This year, the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duānwǔ Jié) arrives early—on Saturday, 31 May. But what’s behind this ancient celebration, and how can you experience it, even far from China? Yingxiang Chen from the Department of Education tells us more.
A river, a poet, and a nation’s grief: the origins of the festival
There are many legends about the festival’s origins, but the most famous tells the story of 屈原 (Qū Yuán), a loyal minister and poet from the state of 楚 (Chǔ) during China’s Warring States period.
Over 2,300 years ago, Qu Yuan warned his king about an invasion, but his advice was ignored. When the capital finally fell, he was heartbroken. Carrying a final poem, he walked into the Miluo River (汨罗江 Mìluó Jiāng) and took his own life.
The people, devastated, rushed out in boats to find him. To scare fish away, they beat drums; to protect his body, they threw sticky rice parcels—now known as 粽子 (zòngzi)—into the water.
Though they couldn't save him, their efforts became a tradition. The Dragon Boat Festival was born, blending mourning, honour, and community spirit.
When and how is the festival celebrated?
The festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, that’s why it's also called Double Fifth Festival (重五节 chóngwǔ Jié) or 端午节 (Duānwǔ Jié).
In ancient times, this time of year was linked to heat, illness, and bad luck. To ward off evil, people used bright colours, loud drums, and strong-smelling herbs like mugwort (艾草 àicǎo), calamus (菖蒲 chāngpú), and realgar wine (雄黄酒 xiónghuáng jiǔ), a traditional medicinal drink.
Today, dragon boat races take centre stage. Teams of 20 paddle long, dragon-headed boats to the beat of a drummer, competing in 200- or 500-metre sprints.
Meanwhile, at home, families make zòngzi, glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves with sweet or savoury fillings. Steamed or boiled for hours, they fill the house with a grassy aroma and serve as a delicious tribute to Qu Yuan.
Dragon Boat fun in the UK
You don’t need be in China to experience the festival spirit! In the UK, dragon boat racing is now one of the fastest-growing charity sports.
- Maggie’s Oxford Dragon Boat Racing (Queenford Lakes, 12 Jun 2025): Local teams compete to raise funds for cancer support.
- London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Royal Docks, June 2025): Nearly a thousand paddlers compete alongside live music and street food.
- Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival (River Cam, 13 Sept 2025): Over 40 teams will race to support Addenbrooke’s Cancer Research Hospital.
Meanwhile, workshops pop up across the country for dumpling-wrapping and hands-on crafts, keeping the festival’s traditions alive across continents.
The Bath Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) will be hosting a series of creative workshops in the centre of Bath on 30 May, when you can try out at least the following activities:
Three craft activities and their meanings
- Five-Colour Lucky Cords (五彩绳 wǔcǎi shéng)
Twist together five threads—red, yellow, blue, green, and white—to represent the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). Add beads or bells if you like. Wear it until the first summer rain to symbolically “wash away” misfortune.
- Fragrant Sachets (香囊 xiāngnáng)
Fill a small cloth pouch with herbs like mugwort (for protection), mint (for cooling), lavender (for calmness), or cloves (for warmth). Decorate the outside with paint or embroidery. Hang it by your bed or tuck it in a drawer for year-round fragrance and good fortune.
- Blessing Pennants (端午幡 Duānwǔ fān)
Cut colourful card into triangle flags and write traditional four-character wishes. Hang your pennants at home or in the garden to spread festival cheer. Try:
- 端午安康 (Duānwǔ ānkāng) – “Peace and health at Dragon Boat”
- 龙腾万里 (Lóng téng wàn lǐ) – “May dragons soar ten thousand miles”
Keep the spirit afloat
Whether you're watching boats on the Cam, or wrapping a paper zòngzi in Bath, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time to honour tradition, stay healthy, and celebrate community. Qu Yuan’s legacy lives on—linking past and present, across rivers old and new.
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