Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival
The 20th annual Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival returned to Burlington's waterfront this summer. Almost 50 teams raced dragon boats along the shoreline of Lake Champlain, raising money for breast cancer survivors and Vermont cancer organizations. It was part competition, part community celebration, and one of Burlington's biggest summer events.
Full teams joined us to paddle in the Festival. Individuals joined as Free Agents and we matched them to a team; much like the spirit of our Festival: you are not in the boat alone!
2026 Festival Schedule
Thanks to our Volunteers!
The Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival runs because volunteers like you make it happen. From registration and entertainment to dock support and logistics, caring community members powered the day! It was fun, fast-paced, and meaningful. Whether you gave a few hours or the full day, we loved having you help us deliver the best Dragon Boat Festival yet and be part of something bigger than race day. Every volunteer received a free custom designed tee shirt!
Not everyone paddled, but everyone helped move us forward.
Teams & Individuals Participated
Community teams are groups of 16–20 people (coworkers, friends, neighbors, anyone really) who come together to race dragon boats and raise money for cancer survivors. No experience needed. You'll get a practice session on the water before race day, and equipment and coaching are provided.
Sometimes a Community team does not get a full boat and we need more people for them to compete. That's where Free Agents come in. You can sign up as an individual and we will place you on a boat that needs people; we are all in this together.
Breast Cancer and Sport teams
Teams that practice together regularly and wanted to compete at the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival joined one of our two special divisions:
Breast Cancer teams (100% BCS, including drummer and steer) and Sport teams (women's or mixed). Standard teams of 20 paddlers per boat raced 500m races Saturday and 200m races Sunday.
Why Paddle
People show up to the festival for different reasons. Some paddle for a loved one. Some paddle because their company sponsored a boat. Some paddle because they heard it was fun. They all come back for the same thing: the feeling of being part of something bigger than themselves.
"My mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor and is now battling liver cancer, and my sister is a breast cancer survivor. Pulling for cancer survivors is very near and dear to my heart. I want them to know that I am here for them every day, in their corner."
"You just feel like you're part of a big team. And it's really great to support the community, and it really comes together as a community."
Festival Highlights
In this milestone year, Governor Phil Scott and delegates from New Hampshire and Massachusetts joined Canadian delegates from New Brunswick, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island along with the Governor’s staff to paddle together as team CanUS Work Together—a spirited celebration of friendship, collaboration, support of Dragonheart's mission, and continued goodwill with our neighbors to the north.
Photo Credit: Mikhael Cohen
Want more photos? Here's a look back at some of the recent festivals.
2026 Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival