FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Monday, September 8, 2025 – Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is
proud to announce the conclusion of its highly successful 2024-2025 event season, which ran from
October to September. The season was marked by a series of vibrant, free public events that
brought tens of thousands of residents and visitors to the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale,
boosting the local economy and generating funds to support our work advocating for improvements
to the Riverwalk Linear Park and the Riverwalk District.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization in 1988,
engages our broad base of community support as we continue to work towards our mission “to be
the catalyst in building and nurturing Riverwalk and the Riverwalk District as a vibrant community
connected by the New River.” This year the community recognized the important role Riverwalk
Park plays in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, and turned out to vote Fort Lauderdale’s
Riverwalk the 7th Best Riverwalk in the United States in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Reader’s
Choice Awards!
From signature events to new offerings, this season’s programming celebrated the unique spirit of
the Riverwalk District. Highlights included the ever-popular Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood
Festival, the festive holiday traditions of Light Up Lauderdale, and other new and beloved events
that have become staples of the Fort Lauderdale event season. These events provide free
entertainment for all ages, and also serve as a vital part of funding for Riverwalk’s activities.
“We are most grateful for the overwhelming community support we received throughout the 2024-
2025 season, and year after year” said Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale president and CEO Genia
Duncan Ellis. “The success of our events is a testament to the strong community we have in Fort
Lauderdale and the continued support and dedication of our partners and sponsors. The funds raised
this season are crucial to our ability to continue our work of beautifying, programming, and
promoting the Riverwalk and the downtown Riverwalk District, ensuring it remains a premier
destination for everyone to enjoy.”
Notable this season were significant anniversaries for several of Riverwalk’s longest running
events, with the Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival celebrating its 15th anniversary, and the
Riverwalk Tribute marking its 25th year honoring community members for their contributions to the
Riverwalk and the City of Fort Lauderdale. This year’s honorees, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Melissa
Milroy, Ed Smoker and Mayor Dean J. Trantalis, joined a distinguished group of community
leaders who have spearheaded efforts to build a more vibrant community.
The success of the season would not have been possible without the generous support of our
sponsors. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale extends its deepest gratitude to the many businesses and
organizations that partnered with us to make this season’s events a reality. Their commitment to our
mission and their investment in the community have a direct and lasting impact on the vibrancy of
Fort Lauderdale. 2024-2025 Corporate Partners and event sponsors included:
Riverwalk is thrilled to announce its public event schedule through January 2026:
- Saturday, October 18 ꞏ 12 pm – 4 pm ꞏ 9th Annual Riverwalk Fall Festival ꞏ Esplanade Park
- Saturday, November 1 ꞏ 3 pm – 8 pm ꞏ Downtown Day of the Dead ꞏ Esplanade Park, followed by the annual Day of the Dead Street Festival at Revolution Live!
- Thursday, November 6 ꞏ 6 pm – 8:30 pm ꞏ Light up Lauderdale ꞏ Esplanade Park
- Saturday, November 15 ꞏ 12 pm – 4 pm ꞏ5th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival (RIFF) ꞏ Esplanade Park
- Monday, December 8 ꞏ 5 pm – 7 pm ꞏ Riverwalk Holiday Lights Cruise on the Water Taxi ꞏ Laura Ward Riverwalk Plaza/Water Taxi Stop #1
- Saturday, January 3, 2026 ꞏ 11 am – 4 pm ꞏ 16th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival ꞏ Esplanade Park
Information on the remainder of the 2025-26 Riverwalk events schedule with be available
shortly. As we look forward to the upcoming season, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale remains
committed to providing free, public programming that brings our community together, while also
continuing to advocate for the enhancement and preservation of the Riverwalk Linear Park and the
Riverwalk District.
For more information about Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and the upcoming 2025-2026 season visit
www.GoRiverwalk.com.