SUNBURY RIVER FESTIVAL RETURNS AUGUST 14 AND 15

Sunbury’s 38th Annual River Festival Returns with Expanded Family Fun, Live Entertainment, and New Experiences Across Downtown

SUNBURY, PA – July 28, 2026 – Sunbury's Revitalization, Inc. (SRI) is excited to welcome residents and visitors back for the 2026 Sunbury River Festival, taking place Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 in Riverfront Park and downtown Sunbury. This year's festival features expanded family activities, live music, local vendors, delicious food, fireworks, and the return of the River Fest Car Show, offering something for every age to enjoy.

With activities taking place throughout Cameron Park and Market Street, the Front Street Play Station, and the M&T Bank Riverfront Stage, visitors are encouraged to spend the weekend exploring everything Sunbury has to offer while celebrating at the confluence of the West and North Branches of the Susquehanna River.

Cameron Park & Market Street

The heart of the festival can be found in Cameron Park and along Market Street. Throughout the weekend, visitors can browse dozens of artisan and food vendors, enjoy performances on the Cole's Hardware Community Stage, and experience family friendly entertainment.

Friday, August 14 (4:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
The Vendors Market opens in Cameron Park at 4:00 pm, with the Touch a Truck event on Market Street until 9:00 pm. The Cole's Hardware Community Stage features music by Galactic Sound System throughout the evening. At 5:00 pm, enjoy Clyde Peeling's Reptiland, followed by line dancing with Denny Starr beginning at 6:00 pm.

Saturday, August 15 (10:00 am to 9:00 pm)
Saturday features the return of the Sunbury River Fest Car Show along Market Street from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, showcasing a wide variety of classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Vehicle registration takes place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, judging runs from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, and awards will be presented at 3:00 pm on the Cole's Hardware Community Stage.

Throughout the day, the Cole's Hardware Community Stage will feature Frontier Life by Hope Kopf at 10:00 am, the Imaginary Friends Puppet Show at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, Magic Show by Julie Hou at 12:00pm, and Car Show Awards at 3:00 pm, and Moyer's Dance Institute at 3:30 pm. Throughout the day, families can also enjoy free face painting, Air Weaver Balloons, puppet making workshops, and plenty of shopping at the Vendors Market, open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

River Fest Car Show

Returning by popular demand, the River Fest Car Show will once again transform Market Street into a showcase of classic and unique vehicles on Saturday, August 15 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Sponsored by Sunbury Motor Company, Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, and Zimmerman Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram Truck, the show features 10 award categories, including Antique, Classic, Almost Classic, New Cars, Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, Tuner/Imports, 2WD Trucks, 4WD Trucks, and Motorcycles. Registration is $15 per vehicle and includes a dash plaque while supplies last along with the chance to win door prizes. 

Registration runs from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, judging takes place from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, and awards begin at 3:00 pm at the Cole's Hardware Community Stage in Cameron Park. Participants should enter the show from the corner of North 4th and Market Street, where vehicles will be parked in order of arrival before registering at the SRI tent.

Front Street Play Station

Families will find even more to do this year at the Front Street Play Station sponsored by Lackawanna College. Open Friday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, the play area features bounce houses, yard games, the Armored Combat Tournament hosted by the Susquehanna Hellions. Saturday brings even more excitement with the Green Horse Farm Petting Zoo, Pedal Tractor Pulls, and a live Dungeons & Dragons experience in partnership with Celestial Water Games, making the Play Station a destination for families throughout the weekend.

M&T Bank Riverfront Stage

Sponsored by M&T Bank, the Riverfront Stage brings live music to the banks of the river, creating the perfect place for festivalgoers to relax, enjoy the waterfront, and experience some incredible local entertainment. Whether you're arriving by boat or strolling down from Market Street, the Riverfront Stage offers a scenic backdrop for a weekend of music and celebration. 

Friday night features Video Daze, bringing an energetic 80s tribute performance from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with guests encouraged to wear their favorite 80s attire.

On Saturday, The Night Howls take the stage at 3:30 pm, followed by Hank the Buffalo at 6:00 pm The festival concludes with a fireworks display sponsored by the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau over the Susquehanna River, providing the perfect ending to a full weekend of celebration.

"This year we really challenged ourselves to find new ways to make the River Festival even more enjoyable while keeping the traditions people look forward to every summer," said Sarah Bower, Downtown Manager for Sunbury's Revitalization, Inc. "The festival is an invitation to ThinkSunbury! We hope visitors come for the music, the food, the family activities, or the car show, but leave inspired to come back and explore everything our downtown has to offer throughout the year. If someone leaves saying, 'I didn't realize Sunbury had all of this,' then we've accomplished exactly what we set out to do." 

Sunbury River Festival would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, performers, vendors, and the many individuals who help bring this celebration to life each year. Sunbury's Revitalization, Inc. extends its sincere appreciation to M&T Bank, Cole’s Hardware, Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, Diversified Construction, Meck-Tech, Inc., Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, Sunbury Motor Company, Fulton Bank, Service Electric Cablevision, T. Ross Brothers Construction, 7 Mountains Media, AdOne Advertising & Design, Lackawanna College, Zimmerman Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram Truck and our community partners, JLO Giving Fund, UPMC, and Weis Markets, for their continued support and commitment to making the Sunbury River Festival possible.