A new festival celebrating the Ohio River and its role in American history is set to take over Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
America’s River Roots Festival, a five-day festival kicking off the country’s 250th anniversary, is scheduled for Oct. 8-12. It features cruises on riverboats and is estimated to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the banks of the Ohio River.
The event is one of several festivities scheduled across the nation leading up to America’s official quarter-millennial on July 4, 2026.
Although festival organizers canceled the ticketed headliner concerts, including performances by Weezer, Janelle Monáe and others, the celebration still features free performances by regional and local bands on both sides of the river.
If you’re heading to America’s River Roots Festival, here’s what you should know.
What is America’s River Roots Festival?
America’s River Roots Festival is a five-day event celebrating the diverse cultures, cuisine and music of the country’s major river cities, per its website.
The festival, which honors America’s quarter-millennial anniversary, is part of a travel showcase where themed riverboats from seven cities come to Greater Cincinnati, sharing the food and music from their home port.
During the festival, visitors can participate in regional cultural tours through the Freedom Journey app. They can also visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, World Heritage Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks and the Ohio River Recreational Trail. The celebration includes discussions on American history and the Constitution, ecological tours, art and history exhibits, firework displays and more.
America’s River Roots Festival boasts national, emerging and local artists across multiple stages and authentic river cuisine presented by renowned chefs.
When is America’s River Roots Festival?
The 2025 America’s River Roots Festival takes place Oct. 8-12.
Where is America’s River Roots Festival?
America’s River Roots Festival is in several locations across Cincinnati, Newport and Covington – and on the Ohio River, of course.
Is America’s River Roots Festival free?
Yes, America’s River Roots Festival is a mostly free event. There are additional ticketed experiences, which can be found at americasriverroots.com/tickets.
What boats will be featured at America’s River Roots Festival?
The festival will host nine riverboats from seven U.S. cities in what will be the “largest gathering of riverboats in decades,” a press release states.
How to book a cruise for America’s River Roots Festival
Nine riverboats from seven U.S. cities will dock on The Banks of the Ohio River and offer brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night cruises during the festival. Prices range from $55 to $95.
Authentic riverboat races will also be offered, where passengers can take a spot onboard one of the riverboats as it races against another vessel to see which ship crosses the finish line first. Prices start at $75.
Passengers can ride in the Riverboat Parade featuring the “finest collection of riverboats in America,” according to a press release. Parades take place Oct. 9 and Oct. 12, with tickets ranging from $85 to $115.
The festival is hosting other sightseeing and themed cruises, some of which cost as low as $20 per ticket. Group ticket packages are also available.
For more information or to book a cruise, visit americasriverroots.com/cruise.
What to eat at America’s River Roots Festival
Here’s a list of food vendors available at America’s River Roots Festival:
The Purple People Bridge will also host a Good ‘N Rooted artisan market, featuring over 50 artisans and makers selling crafts, packaged goods, apparel, jewelry and more.
What to drink at America’s River Roots Festival
You can’t highlight the culture of the Ohio River without mentioning bourbon and beer.
Guests can enjoy an “open-air dining experience” at one of the following restaurants on the B-Line, a gateway to Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail: Purple Poulet, Greyhound Tavern and Smoke Justis.
Liquor connoisseurs may also visit the B-Line Speakeasy, an exclusive pop-up bar, to sample rare and regional selections, enjoy handcrafted cocktails and mingle with expert mixologists.
For a more intimate VIP experience, festivalgoers may partake in ticketed, 90-minute bourbon experiences where guests can try curated bourbon and whiskey flights, learn how to make classic cocktails, blend their own custom bourbons and learn about the historic distilleries on both sides of the river. Prices start at $25.
Not a bourbon fan? Don’t worry, for only $30 you can attend one of 18 craft brewery experiences and tastings from local breweries, such as Braxton Brewery, Esoteric Brewing, MadTree Brewing, Rhinegeist Brewery, Third Eye Brewing Co., West Side Brewery and more.
America’s River Roots Festival music lineup
America’s anniversary celebration wouldn’t be complete without some entertainment. The festival will host free performances by regional and local bands on stages in Newport and Cincinnati.
Musical acts include Cincinnati-based folk-rock duo Over the Rhine, country trio and former “America’s Got Talent” contestants Chapel Hart, legendary jazz drummer Harvey Mason and pioneering Dayton funk band Zapp.
What you can and can’t bring to the River Roots Festival
The following items are allowed inside the festival:
These items are prohibited:
Parking information for America’s River Roots Festival
Parking is available at surface lots located on both sides of the festival, as well as in garages located at:
If you are parking an RV, go to visitcincy.com to find campgrounds in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Pick-up and drop-off locations for ride sharing are at East Pete Rose Way and Mehring Way.
The Enquirer’s Kaycee Sloan and Bebe Hodges contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Everything to know about America’s River Roots, the party taking over the Ohio River
Reporting by Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
