Celebrate the return of the Chinook Salmon at the 2026 Salmon Festival on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Historic Downtown Oroville and at the Feather River Fish Hatchery.
This free, family-friendly event brings thousands together to honor the Feather River and the Oroville community with a full day of outdoor fun, entertainment, and local flavor. Enjoy live music, delicious food, and unique vendors while exploring featured attractions including the Salmon Festival Motor Mania Car Show, Soap Box Derby, Feather River Fish Hatchery Tours, Slammin’ Salmon Wrestling, Feather River Kayak Tours, and Kids Zone—plus craft fairs, food courts, and free admission to several local museums.
Whether you come for the culture, the outdoors, or simply a great time with friends and family, the Salmon Festival is an Oroville tradition you won’t want to miss!
(Full 2026 schedule and vendor registration information coming soon.)
Event Schedule – Saturday, September 26, 2026
A full day of activities and attractions will return in 2026! Stay tuned for the complete event lineup to be announced in summer 2026.
Confirmed returning events include:
- Salmon Festival Motor Mania Car Show – Oro Dam Cruisers
- Feather River Fish Hatchery Tours – Department of Water Resources
- Soap Box Derby – Downtown Oroville
- Feather River Kayak Tours – Forebay Aquatic Center
- Slammin’ Salmon Wrestling – Presented by PCW Wrestling
- Salmon Court Food & Beer Garden - Oroville Economic Alliance
- Kingdom Community Church Craft Fair - Oroville Economic Alliance
- Kids Zone – Oroville Convention Center
- Oroville State Theater Tours - STAGE
- Free Admission & Kids Activities at Local Museums - City of Oroville Docents Association
🎥 Watch our highlight video and photo gallery below to relive the excitement from past Salmon Festivals!
Please note: This video was produced by PCW and highlights a previous year’s festival. The 2026 Salmon Festival will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Festival Map
The 2026 Festival Map will be available in late summer. In the meantime, check out last year’s map to explore the event layout across Downtown Oroville, Riverbend Park, and the Feather River Fish Hatchery.
Getting Here & Parking
Driving to Oroville
The Salmon Festival takes place in Historic Downtown Oroville and at the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Most visitors arriving by car will take Highway 70 into Oroville.
- From the north (Chico/Paradise), take the Montgomery Street exit and follow signs toward Downtown.
- From the south (Marysville/Yuba City), take the Montgomery Street/Highway 162 exit into Oroville.
- From the west (Highway 162/Highway 99), follow Highway 162 east through town until you reach Downtown Oroville.
Once in town, look for festival signage and traffic control volunteers, who will direct you toward parking areas or shuttle stops. Please note that several Downtown streets will be closed to vehicles during the festival, so plan a little extra time for arrival.
Free Parking
Take advantage of free parking lots available on a first-come, first-served basis:
- Riverbend Park – 50 Montgomery St.
- Butte County Department of Employment & Social Services – 78 Table Mountain Blvd.
Additional free parking is available along public streets in Downtown Oroville located outside of the event street closures.
Free Shuttle Bus Service
Courtesy of the Thermalito Union School District, handicap-accessible shuttle buses will operate on a continuous loop from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Stops include:
- Riverbend Park – 50 Montgomery St.
- Lott Home – 1067 Montgomery St.
- Chinese Temple – 1500 Broderick St.
- Butte County Law Library – 1675 Montgomery St.
- Downer St. & Montgomery St.
- Pioneer Museum – 2332 Montgomery St.
- Feather River Fish Hatchery – 5 Table Mountain Blvd.
- Butte County Department of Employment & Social Services – 78 Table Mountain Blvd.
This service makes it easy to travel between Downtown Oroville, the Fish Hatchery, and Riverbend Park without the hassle of driving or finding parking.
Free Trackless Train: The Rawhide Express
For easy travel within Downtown Oroville, enjoy a ride on the Rawhide Express — a handicap-accessible trackless train running continuously from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Stops include:
- Lincoln St. & Huntoon St.
- Huntoon St. & Arlin Rhine Dr.
- Arlin Rhine Dr. & Oliver St.
- Oroville Convention Center – 1200 Myers St.
- Myers St. & Montgomery St.
The Rawhide Express is a fun and convenient way to explore all festival attractions without extra walking.
Lodging Guide
Lodging Guide
Make the most of your Salmon Festival weekend with a comfortable stay in Oroville or the surrounding Butte County area. Whether you’re looking for hotels, motels, campgrounds, or unique local stays, there are plenty of options nearby.
