Magdeburg Dragon Boat Festival
Two days of dragon boat racing, stage, and camp life at Salbker See
About Dragon Boat Festival
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When the Drum Echoes Across Salbker See
The Magdeburg Dragon Boat Festival is a well-established institution in the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt. Since 2000, the Wassersportverein Buckau-Fermersleben (Buckau-Fermersleben Water Sports Club) has organized the annual major event on Salbker See II in the south of Magdeburg – a calm former opencast mine lake that transforms into an international race track for a weekend in July.
Up to 50 teams and over 3,000 participants and spectators are expected. Fun, sport, and premium teams will start on six parallel race tracks with finish line video control. The distances follow the International Dragon Boat Formula: 200 meters on Saturday, 500 meters on Sunday, plus the famous Salbker Mile, a long-distance race over the full length of the lake.
More Than Just Competition
The festival's strength lies in its mix: racing during the day, drum signals and cheers from the shore, and in the evening, a stage and open-air party under the large canopy of the WBF grounds. On Saturday evening, after the 200-meter finals, trophies for the top three places will be awarded, followed by the live band. Those arriving with their own team can pitch their tents directly on the club grounds – including a breakfast buffet and snack bar on the shore.
Premium Dragon Boat Racing in Saxony-Anhalt
What sets the Magdeburg festival apart from many other dragon boat events is the Premium class. Here, top teams from all over Germany and sometimes from abroad compete, while the Fun class remains open to hobby crews who were spontaneously put together just four weeks prior. The organizer provides the equipment – boats, drums, steerspersons – in accordance with the rules of the Deutscher Drachenbootverband (German Dragon Boat Association). Personal paddles are allowed, and personal team shirts certainly are.
Anyone traveling in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in July should note this date. Salbker See II can be reached in 30 minutes via tram line 9 from the main train station – a weekend excursion with a competitive atmosphere, sandy shores, and one of the most beautiful natural settings in the Magdeburg city area.
Dragon Boat Festival — edition 2026
The Magdeburg Dragon Boat Festival returns in 2026 for its 24th edition at Salbker See II. The organizer is the Buckau-Fermersleben Water Sports Club. The exact date at the end of July 2026 will be confirmed in spring 2026 on the festival website. As in previous years, up to 50 teams are expected in the Fun, Sport, and Premium classes.
Programme Dragon Boat Festival 2026
Saturday (End of July 2026)
- Morning — Welcome, practice runs, team check-in
- Daytime — 200-meter heats and repechage rounds on six parallel tracks
- Evening — 200-meter finals
- Following — 200-meter awards ceremony
- Open-air party under the canopy with live band and DJ
Sunday (End of July 2026)
- Morning — 500-meter heats
- Midday — Salbker Mile (long-distance race over the full length of the lake)
- Afternoon — 500-meter finals
- Late Afternoon — Overall awards ceremony and festival closing
On-site camping, snack stands, and breakfast buffet available all day. Free admission for spectators. Team registrations via the festival website.
Highlights Dragon Boat Festival 2026
Prices Dragon Boat Festival 2026
Practical information — Dragon Boat Festival
Getting There
Salbker See II, WBF Club Grounds, 39122 Magdeburg. Take tram line 9 from the main train station to the final stop, then walk for about 15 minutes. By car, take the A2 (Magdeburg-Süd exit).
Parking
Parking available at the club grounds, limited on competition days.
Admission
Free admission for spectators. Team registration via the organizer's website.
Camping
Tent sites directly at the club grounds, breakfast buffet available.
Food & Drink
Snack stands, bar, and breakfast buffet at the clubhouse.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Dragon Boat Festival al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Dragon Boat Festival
Salbker See II — Vereinsgelände Wassersportverein Buckau-Fermersleben
Salbker See II, 39122 Magdeburg