Reno River Festival

The Reno River Festival kicks off the summer events season in downtown Reno with something for the entire family. Originally founded in 2003 to celebrate the opening of the Truckee River Whitewater Park, a park that’s been home to many of the nation’s top whitewater athletes and whitewater competitions over the years, the festival has happened every year since and now draws over 40,000 people each year! The festival is a unique three-day event of wet and wild fun, including live music, food, carnival rides, craft beer and lots of interactive summer and outdoor experiences. For information on dates for this year’s festival, check out the events page.

Reno River Festival Activities and Events

Combining a music festival, outdoor fun and (literally) making a splash, the Reno River Festival has a little of everything. Shop for locally made art and gifts from over 100 creators at the Vendor Village, grab a bite to eat with more than 20 visiting local vendors and food trucks, and explore Reno’s drink scene at the Craft Beer and Seltzer Experience. Listen to live music at MusicFest, an outdoor festival featuring over 20 headlining country artists and up-and-coming performers alike. Get your adrenaline pumping at the Reno Tahoe Adventure Park’s collection of rides, obstacle courses, carnival games, and more. Experience the most unique bike ride in Northern Nevada at the Reno River Roll – it’s a costumed concert on wheels that includes a live band on bicycles! And the River Festival wouldn’t be the River Festival without a healthy spirit of competition – challenge your friends at the Reno River Festival Cornhole Championships or get your feet wet at The Great Reno River Rally, a guided rafting tour down the Truckee River!

The Reno Tahoe Adventure Park

Harness your competitive energy and adrenaline at the Reno Tahoe Adventure Park. There will be a variety of obstacles, rides, games and challenges such as the super slide, a swinging pirate ship, Americana Wheel, hamster balls and much more!

Great Reno River Rally

Assemble your best buds to take on the Truckee River in the Great Reno River Rally! New this year, you’ll get a guided rafting tour of the river through downtown Reno for a one-of-a-kind summer experience.

Reno River Roll

The most unique bike ride is back! The Reno River Roll is a laid-back, moving concert that weaves through downtown Reno. Kick it off under the Reno Arch with the bike show, live entertainment and a costume contest and make your way to the festival.

RRF Cornhole Championships

Reno River Festival is bringing back one of the largest cornhole events to downtown Reno. More than 20 top-of-the-line cornhole courts will take over First Street for the RRF Cornhole Championships, where Nevada’s own Northern Nevada Cornhole will power the tournaments. Gather your team and track your scores and rankings during the festival weekend!

Craft Beer and Hard Seltzer Tour

There is nothing like sipping a good beer or bubbly refreshment while enjoying the sunshine, music and views of the beautiful Truckee River. Your Craft Beer and Hard Seltzer Tour ticket gets you entry into the Reno River Festival plus 14 generous samples of your choice and a full beer from the Tour Map.

Street Eats

All the best parties are better when you add a little bit (or a lot) of mouthwatering food. At Reno River Festival’s Street Eats, nearly 20 vendors from around Reno and Sparks will be serving up their tastiest menu items – gourmet burgers, Korean BBQ, ice cream, donuts, custom craft sodas and more.

Vendor Village

Nearly 100 local shops will offer something for everyone, from handmade crafts to popular retail items. Grab a drink and snack, and take a leisurely stroll through Vendor Village to find the perfect gift for your loved ones or for yourself.

MusicFest at Reno River Festival

Sunshine and live music, it’s a perfect combination. At this year’s event, more than 20 local artists will be featured all weekend during MusicFest at the Reno River Festival with singer/songwriters and bands taking the stage at the Wingfield Amphitheater. This is the place to hear some of the brightest music stars and perhaps discover a new favorite. Don’t miss this year’s headliner- Jerrod Neimann!

Where to Stay

Stay near the action! Several downtown hotels – Circus Circus, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and J Resort – are offering special room rates for Reno River Festival attendees.

See the full Reno River Festival events schedule and start planning your ultimate summer kickoff weekend!