West Virginia Three Rivers Festival 2026

Fairmont sits at a confluence — literally. Three rivers join here in Marion County: the Monongahela, the West Fork, and the Tygart Valley River. Every Memorial Day weekend, the city celebrates that geography with the West Virginia Three Rivers Festival, a multi-day community gathering on the waterfront that draws families from across north-central West Virginia.

What to Expect

The festival runs May 22-24 in Fairmont and features live music across multiple stages, a wide variety of food vendors and local restaurants, arts and crafts exhibitors, children's activities, and the kind of easygoing community fair atmosphere that makes Marion County events worth the drive. The Monongahela River provides a scenic backdrop throughout.

Entertainment and Activities

Live music spans country, rock, and classic Appalachian genres. Local craft vendors bring handmade goods. Kids' activities keep the youngest attendees busy. Food runs the full range from festival classics to local favorites. The event is family-friendly throughout and free or low-cost to attend.

Don't Miss

• The waterfront setting — Fairmont's riverfront is genuinely beautiful and rarely seen by visitors from outside the area
• Live music in the evenings when the crowds thin and the river light is golden
• Local craft vendors for original Appalachian artisan goods

Getting There / Practical Info

Fairmont is located on I-79 in Marion County, about 20 minutes south of Morgantown and an hour north of Charleston. The festival is held along the riverfront in downtown Fairmont. Parking is available throughout downtown. The event is generally free to attend with individual food and activity costs on-site.