The 2025 Charlotte Asian Festival and Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival are set for Saturday, May 17 at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman (Cornelius, NC). This annual family-oriented event is a celebration of Asian cultures. We 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.

Schedule of Events:

7:30 am: Dragon Boat Team Registration Check-In
8:00 am: Captains Meeting at Marshaling area
8:15 am: Steerers Meeting at the Dragon Boats
 
8:15 am: Marshaling
- Teams for the first two races report to the Marshaling area. Please listen to the announcer for your race number and team name, as we may be running ahead of schedule.

08:24 am: Dragon Boat Race - 1st Heat
10:00 am: Opening of CAACC Tent
10:15 am: Parade of Nations - All performers are to join the parade. Group photoshoot to follow.

11:00 am: Festival Opening Ceremony
- National Anthem - Marissa Olarte Helbing, FACC Director
- Welcome and Recognition of Guests - Ann Gonzales, President, CAACC
- Musical Interlude - Opera Carolinas
- Dotting the Eye of the Dragon - Dr. John Chen, Founder, Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival
- Recognition Awards - stepDr. Ki-Hyun Chun, Founder, CAACC and Asian Festival
- Dr. Nini Bautista, Co-Chairman, Asian Festival, Founder, "The Search"
- Finale - Musical Interlude

Opening of the Cultural Showcase

- Demonstrations
- Calligraphy
- Henna
- Passport Game
- Opening of Vendor Booths and Food Stands
- Dragon Boat Race-2nd Heat

11:30 am: Street Show
- Kendo Demo - Japanese Association
- Muay Thai (Boxing Demo)     
- Korean Tae Kwan Do Demo     
 
12:00 pm: "Search for the Best" of Asian Festival Performing Arts
01:00 pm: Cancer Survivors Tribute
01:30 pm: Dragon Boat Race-Finals
02:00 pm: Cultural Program
04:00 pm: Awards and Trophies "Search for the Best"
04:30 pm: Dragon Boat Race-Awards Ceremony
04:55 pm: Closing Remarks-Dr. John Chen