River Falls Days 2026: Christmas in July
River Falls Days 2026: A Christmas in July Celebration to Remember
River Falls Days brought the community together for a weekend filled with hometown traditions, summer fun, and a little holiday magic sprinkled into July. From July 9–12, Heritage Park and downtown River Falls came alive with live music, family activities, great food, local vendors, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with friends and neighbors. This year’s “Christmas in July” theme added a festive twist to one of River Falls’ favorite summer celebrations — proving that a little holiday cheer belongs in every season!
The festival weekend was packed with something for everyone. Guests enjoyed delicious offerings from Food Alley, browsing local businesses and vendors at Meet River Falls, cheering on the River Falls Days Parade, and relaxing in the Beer Garden with friends. The Main Stage kept the celebration going with live performances throughout the weekend, creating the perfect soundtrack for a community gathering full of laughter, memories, and summer smiles.
Families found plenty of ways to join the fun, including kids’ activities, entertainment, games, performances, and community traditions that make River Falls Days special year after year. The weekend continued downtown on Sunday with the Car Cruze, Sip & Shop, and Open Container experience, bringing even more energy to historic Main Street before wrapping up with a spectacular fireworks finale at Hoffman Park.
Thank you to everyone who helped make River Falls Days a success — our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, performers, community partners, and everyone who attended. Your support is what keeps this tradition shining bright. Whether you wore a Santa hat, a Hawaiian shirt, or simply brought your summer spirit, you helped make River Falls Days a celebration our community will remember until we gather again next year!
Festival Favorites
Festival Food Alley
Food vendors will be open at the festival grounds during open festival hours Thursday through Saturday.
While we prepare for 2027, take a look at our Official 2026 Food Vendors!
The Candy Cloud
The Lemonade Shack
Meet River Falls
We have a wide variety of vendors coming in for you to experience! From services to products you’re sure to find something that meets everyone’s taste.
Event Date/Time:
Saturday, July 11, 2026, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM
River Falls Days Medallion Hunt Rules
Find the River Falls Days Medallion and Win $200! The hunt begins Monday, July 6th and runs through the festival until the medallion is found (or until the final deadline of Saturday, July 11th at 4:00PM).
About the Clues: There will be a total of 6 clues leading you to the hidden medallion. The first clue drops Monday, July 6th at 1:00 PM, and a new clue will be posted at 1:00 PM each day following on the River Falls Days website page and on our social media pages.
How to Claim Your Prize:
The Reward: If you are the first to find the medallion, you will win a $200 Visa Gift Card donated by Royal Credit Union!
To Claim: Follow the specific contact instructions listed on the physical medallion itself.
Age Limit: Winners must be 18 or older to claim the prize (younger hunters are welcome and encouraged to search if accompanied by an adult!).
The Big Moment: The winner will be officially recognized and awarded on the River Falls Days social media pages when the medallion has been found.
Important Legal & Safety Rules:
Strictly Public Property: The medallion is hidden entirely on public property within the City of River Falls (e.g., city parks, designated public trails). It is not hidden on private residential property, private business property, school district property, or inside municipal buildings.
Look, Don't Destroy: No digging, climbing, or disassembly of park equipment, landscaping, light fixtures, or structures is required. The medallion is accessible without causing any property damage. Please respect our beautiful city spaces!
Eligibility: River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau staff, Board Members, the Medallion Sponsor, and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.
Liability & Sportsmanship: The Chamber assumes no responsibility for accidents or injuries sustained by participants. Hunters are expected to practice good sportsmanship, stay safe, and respect fellow community members.
If Unfound: In the event the medallion is not located by Saturday, July 11th at 4:00 PM, the $200 prize will be rolled back into the Chamber's community event programming.
River Falls Days Parade
The River Falls Days Parade is packed with fun and you won't want to miss it! Parade participants are not required to utilize the theme but are encouraged!
Parade Awards:
Best Use of Theme
Best Visiting Royalty
Best Music Unit
Judges’ Choice Award
The 2026 River Falls Days Parade is sponsored, livestreamed, and recorded by our partners at River Falls SPORTS.
Beer Garden
Head over to the beer garden during open festival grounds hours to quench your thirst. Last call will be 30 minutes before the festival grounds close, nightly.
Thank you to the 2026 Beer Garden Sponsor, Ptacek's!
Downtown Car Cruze
Don't miss out as we line both sides of Main Street with cars of all kinds! It's just some good old fashioned fun. Bring your favorite summer ride, friends, and family to enjoy a great afternoon full of cars, music, bars & restaurants, and fun shops all in historic downtown River Falls!
Entries are first-come, first served. No registration fee.
Event Date/Time:
Sunday, July 12, 2026, 11:00AM - 3:00PM
2026 Main Stage Headliners
Jerryapolis
Saturday, July 11, 2026
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Official Schedule of Events
Official River Falls Days Brochure
Check out the Official River Falls Days Brochure, brought to you in partnership with O’Rourke Media Group! Keep scrolling to find the Official Festival Grounds Schedule of Events below.
Monday, July 6, 2026
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Thank You 2026 River Falls Days Sponsors!
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
• 3 Lakes Bookkeeping • Royal Credit Union • Quinn Motors of Ellsworth • River Falls Golf Club • River Falls State Bank • Security Financial Bank • Guinn, Vinopal & Zahradka, LLP •
Silver Sponsors
• Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services •
Bronze Sponsors
• Wendy Jo Stocker Photography •
Applications & Sign Ups
Volunteer
Join our amazing team of volunteers and get a front-row seat to all the fun, excitement, and celebration happening in our community!
As a volunteer, you'll have the chance to meet new people, build meaningful connections, and play a key role in bringing our events to life. We’re so grateful for your time and energy—and we can’t wait to welcome you to the team!
Meet River Falls
Looking to connect with the community and showcase your products or services? We're hosting a vibrant vendor and business fair at River Falls Days and invite you to participate! It's the perfect opportunity to engage with local customers in River Falls and the greater St. Croix Valley.
Submissions for 2026 are now closed.
Step 1: Complete the Application
Application Deadline: Monday, June 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM OR when 100 booths are registered.
Step 2: Final participation will be confirmed and invoiced via the email provided in the application on or by June 19, 2026.
Meet River Falls Information & Links:
View Meet River Falls Expectations & Guidelines
Local Events Submission
Submissions for 2027 are now open.
Submission Deadline: June 1, 2027
Want to be added to the Official River Falls Days 2027 Schedule of Events brochure? Please complete the online form with the details of your event and add your event to our event calendar to be featured in additional social media advertising.
Food Vendors
Submissions for 2026 are now closed.
Want to be an Official River Falls Days Food Vendor? Apply here to be featured Thursday-Sunday during open festival hours.
View the River Falls Chamber Concession Stand Guidelines Here
River Falls Days Parade
Event Date/Time:
Friday, July 10, 2026, 6:00 PM - Surrounding streets close at 5:00 PM
Submissions for 2026 are now closed.
Step 1: Complete the Application
Application Deadline: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM OR when 100 units are registered.
Step 2: Final participation will be confirmed and invoiced via the email provided in the application on or by June 12, 2026.
Parade Information & Links: