Occoquan's beloved summer kickoff returns this weekend — and it's one of the best reasons to head south on Route 123. The RiverFest & Craft Show fills historic downtown Occoquan with hundreds of talented artisans from across the region, with everything from fine art to beautiful woodworking on display. Meet the creators behind the work and discover the stories that make each piece special.
Families will love Conservation Alley — a lively spot filled with arts, crafts, and sustainability-focused vendors. And River Mill Park serves up great food, drinks, and live music with unbeatable river views — a perfect spot to relax and soak in the weekend.
Free admission. Both days run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No tickets required — just show up.
📍 Historic Downtown Occoquan, 314 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA 22125
Occoquan Festivals 2026 sign): Occoquan RiverFest & Craft Show returns June 6–7, 2026. Photo: The Woodbridge Gazette
Historic downtown Occoquan, Virginia. Photo: Domenic Clementi.
Getting There & Parking
The Town of Occoquan is located less than a mile from I-95, just 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. During the festival, ALL streets and parking in the historic district are closed to accommodate 300+ vendors. Plan ahead — arrive early or use the shuttle.
From Woodbridge: Take Route 123 south toward Occoquan — about 10 minutes. From I-95, take Exit 160 (Route 123/Gordon Boulevard) and follow signs to historic Occoquan.
Free Parking Lots
Three free parking lots serve the festival with shuttle service. Shuttles run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, generally every 15–20 minutes.
🟣 Purple Lot — Lake Ridge Commuter Lot
Corner of Old Bridge & Minnieville Roads, Lake Ridge, VA
Shuttle stop: Commerce St. & Washington St.
1.5 miles from town. Not recommended for walking — limited sidewalks and steep incline.
🟢 Green Lot — Route 123 Commuter Lot (Best for walkers)
Corner of Rt. 123 & Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, VA
Shuttle stop: Footbridge stop by River Mill Park
🟡 Yellow Lot — Workhouse Arts Center
9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079
Shuttle stop: Under the Rt. 123 Bridge
1.2 miles from town. Wheelchair accessible shuttle available here both days, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shuttle Passes
Shuttle fare: $10 per person, round trip. Children 12 and under ride FREE. Passes are good for both days.
Buy your shuttle pass in advance — cash accepted on site, or purchase by credit/debit card online.
All passes are round-trip only. Dogs are not permitted on shuttles (service animals welcome).
Guest Drop-Off & Accessibility
Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility: The Yellow Shuttle Stop is the flattest drop-off area. Use 121 Poplar Lane, Occoquan, VA for GPS navigation.
Drop-off is also available at the Purple Shuttle Stop at Commerce St. & Washington St. — note a small incline down to Mill Street.
Accessible parking is available in town on a first-come, first-served basis for those with state-issued accessible placards.
VIP Packages
Want to upgrade your RiverFest experience? VIP packages are available.
Full Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 6
🛶 Kayak Tours — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
🧒 Dig It! Kid's Zone — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🦙 Meet the Alpacas — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🛍️ Artisans, Vendors & Food — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🎵 Starwish Music Student Showcase — 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
🎸 Live Music: The Paper Airplanes — 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
🍺 Beer Garden — 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 7
🛍️ Artisans, Vendors & Food — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🦙 Meet the Alpacas — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🧒 Dig It! Kid's Zone — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🚤 Boat Tours — 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🎸 Live Music: 2MB The Band — 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
🍺 Beer Garden — 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🦆 Duck Splash — 2:00 p.m.
