River Roots Rocks the Ohio
A traveler’s guide to bourbon, boats, and the best of the Ohio River
When you think about the great American festivals, your mind may wander to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Jazz Fest in Chicago, or the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. In October 2025, a new name will join that list. America’s River Roots Festival, a first-of-its-kind, five-day celebration of culture, music, and history along the Ohio River. From October 8–12, the riverfronts of Cincinnati, Newport, and Covington will be transformed into one sprawling cultural corridor.
As the festival’s tagline suggests, it’s a place where the river rolls, the bourbon flows, and the music carries you through it all. For travelers, this is more than just another music festival. it’s a destination event that fuses Kentucky’s bourbon heritage, Ohio’s arts legacy, America’s riverboat history, and family-friendly fun into one immersive experience.
If you’re thinking about booking a trip, here’s everything you need to know to plan your stay — and why this festival belongs on your calendar.
The Festival at a Glance
America’s River Roots is timed to coincide with America 250, the semiquincentennial celebration of the nation’s founding. Fittingly, it takes place on the Ohio River, a waterway that has served as a lifeline for commerce, music, and migration throughout American history.
Dates: October 8–12, 2025
Scope: Multiple riverfront zones in Cincinnati (OH), Covington (KY), and Newport (KY)
Attendance: Organizers expect over 1 million visitors during its debut run
Signature Elements:
Nine historic riverboats from across America’s inland waterways
Free and ticketed concerts ranging from indie rock to Americana to gospel
Bourbon tastings, beer gardens, and pop-up speakeasies
Riverboat cruises, parades, and races
Family attractions and conservation exhibits
The Spirit of America Gala kickoff at Cincinnati Music Hall
Visit the official festival site for updated schedules and ticketing.
Music that Moves with the River
The heart of River Roots is its music programming, and the lineup is ambitious. Free stages across Yeatman’s Cove, Newport’s Riverboat Row, and other sites will spotlight regional and national talent spanning blues, folk, Americana, jazz, gospel, Zydeco, R&B, indie rock, and country.
Headline concerts include major names like Weezer, Maren Morris, and Mt. Joy, while regional legends like Over the Rhine and rising artists fill out the bill. Educational performances under the banner of “Sounds from the River” will trace the migration of music along America’s waterways, showing how jazz, blues, and folk traveled just like the riverboats themselves.
Best of all, many of the outdoor performances are completely free, making it possible for travelers to experience world-class live music simply by wandering the riverfront. Ticketed headliner shows and gala events provide an elevated option for those who want guaranteed seats and closer access.
Bourbon Trails
No Kentucky celebration would be complete without bourbon, and River Roots puts it center stage.
The Kentucky Bourbon Experience on Riverboat Row offers guided tastings from 15+ distillers, blending workshops, and single-barrel selections. As Bourbon Curator Amy Tobin explains, “Bourbon is more than a drink — it’s a Kentucky story that connects people.”
Kentucky’s Boardwalk at Ovation in Newport is a hub of food, drink, and family fun. The B-Line® Restaurant on the Boardwalk will rotate menus from favorites like Purple Poulet, Seasoned Dish, and Smoke Justis. A speakeasy pop-up pours rare bourbon cocktails, while Braxton Brewing anchors a river-view beer garden.
Family activations include the Perfetti Van Melle Sweet Spot, featuring candy giveaways and even a giant Airheads hot air balloon, alongside the Corporex Corridor, which celebrates both America’s 250th birthday and Corporex’s 60th anniversary with oversized cake installations.
This mix of culinary indulgence and kid-friendly fun makes the festival a draw for families, couples, and bourbon enthusiasts alike.
