America's River Roots Festival

October 8-12, 2025

On the cusp of America's Semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, comes a celebration of the Ohio River and how her culture helped shape our Nation - America's River Roots Festival!

The Festivities

America's River Roots is a free, five-day festival taking place October 8-12, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport, Kentucky. Guests will immerse themselves in flavors, sips, sights, and sounds that showcase the Ohio River's influence in shaping the diverse culture of America over the last 250 years.

Held on the banks of the Ohio River, the festival will highlight the soul of our river roots through Cuisine, Culture, Cruises, and Music. Come and enjoy the sounds of two stages with multiple musical acts, the flavors of dozens of food trucks and restaurants, the tastes of Kentucky Bourbon and Ohio Brewmaster experiences, cultural enrichment activities, and 180 Riverboat Cruises.

A view of the Roebling Bridge and Cincinnati Skyline with blue hand drawn elements.

Riverboat Cruises

America's River Roots Festival features nine stunning riverboats from seven historic river cities. These riverboats offer cruises throughout the festival, allowing passengers to experience regional cuisine, music, and culture as they ride the currents of the Ohio River. The riverboats include:

Anson & Betsey Northrup (from the port of St. Paul, MN)
Belle of Cincinnati and River Queen (from the port of Cincinnati, OH)
Belle of Louisville and Mary M. Miller (from the port of Louisville, KY)
Belle of Memphis (from the port of Memphis, TN)
Celebration Belle (from the port of Moline, IL)
Steamboat NATCHEZ (from the port of New Orleans, LA)
Three Rivers Queen (from the port of Pittsburgh, PA)

Nine cruise options give passengers a chance to taste the best in regional cuisine, join exciting river events, or sit back and relax as they encounter an adventure on the best seats on the river. Cruise options include meal cruises for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner, event-based cruises like the Riverboat Parade and Riverboat Race, and adventure cruises like the Sightseeing and Late Night Cruises. Plus, you can take in Theme Cruises that feature famous Graeter's Ice Cream, historical tours from American Legacy Tours, adventure cruises for children, regional cuisine, and much more. Group sales are available.

Tickets for cruises are now on sale here.

A paddlewheel boat with red, hand drawn elements.

13 days ago

Kids’ Adventures at America’s River Roots

2 minute read

Get ready, families! America's River Roots Festival, October 8 - 12, 2025, is a free, five-day celebration on the Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport, Kentucky riverfronts. It's a mix of music, cuisine, culture and cruises - with opportunities for kids to explore, create, and…

Cuisine

Step into the Cincy Region's kitchen to savor the creations of regional chefs as well as dozens of food trucks and restaurants throughout the festival. One thing is certain, when you are at America's River Roots you will not go hungry! All the riverboats are offering brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises with menus inspired by their homes and local food trucks will be on the shores to delight your tastebuds. On the Kentucky Boardwalk at Ovation will be The B-Line® on the Boardwalk. This open-air dining experience will feature Purple Poulet, Greyhound Tavern, and Smoke Justis from The B-Line offering their specialty dishes for sale on a daily rotation. Regional delicacies, flavors that have travel along the river, and other tantalizing treats will be available to help you refuel and keep exploring.

If you are looking for something to accompany your meal, America's River Roots has you covered there too. The Ohio River Valley is also a place of innovation and excellence for brewmasters and distillers alike. You can learn about this heritage and enjoy world-renowned sips through the Kentucky Bourbon Experience and Craft Brewmaster Experience.

Kentucky Bourbon Experience

A group of people share a meal together. Green, hand drawn elements decorate the photo. The Kentucky Bourbon Experience features three distinct areas inside one spacious 200 ft tent in Newport.

The Bourbon Bottle Shop and Bazaar offers shopping for the best bourbons and liquors from featured distillers thanks to The Party Source. Get your bottle custom etched on site as a great gift for the bourbon lover in your life (or yourself!) and shop for additional bourbon related gifts from barware to bourbon foods and everything in between.
The Bourbon Experience area offers a variety of ticketed experiences where visitors can take a deeper look at bourbon. Options include guided tastings, curated bourbon pairings, custom blending experiences, cocktail creation and more. Tickets are on sale now!
Merchant's Club invites you to relax at its temporary home along the Ohio River. With breathtaking views and expertly crafted bourbon cocktails it's a perfect way to wind down the day.

Kentucky's Boardwalk at Ovation will feature:

The B-Line on the Boardwalk - an open air dining experience featuring different B-Line restaurants
The B-Line Speakeasy - an exclusive pop-up bar featuring bourbons and beverages from Northern Kentucky's Bourbon Experience
Premium Bourbon Experiences - curated tastings led by seasoned Bourbon Stewards and some of Kentucky's finest pours. Ticketed and private events available
Beer Garden - Grab a pint from one of the region's celebrated breweries. Beers and other beverages will be available for purchase from Cincy's famed brewmasters.

Craft Brewmaster Experience

A group of people sit around a table, toasting beer glasses. The Craft Brewmaster Experience in Yeatman's Cove will allow you to immerse yourself in the history of Cincinnati's famous brewing heritage. This Craft Brewmaster Experience will feature:

Self-Guided Tasting Experience - Over 15 craft beers on tap to introduce you to different flavors and styles from breweries that represent this unique part of brewing history.
Guided Craft Brewmaster Experience - Brewing and beer experts will lead these ticketed experiences that guide you through the history, philosophy, specific brewery offerings, and food & beer pairings. Tickets are on sale now!

Culture

A paddlewheel boat with red, hand drawn elements. Dig into America's River Roots as the festival take you from our indigenous beginnings through America's steamboat age that fueled our Nation's westward expansion.

Discover the northward freedom journey made on the rails of courage encountered at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and through the Freedom Journey App
Move amongst ecological wonders of the region by foot, wheel, and paddle on the national Ohio River Recreation Trail and visit nearby UNESCO World Heritage Hopewell Ceremonial Earthwork sites
Encounter history firsthand in architectural and underground tours in Over-The-Rhine and Northern Kentucky where an unrivaled arts scene and brew culture grew and thrives today
Experience the views from Cincinnati's top-rated riverwalk through the Riverwalk App
Kick-off America's River Roots Festival with The Spirit of America Gala, featuring Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera. Tickets available now!

America's River Roots allows you to enjoy our shared multicultural environment and celebrate the spirit of our communities.

Music

A group of people face a lit stage. Hand drawn elements decorate the photo. The river will be alive with sound as American Roots Music will host two stages; Yeatman's Cove in Cincinnati and in Newport. These stages will feature national, emerging, and local acts playing genres that include folk, blues, country, Gospel, jazz, indie rock, Zydeco, bluegrass, and more, free to the public.

River Roots will also shine a light on local influence with King Records' contributions to Roots Music and the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.

Plan your visit to the Cincy Region and be a part of our shared history with this momentous celebration!

America's River Roots Festival Events

Oct 08

America's River Roots Festival

Recurring daily

America’s River Roots Festival is a free, five-day event taking place from October 8-12, 2025, in Cincinnati and Newport along the banks of the Ohio River. Soak into River Roots Music, Cuisine and Culture that honor and share our unique…

Oct 07

The Spirit of America Gala

Cincinnati Music Hall

Kick-off America’s River Roots Festival with The Spirit of America Gala, which features many of Cincinnati's world-class performing arts organizations, including Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Opera! Soak in…

Oct 09

Good N' Rooted

Purple People Bridge
Recurring daily

Discover the heart of the Cincy Region at the Good N’ Rooted artisan market during America’s River Roots Festival! Set against the scenic backdrop of the Purple People Bridge, this four-day celebration features more than 100 local merchants…