Return to the River Festival is Back!
Hey Grand Rapids! Get ready for a fun-filled weekend by the Grand River.
The Return to the River Festival is returning for its fourth year on Saturday and Sunday, August 23-24, 2025, with interactive activities, live music, art installations, and food for all ages.
The event is free and kicks off at 1 PM each day in the North Monroe neighborhood along the riverwalk at 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park, and Sixth Street Bridge.
No tickets needed, just show up, dress up (costumes encouraged!) and enjoy. We love a good festival and this is a fun one!
in this article
Return to the River 2025 Details
Dates & Times
Saturday, August 23: 1 – 11 PM
Sunday, August 24: 1 – 8 PM
Locations
The festival spans three connected Riverwalk locations: 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park, and Sixth Street Bridge, all within walking distance.
Due to construction, Canal Park will not be a location for the 2025 event as it has been in past years.
Lineup + Schedule of Activities
This year’s festival includes DJ sets, live music acts, vendors, artisans, and community organizations on the Sixth Street Bridge for the Pleasant Peninsula Market. Get excited for some really cool art installations and entertainment activities along the riverwalk.
Headliners include:
What to Expect at Return to the River 2025
At 555 Monroe
- DJ and Electronic Music Stage: Featuring DC-based DJ Ramblur and more.
- Free Face Painting: Sunshine Face Painting Co will provide free face painting to all attendees!
- Body Marbling: Saturday, 1 – 8 PM; Sunday, 1 – 8 PM.
- Pyramid Curbs: Public art Installation by French artist Cyril Lancelin. Imagine walking through a geometric rainbow that feels like a bounce house. That’s the energy.
At Sixth Street Park
- Live Bands and Cultural Performances: A lineup of local talent and cultural showcases including Mexicuba, a Latin Band with Musicians from Cuba & Mexico. Their energy is hype, they bring the fiesta and we can’t wait to end the festival with their performance on Sunday!
- Dream Slide: Don’t miss this whimsical, interactive art piece featuring a built-in slide. It made its debut at Burning Man, and we’re thrilled to welcome it to Grand Rapids next.
Also at Sixth Street Park:
- Body Marbling: Black Light Visuals is back Saturday, 1 – 9 PM; Sunday, 1 – 8 PM.
- Fun Photo Op: Strike a pose with the legendary Sword in the Stone, a brand new photo op (Just for photos, not actual sword-pulling… unless you’re really chosen)
- Creative Cube from ACT: Interactive art activities for kids and families. Saturday and Sunday, 1 – 6 PM.
- Gumball Monster Portraits: Saturday, 1 – 9 PM; Sunday, 1 – 8 PM.
- Photobooth: Saturday and Sunday, 1 – 8 PM.
- Spectrum Swings: When you sit on the swings at night a bright vibrant color is activiated. Once all the swings are occupied, the full spectrum of rainbow colors above will be revealed.
On Sixth Street Bridge
- Merchant’s & Makers will host an artisan market packed with custom jewelry, toys, art of all kinds, skin care, home decor items, food, clothing and more.
- Pleasant Peninsula Public Art: Saturday and Sunday, 1 – 8 PM. Come see 50 native fish species painted by 50 Michigan artists!
- Pleasant Peninsula Educational Speaker Series: Saturday and Sunday, 1 – 8 PM.
Additional Activities
From free cotton candy to live aerialists and acrobatic performances, there’s so much to see and do at the Return to the River festival. Here are a few more activities and offerings you can expect at this year’s Return to the River fest.
Free Books: provided by the Grand Rapids Public Library, Schuler Books, and Cellar Bird Books
Scavenger Hunt: Explore along the riverwalk to complete the “Furberts” Wizard Quest
Puppy Petting Zone: the Humane Society of West Michigan (Saturday from 1 – 5 PM)
Refreshment Zones
Food Truck Rally: Expecting over 20 local and regional Food Truck Vendors for 2025, serving everything from tacos to BBQ, pizza, empanadas, and desserts.
Grab & Go Adult Beverages: Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase in the Downtown Refreshment Area. Participating establishments include Noodlepig, SpeakEZ Lounge, Embassy Suites and City Built Brewing.
Extras for Families
Shaded Seating & Water Stations: Stay cool and hydrated at shaded canopy areas, and refill water bottles for free.
Kid-Friendly Entertainment: Look out for family-centric activities like storytelling sessions and outdoor games designed to keep both kids and adults engaged.
Low Sensory Zone: At the west end of the Sixth Street Bridge for attendees who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of music and activities.
Insider Tips
Take advantage of the free educational walking tours, where kids can learn about local wildlife and river conservation.
Participate in the public art scavenger hunt, a fun way to explore and spot hidden gems along the river.
Parking and Accessibility
Street Meters: Meters east of Division Avenue are free after 5 PM, while meters west of Division Avenue charge until 6 PM. You can use the MOTU app to pay by credit card.
Free Downtown Shuttle (DASH Bus): Enjoy a free shuttle service every 15 minutes from DASH lots with low parking rates. Plan your route at https://bit.ly/dashbus.
Parking Lots: Here’s your best options for parking lots:
- ADA & Volunteer Parking: 544 Monroe Ave NW (2-minute walk from 555 Monroe)
- Ellis Parking Company – MSU: 432 Monroe Ave NW (7-minute walk from 555 Monroe)
- DeVos Place Ramp: 238 Michigan St NW (9-minute walk from 555 Monroe)
- Government Center Ramp: 300 Monroe Ave NW (11-minute walk from 555 Monroe)
- Area 7 DASH Parking: 301 Mt Vernon Ave NW ($4 full-day rate, 16-minute walk or free shuttle every 15 minutes)
- Area 9 DASH Parking: 250 Seward Ave NW ($3 full-day rate, 20-minute walk or free shuttle every 15 minutes)
Dog-Friendly
Dogs are welcome, but use your best judgment based on your pet’s comfort in crowded settings. If your dog is reactive toward other dogs or people, it’s best to leave them at home.
See You There?
Come on down to Return to the River! Enjoy the riverfront, connect with your community, and experience everything from art & music to family-friendly interactive activities in one fantastic weekend.