Nine Riverboats, One River
The most unique element of River Roots is its flotilla of historic riverboats. Visitors can climb aboard nine vessels brought in from seven different river cities, including:
Steamboat Natchez (New Orleans)
Belle of Louisville and Mary M. Miller (Louisville, KY)
Belle of Memphis (Memphis, TN)
River Queen and Belle of Cincinnati (Cincinnati)
Anson Northrup (St. Paul, MN)
Celebration Belle (Moline, IL)
Three Rivers Queen (Pittsburgh, PA)
Riverboat cruises — from brunch and dinner sails to late-night jazz trips — will be among the hottest tickets of the festival. In addition to public cruises, the festival will stage parades of boats, historic reenactments, and even river races. It’s a nod to Cincinnati’s beloved Tall Stacks Festival, once a hallmark of the city, now reimagined for a new generation.
Conservation Meets Celebration
Festivals can sometimes feel indulgent, but River Roots balances the party with purpose. Along Newport’s Riverboat Row, the Ecology of the River exhibit connects attendees with the Ohio River’s environmental story.
The nonprofit Living Lands & Waters, known for removing over 13 million pounds of trash from U.S. rivers, will dock its barge for tours.
Hands-on science labs explore biodiversity, water quality, and river health.
History exhibits remind visitors of the Ohio River’s role as both a commercial artery and a path to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
For families, these interactive activities make the festival not only fun but also educational, underscoring the Ohio River as a lifeline past, present, and future.
Where to Stay
For out-of-town travelers, lodging is as important as the festival itself. Fortunately, the tri-state riverfront offers plenty of options.
Cincinnati
AC Hotel at The Banks — Right in the heart of the riverfront action, next to Smale Riverfront Park. Ideal for those who want to walk straight from their room into the festival.
Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown — A short walk to the riverfront, with historic architecture blended with modern comfort.
Covington, KY
Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront — Panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline and convenient access to the Roebling Bridge.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Riverfront — A practical, well-rated option just minutes from the main stages.
Newport, KY
Aloft Newport on the Levee — Steps from Kentucky’s Boardwalk activations and Newport on the Levee attractions.
Homewood Suites Newport Cincinnati — Perfect for families looking for extended stays with kitchenettes and easy access to both NKY and Cincinnati stages.
Pro tip: Book early. With over a million attendees expected, prime riverfront rooms will sell out quickly. Staying across the river in Northern Kentucky often means lower rates and stunning skyline views, plus easy pedestrian access via the Roebling Suspension Bridge and Purple People Bridge.
Getting Around
The festival spans both sides of the Ohio River, but navigating it is straightforward:
Walking — If you’re staying in downtown Cincinnati, Covington, or Newport, most stages are within walking distance.
Bridges — Pedestrian-friendly crossings like the Roebling and Purple People Bridge keep you connected.
Rideshares / taxis — Good for late-night transport or if staying further inland.
Festival shuttles — Organizers are expected to announce dedicated shuttle routes closer to the event.
Riverboats — Certain cruises double as transportation, making the river itself part of your journey.
Insider Tips for Travelers
Pack for fall weather — Cincinnati in October can swing from warm afternoons to chilly nights. A light jacket and umbrella are essentials.
Mix free and ticketed events — The free stages give plenty of entertainment, but a riverboat cruise or bourbon tasting elevates the trip.
Take downtime — Smale Riverfront Park and Yeatman’s Cove are great spots to sit, relax, and take in the skyline.
Explore nearby neighborhoods — Over-the-Rhine (Cincinnati) for breweries and architecture, MainStrasse (Covington) for dining, and Newport on the Levee for nightlife.
Capture the sunsets — The Ohio River at dusk, with music echoing across the banks, is an image you won’t forget.
Why River Roots Is Worth the Trip
River Roots isn’t just another festival. It’s a deliberate reimagining of how a city can celebrate its past while investing in its future. It ties together heritage and modernity, Ohio and Kentucky, conservation and celebration.
For travelers, it’s an opportunity to experience a festival that feels big-city in scale, yet deeply local in flavor. Whether you’re sipping bourbon on a riverboat, dancing to live music in Yeatman’s Cove, or walking with your kids through conservation exhibits, the festival invites you to feel the river’s role in America’s story.
In short, if you’re planning one trip to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region in 2025, make it October 8–12. America’s River Roots will only happen once in this inaugural form, and it promises to be an unforgettable ride.