Wondering what's the hype about the Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore? Find out in our handy guide to this annual fun fest promising a good time for the whole family!
Triangular rice dumplings, resounding drumbeats, and Dragon Boat races? Yes, make no mistake, the annual Dragon Boat Festival or Duan Wu Jie (端午节) is here again. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and on the Gregorian calendar, it’s on the 19 June 2026, Friday. This is an age-old traditional celebration that remains alive in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China and it’s so much more than the exciting boat races or the delicious glutinous rice dumplings. It’s also a celebration of tradition and honour, or perhaps, it’s just another excuse for the family to get together. We fill you in on its origins, fun activities to do, and more importantly, where to find those delectable rice dumplings!
At a glance: Dragon boat festival in Singapore
When: 19 June 2026, Friday
Where: Various locations including Chinatown, Toa Payoh, Bedok Reservoir, and Singapore Sports Hub
Best family-friendly activities: Duan Wu Carnival, Dragon boat race, Dragon boat experience,
Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival
Best dumplings for gifting: Joo Chiat Kim Choo, Thye Moh Chan, Shang Palace, Madame Fan
The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival
As with any Chinese festivals or traditions, the origins story can vary by location and timeline. But one thing that stays the same is its date, the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. Some beliefs suggest that this was an “evil day and month”, and the celebration, with all its customs and rituals, was to drive bad luck away.
In some earlier records, the Dragon Boat Festival was a way to worship the river dragon to ensure good harvest during the summer solstice. Chinese provinces like Jiangsu and Zhejiang, share stories of Wu Zixu, a hero who sought revenge for his family’s unjust execution, but was tragically forced to his death on this very day. They also tell a story of a devoted daughter during the Eastern Han Dynasty (23 – 220 A.D.), whose filial piety has inspired temples and traditions in her honour.
But the most popular and known story is that of Qu Yuan (屈原). His association with the Dragon Boat Festival started only in the second century BC. He was a loyal official of the Chu State and a talented Chinese poet who left us with the poem Li Sao (离骚). During the Warring States period in China, his patriotism was mistaken for treason and he was banished. Seeing his motherland fall into the hands of the corrupt and overthrown by the Qin army, he threw himself into the Mi Luo river (汨罗江) of the now Northern Hunan province, in despair.
He was so well-loved by the locals that they raced out in their boats to save him. Without any success, they beat on drums to frighten the fishes away and threw rice dumplings into the river to prevent the fishes from eating his body. Over time, this evolved into the Dragon Boat Festival we know, complete with rice dumplings and thunderous sounds from the Dragon Boat races.
Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore 2026: Family-friendly events
Duan Wu Carnival 2026 @ SFCCA
The annual Duan Wu Carnival by Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) makes its way to Toa Payoh this year. Expect a day of cultural performances and activities such as a Land Dragonboat Race and a Dumpling Dash. Young artists aged four to 18 can participate in the drawing competition, while foodies can gather at the food bazaar for a taste of the festival.
Best for: Family fun in the neighbourhood
When: 14 June 2026, from 2pm
Where: Duan Wu Carnival 2026, open area of 460 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310460
Price: Free
Catch the Dragon Boat Race at Bedok Reservoir
One of the biggest highlights of the Dragon Boat Festival is the Dragon Boat Race happening at Bedok Reservoir. This is the oldest dragon boat race in Singapore and promises to be fun for the family, with a range of events to look forward to.
Best for: Soaking in the festivities
When: 27 – 28 June 2026
Where: PAssion Wave, Bedok Reservoir Park, 911 Bedok Reservoir Rd, Reservoir Park Bedok Reservoir Park, Carpark A, Nearest Car Park, Singapore 479311
Try rowing a Dragon Boat
Nothing like being part of the tradition yourself. Feel the thrill of Dragon Boating at Singapore Sports Hub, guided by the professionals. Form a team of 12 or 22 to rent the boats for a vibrant bonding activity under the sun or book an orientation program – suitable for kids seven years and up – to learn basic paddling skills. It’ll make a great family time out too!
Best for: Experiential family-friendly fun
Where: Dragon Boat Orientation, Singapore Sports Hub, 1 Stadium Dr, #02-01 National Stadium, Singapore 397629
When: 14 June and 28 June 2026, 1pm – 3pm
Price: From $15 for kids, $18 for adults (includes flotation device, Dragon Boat, and paddle)
Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival 2026
Chinatown is set to come alive with culture, celebration, and community with workshops and activities for Dragon Boat Festival 2025. Immerse in the vibrant performances such as the lion and dragon dances, and go for a Hanfu dress up experience. Try your hand at wrapping rice dumplings or compete in a Dragon Boat competition, on land! There’ll also be promotions at selected shops along Smith Street.
