This spring, the Richmond River will come alive with a month-long celebration of culture, community, and Country as Richmond RiverFest 2025 runs from 28 September to 26 October.
With 26 events across the catchment, RiverFest invites everyone to connect with the river and the communities that care for it.
Festival highlights include:
- Major community gatherings – Launch in Ballina for World Rivers Day (28 Sept), and the RiverTime Finale in Lismore (26 Oct).
- Hands-on restoration – Tree plantings, working bees, wetland restoration, and rehydration tours.
- Talks and forums – Community town halls and public forums on the future of the Richmond River.
- Cultural and creative activities – Art workshops, storytelling, and cultural sharing along the river.
- On-water fun – Outrigging, paddling, carp musters and the iconic tinnie trip from sea to source.
Where the river meets the sea
This Sunday, 28 September, Richmond RiverFest officially launches at Ballina, with a community celebration to mark World Rivers Day — a global day recognising the importance of healthy waterways.
‘Where the River Meets the Sea,’ brings together culture, music, talks and hands-on activities for all ages from 10:00am.
The launch features Welcome to Country, live music by NIDALA, storytelling and ‘river yarns’ with local voices, kids’ nature play, weaving, workshops, and the launch of ‘The Tinny Adventure.’ Fresh local seafood and a community BBQ will be available (gold coin donation).
Program highlights and times at Fawcett Park, Ballina:
- 10:00am — Welcome to Country.
- 10:30–10:55am — Healthy Country Needs Healthy People.
- 11:05–11:55am — Heal the Rivers: what’s happening in the Richmond.
- 11:55–12:30pm — NIDALA: Songs and stories of the river.
- 12:30–12:55pm — Understanding Fish Kills (OzFish).
- 1:05–1:45pm — River Yarns (Ella Noah Bancroft, Tom Wolff, Ballina Co-op, Dave Rastovich).
- 2:00–2:25pm — We can all be Riverkeepers.
- 2:30pm onwards — Restore the Richmond: The Tinny Trip. Two river champions, Graeme Gibson and Steve Posselt, are taking their tinnie from sea to source during RiverFest to spark action. They will also be appearing at public forums in Kyogle on 7 October and in Casino on 14 October to share stories and help build momentum to restore the river.
You can find out more about everything that’s happening on Sunday here.
Perfect moment
Richmond Riverkeeper spokesperson Zoe White said, ‘World Rivers Day is the perfect moment for our community to gather in Ballina — where the river meets the sea — and recommit to a drinkable, swimmable, fishable Richmond River.
‘RiverFest is about hope, action and looking after Country together.’
Ms White said everyone is welcome to get involved with the month-long program.
‘RiverFest invites everyone to connect with the river and the communities that care for it. From cultural weaving and kids’ nature play to talks with local experts, music and hands-on workshops, there’s something for everyone.
‘We invite the whole community to come along on Sunday, then keep the momentum going right across the month.’
Check out the full program of events here.
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