Three days. 30 acts. 2 stages. Plus whitewater rafting, a carnival, 18-hole bucket golf, coed softball, a sing-along bar, Dog Jog 5K, yoga, kickboxing, 100+ vendors, and an expanded Hops & Happiness beer tour. Summer begins here at Idlewild Park.
Dates
May 29-31
Memorial Day Weekend
Location
Idlewild Park
Downtown Reno
Music
30 Acts
2 stages, headliners TBA
Passes
$15
Kids 17 & under free
30 acts across 2 stages. Friday & Saturday headliners coming soon, plus regional favorites spanning country, pop, rock, and more. Included with your pass.
Expanded for 2026 — premium craft beers, hard seltzers, and canned cocktails at themed outdoor bars throughout the park. Plus a new sing-along bar.
A nearly 5-mile professionally guided rafting tour down the Truckee River through downtown Reno. Sells out fast — book early.
Adrenaline-pumping obstacles, heart-pounding rides, carnival games, and challenges for all ages. Bigger for 2026.
New for 2026 — a full 18-hole bucket golf course at the festival. Fun for all skill levels.
Run with your pup! 5K and K-9K race options. Plus an on-site bark park for dogs to play.
New for 2026 — grab a team and play in the festival softball tournament.
Wellness programming new for 2026 — yoga sessions and kickboxing classes in the park.
100+ local and regional crafter and artist booths. Unique handmade jewelry, art, clothing, and Reno-themed souvenirs.
A unique 7-mile costumed bicycle ride through the city. Dress up and pedal your way to the festival.
Larger food fest for 2026 — food trucks and specialty vendors serving everything from BBQ to tacos to artisan ice cream. Plus Art on the Rocks painting classes.
11 AM - 8 PM
Opening ceremonies, live music kicks off, food trucks & vendor village open, Adventure Park begins
10 AM - 9 PM
Full music lineup, River Rally rafting, Hops & Happiness Tour, River Roll bike ride, yoga in the park
10 AM - 7 PM
Closing day, headliner performances, festival scavenger hunt, final vendor village hours
Beyond the festival food trucks, these spots are a short walk or drive from Idlewild Park.
Healthy, casual, and walking distance from the festival grounds. Great sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. Perfect for a quick refuel.
10-minute walk from Idlewild to Midtown's restaurant row. Try R-Town Pizza, Pignic Pub, or Sup for ramen.
Southern-style breakfast and brunch. Biscuit sandwiches are legendary. Fuel up before hitting the festival.
Popular brunch spot near downtown. Huge portions, locally sourced ingredients. Worth the wait.
Upscale American in Midtown. Great for a post-festival dinner date. Excellent wine list.
Casual dining near downtown. Good burgers, salads, and craft beers on the patio.
The whole stretch along the Truckee has restaurants and patios. Walk the riverwalk after the festival.
See our full Reno Restaurant Guide for 50+ recommendations.
Parking near Idlewild Park fills up fast during the festival. Arrive early or use alternative transportation.
Reno's bike paths connect downtown to Idlewild Park along the Truckee River. Join the River Roll bike ride on Saturday.
Uber and Lyft drop-off at the park entrance. Surge pricing can hit during peak hours — coordinate with friends.
Park in downtown Reno garages and walk along the riverwalk (15-20 min) or take a rideshare the last mile.
Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) is 10 minutes from the festival. Most downtown hotels offer airport shuttles.
Making a long weekend of it? Here's what else Reno offers in late May.
Rent tubes at Sierra Adventures and float through downtown. The water is perfect in late May.
40 minutes away. Late May means fewer crowds. Emerald Bay, Sand Harbor, and hiking trails are all open.
Walk the Midtown mile — craft breweries, cocktail bars, and dive bars all within a few blocks.
Restaurants, patios, and public art along the Truckee. Walk from the festival to the Reno Arch.
If you're here Saturday morning, hit the Reno Farmers Market downtown before the festival.
30 minutes south. Historic silver mining town with saloons, mine tours, and the V&T Railway.
See our full Day Trips & Adventures Guide for more.
What actual Reno residents say about the River Festival.
"River Festival is lowkey one of the best weekends in Reno. Chill vibes, good music, beer in the park. Just go."
— r/Reno
"The River Rally sells out every year. If you want to do the guided raft trip, buy tickets the day they go on sale."
— r/Reno
"Bring cash for the vendor village. Some of the craft booths are card-only but a lot of the smaller ones are cash-preferred."
— r/Reno
"If you're bringing kids, the Adventure Park is solid. My kids loved it. Also the festival scavenger hunt kept them busy."
— r/Reno
"Pro tip: walk from Midtown. There's a beautiful path along the river that goes straight to Idlewild. Skip the parking headache entirely."
— r/Reno
Event details sourced from renoriverfestival.com and Visit Reno Tahoe. Restaurant and local tips curated from r/Reno Reddit threads. Updated March 11, 2026.
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