Make way for Tampa Riverfest! One of our favorite two-day festivals kicks off on Friday, May 6 through Saturday, May 7. Whether it’s your first time attending or an annual tradition for you, you won’t want to miss out on what this year has to offer!
This year’s festivities will be produced by Friends of the Riverwalk. Spanning along The Tampa Riverwalk, you’ll find tons of free activities, family-friendly fun – there’s something for everyone! Keep reading for more details on all things Tampa Riverfest.
Calling All Foodies 🍔
Taste of the Riverwalk
Time to treat your taste buds! If you haven’t gotten to try every food option the Riverwalk has to offer, don’t miss out on Taste of the Riverwalk.
If you’d like to taste a little bit of everything from your local favorites including Boulon Brasserie, Murph’s BBQ, and Jotoro’s, then
be sure to purchase a Taste of the Riverwalk wristband to enjoy a variety of samples to satisfy your cravings!
Event Details
🗓 May. 6
📍Curtis Hixon Park
🎟 $15 for 3 tastes | $20 for 5 tastes
TacoFest
When you see a big tent full of delicious tacos, you’ve found the right place! Keep the Cinco de Mayo festivities going with Tacofest.
Every taco lover’s dream will come true with a variety of the best tacos up for purchase including birria and carne asada tacos we can’t wait to try – Don’t forget to secure your Tacofest wristbands!
Event Details
🗓 May. 7
📍 Curtis Hixon Park
🎟 3 Tacos for $15 | 5 Tacos for $20
Family-Friendly Fun 🥳
Florida Wiener Dog Derby
One of our favorite things about Tampa Riverfest is that it’s dog-friendly! Bring your pups along for the fun and catch the Florida Wiener Dog Derby!
Watch the cutest dogs compete paw to paw in a running race, best costume contest, best kisser, and more. Apart from raffles, silent art auction, and fun, you can even leave with your own foster dog!
Event Details
🗓 May. 7
📍Curtis Hixon Park
🎟 Free
Paddle Invasion
Head over to Water Works Park for some fun on the water with Paddle Invasion! Tampa Riverfest has teamed up with Urban Kai for the ultimate water activity including a 6-mile or 2-mile race along the Hillsborough River.
Register for you spot to compete against other participants and stick around for awards afterwards!
Event Details
🗓 May. 7
📍Water Works Park
🎟 Register
Hot Air Balloon Glow
On Friday and Saturday night, stick around after the sun sets to see Curtis Hixon Park light up with the Hot Air Balloon Glow. This event is free to watch and the views are priceless!
Event Details
🗓 May 6-7
📍Curtiz Hixon Park
🎟 Free to Watch
Riverfest Lantern Parade
Let your creativity flow and be a part of the Riverfest Lantern Parade. Design your own colorful paper creation or choose from a turtle or manatee to march with for the one-mile parade along the Riverwalk! The parade route stretches out from Water Works Park to Curtis Hixon Park along with music and local marching bands to join you.
Need some lantern making practice? There will be workshops for all ages prior to Tampa Riverfest at Armature Works and The Straz Center for Performing Arts – register for the workshop you want below!
Experience Riverfest VIP-Style 🎉
VIP Waterfront Tent
🗓 May 6-7
📍Curtis Hixon Park
🎟 Friday Night VIP $75 | Saturday Night VIP $100 | Both Days $150
More Things to Do at Tampa Riverfest 🎶
Riverfest Concert Series
A musical lineup is the cherry on top to any festival! This year’s Tampa Riverfest has a full concert series featuring talented artists on the main stage at Curtis Hixon Park. Jam out both Friday and Saturday and check out the lineup below!
Friday
- Sax N’ Beats: 5:00pm-6:00pm
- Sol Caribe: 6:30pm-8:00pm
- Raydio: 8:30pm-10:00pm
Saturday
- Jarrod Barefoot: 11:00am-12:30pm
- Redhouse Trio: 1:00pm-2:30pm
- Jah Movement: 2:30pm-4:00pm
- Spazmatics: 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Stormbringer: 6:30pm-8:00pm
- Lenny Cravitz Experience: 8:30pm-10:00pm
Yoga in the Park
🗓 May 7
📍 Water Works Park
🎟 Free (Welcome to donate)
UNATION Helpful Tips ✍️
Parking
Street parking will be available north of Kennedy Blvd and free after 6pm on Friday and all day on Saturday. Be sure to double check the sign regarding your spot to ensure you’re in the free zone of downtown.
If street parking is full, we recommend the W.F. Poe Garage parking garage or the lot at Armature Works. Don’t forget about the local alternate transportation including Uber, Lyft, Pirate Water Taxi, Coast Bike Share, and TECO Line Streetcar.
Tampa Riverfest and More
See you on the Riverwalk, Tampa Bay! If you’re planning to spend the weekend at Riverfest, take us along with you and tag us on socials @stufftodointampabay and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for more of the best things to do in Tampa Ba.
Locally curated guides
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