PLANNING YOUR VISIT
2025 Festival Program
We are excited to present these performances, activities, and food court lineup for this year. Check it out below to start planning your visit!
Saturday, Aug 9th
Sunday, Aug 10th
Arts & Crafts
Food Street & Trucks
TIME
EVENT
10:30am
The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York
10:30am - 11:30am
Founded in 1961, the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York is one of the oldest and largest Chinese orchestras in the United States playing Cantonese traditional music. They play practically every type of Chinese musical instruments. Their performance features various traditional Chinese instruments and a wide variety of compositions, from ancient Chinese to modern classical. chinesemusicensemble.org
11:30am
Opening Ceremonies
11:30am - 12:30pm
Dragon Dance, Team Parade, and Eye Dotting: The Dragon Dance from Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute leads the teams of racers to the main stage to welcome all and together with invited dignitaries, officially kicks-off the 2025 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York with a dragon eye dotting ceremony and a performance on stage.
12:30pm
Yut Violinist
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Yut is a dynamic EDM DJ/Violinist who fuses classical technique with modern energy to redefine what the violin can be. Known for electrifying performances and vibrant style, he bridges traditional music and today's popular sounds. From intimate venues to global festivals, including iconic stages like Madison Square Garden, Yut captivates audiences with raw passion and unforgettable energy. Praised by The New York Times and icons like Tiesto, Yut's mission goes beyond entertainment: to spark passion, evoke deep feelings, and unleash energy that connects people through the power of music. Instagram: Yut Violinist
1:00pm
Latin Jazz Express
1:00pm - 2:00pm
The Latin Jazz Express plays the music of the Masters from Latin Jazz History. Music of Chucho Valdez, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and Eddie Palmieri. The band will be featuring the great Bobby Sanabria on Percussion, who hosts the world wide radio show "Latin Jazz Cruise" on WBGO.
2:00pm
Valerie Green/Dance Entropys
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Inspired by shamanic journeying and altered states of consciousness, this electrifying healing ceremony is a meditative ritual celebrating the human experience. Five powerful male dancers surrender to instinct, moving through a trance-like ritual that blurs the line between isolation and connection. Through movement, Rite offers a unique opportunity to contemplate your humanity, ignite a release of what weighs you down, and emerge with a newfound clarity: a personal and collective spiritual catharsis. Witness the intensity of energy, surrender to the movement, and dynamically explore the profound connections between body and soul.
3:00pm
Manhattan Taiko, Shamisen & Japanese Folk Dance
3:00pm - 4:00pm
This year, the Manhattan Taiko together with Travis Suzuki, a Shamisen player and Bon-Dan, a Japanese Folk dance group bring different art forms like drum-ming, traditional Japanese shamisen, and folk dancing that create a captivating and unique collaborative performance. Manhattan Taiko was formed around 2001 by Janet Youngblood. The ensemble usually performs with four to six drummers in a variety of traditional and contemporary taiko styles. They have performed at the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Shinzen Karate Kyokai, Columbia University, Teachers College, Hunter College, the NYC Marathon, the St. Luke's Half Marathon in Allentown PA, Hong Kong Boat Festival in New York and more. Bon-Dan is a dance group for traditional Japanese folk dance called Bon-Odori. Based in New York City, the group was established in 2019 and they participate in various public events to share their tradition with people from all over the world!
4:00pm
NY Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Center
4:00pm - 5:00pm
This Shaolin Kung Fu team will entertain the audience with its kung fu demonstration filled with punches and kicks. See more at www.newyorkshaolintemple.com.
All Day
On Stage & roaming on the Festival grounds Jonathan Kruk - Master Storyteller
11:00am - 4:00pm
Jonathan has long enchanted children with finger fables, story theater, myths, medieval legends and the lore of the Hudson River. A full-time storyteller since 1989, he’s appeared at thousands of schools, libraries, festivals, and historic sites, many in Queens. He will tell Dragon Tales for children and families, and story theater, featuring how dragon boat racing started.
