Dominion Energy Riverrock Unveils New Events, Activations, And Festival Footprint for 2026

The nation’s premier sports and music festival returns, May 15-17

RICHMOND, VA – Dominion Energy Riverrock is back and ready to take over Richmond’s riverfront May 15–17 with new events, fresh activations, and creative energy inspired by this year’s updated footprint. While the layout may look different in 2026, the heart of the festival remains the same: adrenaline-pumping outdoor sports, free live music, hands-on experiences, and a one-of-a-kind celebration of life on and around the James River.

Due to the Brown’s Island Improvement Project, this year’s festival will expand across Tredegar Street, Tredegar Green, and surrounding downtown spaces. The biggest change is that the state-of-the-art Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront will host all eleven musical acts scheduled during the festival, creating a centralized, high-energy concert experience all weekend long. As always, concerts remain free and open to the public, with amphitheater security guidelines in effect. Clear bags are required, and security screening will take place upon each entry. Attendees may come and go with beer, and a convenient bag check will be available for those needing storage or a clear bag while enjoying the shows. Check out the full map of Dominion Energy Riverrock here.

Introducing Riverside Chats at The Foundry

New for 2026, Dominion Energy Riverrock will debut Riverside Chats at The Foundry, a dynamic series of outdoor-focused talks hosted inside The Foundry at Tredegar, adjacent to the American Civil War Center.

Designed as an intentional gathering space within the festival, Riverside Chats will spotlight the voices shaping Richmond’s outdoor future. Local leaders, athletes, conservationists, and creatives will lead conversations centered on topics such as the Brown’s Island Improvement Project, river conservation, expanding outdoor access, and stewardship of the James River and surrounding parks. Whether you’re a trail runner, paddler, weekend adventurer, or simply outdoor-curious, Riverside Chats offers a place to connect, learn, and be part of the ongoing conversation. The Foundry space will also feature vendors and nonprofit partners aligned with the region’s outdoor mission.

“Dominion Energy Riverrock is more than a festival. It’s a reflection of Richmond’s passion for the outdoors,” said Meghan Keogh, Event Director for Dominion Energy Riverrock. “This year’s new layout gave us the opportunity to think bigger and deepen the experience, especially through programming like Riverside Chats that highlight the voices shaping our riverfront. The sports, the music, and the energy will all be there, but what excites me most is how we’re continuing to grow alongside this incredible outdoor community.”

New Events Bring Fresh Energy to the Riverfront

Making its debut on Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m., the Fit-X Experience will bring a high-energy, DJ-driven workout to Historic Tredegar. Led by Ishmael “The Black Superman” Sandiford alongside guest trainers, this immersive fitness session blends music, movement, and motivation into a powerful community experience. Open to all fitness levels, participants can expect sweat, beats, and riverfront vibes. Registration is now open.

Four-legged athletes are also getting their moment in the spotlight. The fan-favorite Dog Agility Competition, hosted by Zoom Room, returns for its second year after quickly becoming a festival must-see. Dogs will dash through tunnels, clear jumps, weave through poles, and conquer the A-frame in front of cheering crowds.

New in 2026, the K9 Super Wall invites pups to showcase their vertical leap in a thrilling high-jump competition, with some dogs soaring more than nine feet into the air. Registration is open for both seasoned competitors and first-timers ready to test their skills.

More Ways to Ride, Explore, and Connect

While the MTB Enduro will not return this year, riders will still find plenty of ways to hit the trails. In partnership with Blue Ridge Cyclery, the festival will offer two free Mountain Bike Clinics and a Mountain Bike Group Ride, focused on female riders and led by certified female mountain bike coaches, open to all ability levels. Participants will also be able to demo bikes from Blue Ridge Cyclery during the rides. Registration is open.

Professional rider Jeff Lenosky will also host two free group rides: Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at Forest Hill Park and Sunday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Pocahontas State Park. No registration is required.

Festival Favorites and Fresh Activations

Dominion Energy Riverrock continues to bring together leading outdoor brands and immersive sponsor activations. Attendees can explore vendors and partners including Subaru, Thule, and a Teva pop-up shop. Teva will host free guided hikes departing from its booth, offering participants the opportunity to test footwear on local trails. On Saturday evening, Teva athlete and ultra runner Michael Wardian will lead a shakeout run, followed by a relaxed happy hour hangout.

The Adventure Zones—one of Dominion Energy Riverrock’s signature experiences—bring hands-on outdoor fun to the forefront, inviting festivalgoers of all ages to try something new. As part of the Adventure Zones, Blue Ridge Cyclery returns with on-site bike demos, including E-bikes, mountain bikes, and Strider Bikes for kids on Tredegar Street near the river boat launch area, while a community mural project with Rachel DeFrank (@rva_muralist) invites attendees to jump in and create throughout the weekend. Visitors can also try bouldering, skateboarding, skimboarding, kayaking and stand up paddle boards in the river, join a group hike, and explore a variety of other activities—all free, courtesy of event partners. Beyond the Adventure Zones, festivalgoers can catch a live recording of the Richmond-based Vera House Podcast, another free opportunity to be part of the weekend’s experiences.

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is once again brewing its custom Riverrock Pale Ale, marking the fourth consecutive year of the festival beer. Available at Hardywood’s Pizza Kitchen & Taproom and throughout the festival, this year’s can design celebrates Richmond’s iconic riverfront. Bold Rock returns as the festival’s official hard seltzer provider.

Dominion Energy Riverrock, organized by Venture Richmond and Sports Backers, began in 2009 and is now the nation’s premier outdoor sports and music festival, bringing athletes, spectators, musicians, and even dogs to the Richmond riverfront for a three-day festival that highlights the proximity of Richmond’s urban downtown along the river.

The event serves to promote Richmond’s unique riverfront, downtown trails, and whitewater rapids to outdoor enthusiasts and introduce Richmond’s outdoor adventure opportunities to residents and visitors from around the country. As a result of the creation of Dominion Energy Riverrock, there is a stronger appreciation for the value of outdoor recreation throughout the entire Richmond region. More information on the festival, and the full music schedule, can be found at www.RiverrockRVA.com or on social media @RiverrockRVA.

Dominion Energy Riverrock is open to the public and is free to all spectators. For event registration and further information about Dominion Energy Riverrock 2026 please visit www.riverrockrva.com.