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Riverfront music, food, and sternwheels in Charleston
Celebrate July 2–5, 2026 at Charleston’s Sternwheel Regatta—riverfront concerts, food vendors, and classic sternwheel charm on the Kanawha River.
Event details
Charleston’s Kanawha riverfront transforms into a massive summer party during this multi-day festival (typically early September, Labor Day weekend) when historic sternwheel boats, live music on multiple stages, food vendors, and fireworks create the state capital’s biggest annual celebration. The event runs Thursday through Sunday with free admission to riverfront activities, featuring decorated sternwheel boat races on Saturday, headline concerts on the main stage, regional food trucks and craft beer tents, and a spectacular fireworks finale Sunday night. Crowds can reach 60,000 over the weekend, with peak energy Saturday afternoon and evening when boats parade past spectators and live music runs continuously.
Families with older kids and teens, couples seeking city festival atmosphere, and groups looking for multi-day entertainment will find the regatta balances riverside activities with downtown dining and nightlife options within walking distance. The Kanawha Boulevard location keeps everything concentrated along a mile-long stretch of riverfront, making it easy to move between music stages, food vendors, and boat viewing areas. Plan to spend 4-6 hours each day if you want to catch major events, or drop in for specific concerts and boat races.
Book downtown Charleston hotels early since rooms fill months in advance, and consider staying within walking distance of the riverfront to avoid parking challenges and traffic. Arrive mid-morning to explore vendor areas before afternoon heat and crowds peak, and bring blankets or chairs for riverside seating during concerts. September weather in Charleston typically runs warm (70s-80s) with occasional rain, so pack layers and a light rain jacket. After daytime festival activities, explore Charleston’s craft breweries, Capitol Street restaurants, and historic districts before returning for evening headliners and fireworks. The regatta works perfectly as an anchor for a full Charleston weekend combining river festival energy with state capitol tours, local shopping, and the kind of city culture that makes West Virginia’s capital feel surprisingly vibrant.
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