For generations of reggae fans, Reggae on the River has existed as more than a festival. It’s a pilgrimage — a place where roots, resistance, and community converge beneath the redwoods. Now, after years of anticipation, the legendary gathering is officially set to return August 14–16, 2026, reclaiming its home at County Line Ranch in Piercy, California.
Few festivals in the United States carry the cultural weight that Reggae on the River does. Born in the early 1980s as a grassroots fundraiser for the Mateel Community Center, the event grew organically alongside the American reggae movement itself. Over four decades later, it remains one of the longest-running reggae festivals in the world — and one of the most deeply respected.
From its earliest days, Reggae on the River has stood for something larger than lineup hype or trend-chasing. The festival has consistently centered authentic Jamaican music, sound system culture, and the genre’s long-standing ties to social consciousness and unity. Its influence has stretched far beyond Northern California, shaping how reggae is experienced and understood across the U.S.
That legacy is written into the festival’s history. The Reggae on the River stage has hosted a lineage of genre-defining artists, including Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Ziggy Marley, Buju Banton, Shaggy, and Luciano — artists who didn’t just perform reggae, but helped define its global voice.
While the full 2026 lineup has yet to be revealed, organizers promise a carefully curated blend of international icons and emerging artists, spanning roots reggae, dancehall, dub, world beat, and contemporary reggae. If history is any indication, the programming will prioritize depth, intention, and lineage over flash — a hallmark that has kept the festival vital for decades.
But Reggae on the River has always been about more than what happens onstage. Set along the banks of the Eel River and framed by towering redwoods, the festival’s environment is inseparable from its spirit. Days are filled with music drifting between stages, while nights turn into communal gatherings shaped by rhythm, reflection, and shared space.
The 2026 edition will expand on that immersive experience with multiple stages of nonstop music, cultural and wellness-focused workshops, artisan markets, and a wide range of local and international food vendors. Riverside camping remains central to the experience, reinforcing the sense that Reggae on the River is not just attended — it’s lived.
Tickets for Reggae on the River 2026 go on sale Wednesday, January 14, 2026, via the festival’s official website. Given the event’s history of selling out, early purchase is strongly encouraged.
In an era where many legacy festivals have faded or lost their identity, Reggae on the River’s return feels especially meaningful. It’s not just a comeback — it’s a reaffirmation of reggae’s enduring power to bring people together, grounded in culture, history, and community.
For lineup announcements, ticket information, and festival updates, visit
reggaeontheriver.com.
