Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest: Free Family Festival on the Red River, May 2027
A free spring festival for Kentucky's only Wild and Scenic river. Expected Saturday, May 15, 2027.
The Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest is a free festival celebrating the Red River, the only river in Kentucky with a federal Wild and Scenic designation. Kentucky Waterways Alliance and Friends of Red River host it, and it raises money for river cleanups, environmental education and river access.
When is RiverFest 2027?
The festival is usually held on the third Saturday in May. The 10th annual RiverFest was Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Red River Gorge Kayaking in Stanton. Following the same pattern, we expect the 2027 festival on Saturday, May 15, 2027. That is our inference, so confirm the date and location with Kentucky Waterways Alliance before you plan around it.
What to expect
Recent festivals have had free live music, activities for kids and adults, yoga, clean water workshops, and food and drink vendors. Some years have included organized paddles or a canoe race, and the format changes from year to year.
Make a weekend of it
Mid-May is a great time in the Gorge, with green trees, wildflowers and mild nights for the hot tub. Stone and Sky sleeps 8 across three bedrooms, so it works for a family or two traveling together. Spend the day on the river, then watch the sunset from the west-facing porch.