Saturday, Aug 9th
Sunday, Aug 10th
Arts & Crafts
Food Street & Trucks
TIME
EVENT
10:30am
The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York
10:30am - 11:30am
Founded in 1961, the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York is one of the oldest and largest Chinese orchestras in the United States playing Cantonese traditional music. They play practically every type of Chinese musical instruments. Their performance features various traditional Chinese instruments and a wide variety of compositions, from ancient Chinese to modern classical. chinesemusicensemble.org
11:30am
Opening Ceremonies
11:30am - 12:30pm
Dragon Dance, Team Parade, and Eye Dotting: The Dragon Dance from Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute leads the teams of racers to the main stage to welcome all and together with invited dignitaries, officially kicks-off the 2025 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York with a dragon eye dotting ceremony and a performance on stage.
12:30pm
Yut Violinist
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Yut is a dynamic EDM DJ/Violinist who fuses classical technique with modern energy to redefine what the violin can be. Known for electrifying performances and vibrant style, he bridges traditional music and today's popular sounds. From intimate venues to global festivals, including iconic stages like Madison Square Garden, Yut captivates audiences with raw passion and unforgettable energy. Praised by The New York Times and icons like Tiesto, Yut's mission goes beyond entertainment: to spark passion, evoke deep feelings, and unleash energy that connects people through the power of music. Instagram: Yut Violinist
1:00pm
Latin Jazz Express
1:00pm - 2:00pm
The Latin Jazz Express plays the music of the Masters from Latin Jazz History. Music of Chucho Valdez, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and Eddie Palmieri. The band will be featuring the great Bobby Sanabria on Percussion, who hosts the world wide radio show "Latin Jazz Cruise" on WBGO.
2:00pm
Valerie Green/Dance Entropys
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Inspired by shamanic journeying and altered states of consciousness, this electrifying healing ceremony is a meditative ritual celebrating the human experience. Five powerful male dancers surrender to instinct, moving through a trance-like ritual that blurs the line between isolation and connection. Through movement, Rite offers a unique opportunity to contemplate your humanity, ignite a release of what weighs you down, and emerge with a newfound clarity: a personal and collective spiritual catharsis. Witness the intensity of energy, surrender to the movement, and dynamically explore the profound connections between body and soul.
3:00pm
Manhattan Taiko, Shamisen & Japanese Folk Dance
3:00pm - 4:00pm
This year, the Manhattan Taiko together with Travis Suzuki, a Shamisen player and Bon-Dan, a Japanese Folk dance group bring different art forms like drum-ming, traditional Japanese shamisen, and folk dancing that create a captivating and unique collaborative performance. Manhattan Taiko was formed around 2001 by Janet Youngblood. The ensemble usually performs with four to six drummers in a variety of traditional and contemporary taiko styles. They have performed at the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Shinzen Karate Kyokai, Columbia University, Teachers College, Hunter College, the NYC Marathon, the St. Luke's Half Marathon in Allentown PA, Hong Kong Boat Festival in New York and more. Bon-Dan is a dance group for traditional Japanese folk dance called Bon-Odori. Based in New York City, the group was established in 2019 and they participate in various public events to share their tradition with people from all over the world!
4:00pm
NY Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Center
4:00pm - 5:00pm
This Shaolin Kung Fu team will entertain the audience with its kung fu demonstration filled with punches and kicks. See more at www.newyorkshaolintemple.com.
All Day
On Stage & roaming on the Festival grounds Jonathan Kruk - Master Storyteller
11:00am - 4:00pm
Jonathan has long enchanted children with finger fables, story theater, myths, medieval legends and the lore of the Hudson River. A full-time storyteller since 1989, he’s appeared at thousands of schools, libraries, festivals, and historic sites, many in Queens. He will tell Dragon Tales for children and families, and story theater, featuring how dragon boat racing started.
