Riverfest Farmington: Music, food and family fun

River Reach Foundation is set to open Riverfest in Farmington on Friday, May 22, with three days of live music, food, river activities and family programming along the Animas River corridor. The 2026 event runs through Sunday, May 24, and stretches between Berg Park and Animas Park, according to the City of Farmington's event listing and the festival schedule. Admission is free, and organizers describe the weekend as a celebration of area rivers with entertainment, vendors and activities spread across the river trails. ### When does Riverfest start, and where is it happening? Friday, May 22, is the opening day, with a kickoff scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at River Reach Terrace only. The city listing says Friday's program includes art, live music and a beer and wine garden, along with a separate ticketed VIP event for donors and sponsors. Berg Park and Animas Park are the main festival sites for the weekend. (farmingtonnm.org) New Mexico Tourism says the event takes place along miles of the Animas river trails in Farmington, while the River Reach Foundation lists the festival dates as May 22, 23 and 24. ### What can visitors expect beyond the music and food booths? The 2026 schedule includes a Riverfest Fun Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday with 10K, 5K and 2-mile options organized by the Farmington Recreation Center. (farmingtonnm.org) The city listing says entry is $30 for the runs and $15 for the walk. Rafting is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. (riverreachfoundation.com) The Riverfest schedule says tickets are $25 for adults and $25 for children ages 4 to 11, with trips running every hour from Animas Park to Boyd Park with a shuttle back to the put-in. The festival also lists Wiener Dog Races, kid activities, an American Indian market and dance, a fine art show, a disc golf tournament, beer and wine gardens and vendor booths. (farmingtonnm.org) New Mexico Tourism and the city event page both list those attractions among the weekend offerings. ### Which events are specifically aimed at families? Kids activities are scheduled at River Reach Terrace Playground and Rocky Reach Landing on Saturday and Sunday. (riverfestnewmexico.com) The Riverfest schedule says the family programming includes hands-on arts and crafts, music, leisure games and kid-friendly vendors. Sunday, May 24, includes Roverfest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Red Barn in Animas Park. (farmingtonnm.org) The city listing describes it as a dog-friendly event with "poochie fun & goodies." Luke Renner is also scheduled to perform yo-yo tricks around the grounds on Saturday and Sunday. The full schedule says free tractor rides will run from the Red Barn to Rocky Reach Landing, provided by the Four Corners Antique Power Association. (riverfestnewmexico.com) ### What performances are on the weekend schedule? Live music is scheduled Friday evening and continues all day Saturday and Sunday. (farmingtonnm.org) The city and festival schedule pages both list music as a core part of the event, though organizers note that times and information are subject to change. Saturday's posted lineup also includes Clan Tynker Circus, Mann Dance Academy, drumming by Andrew Ecker, and a Native dance performance featuring Joe Tohonnie Jr. and the White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers. (riverfestnewmexico.com) The city listing says shuttle service will be available from the Red Barn in Animas Park to Rocky Reach Landing for the dance performance area. ### How do parking and festival transportation work? (farmingtonnm.org) Red Apple Transit will provide the Riverfest Express shuttle on Saturday and Sunday. The festival schedule says the shuttle is free for guests and runs every 30 minutes in a loop with stops including the Farmington Civic Center, Scott Avenue near WaFd Bank, the Farmington Museum and the Animas Park parking lot. (farmingtonnm.org) Additional school buses from Navajo Preparatory School are also scheduled to loop between Berg Park, San Juan Boulevard and Animas Park. Organizers also list an added shuttle for rafting guests between Animas Park and the main parking lot at Berg Park. Friday's kickoff begins at 5 p.m. on May 22, and the full 2026 schedule remains posted on the Farmington event page and the Riverfest website. (riverfestnewmexico.com) New Mexico Tourism lists Riverfest as a free event presented by the River Reach Foundation and running through Sunday, May 24. (farmingtonnm.org)