- Stay Local & Support Businesses
Browse the Oroville Chamber Business Directory to discover local lodging options and other businesses that make Oroville special. - Stay and Shop in the Heart of Downtown
Looking for a walkable stay steps away from the festival? Explore Downtown Oroville Places for lodging and other local favorites, including Judge Gray’s Victorian Gothic revival home right in the historic district. - Explore the Region
For a full list of accommodations across Butte County — including hotels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds — visit Explore Butte County’s Stay Guide.
Plan ahead, as lodging fills up quickly during Salmon Festival weekend!
Dining Guide
From festival flavors to local restaurants, Oroville has something for every appetite during the Salmon Festival. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite between events, a sit-down dinner, or a local coffee shop, here are a few ways to enjoy the taste of Oroville:
- Dine at the Festival
Don’t miss Salmon Court, the festival’s central food court and beer garden located in Parking Lot A (1202 Myers St.). Here you’ll find a variety of food vendors, drinks, and live entertainment throughout the day. - Support Local Businesses
Browse the Oroville Chamber Business Directory to find Chamber-member restaurants, cafés, and food services. - Eat in the Heart of Downtown
Many Downtown Oroville restaurants are just steps away from the festival. Check out Downtown Oroville Restaurants for unique dining options, from casual bites to locally owned eateries. - Explore the Region
Looking beyond Downtown? Explore Butte County’s Taste Guide highlights dining experiences across the county, including breweries, wineries, and farm-to-table restaurants.
Vendor, Ticket & Registration Information
Vendor and registration details for the 2026 Salmon Festival will be announced in summer 2026.
Interested in being notified when applications open?
Email
Amber Miland, Director of Communications, at
amarron@orovillechamber.com to be added to the
Vendor Email List and receive updates about booth spaces, sponsorship opportunities, and event registration links as soon as they become available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Do I have to buy tickets?
The Salmon Festival is free to attend! Tickets are only required for certain activities:
Feather River Kayak Tours hosted by the Forebay Aquatic Center ($70/ticket)
Salmon Run ($35 pre-registration / $45 day-of)
Salmon Festival Motor Mania vehicle registration ($20–$25)
All other festival attractions, entertainment, and tours are free.
Q. What about parking?
Free parking is available at:
Riverbend Park – 50 Montgomery St.
Butte County Department of Employment & Social Services – 78 Table Mountain Blvd.
Public streets in Downtown Oroville located outside of the event street closures.
Festival maps will show the nearest shuttle stops and walking routes from each lot.
Q. What time will the shuttles run?
Handicap-accessible shuttle buses, courtesy of the Thermalito Union School District, will run continuously from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with multiple stops connecting Riverbend Park, Downtown Oroville, and the Feather River Fish Hatchery.
Q. What about restrooms and ATM access?
Portable restrooms and wash stations will be available throughout the festival. Locations will be shown on the festival map. An ATM will be available in Parking Lot A (1202 Myers St.) for your convenience.
Q. When will the fish ladder gates open?
The fish ladder gates at the Feather River Fish Hatchery open on September 15, just before the Salmon Festival. This allows visitors to view Chinook Salmon as they make their way upstream.
Thank You 2025 Salmon Festival Sponsors!
The Salmon Festival is made possible through the support of our incredible sponsors, whose contributions help us celebrate Oroville’s culture, river, and community spirit each year.
Interested in joining our 2026 sponsorship lineup? Contact Amber Miland, Director of Communications at amarron@orovillechamber.com to learn how your business can support this beloved community tradition.
Rawhide Express Sponsor
River Guardian Sponsors
Chinook Champion Sponsors
2026 Salmon Festival Events Committee
Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce - Feather River Fish Hatchery - Feather River Nature Center - Oroville YMCA - Oroville Optimist Club - Oro Dam Cruisers - Department of Water Resources - Forebay Aquatic Center - Father's House Church of Oroville - First Congregational Church - Exchange Club of Oroville - City of Oroville - City of Oroville Docents - Native Sons of the Golden West - Downtown Oroville Business Association - Oroville State Theatre - Feather River Senior Center - Eagles Aerie FOE 196 - Christian Faith Center - Feather River Recreation & Park District - St. Thomas the Apostle School - Butte County Office of Education - Feather Falls Casino & Lodge - Gold Country Casino Resort - Enterprise Rancheria - Mooretown Rancheria - Explore Butte County - Oroville Hospital - Recology Butte Colusa Counties - Jordan Crossing Ministries - Oroville Police Department - Butte County CERT