Festivals

Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival 2025

Published

5 months ago

June 22, 2025

The 2025 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival made a splash this weekend, both on the water and at the TD Main Stage. Over three days, more than 200 teams from across Canada and around the world competed in one of the largest dragon boat races on the continent. And while the racing action in False Creek was thrilling, it was the music that lit up the shoreline Saturday night.

We didn’t catch every set, but we were lucky to catch two standout Canadian acts: Felix Cartal and Lights.

Felix Cartal hit the TD Main Stage around 6pm, bringing the energy you want from a Saturday night set. The Vancouver-based producer brought beats and friends. Fellow Canadian artists Reve and Lights joined him on stage, turning his DJ set into a mini pop party. The crowd was fully into it. People were dancing, jumping, filming everything, and just soaking up the summer vibes.

Then it was Lights’ turn to headline the night. She ran into a few technical issues early on, but she handled it like a total pro. She shared how happy she was to perform in Vancouver, and that this crowd was always the best. Judging by the way fans sang every word to her songs, she wasn’t wrong. The crowd’s energy never dipped, and Lights kept things light and fun while the crew sorted things out behind her.

The festival marked its 38th year with its biggest edition ever, now based at its new home at Concord Pacific Place. It’s a big upgrade: easy access from the SkyTrain, more room to roam, and a great view of the races between Cambie Bridge and Science World. And even with grey skies hanging overhead and the occasional showers, the vibe stayed sunny.

Beyond the stage and races, the festival was packed with things to do. More than 100 local artisans lined the craft market, food trucks kept bellies full, and cultural pavilions (including ones focused on Indigenous culture, Pride, Chinatown, and breast cancer paddlers) gave people even more reason to linger

This year’s entertainment lineup was 100% local, highlighting BIPOC, queer, and female voices. It felt like a true snapshot of Vancouver’s creativity, diversity, and roots in community.

With over 200,000 people attending, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most loved events in the city. From the races to the music to the people watching from every bridge and dock, this is how summer starts in Vancouver.

Check out our favourite photos of Felix Cartal & Lights below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!