Vendor Highlights
Over 300 artisan vendors fill the streets of historic downtown Occoquan this weekend. Here's a taste of what you'll find:
🍫 Food & Drink — Potomac Chocolate, Great Harvest Bread Company, True Honey Teas, Bad Ass Pickles, Golden Nibbles, Out Of The Grey Coffee, Hopkins Honey Staunton, Lavel's Legacy BBQ Sauce, Blazing Bella Balsamic & Olive Oil, Daily Dose Organics, Lazy Bee Bakery, Mar Mar Foods
🎨 Art & Photography — Georgia Harlow Art, Mark Summerson Photography, Dennis Allio Art, Wild Ethos Photography, Arte Blanche Fine Arts, Chris Flick Illustration, Small Life Photography, Paint Ink Love
🏺 Pottery & Ceramics — Alissa Barbato Ceramics, Callison Mill Pottery, Maral Noori Ceramics, Peter Holden Pottery, Pottery By Megan, Clay Collectibles
💍 Jewelry — Troy Montana Jewelry, Miyoko Permanent Jewelry, Paris Love Jewelry, Tempo Alley Jewelry, Jerry's Jeweler, Laurabead
🪵 Wood & Crafts — Chris Bunn Woodworking, JS Woodworks, K&S Wood Crafts, Goode Wood Crafts & Nuts, Nottingham Bonsai
📚 Books & Literary — Cozy Calico Books, Hagerty Family Books, Circle Time Books, Printed Bookshop VA, Northern Virginia Writers Club, Amaryllis Author Collective
🌿 Wellness & Skincare — Earth Essentials by Erica, Serene Infusions, Sky Hollow Soaps, Young Living Essential Oils, Organic Allure
🐾 Pets — Tommy's Pawsh Shop, Maxxdoggtoyz, Pet Gear by Debbie, Hunter's Hands & Paws
Local to watch for: KidStrong Woodbridge is at Booth 678 & 679 — stop by and say hello if you've been reading about their upcoming Woodbridge opening in the Gazette!
River Activities — Book in Advance
🚤 Pontoon Boat Tours — Saturday & Sunday
Join Carefree Boat Club for a scenic 45-minute pontoon boat tour along the Occoquan River. Cruise past Heron's Haven, spot wildlife, and enjoy light refreshments on board. Tours are limited to 8 guests — space fills up fast.
• Tickets: $28 per person
• Recommended for ages 5+
• Life jackets provided — kids under 13 must wear them at all times
• Check in and sign waiver at the River Activities Ticket Hub
Saturday, June 6: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Sunday, June 7: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm
No 2pm tour on Sunday due to Duck Splash.
🛶 Historical Kayak Tours — Saturday Only
A one-of-a-kind experience — a one-hour historical kayaking tour led by Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta. Paddle the scenic river at a relaxed pace while hearing stories of the town's rich history and spotting local wildlife. All equipment included, light refreshments provided.
• Tickets: $28 per person
• All equipment included
• Recommended for ages 12+
• Paddlers must be able to maneuver independently
• Check in and sign waiver at the River Activities Ticket Hub
Saturday, June 6: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:15pm
🦆 Duck Splash — Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
The crowd favorite returns. Visit Occoquan is hosting the 2026 Duck Splash fundraiser — adopt a numbered rubber duck for $5, then head to the Town Dock at 2:00 p.m. to watch it race down the river with hundreds of other ducks. The first 10 ducks across the finish line win — first place takes home $500.
No boat tours run at 2pm Sunday due to Duck Splash.
🍺 Beer Garden & Live Music — River Mill Park
River Mill Park is the heart of the festival — spectacular river views, ample seating, yard games, food trucks nearby, and shade. New for 2026: extra seating and shade added for the summer event.
Food and drinks inside the park are provided by Occoquan's own Mill St. Draft Garden.
Beer Garden hours: Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🎸 Saturday — The Paper Airplanes, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Northern Virginia based rock band.
🎸 Sunday — 2MB The Band, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Classic vibes with a modern twist.
Mill Street in historic downtown Occoquan. Photo: Domenic Clementi.
Where to Eat & Drink
🍽️ Town Restaurants
Occoquan's year-round restaurants are open during the festival — perfect for a sit-down meal or something to go.
