May 15, 2024: Riverfront Recapture has announced their 2024 line-up of free festivals, concerts, and fitness programs in their four riverfront parks. Riverfront Recapture’s parks and trails are open daily and welcomed more than 800,000 visitors in 2023.

“Our free, public events are one of the many ways people discover our beautiful parks and how we connect people with the Connecticut River,” said Michael Zaleski, President & CEO of Riverfront Recapture. “People attend our food truck festival and discover a new place to run, or join us for the Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival and learn that we offer learn-to-row classes.”

Riverfront Recapture hosts hundreds of free events each year. The season officially kicks off with Yoga Flow on the River, on Monday, June 3, at 6 pm, with free programming offered daily through August.

Signature Events

Hartbeat Music Festival

Saturday, June 22, 11 am - 9 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

The Hartbeat Music Festival is a free, family-friendly music and community celebration featuring local and regional bands on three stages, music-making activities, food, beer, and more. The 2024 lineup includes headliner Javier Colon, alum of the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music and winner of The Voice (Season 1), Adversity, the Balkun Brothers, Bap Pack, Bryan Alfred, Esor Rose, Ian D’Arcangelo, Jake Kulak & the Modern Vandals, JOATA, The KC Sisters, Jason Lapierre, Khay Larhon, Mixed Company, Nathaniel Hintz, Nikita, Righteous Continental, Stattic, The Sparkle and Fade, Undercover Cameo, Ysanne, and Riverfront Recapture’s founding festival partner, The Professors of Sweet, Sweet Music.

Riverfront Food Truck Festival

July 18, 19 & 20, 11 am - 8 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Whether you’re craving cupcakes and country music, poutine and pop, or just looking for a lobster roll and lawn games, you’ll find it at the Riverfront Food Truck Festival. Enjoy three days of live music, beer, and delicious food from over 20 trucks, as well as tastings, meet and greets, and cooking demos from renowned celebrity chefs Erica Blaire Roby and Rasheed Philips in the MoheganSunCasino.com Tent. Participating food trucks include Blue Chip Creamery, BriCins Festival Foods, Cerella’s Sweet Teas, Chompers, Clyde's Cupcakes, Cousins Maine Lobster, Da Caribbean Flavors, Gina’s Foods, Macken’s Sliders, Request a Chef, Scatz Twisted Phillyz, Smash Pad, Tacos los Mexicanos, The Rolling Roti, Twin Beaks Fried Chicken, Villa of Lebanon, Ydanis & Co and more.

Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival

Saturday, August 3, 1 - 9 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Experience the island vibes of the Caribbean; no passport required. The Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival brings the Caribbean to you with a carnival, island cuisine, tropical drinks, and island rhythms performed by internationally renowned musicians.

Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival

Saturday, August 17, 8 am - 4 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Celebrate Asian and Pacific Island cultures through traditional music and dance, hands-on art activities, food, and martial arts demonstrations on the upper plaza with community and club teams racing on the river. Register a team to compete, or join us and cheer on your favorite paddlers.

Head of the Riverfront

Sunday, October 6, 8 am - 5 pm, Riverside Park & Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

The Head of the Riverfront brings head-style competition on the Connecticut River for high school, collegiate, and Masters rowers. The Head of the Riverfront is a USRowing Registered Regatta. Every USRowing-sanctioned event is led by a jury of USRowing-trained and certified officials, and registration with USRowing designates the regatta as a nationally recognized safe and fair event. The 2023 Head of the Riverfront was our largest regatta yet, with nearly 800 entries from 76 clubs and schools, bringing 4,500 athletes and 10,000 spectators to Hartford. Registration will open in August.

Free Concerts

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

Thursdays beginning June 13, 6 pm Great River Park

Enjoy live music with a beautiful view at Sounds of Summer, a family-friendly concert series presented by Mayor Connor Martin and the Town of East Hartford. Pack a picnic dinner and bring the whole family. This year's lineup is June 13: Cover 2 Cover, June 20: Shaded Soul, June 27: The Score, July 11: Sound Pipers, July 18: La Invasion Secreta, July 25: Alvin Carter Project, August 1: Soul Sound Revue and August 8: Leaf Jumpers

Summer Pops

June 29 & July 13, 6 - 9 pm Great River Park

The Middletown Symphonic Band brings your favorite songs from Broadway and the big screen to our parks.

Changes in Latitudes

August 9, 6 pm Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

From "Margaritaville" to "Cheeseburger in Paradise," Changes in Latitude, a talented tribute band, will transport you to a tropical paradise with their authentic and energetic performances of Jimmy Buffett's classic songs. Expect a night of good vibes, sing-along moments, and margaritas!

