May 16 | Charlotte Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Festival
CORNELIUS, NC—The 2026 Charlotte Asian Festival and Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival are set for Saturday, May 16 at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman (Cornelius, NC). This annual family-oriented event is a celebration of Asian cultures. Organizers welcome the Asian and non-Asian community in and around Mecklenburg County and throughout the Carolinas. The festival celebrates Asian cultures, diversity, ethnicity, roots, and history.
This is the 26th edition of the Asian Festival, and the 16th Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival.
Dragon Boat heats start at 8:30 am. There is no onsite parking, but thanks to the generosity of Redline Property Partners, parking for the Charlotte Asian and Dragon Boat Festivals is located at: 8900 North Pointe Executive Park, Huntersville, NC 28078. The lot is open to festival visitors at 9:00 am, with continuous free shuttle service to and from the venue throughout the festivals. The Asian Festival launches officially with the Parade of Nations at 10:00 am. The joint festivals run until 5:00 pm.
The Asian Festival features:
- Cultural Performances
- Dragon Boat Festival Race
- The Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts
- Culture Showcase
- Traditional Food and Crafts
- Vendor and Sponsor Booths
Not all vendors accept credit cards, so you may want to bring cash.
History
The first Asian Festival was organized under the leadership of Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun in 2000 at Marshall Park in uptown Charlotte. The purpose of the Festival was to unite all Asian communities in the Charlotte to celebrate the Asian-Pacific Heritage Month of May. Attendance at the Festival continued to grow in the ensuing years, drawn by the colorful and diverse cultural presentations, food and retail selections.
After a few years at the then-Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) Atrium, the Asian Festival moved to its current location at Ramsey Creek Park in 2006 to accommodate the new Dragon Boat Festival Race. The combined festivals continue to grow as the Carolinas’ premier Asian cultural event.
Charlotte Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, May 16, 2026
9:00 am –5:00 pm
Admission: FREE
Ramsey Creek Park, Cornelius, NC
Public parking and Shuttle Service: 8900 North Pointe Executive Park, Huntersville, NC 28078
charlottedragonboat.com