Dallas - The City of Dallas (City) will host the third annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage and Dragon Boat Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake. The event coincides with national AAPI Heritage Month and highlights the cultural, artistic, and historical contributions of North Texas residents of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Beginning at Noon, will be the speaker program where attendees will hear remarks from city leaders and witness a traditional dragon boat eye-dotting ceremony to bless the event.
This year’s festival will debut the Breast Cancer Survivor Cup, a new racing format presented by Dallas United Crew (DUC) and sponsored by UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center. The race connects the ancient tradition of dragon boating with modern breast cancer rehabilitation and survivorship. Dragon boating has deep ties to Asian history and has also become a proven method of breast cancer recovery. A cancer awareness ceremony presented by DUC and UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. during the festival program.
The City and National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, will recognize the historical, cultural, and artistic contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in North Texas. The festival will showcase the diversity of the entire Asian continent-including East, Southeast, and South Asia-and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, with a dragon boat race, performances, workshops, food and merchandise vendors, and a visual art exhibition. The NAAAP will present a market filled with family-friendly activities.
The Dragon Boat racing will include corporate, community, and competitive team divisions. A “Motley Crew” group will also be available for individuals who want to learn the sport and be part of the team on race day.
The festival is a collaboration between the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Dallas Park and Recreation, Dallas Police Department, Code Compliance Services, the Association of Asian American City Employees, and National Association of Asian American Professionals. Dignitaries from the City of Dallas and the local AAPI community will also be in attendance along with sponsor representatives from UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center, the Dallas Mavericks, and 99 Ranch Market.
Note to media: There will be availability for interviews and opportunity for B-roll. Media that RSVP will receive parking instructions. Parking is limited and will be available upon a first come first served basis. Link: forms.office.com/g/BtznYkAnvT
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