Eagles Experience

August 23, 6 - 9 pm Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Get ready for a night of good times, great tunes, and a nostalgic journey through the Eagles' greatest hits performed by the Eagles Experience, the ultimate Eagles tribute band. From "Hotel California" to "Take It Easy," their spot-on harmonies and timeless melodies will transport you back to the golden age of classic rock.

Gospel Festival

August 24, 3 - 5 pm Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

The Gospel Festiva is an awe-inspiring celebration of faith, music, and unity! Prepare to be uplifted and inspired by an exceptional lineup of performers dedicated to spreading love and hope through their musical talents.

On the Water

Learn to Row Day

June 3, 10 am - 1 pm Riverfront Boathouse, Riverside Park

Test the waters at our rowing open house! This event is open to all future rowers, ages 12 and up, and is designed to introduce you to the incredible sport of rowing. Guided by our experienced coaches, you'll receive instructions on the fundamentals of rowing technique, boat handling, and teamwork. You'll have the opportunity to get hands-on experience on land, on ergs, and the Connecticut River in barges. Dress comfortably, and bring water.

Veterans Rowing & Kayaking

June 15, 9 - 11 am Riverfront Boathouse, Riverside Park

Calling all veterans and military service members! Explore the serene waters of the Connecticut River with our free rowing and kayaking sessions. Thanks to our partnership with the Connecticut Adaptive Rowing Program (CARP) and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, this program offers veterans with physical disabilities—including PTSD and/or visual impairments—an opportunity to enjoy outdoor leisure activities and boost their well-being. Classes will also be held on June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10 & 24, September 14 & 28. Classes are free, but registration is required. Contact Paige McCullough-Casciano at 860-714-2421 or email pmccullo@TrinityHealthOfNE.org for more information.

Free Fitness

Yoga Flow on the River

Mondays beginning June 3 Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, 6 - 7 pm

Connect with nature, stretch, and strengthen with instructors from Hartford Sweat! Bring a yoga mat and get ready to namaste.

WIP Into Shape

Tuesdays beginning June 4 Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, 6 - 7 pm

This feel-good, boot camp-style workout from WIP Fitness is designed to strengthen and tone using resistance bands and your body weight.

RiverBarre

Wednesdays beginning June 5 Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, 6 - 7 pm

Take the stage at lower Mortensen Riverfront Plaza for RiverBarre, our free total-body-toning workout class taught by instructors from Hartford Sweat. You’ll feel the burn through ballet-inspired exercises incorporating resistance bands, yoga stretching, and controlled breathing. Strengthen and sculpt your body and your mind!

RiverZumba

Thursdays beginning June 6 Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, 6 - 7 pm

Dance, dance, dance the day away at lower Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in this one-hour heart-pumping Zumba workout led by instructors from Hartford Sweat.

Going Paces

Thursdays beginning June 6 at 7 pm, Sundays beginning June 9 at 9 am Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Thursdays Train for your next 5K with EightSixGo, a Hartford-based inclusive running group.

Tai Chi

Saturdays beginning June 8 Great River Park, 10:30 - 11:30 am

Stretch and strengthen the mind and body through a beautiful series of easy-to-learn movements combined with breathing and self-acupressure.

Races along the River

Riverfront 5K($)

June 27, 6 pm Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Get a running head-start on the weekend at the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s Riverfront 5K. Cross the finish line of this 3.1-mile course for a cold craft beer, ice cream, and 5K swag.

Run for the Riverfront 5K($)

September 14, 8 am Riverside Park

Ready, set, sweat! Run, row, walk or erg 5K to support Riverfront Recapture's Community Rowing Program, which provides free rowing classes to Hartford and East Hartford youth.

Hartford HealthCare Community 5K($)

September 21, 8 am Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Run for the river in the second annual Hartford HealthCare Community 5K! This 5K will begin and end at the Hartford HealthCare Community Stage at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza and run along the Connecticut River through our beautiful parks.

Learn more about Riverfront Recapture’s parks, programs, events, and volunteer, vendor, and sponsorship opportunities at riverfront.org.

About Riverfront Recapture:

Riverfront Recapture is a nonprofit (501c3) organization that manages, operates, maintains, and activates four connected parks covering 148 acres along 3.5 miles of the Connecticut River. Riverfront Recapture has been fulfilling its mission to connect people with the Connecticut River for 40 years. Since 1981, Riverfront Recapture has led the effort to reconnect with the river in ways that enhance quality of life and make the region a better place to work, live, and play. The creation of Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Downtown Hartford, Charter Oak Landing in South Hartford, Great River Park in East Hartford, and the restoration of Riverside Park in North Hartford has given millions of people access to Connecticut's most beautiful natural resource. Riverfront Recapture offers year-round access to vibrant riverfront parks, a seasonal calendar of events, home to one of New England’s largest community rowing programs, and outdoor activities. Riverfront Recapture's dedication to the bold vision of a beautiful riverfront park system acquisition of 60 acres of riverfront land on the Hartford-Windosr town line to build a new community park.