Roots reggae icon Burning Spear is set to headline Reggae on the River 2026, returning to Humboldt County for what promises to be one of the festival’s most meaningful moments in decades. The event will take place August 14 through 16 at County Line Ranch, continuing its long-standing tradition as one of the most important reggae gatherings outside of Jamaica.
Born Winston Rodney in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, Burning Spear has spent more than five decades shaping the foundation of roots reggae. Deeply influenced by the teachings of Marcus Garvey and emerging from the same cultural landscape as Bob Marley, his music has consistently carried messages of African history, identity, and spiritual consciousness.
His 1975 album Marcus Garvey remains one of the most important releases in reggae history, helping define the genre’s sound and message on a global scale. He followed it with a run of landmark records including Man in the Hills, Dry & Heavy, Social Living, and Hail H.I.M., all of which further cemented his reputation as one of reggae’s most powerful voices.
Over the course of his career, Burning Spear has released more than twenty albums and earned multiple Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album, including Calling Rastafari, Free Man, and Jah Is Real. His contributions have also been recognized by the Jamaican government with the Order of Distinction, one of the nation’s highest honors.
Beyond accolades, his impact is rooted in the message. Songs like “Marcus Garvey,” “Slavery Days,” and “Columbus” continue to resonate as cultural statements that connect reggae to broader conversations around history, resistance, and liberation. His live performances, known for their spiritual depth and intensity, have made him a defining presence on stages around the world.
That legacy is deeply tied to Reggae on the River itself. Since the festival’s early years, Burning Spear’s appearances along the Eel River helped establish the event as a global destination for reggae music. For many longtime attendees, his sets remain some of the most powerful moments in the festival’s history.
His return in 2026 marks a full circle moment for both the artist and the community. It not only honors the roots of the festival, but also reinforces its role as a space where reggae’s past, present, and future come together.
This year’s lineup continues to reflect that balance. Artists currently announced include The Movement, Kabaka Pyramid, Don Carlos, Jah9, Samory I, Big Mountain, Mystic Marley, and Mighty Mystic, among many others, with additional artists still to be announced.
For more than four decades, Reggae on the River has brought together world-class music with the natural beauty of Northern California’s redwoods and river valleys. With Burning Spear back at the top of the bill, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the most historic yet.
Tickets and additional information are available now at reggaeontheriver.com.
