Smoky Hill River Festival 2025 in Kansas

Smoky Hill River Festival is held in Salina, Kansas, on the weekend that includes the second Friday of June. The Festival, taking place at Oakdale Park, includes the Fine Art and Craft Show with over 130 artists as well as three stages of entertainment, including bands and artists of diverse musical styles. The festival also offers family-friendly activities and the Food Row with over 30 vendors.

Artists

The main highlight of the Smoky Hill River Festival is a juried art show attracting talented artists from coast to coast. Attendees' total purchases of artwork amount to more than $500,000 annually. The festival showcases about 20 art installations scattered throughout the park. In addition, eight artisans are featured for high-quality original artwork in an Art/Craft Demonstration Area. Exhibitors' show hours are from 10 am to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

Live Music

Live music is a main crowd-pleaser at the Smoky Hill River Festival. With over 40 bands playing from 11 pm till 10 pm on three stages, there's something for every taste: from rock to folk, reggae, funk, and jazz. A unique musical feature of the festival, Festival Jam, usually takes place at 6 pm on Eric Stein Stage. 17 bands of diverse musical styles change every 15 minutes. The Jam lineup mostly features local and regional bands.

Kids Entertainment

The Artyopolis Kids’ Area offers plenty of activities for children, families, and the young at heart. Free attractions include entertainment at Arty’s Stage, fun at Lego Lane, airbrush tattoos and face painting at Paintchoo Plaza, make-and-take projects at Creation Crossing, and games at Game Street. First Treasures purchases are $5 or less for children ages 4-13 on Saturday only.

Hours and Ttickets

Smoky Hill River Festival runs from 4 pm to 10 pm on Thursday, from 10 am to 10 pm on Friday, from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday, and from 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. 4-day festival wristbands are $15 if purchased online and $20 at the gate. A daily wristband is $10. Children 11 and under get in for free.

Festival History

Smoky Hill River Festival was inspired by a 1976 Street Fair, which was held during Salina’s Bicentennial celebration. The event was so successful that a new fair was born: Smoky Hill River Festival was first held in Oakdale in Park in June 1977. After the first decade, the festival shifted its focus to arts and added the Fine Arts Show, Four Rivers Craft Market, and Artists In Action installations across the park. Over the years, the festival featured Steep Canyon Rangers, That1Guy, Jakubi, and Larkin Poe. The four-day celebration of arts has become one of the most important cultural events in the region. The festival attracts 60,000 attendees each year.