Baba & Me — 201 Union St
Ballywhack Shack Cafe — 126 Commerce St
Bottle Stop Wine Bar — 311 Mill St
Cock & Bowl — 302 Poplar Alley
D'Rocco's Restaurant — 301 Mill St
Graffiti Cat Pizza — 304 Mill St
Madigan's Waterfront — 201 Mill St
Mill St. Draft Garden — 200 Mill St
Mill Street Sweets — 305A Mill St
Nazbro Chocolates — 309 Mill St
Potomac Chocolate — 304 Mill St
Riverside Pizza Factory — 313 Mill St
Thai Ghang Waan Occoquan — 416 Mill St
The Artisan Butcher of Occoquan — 202 Commerce St
The Golden Plum — 126 Commerce St
The Secret Garden Cafe — 404 Mill St
Zorba's Grill — 201 Union St #102
🚚 Street Eats
West: Atlantic Barbecue · Cousins Maine Lobster · Ello · Healthfoodnut · Hellenic Kouzina Greek Cafe · Khaja Ghar · Lyndzi's Ice Cream · Our Waffle Creations · Pakos Fresh Mex · Thai Ghang Waan · The Sweet Spot
East: Bing Spot · Gong Cha Springfield · Totally Nutz · L & N Cakes · Lameera Ice Cream · My Alfajor LLC · Tembo Mobile Coffee · Thai Thai · Uncle Kebba's Lemonade · Wild Bill Sodas · Yume Asian Fusion
South: A.M. Kettle · Kona Ice · Mo's Fried Chicken & Smash Burgers · That's a Wrap
🍹 Sip & Stroll — Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grab a drink and stroll the historic district. Visitors 21+ may purchase alcoholic beverages from a participating restaurant and carry it within the festival limits. Ask any of these restaurants for a "to-go":
D'Rocco's Restaurant — 301 Mill Street
Madigan's Waterfront — 201 Mill Street
Mill St. Draft Garden — 200 Mill Street
👉 Full food and drink list: occoquanfestivals.com/eats
Know Before You Go
ATMs: Inside Madigan's Waterfront Restaurant at 201 Mill Street · At the VFW at 204 Mill Street
Restrooms: Located throughout the event area. See the Festival Map for specific locations.
First Aid: First Aid Tent located on Commerce Street during the festival.
Strollers: Permitted on shuttles — fold up before the bus arrives.
Dogs: Well-behaved, leashed dogs welcome at the festival. Not permitted on shuttles (service animals welcome). Bring water for the dogs to cool down.
Quiet Spaces
If you need a moment away from the noise:
• On the boardwalk near the town dock, behind 205 Mill Street
• At the far end of River Mill Park (note: live music plays at the other end noon–4 p.m. both days)
Lodging
Staying the weekend? Several area hotels are nearby: Hampton Inn · Fairfield Inn · TownPlace Suites · Quality Inn · Courtyard Potomac Mills · Country Inn & Suites · Home2 Suites
AirBnbs are also available in Occoquan — check airbnb.com for options.
Public Safety & Road Closures
All streets within the festival area close promptly at 8:00 a.m. both days and do not reopen until 6:00 p.m. at the earliest. Parking restrictions begin Friday, June 5 at 9:00 p.m.
Red Zone A (Mill Street, Union St, Ellicott St, Washington St, Commerce St): Closed to all traffic Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed to through traffic midnight to midnight.
Orange Zone B (Center Lane, 100 block Commerce St, Washington south of Commerce): Closed to through traffic Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Parking permits for under the Rt. 123 Bridge available starting June 2 at 9:00 a.m. at Town Hall. First come, first served. One per business/residence.
Emergency Contacts
🚨 Emergency: 911
📞 Non-Emergency: (703) 792-6500
📞 OPD Duty Phone: (571) 575-3188
📞 OPD HQ: (571) 492-7274
For official festival information visit occoquanfestivals.com.
The Woodbridge Gazette covers Woodbridge and Prince William County every Monday morning. Subscribe free at woodbridgegazette.com.