when: 14 February 2026 | venue: Cockle Bay | cost: FREE | address: Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour | website: https://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/events/dragons-on-darling | tickets: https://www.dbnsw.org.au/events/312674
published: 11 Feb 2026, 5 min read
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This is The Love Edition, a celebration of connection, community, and courage on the water. Whether it's the love of racing, the love of inclusion, or the love of being fabulously yourself, this Valentine's Day regatta will set hearts (and paddles) racing.
The First Ever Turns Racing - Love at Every Turn
We're spinning around with excitement as Turns Racing makes its dazzling debut at Darling Harbour!
For the first time, crews will battle it out in a course filled with thrilling buoy turns, tight corners, and spectacular on-water action all right in front of the crowd. Watch as boats twist and power through the harbour, each turn a dance of precision, passion, and pride.
It's fast. It's fierce. It's fabulous. And just like love it's all about finding your rhythm, holding your line, and trusting your crew.
Love, Music, and Magic on the Water
This isn't just a regatta it's a love-fuelled harbour festival that celebrates everyone under the rainbow.
Between the turns and the triumphs, Darling Harbour will come alive with:
- Dazzling drag performances and fabulous on-water moments
- Live DJs spinning beats inspired by Kylie and pride anthems
- Vibrant race commentary that keeps the energy flowing all day
- Festival vibes that fill the harbour with joy, glitter, and heart
Race Details
- Racing begins: 8:00am sharp (finish time may vary based on entries and conditions)
- Team size: 16-20 paddlers per team (plus up to 4 reserves)
- Sweep Level: Level 3 or higher
- Format: 180m straight-line sprints (Standard Boat/20s), plus 720m (approx) turns racing
- Categories For Straight-line sprints (no age divisions):
- Mixed 20s - Australian Clubs
- Opens 20s - Australian Clubs (Subject to entries)
- Women 20s - Australian Clubs (Subject to entries)
- Opens 20s - International, Returning and Newbie Paddlers
- Opens 20s - Corporates / Social / Charities / Cancer survivor groups
- Categories For Turns (no age divisions) - This category is limited to a set number of entries and requires a Level 3.5 or higher sweep with a minimum of four 2km turn-race experiences at national or international level. Sweep Pool will be available for clubs unable to provide their own sweeps.
- Opens 20s - Australian Clubs
- Opens 20s - International, Returning and Newbie Paddlers
- Opens 20s - Corporates / Social / Charities / Cancer survivor groups
- Best Dressed Crew Competition
- Opens 20s - Top 6 Best dressed crews as voted on the day
Want more? See what else is happening in Darling Harbour.
Content from UpNext.com.au. Please don't scrape website.
This is The Love Edition, a celebration of connection, community, and courage on the water. Whether it's the love of racing, the love of inclusion, or the love of being fabulously yourself, this Valentine's Day regatta will set hearts (and paddles) racing.
The First Ever Turns Racing - Love at Every Turn
We're spinning around with excitement as Turns Racing makes its dazzling debut at Darling Harbour!
For the first time, crews will battle it out in a course filled with thrilling buoy turns, tight corners, and spectacular on-water action all right in front of the crowd. Watch as boats twist and power through the harbour, each turn a dance of precision, passion, and pride.
It's fast. It's fierce. It's fabulous. And just like love it's all about finding your rhythm, holding your line, and trusting your crew.
Love, Music, and Magic on the Water
This isn't just a regatta it's a love-fuelled harbour festival that celebrates everyone under the rainbow.
Between the turns and the triumphs, Darling Harbour will come alive with:
- Dazzling drag performances and fabulous on-water moments
- Live DJs spinning beats inspired by Kylie and pride anthems
- Vibrant race commentary that keeps the energy flowing all day
- Festival vibes that fill the harbour with joy, glitter, and heart
Race Details
- Racing begins: 8:00am sharp (finish time may vary based on entries and conditions)
- Team size: 16-20 paddlers per team (plus up to 4 reserves)
- Sweep Level: Level 3 or higher
- Format: 180m straight-line sprints (Standard Boat/20s), plus 720m (approx) turns racing
- Categories For Straight-line sprints (no age divisions):
- Mixed 20s - Australian Clubs
- Opens 20s - Australian Clubs (Subject to entries)
- Women 20s - Australian Clubs (Subject to entries)
- Opens 20s - International, Returning and Newbie Paddlers
- Opens 20s - Corporates / Social / Charities / Cancer survivor groups
- Categories For Turns (no age divisions) - This category is limited to a set number of entries and requires a Level 3.5 or higher sweep with a minimum of four 2km turn-race experiences at national or international level. Sweep Pool will be available for clubs unable to provide their own sweeps.
- Opens 20s - Australian Clubs
- Opens 20s - International, Returning and Newbie Paddlers
- Opens 20s - Corporates / Social / Charities / Cancer survivor groups
- Best Dressed Crew Competition
- Opens 20s - Top 6 Best dressed crews as voted on the day
Want more? See what else is happening in Darling Harbour.
Go see Dragons On Darling 2026.
Dragons On Darling 2026 is on 14 February 2026. See start and end times below. Conveniently located in Darling Harbour. Visit their website at https://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/events/dragons-on-darling.
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