While the preparation for Hastings Rivertown Days takes the majority of the year, the runup to the event is when the rubber hits the road for Hastings Chamber of Commerce President Kirsty Barse: The last three weeks are non-stop prep for chamber staff,” said Barse.  

For nine months out of the year work is done across committees to organize scheduling, coordinate bands and food vendors, and architect the three-day music festival that takes over Hastings’ downtown each summer.  

From food trucks to carnival rides to, of course, the many, many bands that will be playing throughout the weekend, “there’s something for everyone,” said Barse.  

New this year, is the expansion of stages on Friday night. All three stages will open on Friday, with the music kicking off at 5 p.m. at Stage 61 with the band Dead Century. Music runs across the stages with the last performer Jack Trash who begins at the Pavillion Stage at 10 p.m. 

Another new addition is the Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 Matchups announcement that will take place at 6p.m. Friday at Stage 61.  

Hockey Day Minnesota is sponsored by the Minnesota Wild and will showcase various high school and college teams at the new rink being built along Ravenna Trail that is expected to be able to seat 5,000 spectators.  

Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 will take place in Hastings Jan. 17-24 with the last two days being televised, according to a June 16 presentation before the city council from United Heroes League President and Hastings’ former State Representative Shane Hudella and United Heroes League Chief Digital Officer Jeff Taffe.  

The Friday announcement will feature various teams that will be playing in the event and announce the full schedule for the week-long event.  

Another highlight of this year’s Rivertown Days is the expanded food trucks. From cake shakes to wagyu burgers, the 2026 lineup is “something you don’t want to miss,” said Barse.  

Finally, for those with kids, Rivertown Days has a number of activities geared towards the little ones.  

Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. River of Life Church is hosting a kids carnival geared towards kids 10 and under.  

Also Saturday morning from 9p.m. to noon Premier Bank is hosting its annual petting zoo featuring mini horses, donkeys and sheep.  

Downtown, Branchline Church is hosting a bubble park and misting station from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

While tickets are required to get downtown during the afternoon and evening, all residents are welcome on Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. so that even those without tickets can be part of the fun.  

Kids are also welcome while music is playing with bands being told upfront that the event is family-friendly, according to Barse.  

Central to the preparation for the event is a small army of volunteers who will be taking tickets, picking up trash and helping tear down the event on Sunday.  

“People have really stepped up to volunteer this year,” said Barse with nearly all the volunteer slots already filled a week before the event.  

“I continue to be amazed,” said Barse.  

A full schedule of the event including music lineups can be found online at rivertowndaysmn.com