RIVERGATE FESTIVAL
April 16-18, 2026
Join us in the heart of the Mississippi Delta for a weekend of art, music, contests, and loads of FUN! This makes over 33 years for this local Downtown Party, where everyone's invited.
Activities include a BBQ competition to rival all cook-offs, live entertainment all weekend long, and not to mention the best Crawfish this side of the Mississippi!
This festival is free to the public, with food & children's activities available for purchase.
You do not want to miss the 33rd Annual Rivergate Festival!
LIVE MUSIC
ALL WEEKEND!
Review our 2025 Music Schedule...
2026 schedule coming soon!
THURSDAY | APRIL 24
Mural Park Stage
6:00PM - 9:00PM | Bre Wooten
Rivergate Amphitheater Stage
5:00PM - 7:00PM | Honeyboy & Boots
7:30PM - 10:00PM | Shotgun Billy Trio
FRIDAY | APRIL 25
Mural Park Stage
5:00PM - 7:00PM | Delta Heart
7:30PM - 10:00PM | Keith Johnson and The Big Muddy Band
Rivergate Park Amphitheater Stage
5:00PM - 7:00PM | Black Dogg Band
7:30PM - 10:00PM | City Mix
SATURDAY | APRIL 26
Mural Park Stage
10:00AM - 1:00PM | Jason Foree Trio
1:30PM - 4:00PM | Grassfire Bluegrass Band
Rivergate Park Amphitheater Stage
10:00AM - 1:00PM | American Idol contestants Mary Aline, Freddie McClendon, and Katelyn Myers
1:30PM - 4:00PM | Bonfire Orchestra
A special thanks to our Main Stage Sponsors the Town of Tunica, and the Tunica CVB. The Gateway to the Blues Stage at Mural Park, sponsored by the Tunica County Convention & Visitors Bureau and AES Corporation will host a variety of local musicians that are proud to call The Delta home!
Crawfish Alley!
Over 15,000 pounds of Grade A Louisiana Crawfish
Last year the Crawfish Crew set a record by selling 16,000 pounds of Crawfish! Come out again this year to see what the crew is cookin' up.
In an effort to provide a better experience for all our guests, the Crawfish Crew is not allowing coolers to be brought in and filled with crawfish on Thursday or Friday. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this change.
SINGLE WRISTBAND: $60
SINGLE PLATTER: $20
Wristbands are good for 3 platters [crawfish, corn, potatoes, sausage, soft drink and water]
TITANIUM SPONSOR: $1,100
30 WRISTBANDS INCLUDES 3 FAST PASS BANDS
PLATINUM SPONSOR: $500
13 WRISTBANDS
GOLD SPONSOR: $300
6 WRISTBANDS
SILVER SPONSOR: $150
3 WRISTBANDS
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Whether you are a sponsor, donor, competitor, or volunteer, there are so many ways to participate in Rivergate Festival!
Keep scrolling to get involved!
food vendor SIGN-UP
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
Schedule of Events
Take a look at last year's itinerary!
Thursday, April 24, 2025
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Road closures on Edwards Avenue begins at noon for tent load in
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5:00pm – 10:00pm Live Music on the Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage
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5:00pm Crawfish Alley Opens
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5:00pm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Rivergate Park Improvement Project
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5:30pm Sponsors Reception - Invitation Only, and BBQ Teams pick their spots. BBQ Teams may load in directly after
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6:00pm – 8:00pm Live music at the Mural Park Stage
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11:00pm Rivergate Festival shuts down for the night
Friday, April 25, 2025
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Noon until 3pm: BBQ Teams, Children’s Area, Food Trucks, Arts and Crafts Booths load in.
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3pm: ALL VENDORS MUST BE LOADED IN AND MOVE THEIR VEHICLES IF NECESSARY
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4:00pm: Bounce Houses in Kid's Country Open - wristbands available for purchase!
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5:00pm: Crawfish Alley Opens
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5:00pm – 10:00pm Live Music on the Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage
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5:00pm - 10:00pm Live music on the Mural Park Stage
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11:00pm Festival begins to shut down
Saturday, April 26, 2025
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8:00am BBQ Teams may continue loading in
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9:00am BBQ Team Captain Meeting in Town Hall
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10:00am Arts and Crafts vendors, food vendors, and Children’s Activities start – all vehicles must be moved from the festival area at 10am on Saturday
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11:00am BBQ Judges Meeting
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11:00am Crawfish Alley opens
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11:00am - 1:00pm Drink Tickets available for purchase for People's Choice Bloody Mary and Margarita Tastings
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10:00am – 4:00pm Live Music on Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage
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10:00am – 4:00pm Live Music on Mural Park Stage
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3:00pm BBQ Results announced on Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage
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4:00pm Arts and Crafts vendors, food vendors, and Children’s Activities may load out.