Hartford, CT | January 9, 2024:  Riverfront Recapture is pleased to announce that the 2024 event season will kick off with the Hartbeat Music Festival on June 22 and end with the Head of the Riverfront on Sunday, October 6. 

“Our events are one of the many ways we connect people with the Connecticut River,” said Michael Zaleski, President & CEO of Riverfront Recapture. “We’re proud of how they continue to grow, from the number of bands at the Hartbeat Music Festival to the record number of entries in last year’s Head of the Riverfront.”

Riverfront Recapture hosts hundreds of free events each year. A full schedule of events for 2024 will be announced in March, including concerts, plays, and fitness programs, along with some returning favorites and brand-new programming.

Hartbeat Music Festival
Saturday, June 22, 11 am – 9 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
The Hartbeat Music Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration of music and community that features local and regional bands on three stages, music-making activities, food, beer, and more. The 2024 lineup includes headliner Javier Colon, alum of the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music and winner of The Voice (Season 1), Adversity, the Balkun Brothers, Bap Pack, Bryan Alfred, Esor Rose, Ian D’Arcangelo, Jake Kulak & the Modern Vandals, JOATA, The KC Sisters, Kelsey Blackstone & Jason Lapierre, Khay Larhon, Mixed Company, Nathaniel Hintz, Nikita, Righteous Continental, Stattic, The Sparkle and Fade, Undercover Cameo, Ysanne, and Riverfront Recapture’s founding festival partner, The Professors of Sweet, Sweet Music.

Riverfront Food Truck Festival
Thursday, July 18 – Saturday, July 20, 11 am – 8 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
Whether you’re craving cupcakes and country music, poutine and pop, or just looking for a lobster roll and lawn games, you’ll find it at the Riverfront Food Truck Festival. Enjoy three days of music, beer, and delicious food from over 20 food trucks. 

Riverfront Recapture produces many events and acts as a partner for others, providing space, support, and staff to cultural organizations like the Taste of the Caribbean Arts & Culture CT, a partner since 2006. “The 19th annual Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival will bring even more Caribbean vibes to the riverfront this year as we work to provide an increased variety of food options and international performers,” said Marcia Whittingham, head of public relations for the Taste of Caribbean & Jerk Festival. “We’re looking forward to transforming Mortensen Riverfront Plaza into a Caribbean island for the day, complete with a carnival, a full day of music, and culture.”

Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival
Saturday, August 3, 1 – 9 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
Experience the island vibes of the Caribbean; no passport required. The Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival brings the Caribbean to you with a carnival, island cuisine, tropical drinks, and island rhythms performed by internationally renowned musicians. 

Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival
Saturday, August 17, 8 am – 4 pm, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Island cultures through traditional music and dance, hands-on art activities, food, and martial arts demonstrations on the upper plaza with community and club teams racing on the river. Register a team, or cheer on your favorite paddlers. Team registration will open in February.

Head of the Riverfront
Sunday, October 6, 8 am – 5 pm, Riverside Park & Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
The Head of the Riverfront brings head-style competition on the Connecticut River for high school, collegiate, and Masters rowers. The Head of the Riverfront is a USRowing Registered Regatta. Every USRowing-sanctioned event is led by a jury of USRowing-trained and certified officials, and registration with USRowing designates the regatta as a nationally recognized safe and fair event. The 2023 Head of the Riverfront was our largest regatta yet, with nearly 800 entries from 76 clubs and schools, bringing 4,500 athletes and 10,000 spectators to Hartford. Registration will open in August. 

Sponsors: Riverfront Recapture’s free events are made possible by grants and sponsors. Learn more about partnering with Riverfront Recapture by contacting Debbie Baker, Director of Development by email. 

Vendor registration will open for all events on February 1.