New RiverBeat festival to debut in downtown Waltham 

A new riverfront festival is set to launch in downtown Waltham this summer.

The Downtown Waltham Partnership in collaboration with the Waltham Chamber of Commerce will host the inaugural Waltham RiverBeat on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event will take place along the Charles River, centered on the Moody Street Bridge and surrounding riverfront areas.

Organizers say the festival will feature live music, artisan vendors, food and community activities, with programming both on land and on the water. The event celebrates Waltham’s creativity and diversity while drawing residents and visitors to the city’s downtown and riverfront.

River-based events will include canoe races hosted by Charles River Canoe & Kayak, also known as Paddle Boston, and historical paddling tours led by the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association’s Norumbega Chapter. The Waltham Land Trust will offer walking tours focused on the area’s natural and cultural history.

Two stages will showcase local and regional musicians throughout the day. A curated marketplace will highlight local artists and makers, alongside a range of multicultural food vendors.

The event picks up the mantle from Riverfest, a riverfront festival held in Waltham from 2009 to 2024. A planned Riverfest in 2025 was canceled, as previously reported by The Waltham Times. Later that year, organizers introduced the concept of RiverBeat and invited public input as planning got underway.

Organizers are seeking volunteers and sponsors to support the festival. Volunteer sign-ups and additional information are available on the event’s website.

Funding for RiverBeat includes support from the Waltham Cultural Council, the Waltham Tourism Council, Stanton Insurance Agency Inc., Beacon Bank, the Jones Partnership Fund at First Parish in Waltham, The Village Bank and Watertown Savings Bank.