Riverfest: Everything You Need to Know About the State’s Biggest Music and Arts Fest

Fireworks on the Arkansas River in Riverfront Park above First Security Amphitheater.

Are you ready? Riverfest, the state’s largest music and arts festival, is happening this weekend (May 23-25) along the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock. 

Here is a rundown of everything you need to know about the super-fun fest!

Music

The 37th annual event will feature musical acts CeeLo Green, Jamey Johnson, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, The Fray, Lee Brice, Chicago, Three Days Grace, Hank Williams Jr., Salt-n-Pepa and more.

The full lineup can be found here.

The Stickyz Music Stage will house local and regional musical acts in a clublike setting. Other music will include classic rock, rap, country, modern rock, soul, and reggae. A complete lineup of musical acts (including times and locations) is available by clicking here.

Attractions

For the families, check out the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette FamilyZone area with free entertainment on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center and Heifer International. Activities and entertainment includes the Family Stage, the Super Retriever Crown Championship Series, the Weenie Dog Derby, the K-9 Friz-B-Crew, Ruff on the River Pooch Parade, the Rock ‘N Ride Poker Run, the Rock ‘N Stroll Fun Run 5K, Arkansas Renewable Energy, International Village activities, a baggo tournament and much more. The Family Zone will be open from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturday (May 24) and 1-7 p.m. on Sunday (May 25).

The First Security Bank Fireworks Show will be held at 9 p.m. Sunday (May 25) prior to headline acts. Music will be simulcast throughout Riverfront Park and broadcast on The Point 94.1.

Other Riverfest attractions:

• The Arkansas Arts Center Artmobile will feature the exhibition “Weird and Wonderful,” a selection of unique works of original art from the Arkansas Arts Center Collection that includes drawings, paintings, prints and craft.
• The Rock-N-Ride Poker Run, which will benefit the Wounded Warriors Organization
• The Rock-N-Stroll 5K Fun Run at 8 a.m. Saturday (May 24)
• Ruff on the River Pooch Parade for costumed canines at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the corner of River Market Avenue and President Clinton Avenue. Register your pooch here.
• Shop for cool arts and crafts at the variety of vendors lined up around the Riverfest site!
• The Yarnell’s KidZone Stage will boast a variety of family-friendly acts, including The Kazoobie Kazoo Show with Rick Hubbard, ventriloquist Wayne Francis and Jamiah on Fire & the Red Machine. Arkansas favorite Trout Fishing in America will take the stage a few times throughout the weekend. Get more info here!

Check out all of the cool atrractions here.

Food

In addition to awesome music and attractions, you’ll stay full with all of the great food and drink options. From funnel cakes and barbeque to pizza, slushies and more, there is plenty of options! See what you can expect here.

Tickets

Quantities are limited for advance tickets, so the public is encouraged to act fast. Click here for a list of Walgreens store locations selling this year’s tickets. Tickets are also on sale online here for $35. Three-day passes will be available at the gate for $40.

Special Deals

Talk about deal! The Museum of Discovery and Clinton Presidential Center are offering visitors special deals on Memorial Day Weekend. Both major River Market attractions will offer $5 admission all weekend – Friday-Monday for the Clinton Center and Saturday-Monday for the museum, which will be closed Friday (May 23). Also, for Clinton Center, Clinton Museum Store and Museum of Discovery patrons not attending Riverfest, there will be free parking and a free round-trip shuttle from the designed lot located between 4th and 5th streets and Collins Street to each of the attractions. Get more information here!

Hours of Operation

• Friday: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Sunday: 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Need-to-Know Info

Parking

A $4 round-trip shuttle ride ($2 if you bring a non-perishable food item for Arkansas Foodbank) will take festival-goers to Riverfest from the east side of War Memorial Stadium at Markham and in North Litte Rock at the parking lot at Lakewood Middle School, 2300 Lakeview Road (behind Target on McCain). The War Memorial shuttle will deliver and pick up at the Main Gateway in Little Rock; the North Little Rock shuttle will deliver and pick up at the Clinton Presidential Center Gateway at 3rd and Kumpuris. There is no charge for the return trip. Most shuttles are wheelchair accessible.

*Or, if you live close to downtown and are considering riding your bike, you’re in luck this year! New this year: Bobby’s Bike Hike – Little Rock Tours & Rentals is sponsoring a valet service for bicycle riders during Riverfest hours. Ride your bike, park it at Bobby’s Bike Hike, 400 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, get a claim ticket, enjoy Riverfest, come back to claim your bike and ride home. Cool!

RiverMoney

RiverMoney is the currency that will be used at the festival and is non-refundable. RiverMoney must be used for all festival purchases except souvenir items and some artwork. Checks are not accepted. RiverMoney may be purchased at any Arvest RiverBank located throughout the site!

Re-Entry

Patrons may leave and re-enter the festival as many times as they wish throughout the weekend. Wristband must be visible and without damage to gain re-entry, though.

Blankets and folding chairs are welcome. What isn’t welcome?

No coolers, containers, cans, food or glass bottles, laser pointers, camelbacks, audio recording devices, professional photography equipment, cameras with detachable lenses, video recorders, skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades, motorized vehicles of any type, large cane umbrellas or umbrellas with a point, concealed weapons of any type may be brought into Riverfest. All bags/backpacks will be subject to a security search.

You can help recycle!

Festivalgoers can stop by the recycling tent, located on the walkway behind the Museum Center between the Riverfest Amphitheatre and the Clinton Library, and pick up a recycling bag. While enjoying Riverfest, attendees are encouraged to fill their recycling bags with at least 20 recyclable items and return it to the Recycling Tent for a chance to win a prize. With each full bag returned to the Recycling Tent, attendees earn a chance to spin the prize wheel. Prizes on the wheel include T-shirts, hats, corndogs, and many more fun prizes, including a few premium prizes. In addition to collecting recyclables, all festival-goers are asked to make use of the numerous recycling containers located throughout the park.

For more information on the festival click here. To view a map of Riverfest, click here.