Reno River Festival, official poster and event artworkSource: official site ↗
Reno, NV

Reno River Festival

ExpectedExpected May 2027

2027 dates not announced yet. Last festival: May 29 to 31, 2026

Dates
Expected May 2027
Status
Expected
Venue
Idlewild Park
Price
$15
Camping
None on site
Last checked
Oct 27, 2026

The last Reno River Festival was May 29 to 31, 2026, in Reno, NV. Its 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. Froligo tracks ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.

The experience

What's special

Reno River Festival, also called RiverFest, is a three-day outdoor festival in Idlewild Park on the Truckee River in Reno, Nevada. The 2026 edition ran from 29 to 31 May 2026 and combined live music on a Main Stage and an Acoustic Stage with a food fest, shopping, rides, rafting on the Great Reno River Rally, games and outdoor adventure. The festival listed Idlewild Park as its location for 2025 and 2026.

How it works

In 2026 the gates were open from 1pm to 9pm on Friday, 10am to 9pm on Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sunday. An entry pass was valid for all three days and came as a wristband that allowed re-entry, with admission and re-entry ending one hour before closing each day. Alcohol was served only to guests with a 21+ wristband, issued after an ID check and needed afresh each day. Coolers, outside food and drinks, tall umbrellas and professional photography equipment were not allowed, and bags were checked by security. Parking around Idlewild Park was free and first come, first served, and free shuttles ran all weekend.

Who it suits

Open to families, with free admission for kids 17 and under, and to dog owners, with leashed dogs welcome and a Bark Park for them. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and low-back chairs for the grass, and the area at the front of the Main Stage is standing room only.

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Listen

No official playlist linked yet. Find Reno River Festival on Spotify.

Lineup

See the lineup on the organizer’s site.

Getting there

How do I get to Reno River Festival?

Reno River Festival works best for people who walk, bike or ride in. Recent editions at Idlewild Park offered free parking on the streets around the park and in the neighborhood, but spots are first come, first served and fill as the day goes on. Free shuttles run all weekend from the Reno High School lots, and a free bike valet at the edge of the park makes cycling the easiest way to arrive. Check out each of the options below.

Nearest airport RNO.

By car

The nearest major airport is RNO, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.

By train

No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.

By bus & public transit
Airport to downtown ~20-30 min by bus, plus an onward leg to Idlewild Park · $2.00 one-way base fare

RTC Route 12 connects a stop near the airport (Terminal Way & Villanova Drive) to Downtown 4th Street Station 7 days a week. From downtown, Idlewild Park (2055 Idlewild Dr) is roughly 1.5-2 miles further southwest, so an onward RTC bus/rideshare hop is needed.

Book / info
Taxi & rideshare
At the festival itself, the official page tells riders to enter "Idlewild Drive and Cowan Drive" as the drop-off point for the main entrance~15-20 min RNO to Idlewild Park · Roughly $10-18 rideshare / $15-22 metered taxi from RNO to the general downtown/Idlewild Park area (city-level fare, not festival-specific)

Rideshare/taxi pickup at RNO is in a designated ground-transportation loop outside baggage claim Door D.

Book / info

Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.

🅿 Parking

Cost Free, the official FAQ states plainly that all parking spots around Idlewild Park are free.

🚙 Car hire

Compare car hire at RNO

If you are hiring a car, it is worth checking parking near the venue before you go.

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Car hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.

Where

Venue

Idlewild Park

Camping & Accommodation

Where can I stay near Reno River Festival?

Budget stays 3
El Tavern Motel Reno
🚶 6 min walk

1801 West 4th Street, Reno, NV 89503

Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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Sunset Motel Reno
🚶 7 min walk

2091 West 4th Street, Reno, NV 89503

Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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Midtown Motel Reno
🚶 18 min walk

611 West 2nd Street, Reno, NV 89503

Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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Mid-range hotels 3
Courtyard Reno Downtown/Riverfront

Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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Whitney Peak Hotel Reno, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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Gateway Inn Reno
🚶 13 min walk

1275 Stardust Street, Reno, NV 89503

Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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Treat yourself 1
Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa
📍 1.2 mi from the venue

1 Mill Street, Reno, NV 89501

Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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Airport hotels 3
Aloft by Marriott Reno-Tahoe International Airport
📍 3.1 mi from the venue✈️ 0.7 mi from RNO

2015 Terminal Way, Reno, NV 89502

Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

Check rates
Hyatt Place Reno-Tahoe Airport
📍 3.1 mi from the venue✈️ 0.7 mi from RNO🍳 Breakfast

1790 East Plumb Lane, Reno, NV 89502

Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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SureStay Plus Hotel Reno
📍 3.1 mi from the venue✈️ 0.8 mi from RNO

1981 Terminal Way, Reno, NV 89502

Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates

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More hotels nearby 2
Circus Circus Reno, A Caesars Rewards DestinationLink coming soon
Eldorado Reno, A Caesars Destination HotelLink coming soon
Airbnb & private camping
Airbnb

Reno's Airbnb rates average roughly $172-235/night depending on tier. Reno River Festival runs Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31, 2026), a busy travel weekend nationwide, so prices may run above normal Reno rates.

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Hipcamp

Hipcamp lists numerous campgrounds, RV parks and cabins across the Reno-Tahoe region (Lake Tahoe ~40 miles away), averaging around $47/night, a plausible weekend base for attendees combining the festival with a Tahoe camping trip, not a walkable substitute for lodging near Idlewild Park itself.

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Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.

What to bring

A three-day outdoor festival on grass beside the Truckee River, where sitting on the lawn is part of the plan.

Blanket or low-back chairBring a blanket or a low-back lawn chair for the grass. Tall-backed chairs and tall umbrellas are not allowed, and the area at the front of the main stage is standing room only with no sitting of any kind.
Bottle in, cooler outAn empty reusable water bottle or a sealed single-use bottle can come in. Coolers and outside food and drinks cannot, and bags are searched at the gate.
Strollers and wagons welcomeStrollers and wagons are allowed, which makes a wagon the easy way to haul a blanket, chairs and kids from the lawn to the Adventure Park.

Accessibility & comfort

The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.

Pricing

Most recent pricing
$15 per person fees included
Three-day general-admission RiverFest passes. VIP Adventure Pass and MusicFest VIP table upgrades are also sold separately.
A guide only. Prices change, so confirm the current price on the official ticket page before you buy.

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Quick answers

When is Reno River Festival 2027?

Not announced yet. The last festival was May 29 to 31, 2026. The next one is expected in May.

How much are Reno River Festival tickets?

$15 per person is the most recent price the organizer published. The next edition's prices will be confirmed when tickets go on sale.

Where is Reno River Festival held?

Idlewild Park, Reno, NV.