RioFest: Monte Rio's Free Community Music Festival

Now in its 6th year, RioFest is Monte Rio's free, family-friendly music festival, hosted by The Friends of Monte Rio. On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the Monte Rio Amphitheater comes alive with live music, local food, community booths, and the kind of day that reminds you why the lower Russian River is such a special place to be.

RioFest is free. No tickets necessary. All are welcome! RioFest's mission is to celebrate, foster, and strengthen the creativity, culture, and community of Monte Rio and the lower Russian River through a free, family-friendly music festival open to all.

What to Expect:

RioFest runs 12–6pm at the Monte Rio Amphitheater, with live music from start to finish. Four headline acts anchor the main stage, with local musicians, DJs, and community performers filling the time in between. Bring a blanket or a chair and settle in for the day.

Beyond the music, the grounds fill with booths from local nonprofits, artisans, and small businesses, many of whom are the backbone of the lower Russian River community. It's a chance to discover who's doing good work in the area and support them directly. Kids' Korner at the far end of the amphitheatre keeps younger attendees busy with games, face painting, snow cones, and popcorn. Food trucks are on site, including a Louisiana-style truck from a chef who recently appeared on Hell's Kitchen.

We truly have a lineup for everyone! This year's bill leads with Spike Sikes and His Awesome Hotcakes, a six-piece North Bay outfit whose blues-soaked, Van Morrison-influenced sound is the kind that fills an outdoor amphitheater naturally. Joining them are The Uninvited, voted Best Local Band in Diablo Magazine's Best of the East Bay 2025, bringing their sharp alternative rock back to the stage. The Okay Ultras bring together three Sonoma County vocalists, one with a pop/rock edge, one with serious stage presence, and one with jazz/funk roots. They've never performed together until now, making RioFest 2026 their debut performance. Rounding out the lineup is Subprime Mortgage, this year's Battle of the Bands winner, chosen by community vote. Between headliner sets, local musicians and DJs keep things moving.