Tampa Riverfest Returns To Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park May 6-7

TAMPA, FL — Food, drinks, live music, hot-air balloons and other events are in store for residents when the two-day, free Tampa Riverfest returns to the Tampa Riverwalk Friday and Saturday.

The festival spans the length of the Tampa Riverwalk including several parks, and features family-friendly activities and events showcasing Tampa's cultural institutions, local musicians and restaurants.

The festival includes the Taste of Riverwalk on Friday night and a TacoFest on Saturday. There is also a full concert series of local bands on the main stage in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and a balloon glow at sunset both nights.

Other activities include a wiener dog derby, a lantern parade, group yoga by the scenic river and a paddle invasion.

Hosted by the Friends of the Riverwalk, the festival will take place Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. t0 10 p.m.

Now in its fifth year (last year's Riverwalk was cancelled due to the pandemic), the event is centered at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa and begins at 4 p.m. Friday with beer trucks and activities available throughout the evening.

Taste Of The Riverwalk

The Taste of the Riverwalk event will take place at Curtis Hixon Park Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Restaurants participating this year are:

• Boulon Brasserie
• Jotoro's
• SiX
• Driftlight Steakhouse
• Murph's BBQ
• Publix GreenWise Market
• SaltBlock Catering & Events
• Splitsville Southern + Social
• Whatever Pops
• Yacht StarShip Cruises + Events

Those attending must purchase a wristband to enter the food tent for the tasting.

A $15 wristband include three samples from participating restaurant and a $20 wristband includes five samples. Click here to purchase a wristband.

The VIP hospitality tent is available to sponsors and to those who purchase VIP tickets. The tent will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday of the festival. Tickets are day-specific and must be purchased for the day you plan to attend. You may purchase a ticket for both days for a discounted price.

VIP tickets include:

• Access to complimentary refreshments including select beer, soda, water and cocktails.
• Light food
• Front-row access to the main stage
• Access to executive restrooms
• And a wristband for five samples from the Taste of the Riverwalk event Friday night.

VIP tickets are $75 Friday, $100 Saturday and $150 Friday and Saturday. Click here.

Hot Air Balloon Glow

The free Riverfest Hot Air Balloon Glow will take place at Curtis HIxon Park Friday and Saturday from 8:30 to 9 p.m.

Free Concert Series

The free concert series will feature:

Friday

• Sax N' Beats from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Sol Caribe from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Raydio from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Saturday

• Jarrod Barefoot from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Redhouse Trio from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Jah Movement from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
• Spazmatics from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
• Stormbringer from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• The Ultimate Lenny Kravitz Experience from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Tacofest

Hosted by Salt Block Catering, the third annual Tacofest at Tampa Riverfest will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Park. The menu includes hard corn or soft flour tortillas, carne asada beef with diced onion, cilantro and a lime wedge; cilantro lime chicken with sofrito aioli and queso fresca; al pastor pork with pineapple juice and pickled onion; roasted beef with cilantro gremolata; and birria with diced onion, cilantro and Mexican cheese.

There will also be nacho chips, house queso with béchamel, gouda and fire-roasted tomatoes, green and red salsa, a hot sauce bar and pico de gallo.

Tickets are available online and are $15 for three tacos and $20 for five tacos. Click here.

Paddle Invasion

The Paddle Invasion will be launched from the Urban Kai Dock at Armature Works Saturday.

• Racer check-in is at 7 a.m.
• A captain's meeting is at 8 a.m.
• The long race launch is at 8:30 a.m.
• The short race launch is at 8:45 a.m.
• And the awards ceremony is at 11 a.m.

Click here to register and a chance to win an Urban Kai gift card raffle.

Yoga In The Park

Yoga in the Park will take place Saturday at 9 a.m. The class hosted by The Calm Collection is free but donations will be accepted in person or via Venmo @robintcyoga.

Florida Wiener Dog Derby

Back by popular demand, the Tampa Riverfest is partnering with the Florida Wiener Dog Derby to offer wiener dog races and contests starting at 10 a.m. at Curtis Hixon Park.

This is expected to be the largest dachshund gathering in the state and will include contest for the Best Nose, the Speed Trap, the Costume Contest, the Kissing Contest, the Best Tail contest and Dachshund Racing.

Additionally, there will be games, raffles, a silent art auction and foster dogs.

Wiener dogs from the age of 4 months to 18 years old will race in age categories.

Dachshund owners can register here. These will be the divisional championships to qualify for the championship final and the Florida Circuit Championship of the National Dachshund Race Circuit.

Riverfest Lantern Parade

The Riverfest Lantern Parade is a new addition to the festival. Participants decorate their own paper lanterns and join in on the parade starting at Water Works Park at 8:30 p.m. and ending in Curtis Hixon Park.

Participants can build their own lantern at home with a DIY kit that includes everything needed.

Purchase a kit here.

Riverfest Parking And Transportation

Parking will be available at multiple locations near the event and within a few blocks of Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.

Nearby garages and lots include William F. Poe Garage, Fort Brooke Garage, the 220 Parking Lot and the Heights Parking Garage as well as the Armature Works lots.

Various on-street metered spaces are also available.

Or arrive using Uber, Lyft, the Pirate Water Taxi, Coast Bike Share or the TECO Line Streetcar. The TECO Line Streetcar is free and runs every 15 minutes.