Des Moines Beach Park Announces Exciting Line-Up for New Year’s Eve Burning Boat Festival

The Des Moines Beach Park is gearing up to host a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration with its second annual Burning Boat Festival scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. on December 31, 2023. This family-friendly event is not just an evening of fun; it also serves as a fundraiser to support children facing homelessness in the Highline Public Schools.

A unique attraction of the festival allows guests to pen down their New Year’s resolutions or messages, place them in a wooden boat constructed by local high school students, and then watch as the boat is ignited at 9 p.m., symbolically launching their hopes into the new year.

In addition to the boat burning ritual, visitors can avail themselves of free parking at the Des Moines Marina and enjoy a range of activities including s’mores, a variety of games, entertainment, a hot chocolate bar, a beer garden, and more.

Full Entertainment Schedule

On the Auditorium Stage at the Beach Park, the festival boasts a diverse schedule featuring:

• 6 p.m.: Clan Gordon Bagpipe Band
• 6:30 p.m.: A variety dance performance by Allegro Dance Studio for ages 5 to 18
• 7:00 p.m.: A dynamic dance showcase by Melanie’s Dance Unlimited featuring 25 students
• 7:30 p.m.: An original music set from Brad Topp, a local singer-songwriter
• 8:00 p.m.: A performance from Esther Kim, a Korean singer and drummer associated with the Northwest Youth Chamber and Choir
• 8:30 p.m.: Esther and her team will lead a traditional Korean spiral dance, Ganggangsullae, which will gather attendees together as they move towards the boat for the burning ceremony.

As an added bonus, all ticket holders will be gifted a swag bag complete with a luminary kit. Festival-goers can create their own luminaries at an indoor craft table, light them up with an LED light provided in the kit, and place them on the path in the Beach Park meadow for a stunning visual effect.

Understanding the Burning Boat Festival

Originating from a traditional folk festival in southern Fujian and Taiwan, the ‘Song Wang Chuan’ or the Boat Burning Festival traditionally involved the crafting and burning of an ornate ship as a community offering every three years. Initially started to combat disease during China’s Song Dynasty, the ritual was prevalent in coastal regions like Fujian and was later adopted by Taiwanese communities with roots in Fujian. Although it has mostly faded in China, this dramatic festival is still celebrated in some southern Taiwanese localities.

The modern iteration of this festival seeks to bring the community together, culminating in the burning of a boat that symbolizes letting go of the past and welcoming a fresh start. Tickets for the event are accessible online or via a simple text message.

To attend the Burning Boat Festival and join in the evening’s festivities, guests can procure tickets online through the provided website or by texting a designated number.

NewYear, Festival, Community