Riverrock Richmond Guide: Concerts, Outdoor Sports & Family Activities
- The West End Mom
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Did you know the biggest outdoor adventure & music festival in the country happens every May in Richmond?!
That's right - Dominion Energy Riverrock, a 3 day outdoor adventure & music festival along Richmond's riverfront, is the biggest one of its kind in the country, and it's going on Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Riverrock 2026 is free to attend & there are so many free activities to enjoy! The highlights for us are kayaking on the river, watching the Ultimate Air Dogs competition, trying out bouldering & cheering on the nation’s top pro climbers as they ascend a man-made 20 foot high bouldering cave!
Riverrock also has the best RVA food & drink vendors like Gelati Celesti, Boka Tako, Timberwood Pizza, Hardywood and more!
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Everything YOU need to know about attending Riverrock with kids:
Riverrock is the Nation's premier outdoor sports and music festival. In addition to enjoying live music and watching the professional sports competitions, you can also participate in this active festival as a guest. There are over 30 events you can participate in over the course of three days -- check here for the full schedule.
Examples of things you can watch (all ages): You can cheer on the professional athletes in bouldering at Bolder Bash and kayaking tricks in the Fishladder rapids in Freestyle Kayaking. You can watch the pups in the canine events, like K9 Super Wall and Agility Competition. There's also a great line up of live music at The Allianz Amphitheater!
Examples of things you can try (all ages): You can try kayaking & SUPs, skimboarding, skateboarding, and bouldering. These events are totally free with expert volunteers to help you out, too. In the Activity Zones, you will need to sign a waiver, to participate.
You can also contribute to a community mural -- think huge "paint by number" style canvas!
This is a pup-friendly festival, so bring your dogs and they can try out the dog agility course!
The whole focus is being active and enjoying the outdoors, rain or shine! Make sure to dress accordingly and with comfortable shoes -- there's a lot of walking!
Where is Riverrock?
Riverrock 2026 will take place along Tredegar Street, Tredegar Green & the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront!
Event parking is available in the RMA parking deck bordered by 9th, 10th, Byrd and Canal Streets and Riverside on the James parking decks at the corner of 10th & Tredegar Streets.
These CityParking lots are offering paid parking during Riverrock 2026:
3rd/4th Streets between Cary and Canal Streets
4th/5th Streets between Cary and Canal Streets
Pro Tips:
Parking is limited, so I highly recommend taking an Uber or parking with the expectation of walking down to the riverfront.
Street parking is always free, but you need to arrive early to score a parking spot on the street!
We usually park in the Federal Reserve's parking deck for ~$10 cash (bordered by 5th, 7th, Byrd, and Bragg). There are other parking options around 7th Street & the Federal Reserve, and you could also try parking in Oregon Hill.
When is Riverrock?
Riverrock is on May 15 - May 17, 2026. You will find varying schedules every day, but here's an overview of the times with activities going on:
Friday, May 15, 2026 -- 5pm to 9:30pm
Saturday, May 16, 2026 -- 10am to 9:30 pm
Sunday, May 17, 2026 -- 10am to 6pm
Changes and Updates for the 2026 Riverrock Event:
Location Update: Due to construction, the festival has shifted from Brown's Island to Tredegar Street, Tredegar Green & the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront!
No Slackline Competition: The slackline & trickline are not happening this year.
Kayak & SUP Adventure Zone Changes: The kayak and SUP Adventure Zones are happening on the river side at Tredegar Street Boat Ramp.
Live Music: The Allianz Amphitheater will host all of the live music. Even though it's in this venue, the concerts are still free to attend!
More Tips and Tricks for Attending Riverrock with Kids:
It’s stroller friendly, but there are a lot of hills and inclines between parking and the riverfront. I like to bring a stroller to hold our gear and act as a home base. If you don't need a lot of gear, use a baby-carrier.
Dress for the weather & walking. Brings hats & wear sunscreen.
This event brings a crowd, so dress your children in easily identifiable clothes (bright colors).
Free water bottle filling stations around the venue & there are misting tents.
There are portapotties around all of the events and Activity Zones. Bring sanitizing wipes!
Outside food & drink are not allowed. You can pack food & water for children.
Kayaking is on river side at Tredegar Street Boat Ramp. The water in this area is pretty calm and shallow. We tried it when my kids were 2, and it's a great place to learn how to kayak! Volunteers are in the water with you, so it's perfect for beginners. They have single and tandem kayaks available.
Skim-boarding is in the Tredegar Iron Works parking lot. This is a free event, and it's kid-friendly. You will get wet if you try this! Make sure to bring a towel and/or clothes you can get wet.
The Ultimate Air Dog Competition, Agility Competition and K9 Super Wall are a must watch for all ages. You get to cheer on pups as they leap into the water -- awards are given for the farthest jumps!
The concerts can get loud, so if you have babies or noise-sensitive children, make sure to bring noise-cancelling headphones or ear plugs.
For more things to do with kids in Richmond, Virginia, follow me on @thewestendmom on Instagram!
