Free Events & Festivals

If you have never experienced a free event at the River Common or Nesbitt Park, then you are in for a treat! We offer the best in award-winning, world-class entertainment, education & enrichment. Whether you come to enjoy an outdoor movie, to participate in a family fishing clinic or to improve your health at a fitness class, we promise you’ll find a program to meet your interest.

The Riverfront Parks Committee presents many diverse events each year, including the annual Riverfest Celebration and Children’s Chalk Festival, and welcomes more than 160,000 visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Susquehanna River. See the river in a whole new light and join us for one of our annual celebrations at America’s 16th oldest park: The River Common.

Series:

  • Concerts on the Commons
  • Under the Stars Movie Presentations
  • Outdoor Fitness & Dance Clinics
  • Environmental Programming
  • Educational Outreach

Special Events and Festivals:

  • Spring Circus Event (April)
  • Earth Day Along the Susquehanna (April)
  • Riverfest Celebration (June)
  • Independence Celebration (July)
  • Children’s ChalkFest (October)
  • Hydromania (October)
  • Winter Along the River (February)

Missed an Event?  Visit our media page to view snapshots of past events. Upcoming programs can be found on our events calendar!

Series

Concerts on the Commons feature the best in original music. Rock to Blues.  Jazz to Orchestra. You’ll hear this and more during our ‘homegrown’ music series.

The Riverfront Parks Committee invites you to pack snacks, lay down a blanket and enjoy a family flick on our dime!  See Hollywood cinema, outdoors and under the stars, at our summer Movie Presentations.

Outdoor Fitness and Dance Clinics are one of the most popular activities at the River Common. Join local fitness and dance instructors as they guide you through beginners classes of YOGA, ZUMBA, Crossfit, Salsa, Samba, Waltz, Ballroom and More!

Live Animal Programs, River Education and Survival Training are some of the many Environmental Programs that we host at the River Common or Nesbitt Park.  Learn more about our natural environments and area “wilds” by participating in these interactive lectures.

Riverfront Parks offers Educational Outreach aimed at our area’s youth. Children of all ages are invited to participate in enriching events that teach math, writing and other life-skills in our “classroom without walls” series.

Special Events and Festivals

The Spring Circus features clowns, stunt-men  and animals of all shapes and sizes.

Each year, RiverFest occurs along the banks of the Susquehanna River. Thousands of river enthusiasts turnout to paddle, kayak, canoe and recreate on the waterway. The annual event attracts more than 5,000 people and features musical entertainment, children’s activities and educational programming.

The Children’s Chalk Festival is a one-day public gathering of families, friends and art enthusiasts, where more than 2,000 participants converge to collaborate and create Pennsylvania’s largest chalk mural!

Each October, the Riverfront Parks Committee hosts a spooky night of Halloween Storytelling, with masked entertainers, classic tales and contemporary stories.

 

Recent News

New Date for Riverfest 2023 Announced

Riverfest 2023 is now August 12th and 13th! Join us for a day of food, entertainment, and activities in Nesbitt Park at Riverfest! Live Music, Children’s Scavenger Hunt,...

July 2023 »

Volunteers Needed for Riverfest 2023 – August 12 and 13!

Volunteers Needed! Volunteer with us on August 12th and/or 13th at Riverfest! Help is needed with set up, parking, and more. All volunteers will receive a free T-shirt....

July 2023 »

RIVERFEST POSTPONED!

Due to forecasted storms this weekend (all three days), including lightning, heavy rain, and wind, in the interest of public safety, the Riverfront Parks Committee is cancelling RiverFest....

June 2023 »