Return to the River is back this weekend, August 24 and 25, 2024.

The free, all-ages festival features two days of live music, stunning live art and traveling installations, an artisan market, food trucks, a host of activities and more.

Festivities kick off at 1:00 PM on Saturday at 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park and Canal Park.

This year's festival includes 19 unique DJ sets, 11 live music acts, 27 vendors and community organizations on the Sixth Street Bridge for the Pleasant Peninsula Market, over 20 art and entertainment activities along the riverwalk, a brand new speaker series from Pleasant Peninsula on the west end of Sixth Street Bridge, the Creative Cube from ACT and more.

Featured food trucks include Patty Matters, Pressed In Time, PizzaMI, Los Pinches Tacos, Crepes by the Lakes, Sanse Filipino Cuisine, Haggerty's, Roasted Red's, Kona Ice, Olly's Donuts, Furniture City Creamery, Dolce Mini Cakes, Semifreddo, Around Baking Company, Underground Cookie Club, Eastown Cereal and Ohana Hawaiian Ice.

Return to the River activates the beautiful public spaces along the Grand River for the entire community to enjoy. The festival is designed to provide fun and activities for all ages. In addition to the music and art, free educational walking tours are available, as well as free kayak rentals from 1:00 - 5:00 PM on both days of the festival courtesy of GR Outside and the City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. DGRI is also working with community partners to create a long-term vision and plan for public art along the Grand River. Our team will be at the festival on the Sixth Street Bridge providing information and opportunities for input on the plan, including a public art scavenger hunt.

Shaded canopy areas, bathrooms and a water refill station will all be available to attendees. In addition, alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the following participating Downtown Refreshment Area establishments: Noodlepig, SpeakEZ Lounge, Embassy Suites, City Built Brewing, Garage Bar & Grill, Chicago Beef Joint and Linear Restaurant.

The festival map, music lineup and Pleasant Peninsula activity schedule are available below and additional information can be found here. Follow @downtowngrandrapidsinc on social media for more details, photos and fun.