Paddle in Paradise Dragon Boat Festival

The Paddle in Paradise Dragon Boat Festival is held on Octagon Pond in Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador, organized by Avalon Dragon Boating Inc. together with the Town of Paradise. The 2026 edition took place on Saturday, July 18 (Sunday, July 19 as weather backup), running 8:00 to 16:00. Up to 36 corporate and community teams of 20 paddlers plus a drummer compete, with a minimum of eight female paddlers per crew and all participants aged 16 or older. The festival is a pledge-based fundraiser and includes the Carnation Ceremony honouring breast cancer survivors.