River Fest 2026
August 8, 2026 | 10 AM–3 PM
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 West River Road
Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
Experience River Fest on the banks of the Mississippi River! Enjoy a day full of hands-on adventures, live entertainment and river-inspired fun for all ages.
From splashy river play and hands-on creativity to science, art and outdoor exploration, there’s something new to discover around every bend.
FAQs
- Parking
Free parking is available throughout the park.
Should parking lots fill, nearby overflow parking and a continuous round-trip event shuttle will be made available at the Highway 610 and Noble Parkway Park and Ride lot (4401 95th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN).
- Accessibility & Mobility Accommodations
Guests needing additional support to access event offerings can be driven to their destinations via park vehicles and shuttles.
No reservations required—available on a first come, first served basis. Stop near the welcome tent to check for availability.
- Food & Drinks
Take a break from exploring and grab a bite to eat from a variety of popular local food trucks.
- River Fest Map
Closer to the event, you'll be able to view an interactive map of Mississippi Gateway Regional Park to find your way around the festival.
Festival Village
Step into the heart of River Fest where the energy is high, the river is close and fun is around every corner! The Festival Village is your go-to spot to gather, explore and dive into all things mighty Mississippi.
- Celebrate the Mighty Mississippi River
Celebrate the mighty Mississippi through hands-on art, river exploration, scenic walks and up-close experiences at the dam.
From creative community projects to outdoor adventures along the riverbank, festival activities bring the spirit of the river to life in fun and memorable ways.
- Explore the River’s History & Centennial Celebration
Celebrate the rich history of the Mississippi River and the communities connected to it through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and special centennial features.
Explore educational experiences presented by partner organizations, such as the National Park Service Corridor and the University of Minnesota’s GarLab, who together are working to honor the river’s past, present and future.
- Enjoy Live Music, Food & Drinks
Take a break from river-play to grab a bite to eat or a local brew while enjoying live music presented by the City of Brooklyn Park along the Mississippi River.
From tasty food truck favorites to refreshing drinks and family-friendly entertainment, the fun keeps flowing all day.
Discover River Science Through Hands-On Exploration
Dive into the science of the Mississippi River through interactive activities, live demonstrations and up-close discoveries. From river critters to water quality, River Fest makes learning about nature fun for curious minds of all ages.
- Connect with Experts About Water Quality, Erosion Prevention & More
Meet local experts and discover fun ways we can help protect and care for the Mississippi River. Explore hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations focused on water quality, shoreline restoration projects, unique river habitats and more.
- Explore the River Shore Looking for Critters
Search the river shoreline for special critters and discover the animals that call the Mississippi River home. Join a guided exploration or wander at your own pace as you look for insects, fish, shells and other river wildlife.
- Watch a Live Podcast Taping
Join The Wandering Naturalist podcast hosts during a LIVE episode with guest Wang Ping—poet and author of "Life of Miracles along the Yangtze and Mississippi", photographer, performance artist and professor emeritus at Macalester College.
She will discuss the similarities and differences in her experiences with two of the largest rivers in the world, The Mississippi and the Yangtze. Afterwards, you can be on the podcast by asking nature questions you've always been curious about.
Explore the River and Its Surroundings
Get outside and experience the Mississippi River in fun new ways during River Fest! From scenic trails and river adventures to hands-on learning and outdoor exploration, River Fest is packed with outdoor fun for all ages.
- Visit the Coon Rapids Dam
Get an up-close look at the power of the Mississippi River at the Coon Rapids Dam! The Three Rivers maintenance team will share interesting facts, behind-the-scenes insights and the important role the dam plays along the river.
- Try River Fishing, Enjoy Free Bike Rentals & More
Cast a line with Try-It River Fishing, cruise the trails with free bike rentals or explore the riverfront on foot.
From the exciting new Treetop Trail to the Outdoor Classroom, there are plenty of ways to play, explore and enjoy the outdoors at River Fest.
- Learn About Water Safety From V3 Sports
Dive into fun, interactive water safety activities with V3 Sports! Learn simple safety tips, build confidence around the water and discover new ways to enjoy river adventures safely all summer long.
Create River-Inspired Art
Get creative with hands-on art activities inspired by the beauty, movement and natural textures of the Mississippi River.
From community art projects to colorful keepsakes, River Fest offers fun and imaginative experiences for artists of all ages.
- Contribute to the Community Art Project
Visualize and discover the earth’s processes that have helped shape the river in this hands-on, kid-friendly workshop.
Dig your hands into some clay sourced from the banks of the Mississippi! Have fun squishing, shaping and building your own river-inspired clay art while learning how this ancient material was shaped by millions of years of geological history. Exploration only, all clay will remain at the station.
- Create Your Own Sand Art
Layer colorful Mississippi River sand in vase-shaped cutouts to design your very own river-inspired masterpiece to take home. Have fun getting creative while exploring the colors and textures inspired by life along the Mississippi.
- Express Yourself with Face Painting & Tie-Dye
Get colorful with festive face painting and a fun tie-dye activity perfect for showing off your creativity. Choose a t-shirt or bandana to tie-dye and create a one-of-a-kind keepsake to remember your River Fest adventure.
Celebrate the River Through Play
Dive into hands-on activities and splash-filled adventures inspired by the mighty Mississippi River!
- Take a Trip Down the Otter Slip & Slide
Play like an otter! Grab an inflatable otter and slide, splash and glide your way down our river-themed slip and slide. It’s the perfect way to cool off and make a splash at River Fest!
- Splash Around at the Mini-Mississippi Play Area
At the Mini-Mississippi Water Play Area, kids of all ages can splash and wade in a shallow water play feature designed to spark curiosity and creativity about the nearby river.
Connect with Community Partners
Meet our amazing community partners who share a love of the Mississippi River and related conservation efforts:
- Catch up on new research from the University of Minnesota’s GarLab focused on conserving and managing ancient native fish species.
- Discover fun and enriching program opportunities offered through the City of Brooklyn Park's Community Engagement and Recreation and Park teams.
- Learn fun facts about freshwater mussels and test your knowledge with experts from the DNR.
- Enjoy a presentation from Native Fish for Tomorrow, an organization dedicated to celebrating and protecting vital native fish species.
- And more!
There are many opportunities to learn and get involved, with fun and learning for everyone!
Volunteer at River Fest
Volunteers play a key role in making River Fest fun, accessible and welcoming for all! We are looking for these volunteer roles:
- Greeters & welcome tent staff
- Activity station monitors
- Registered Park Patrollers (must have completed necessary training)
Volunteers are needed from approximately 9:30 AM–3:30 PM in half-day shifts (morning and afternoon). Most roles do not require prior training.
For questions, call the Volunteer Office at 763-559-6706 or email Volunteer@ThreeRiversParks.org.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in becoming a sponsor for River Fest or another upcoming Three Rivers Park District festival? Sponsorships provide a great opportunity to highlight your brand, connect directly with the local community and help keep these popular events free for all.
Your support makes it possible! For more information, please contact: EventServices@ThreeRiversParks.org.
