The popular Dubai Dragon Boat Festival is set for an exciting return this April with two days of thrilling races and a host of onshore entertainment on offer at Festival Marina, the stunning creek side of Festival Centre Dubai Festival City.

In its fourth year, the event attracts thousands of competitors and spectators with teams lining up for an action-packed weekend.

The festival, which will be held on Friday 8th April and Saturday 9th April, is hosted by the UAE Dragon Boat Association, Siren Events, UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation and Festival Centre, in association with Mourjan Marinas IGY, the luxury marina developer and management company, and Festival Centre, the venue host.

Jason Mackenzie, Technical Director of the UAE Dragon Boat Association, said: “This event continues to grow in stature and the huge following it has along with the passion people have for dragon boating makes for a wonderful day out for the family.

“The atmosphere onshore as the teams compete is really something to be experienced and once again we are encouraging people to come down and enjoy one of the favourite events on Dubai’s sporting calendar.”

Dragon Boating is a thrilling water sport full of adrenaline, sportsmanship, strategy and technique. It is also a sport that is about positive team spirit, being healthy, making friends and having fun. Companies are encouraged to enter their corporate teams for this year’s festival early, due to the enormous popularity of this growing sport.

There will be a range of activities at Festival Centre over the two day period to create a carnival atmosphere, including food and beverage stalls and children’s activities.

Matthew Bate, Director of Operations for Mourjan Marinas IGY, the operator of Festival Marina said: “We are very proud of how popular this event has become and how it brings the community together in a unique and spectacular way.”

“This event is all about having fun and there is plenty to see and do beyond all the action on the water,” he added.

Gary Burrows, General Manager Shopping Centres Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE), said: “We are delighted to host the Dubai Dragon Boat Festival at Festival Marina. Many of our group associates participated last year and they are even more interested in this year’s challenge. This event emphasizes the continuous commitment of Dubai Festival City to supporting sports events and talents and the community at large.”

Festival Marina is a unique yachting destination in Dubai. Located at the heart of Dubai Festival City, on the banks of historic Dubai Creek, Festival Marina forms part of the retail resort Festival Centre has and the recently launched Marina Restaurant Pavilion to offer convenient access to the wider range of entertainment, shopping and eating options overlooking the Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road skyline and creek.

The Mediterranean inspired Festival Marina encompasses 74 permanent berths with state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate 15 to 35 metre yachts. The custom-designed marina has a number of special features including extra wide pontoons, a helicopter pad and WiFi.

Overlooking Festival Marina, Festival Centre has become a major attraction for the yachting circuit. The retail resort is home to over 400 shops and 95 restaurants and cafés, a 12 screen Grand Cinemas complex and Bowling City. The waterfront promenade links Festival Marina to the world renowned InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and Events Centre, all with prime waterfront views over Festival Marina, Dubai Creek and the city’s skyline.