Riverbend Festival

Words from the Festival

"The Riverbend Festival, or called Riverbend (named for the bend in the Tennessee River) by locals, was started in June 1982 as a five night festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We are now celebrating over 35 years as Chattanoogas premier event. The annual festival now goes on for eight nights and ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals.The International Festivals and Events Association haspresented the festival with several awards, including 7in 2015. Attendance continues to grow for the festival and now some individual nights attract 90,000 people, with 350,000 people attending over the 8 day period. Theres a wide varietyof performers covering almost every music genrethat perform at the festival. The 5stages set along the backdrop of the Tennessee River at Rosss Landing, also known as the Scenic Citys front porch.

About one hundred acts perform each year on the multiple stages. Headline performers are featured on the Coca-Cola Stage, a barge which has been converted into a full concert stage. The barge floats just off shore against a large collection of amphitheater seats built into a hillside at the waters edge. Major companies, such as Chevrolet, Unum, Coca-Cola, and Budweiser and Tennessee Valley Credit Union sponsor the other stages throughout the festival.

Riverbend admission is available for a discounted price in local Chattanooga outlets beginning in May until midnight before the festival opens. Once the festival opens, admission can only be purchased at the festival for the gate price. Nightly admission wristbands are available at the gate as well as regular general admission which gains festival access for all eight days. Concessions are purchased using a token system and street vendors offer everything from food and beverages to souvenirs and artisan crafts."