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, Covington, and Newport. 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 Music, Cuisine, Culture, and Cruises. Come and enjoy the sounds of 8 stages with more than 100 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)

Eight 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.

Tickets for cruises are now on sale here.

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
Immerse yourself in brewery and bourbon culture at the front porch of the south
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

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 five stages in Cincinnati, Covington, and 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. The Headliner Series, where one major national act will play each night at Smale Park, is ticketed. Tickets for the River Roots Headliner Series go on sale July 11th and feature Maren Morris, Mt. Joy, Weezer, and one more act TBA.

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.

Cuisine

A group of people share a meal together. Green, hand drawn elements decorate the photo. 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.

The Ohio River Valley is also a confluence 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 Ohio Brewmaster's Experience, each providing world-class experiences and tastings.

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