Darwin International Dragon Boat Festival 2023

The Darwin International Dragon Boat Festival is a two-day international event featuring sport, business and cultural exchange activities. These activities are designed to support, enhance and promote connections between Darwin and its Sister and Friendship Cities, and to showcase Darwin businesses and our diverse community.

The first day will host the Dragon Boat Festival at the Darwin Waterfront on Sunday, 4 June 2023. The festival’s program will feature interactive activities, cultural displays, and Dragon Boat Racing demonstrations, with a traditional eye-dotting ceremony taking place before the races start. Experienced teams from Darwin’s Sister Cities will also be participating in the races, facilitating deep cultural exchange connections between our cities.

The Darwin International Trade Show will then be held at DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade on Monday, 5 June 2023. The Trade Show presents an opportunity for businesses to connect with local and international audiences. This will be an in-person and online hybrid event, connecting Darwin and its Sister Cities to further explore trade opportunities.

EVENT PROGRAM

Saturday 3 June

5:00pm - 7:00pm - Welcome Reception

Sunday 4 June - Venue: Darwin Waterfront

8:00am - 5:00pm - Dragon Boat Race

5.00pm - 6.00pm - Award presentation

Monday 5 June - Venue: Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade

9.00am – 5.00pm - Darwin International Trade Show

7.00pm – 9.00pm - Business Networking Cocktail Party

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2023

This is a free public event and open to all. The event will begin at 8:00am with a traditional eye-dotting ceremony to awaken the Dragon - a special ceremony that will give life to the Dragon Boats before the races begin. Dragon Boat Racing demonstrations will run throughout the day, and will be made up of experienced local, interstate and Sister City teams. The Dragon Boat Race is a fun, festive race and not intended to be conducted to international standards. There will also be food stalls and hold other cultural activities from 10am to 5pm throughout the day.

DARWIN INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOW 2023

This is a free event and open to the public. The Darwin International Trade Show provides an opportunity for businesses and organisations to promote their services and products to international markets.

There will be businesses invited from Darwin, Ambon, Anchorage, Dili, Haikou, Kalymnos, Milikapiti, Denpasar, Guangzhou, Honolulu, Qingdao, and Santa Cruz; either joining online or attending physically in Darwin. This offers businesses and organisations an opportunity to showcase their services and products to local and international audiences. The day will include panel discussions with individual business and government delegations from China, Indonesia, Timor Leste, and more.

Free stalls have been offered to all businesses and organisations from Darwin and its sister/friendship cities to promote their services and products at the Trade Show.

The Darwin International Trade Show 2023 is ideal for businesses and organisations wishing to promote their products and services to international markets. Businesses who fall within the following sectors were encouraged to apply, including tourism, education, food and agribusiness, creative industries, manufacturing, government, retail, services, and those seeking international investment.

Registrations for stall are now closed.

REGISTRATION