The Dragon Boat Festival

When: May 31, 2025

Where: Multiple locations

The Dragon Boat Festival is right around the corner, and I’m so thrilled! How can I say no to heart-thumping dragon boat racing and scrumptious rice dumplings?

This celebration actually goes as far back as the Warring States Period (475–221 BC) in ancient China. People believe that the festival started as a way to honour the river dragon, but eventually, it also evolved to become a commemoration of Qu Yuan.

According to legend, Qu Yuan, a patriotic minister, protested the corrupt government and got himself banished by Lord Huai. Qu Yuan would later drown himself, much to the dismay of the common folk. 

Fishermen got in their boats in an effort to get Qu Yuan’s remains, and they beat their paddles and drums to scare away evil spirits and fish. 

How to Celebrate

Eating Zongzi

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In present-day Singapore, the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, falling around the summer solstice. To honour this day, people cook zongzi (traditional Chinese rice dumplings with red bean filling) at home, or if you don’t cook, you can eat some at restaurants. 

Here are some restaurants you might want to look out for.

• Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant at the Carlton Hotel. Their special dish for the occasion is the dried oyster and conpoy dumpling, which is said to have rich umami and earthy flavours. Starting on April 15, you can preorder it from their website.
• Peach Blossoms at Parkroyal Collection. The restaurant’s handcrafted dumplings have traditional abalone, preserved vegetables, and pork belly as the filling—a new entry for this year. You can also get their premium rice dumplings, which are loaded with abalone, smoked duck, and other premium ingredients.
• Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore. This restaurant offers several flavours for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. I recommend the Hokkien rice dumpling with pork and salted egg yolk. I’m also looking forward to trying the Teochew dumpling with yam paste, chestnut, and ginkgo nut. You can preorder the dumplings online.

Dragon Boat Racing

But the main highlight of this event is undoubtedly the dragon boat races hosted in several locations in the country. Each boat has 20 paddlers, a helmsman, and a drummer to keep the pace. 

Considering the size, it’s no wonder people anticipate these boat races. They’re just so exhilarating. 

This 2025, you can watch the dragon boat races at the following locations.

• PAssion WaVe at Bedok Reservoir Park. The Singapore Dragon Boat Association loves to host their races in this reservoir park and for good reason. The reservoir is spacious enough, so the competition is extra fierce and thrilling.
• Kallang River. There will also be a race starting from the Kallang Water Sports Center. The dragon boats will be cruising along the Kallang River, Kallang Basin, and Marina Bay, so you can position yourself at the sports centre or along Bay East Garden to keep close to the action. Esplanade Waterfront is another good spot to watch the race.