Red River Gorge festivals

Rocktoberfest 2026 Recap and 2027 Dates: The RRGCC's Climbing Festival

Updated October 13, 2026. Rocktoberfest 2026 ran Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11 at Land of the Arches Campground in Campton, KY. That matches the dates we inferred back in August, and the RRGCC's festival page confirms them.

Rocktoberfest 2026 Recap and 2027 Dates: The RRGCC's Climbing Festival: When is Rocktoberfest 2027?

The RRGCC has not announced 2027 dates. Here is our best read, with the reasoning, so you can judge it yourself.

The last three festivals ran Thursday through Sunday: October 10 to 13 in 2024, October 9 to 12 in 2025, and October 8 to 11 in 2026. Two patterns fit all three years, and they split in 2027:

Starting the second Thursday of October gives October 14 to 17, 2027.

Ending the Sunday before Columbus Day gives October 7 to 10, 2027.

If you want a cabin for the festival, watch rrgcc.org/rocktoberfest for the announcement. That page is the source of truth, and we will update this post when it changes.

Rocktoberfest 2026 Recap and 2027 Dates: The RRGCC's Climbing Festival: What happens at Rocktoberfest

Rocktoberfest is the RRGCC's annual festival and fundraiser. Expect clinics, guided climbs, gear vendors, competitions, live music and evening programs. Ticket money supports the RRGCC's work buying and caring for climbing land, including the new Cave Fork preserve.

Volunteers who work one shift get 50% off admission, bought at the registration booth when they check in.

Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest: Free Family Festival on the Red River, May 2027

The Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest is a free festival celebrating the Red River, the only river in Kentucky with a federal Wild and Scenic designation. Kentucky Waterways Alliance and Friends of Red River host it, and it raises money for river cleanups, environmental education and river access.

Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest: Free Family Festival on the Red River, May 2027: When is RiverFest 2027?

The festival is usually held on the third Saturday in May. The 10th annual RiverFest was Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Red River Gorge Kayaking in Stanton. Following the same pattern, we expect the 2027 festival on Saturday, May 15, 2027. That is our inference, so confirm the date and location with Kentucky Waterways Alliance before you plan around it.

Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest: Free Family Festival on the Red River, May 2027: What to expect

Recent festivals have had free live music, activities for kids and adults, yoga, clean water workshops, and food and drink vendors. Some years have included organized paddles or a canoe race, and the format changes from year to year.

Wild and Scenic Red RiverFest: Free Family Festival on the Red River, May 2027: Make a weekend of it

Mid-May is a great time in the Gorge, with green trees, wildflowers and mild nights. Spend the day on the river, then watch the sunset from a ridge before dinner.

Sources

• festival page
• Kentucky Waterways Alliance