Saturday, Aug 9th
Sunday, Aug 10th
Arts & Crafts
Food Street & Trucks
EVENTS
The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York
10:30am - 11:30am
Founded in 1961, the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York is one of the oldest and largest Chinese orchestras in the United States playing Cantonese traditional music. They play practically every type of Chinese musical instruments. Their performance features various traditional Chinese instruments and a wide variety of compositions, from ancient Chinese to modern classical. chinesemusicensemble.org
Opening Ceremonies
11:30am - 12:30pm
Dragon Dance, Team Parade, and Eye Dotting: The Dragon Dance from Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute leads the teams of racers to the main stage to welcome all and together with invited dignitaries, officially kicks-off the 2025 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York with a dragon eye dotting ceremony and a performance on stage.
Yut Violinist
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Yut is a dynamic EDM DJ/Violinist who fuses classical technique with modern energy to redefine what the violin can be. Known for electrifying performances and vibrant style, he bridges traditional music and today's popular sounds. From intimate venues to global festivals, including iconic stages like Madison Square Garden, Yut captivates audiences with raw passion and unforgettable energy. Praised by The New York Times and icons like Tiesto, Yut's mission goes beyond entertainment: to spark passion, evoke deep feelings, and unleash energy that connects people through the power of music. Instagram: Yut Violinist
Latin Jazz Express
1:00pm - 2:00pm
The Latin Jazz Express plays the music of the Masters from Latin Jazz History. Music of Chucho Valdez, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and Eddie Palmieri. The band will be featuring the great Bobby Sanabria on Percussion, who hosts the world wide radio show "Latin Jazz Cruise" on WBGO.
Valerie Green/Dance Entropys
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Inspired by shamanic journeying and altered states of consciousness, this electrifying healing ceremony is a meditative ritual celebrating the human experience. Five powerful male dancers surrender to instinct, moving through a trance-like ritual that blurs the line between isolation and connection. Through movement, Rite offers a unique opportunity to contemplate your humanity, ignite a release of what weighs you down, and emerge with a newfound clarity: a personal and collective spiritual catharsis. Witness the intensity of energy, surrender to the movement, and dynamically explore the profound connections between body and soul.
Manhattan Taiko, Shamisen & Japanese Folk Dance
3:00pm - 4:00pm
This year, the Manhattan Taiko together with Travis Suzuki, a Shamisen player and Bon-Dan, a Japanese Folk dance group bring different art forms like drum-ming, traditional Japanese shamisen, and folk dancing that create a captivating and unique collaborative performance. Manhattan Taiko was formed around 2001 by Janet Youngblood. The ensemble usually performs with four to six drummers in a variety of traditional and contemporary taiko styles. They have performed at the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Shinzen Karate Kyokai, Columbia University, Teachers College, Hunter College, the NYC Marathon, the St. Luke's Half Marathon in Allentown PA, Hong Kong Boat Festival in New York and more. Bon-Dan is a dance group for traditional Japanese folk dance called Bon-Odori. Based in New York City, the group was established in 2019 and they participate in various public events to share their tradition with people from all over the world!
NY Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Center
4:00pm - 5:00pm
This Shaolin Kung Fu team will entertain the audience with its kung fu demonstration filled with punches and kicks. See more at www.newyorkshaolintemple.com.
On Stage & roaming on the Festival grounds Jonathan Kruk - Master Storyteller
11:00am - 4:00pm
Jonathan has long enchanted children with finger fables, story theater, myths, medieval legends and the lore of the Hudson River. A full-time storyteller since 1989, he’s appeared at thousands of schools, libraries, festivals, and historic sites, many in Queens. He will tell Dragon Tales for children and families, and story theater, featuring how dragon boat racing started.
THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK
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© Copyright
2025
. HKDBFNY, INC.
THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK
STAY CONNECTED
Join our mailing list to receive important festival information.
© Copyright
2025
. HKDBFNY, INC.