Where: Chinatown, along Smith Street
When: 13 June 2026
Price: Free and paid activities
Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore 2026: Where to find rice dumplings
Rice dumplings, or Zong Zi (粽子).are a must-have during the Dragon Boat Festival. Wrapped in bamboo leaves, these glutinous rice balls are filled with meats like pork, Chinese sausage, salted duck egg, or even sweet beans. They are held together by strings which sometimes denotes its fillings, and steamed. Depending on the region, Southern Chinese tend to prefer savoury flavours, while those up North prefer the sweet version. These days, restaurants offer innovative takes which can include premium ingredients like truffles or unique ones like ice cream!
Here are some of our favourites!
22 ingredients secret recipe dumplings from Joo Chiat Kim Choo
There’s no better time than now to indulge in the tasty dumplings from Joo Chiat Kim Choo. They are the veterans of rice dumplings in Singapore and the secret to their success is the 80-year-old secret handed down generations after generations. Handcrafted with love, the recipe calls for 22 ingredients and spices, giving it the distinctive Joo Chiat Kim Choo taste.
We had the chance to sample the dumplings this year and our top picks include the Nonya rice dumpling — it’s savoury sweet dumping with minced pork belly and winter melon. We also loved the Hokkien rice dumpling, get the one with salted egg yolk, for its braised pork belly, chestnut, and mushrooms. The Teochew rice dumplings with peanut and red bean paste surprised us as a hearty sweet and savoury treat but the luxurious Emperor’s rice dumpling with premium braised pork belly, lup cheong, and gingko nuts was the one that stole our hearts. For gifting, you can mix-and-match 10 dumplings to build your own Dragon Gift Box.
Where: Find them at pop-ups across Singapore or at 77 Circuit Rd, #01-450, Singapore 370077
Traditional dumplings from Thye Moh Chan
You won’t go wrong with the veteran of Teochew pastries, Thye Moh Chan. For Dragon Boat Festival, they’ve brought back their range of Teochew Bak Chang which includes the best-selling Teochew Double Delight Bak Chang. Delightfully sweet and savoury, the dumpling is filled with pork belly, mushrooms, and toasted chestnuts – all our favourites in a dumpling – and sweetened with tau sar (mung beans). The Teochew Salted Egg Bak Chang features a whole salted egg yolk in the middle and has dried shrimps for extra umami! They even have a meatless option with the Teochew Mushroom Chang, that’s also free from pork lard and eggs. Each dumpling is priced at $7.20, buy more for more discounts. The six or 10 pieces bundle even comes with a limited-edition gift bag.
Where: Thye Moh Chan or selected BreadTalk and Toastbox stores
Sweet red bean dumplings from Din Tai Fung
Enjoy the iconic Din Tai Fung’s exquisite red bean rice dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival. Made with top-grade glutinous rice and wrapped in fragrant bamboo leaves, these sweet treats are perfect for kids.
Where: Din Tai Fung outlets around Singapore. Please refer the website for location details.
Tradition meets luxe in dumplings from Shang Palace
Shang Palace spotlights handcrafted rice dumplings with ingredients such as Barbecued Pork, Yunnan Ham and Conpoy, and dried scallop. Enjoy five dumplings, including Truffle Pork with Salted Egg, Gula Melaka Rice Dumpling, in the Rice Dumpling Gift Set. Experience Asia with the Heritage of Asia Gift Set which sees unique flavours like Hainanese Chicken Rice Dumpling, Sambal Pork Floss Rice Dumpling, and even a Rose Petal and Lychee Rice Dumpling. There’s even a vegan option with the Blue Pea Nonya Rice Dumpling with Impossible Meat and Chestnut.
Where: Order online for delivery or collection at Shang Palace, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Shangri-La Singapore, Singapore 258350.
Gourmet creations at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant
Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant offers gourmet dumplings for all ages. Handcrafted Cantonese-style dumplings which includes returning favourites such as the Signature Pork and Salted Egg. Don’t miss out on this year’s new addition such as the White Pepper Crab with Scallop rice dumpling and the vegan Cordycep Flower and Purple Glutinous rice dumpling.
Where: Order online for delivery or collection at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865.
Fan-tastic premium offerings at Madame Fan
The contemporary Chinese restaurant, Madame Fan, takes things up a notch this year with two new, unique flavours. Love chilli crab? Savour them as part of the Singapore-style Chilli Crab Rice Dumpling. Or reach for the Sweet Lye Water Rice Dumpling, serve with kaya for optimal enjoyment! Definitely go for the Dumpling Gift Set which includes three classic flavours and The Madame’s XO Sauce!
Where: Available for takeaway and delivery from Madame Fan at The NCO Club, 32 Beach Road, The NCO Club, Singapore 189764
Wishing you and your little ones a fun-filled and delicious festive season this Dragon Boat Festival!
