The 2026 Dragon Boat Festival & AAPI Celebration lands in Menlo Park — check the SFFuncheap listing for the confirmed date and time once organizers finalize the schedule, but pencil in a Saturday or Sunday in late spring. The event typically runs at Bedwell Bayfront Park, with racing on the water and cultural programming on land. Free to attend; some food and vendor purchases on-site.

Dragon boat racing is one of those things that looks chaotic until you realize there's a drummer at the bow keeping everyone in sync — it's worth being near the water when a heat goes off. The AAPI programming side usually includes dance performances, craft demonstrations, and a vendor row that skews toward food. Past years have pulled in a few dozen boats and several thousand attendees by midday.

Caltrain is your friend here — Menlo Park station puts you about a mile from the park, walkable or a quick rideshare. Driving into Bedwell on a festival day is slow; the lots fill before 11am. Bring sunscreen — the bay is exposed and the shade situation is limited.

If you've got two hours, show up for the morning heats when the racing schedule is densest, grab food from the vendor area, and leave before the early-afternoon crowd peaks on the way out.