Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) invites everyone to their 4th annual River Fest, a FREE, all-ages, open-air environmental arts and community festival at the scenic LA State Historic Park on Sunday, August 3, from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. A celebration of the LA River through the arts, RiverFest will offer a variety of live music and dance performances, educational stations, and eco-activities for the whole family. The event will also feature top L.A. food trucks, and a marketplace with 50+ booths from local environmental, arts, Indigenous, and partner organizations like Water Replenishment District,, Heal the Bay, Parks Project, 100 Acre Partnership, and more. While free, registration is required. Registration is now open on FoLAR’s website.
FoLAR has amassed a significant grouping of raffle prizes including tickets to Universal Studios, NEMO camp chairs, private behind-the-scenes tour of Theodore Payne Foundation, one-of-a-kind pottery, gift cards to Suay LA and Doto Restaurant; and items from Patagonia, ZeroWasteStore, humangear (reusable items), and more.
RiverFest this year will also promote FoLAR’s fundraising goal of $20,000 to help power the return of the River Rover, FoLAR’s ever-popular mobile visitor and education center that takes the River to the people!
This is a large event with 1,000 Angelenos expected. A limited number of VIP tickets are available, which includes access to VIP parking, VIP check-in, a RiverFest VIP lounge with seats and tables, VIP seating in front of the stage, one drink ticket for VIP attendees 21 or older, five raffle tickets, and a RiverFest VIP bag, valued at over $200, including gifts from brands like Art Spark, Dr. Bronners, Parks Project and Ethique.
WHO: FoLAR Executive Director Candice Dickens-Russell.
Performers include Latin Grammy-nominated Alih Jey (@alihjey), Azteca dance company Xipe Totec, Ballet Folklorico (@balletfolkloricoaztlan), Brandon Paul (@brandonpaulmusic_), Asian-American improv troupe Cold Tofu, poetry by Arielle Estoria, performances by School of Rock Venice, and DJ sets from DJ Dominiq. Interactive environmental art activities for the whole family led by Frogtown Arts, Forager Crafts, LA River Arts, and much more.
RiverFest was created to reflect FoLAR’s values, offering a more equitable and accessible community celebration of both FoLAR and the River that runs through so many of the region’s communities. This ultimately supports FoLAR’s mission to build capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature, climate, and equity on the LA River.
RiverFest will help power the return of the River Rover. FoLAR’s mobile visitor and education center is in need of critical repairs, and the organization is inviting the community to support its Keep the River Rover Rolling campaign. The River Rover brings the LA River to schools, libraries, and neighborhoods across the region, offering an immersive, hands-on experience that helps people of all ages understand their watershed. FoLAR aims to raise $20,000 to repair the generator and get the Rover rolling again, starting with RiverFest.
The 2025 RiverFest is made possible through major supporters M2O, Niagara Cares, City of Long Beach, REI Co-op, David Burd Foundation (Lil Dicky), LADWP, Stantec, Water Replenishment District, Lamar Advertising Company, Subaru of Glendale, Harvard-Westlake School, Radford Studio Center, LA City Council District 4, the Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge, City National Bank, Art Spark, Banners & More, and TIL Events.
WHEN:
TIME: 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Main Stage Schedule below, subject to change:
RiverFest Stage Run of Show
2:00: PM DJ Dominiq
2:20: PM Opening Remarks
2:30: PM School of Rock – Band
3:15: PM Mariachi Arco Iris de Los Angeles – Band
4:00: PM Ballet Folklorico – Dance Group
4:30: PM Arielle Estoria – Spoken Word Artist
4:45: PM Cold Tofu – Comedy Improv
5:30: PM Brandon Paul – Singer/Musician
6:15: PM Alih Jey – Latin Grammy Nominated Singer
7:15: PM XIPE TOTEC AZTECA DANZA – Dance Group
7:50: PM Closing Remarks
The event is beig held at the Los Angeles State Historic Park 1245 N. Spring St., Los Angeles.
*FoLAR will have Community Safety team members stationed at all entrances.
DIRECTIONS & PARKING: Please visit FoLAR’s RiverFest website for more information. (https://folar.org/)
General Admission is FREE but registration is required.
VIP Tickets – $125
All attendees can register at https://support.folar.org/event/riverfest-2025/e695195