It’s the busiest weekend of the year for the usually-bustling Tampa Riverwalk.
Riverfest returns to Tampa next weekend for its tenth anniversary, bringing two days of live entertainment, food, and activities to the Riverwalk.
The festival is free and family-friendly, stretching from Curtis Hixon Park to Water Works Park. This year’s lineup brings the most attractions yet, including culinary experiences, the Hot Air Balloon Glow, a lantern parade, a water ski show by the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, and a new Kids Zone.
Celebrations kick off Friday at 5 p.m. with live music from local artists at Curtis Hixon. At Taste of Riverwalk, guests can sample signature bites from downtown Tampa’s restaurants, including Anchor and Brine, Bavaro’s, Driftlight Steakhouse, The Tampa Edition, The Pearl, Splitsville Tiki + Social, Publix Super Market, Top Shelf Sports Lounge and Wagamama.
The evening closes out with a performance by New Orleans-based band Cowboy Mouth, playing a mix of rock, blues, funk and country. They’ll take the stage at 8:30 p.m. just as the Hot Air Balloon Glow lights up the sky.
Saturday morning at Water Works Park, the Urban Kai Paddle Invasion will take off at 8:30 a.m., with racers competing in a 2- or 6-mile course. At 9 a.m., festivalgoers can stretch their legs with a donation-based yoga class by Free Yourself Yoga at Armature Works.
The day also includes Taco Fest and the Florida Wiener Dog Derby, both at 11 a.m.
At 4 p.m., grab a spot along the river to watch the award-winning Tampa Bay Water Ski Team perform a showcase of aerial stunts and tricks. The team has been hard at work preparing for the show, and are in search of a home base.
Once the sun goes down, Balloon Glow lights up the skies again and Mayor Jane Castor leads the mile-long Lantern Parade before the night’s headlining performance by Sixpence None the Richer, an alt-pop band best known for the triple-platinum song “Kiss Me.”
Florida Wiener Dog Derby XVI -Sweet 16- with Riverfest Tampa Powered By Orange County Choppers Roadhouse & Museum
Time Every 364 days, 12:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa
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This article appears in Apr. 23 – 29, 2026.