 100 years of knowledge of botanical brewing.
The food festival offers a taste of South East Asia, including bad buns at Bite Mi; Cà Phê VN Saigon Street Cafe Vietnamese coffee bar; Mei Mei’s street Cart Chinese comfort food; Canaan Taiwan Xiao-chi Taiwanese cuisine; Newdlez Pad Thai Thai cuisine; Pochi, Japanese street food; Lion City Kitchen Singaporean street food; Hanoi Kitchen authentic Vietnamese food, Malaysian Kitchen Enak Enak, Ajinomoto Foods Europe, Jerk Spice offering a Caribbean alternative, Churros London – fried dough pastry sticks, and Surrey Ices handmade Italian ice creams.
London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival provides an opportunity to experience Chinese culture in the British capital. Organised by London Chinatown Lions Club, the fund-raising event donates proceeds to the club’s nominated charities, and is supported by Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, London, The Hong Kong Executives Club and The Chinese Community Centre.
There is also a raffle draw with prizes including a pair of return flights to Hong Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific and dinner for two at Hutong at The Shard.
