Celebrate the return of the Chinook Salmon at the 2025 Salmon Festival on Saturday, September 27, in Historic Downtown Oroville and at the Feather River Fish Hatchery. This free, family-friendly event brings thousands together to honor the river and community with a full day of activities, entertainment, and local flavor. Enjoy live music, delicious food, and unique vendors, while exploring special attractions including the Salmon Festival Motor Mania Car Show, Salmon Run, Soap Box Derby, guided hatchery tours, and float trips down the Feather River. 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.
Event Schedule – Saturday, September 27, 2025
Morning
- 7:00 am – 3:00 pm | Salmon Festival Motor Mania
Registration at 1489 Myers St.
Hot rods, classic cars, trucks, and more line Downtown Oroville for this annual car show hosted by the Oro Dam Cruisers.
Register Here - 7:45 am | Salmon Run Check-In @ Riverbend Park, 50 Montgomery St.
- 8:30 am | Salmon Run Begins
Starts at Riverbend Amphitheater, 50 Montgomery St., ends at Centennial Park, 1800/1802 Arlin Rhine Dr.
A colorful 1.5-mile fun run/walk along the Feather River. Includes a t-shirt and sunglasses with pre-registration.
Register Here - 9:00 am – 12:30 pm | Feather River Fish Hatchery Tours
Feather River Fish Hatchery, 5 Table Mountain Blvd.
Free guided tours to see the Chinook Salmon up close. - 9:00 am | Soap Box Derby Check-In & Registration
Huntoon St., Downtown Oroville - 10:00 am | Festival Opening Ceremonies
- 10:00–11:00 am | Car Show for People’s Choice “Best Build” at the finish line
- 10:30 am | Drivers Meeting near the finish line
- 11:15 am | Racing Begins! Awards to follow
- 9:30 am | Feather River Kayak Tour
Hosted by Forebay Aquatic Center
A guided paddle on the Feather River during salmon spawning season. Ticket required.
Purchase Tickets - 10:00 am | Street Smart Combos Micro-Workshop
Cultivate Power Fighting Arts, 1790 Montgomery St.
Free drop-in martial arts demo.
Midday
- 11:30 am | Las Plumas/Oroville High School Band Performance
Kids Zone – Oroville Convention Center, 1200 Myers St.
Enjoy a live performance inside the Kids Zone. - 12:00 pm | Street Smart Combos Micro-Workshop
Cultivate Power Fighting Arts, 1790 Montgomery St.
Free drop-in martial arts demo. - 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Feather River Fish Hatchery Tours
Free guided hatchery tours continue in the afternoon. - 12:30 pm | Feather River Kayak Tour
Hosted by Forebay Aquatic Center
Guided kayak experience on the river. Ticket required.
- 1:00 – 2:30 pm | Slammin’ Salmon Wrestling
In front of the Oroville Convention Center, 1200 Myers St.
PCW Wrestling brings their annual live show, “Slammin’ at the Salmon Festival.”
All-Day Fun (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
- Salmon Court
Parking Lot A, 1202 Myers St.
Food court, beer garden, live entertainment, and local vendors. - Kingdom Community Church Vendor Fair
1235 Lincoln St.
Local vendors and food booths. - Kids Zone
Oroville Convention Center, 1200 Myers St.
Indoor and outdoor activities for kids, including games hosted by Feather River Elite Gymnastics and Boy Scouts of America, plus food and vendors. - Oroville State Theatre Tours
1489 Myers St.
Free tours of the historic Oroville State Theatre, including educational salmon videos courtesy of the Department of Water Resources. Open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
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 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 Places 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 Registration
Hosted by the Oroville Economic Alliance
The Salmon Festival offers vendor opportunities in three prime locations:
- Parking Lot A – Salmon Court (1202 Myers St.)
The hub of the festival featuring the food court, beer garden, and live entertainment.
Booth Space: $75–$110 per 10' x 10' space - Upper Convention Center Parking Lot (1200 Myers St.)
Home to the Kids Zone, with high family traffic.
Booth Space: $65–$95 per 10' x 10' space - Kingdom Community Church Parking Lot (1235 Lincoln St.)
Conveniently located near a shuttle bus stop and the Rawhide Express route.
Booth Space: $55–$80 per 10' x 10' space
👉
2025 Registration is currently full.
To join the
Waitlist or to be added to the
Vendor Email List for future opportunities, contact:
Amber Miland, Director of Communications
📧
amarron@orovillechamber.com
Salmon Run
Hosted by the Feather River Recreation & Park District and Feather River Elite Gymnastics
Join this
1.5-mile color fun run/walk along the Feather River!
- $35 Pre-Registration (includes t-shirt and sunglasses)
- $45 Day-Of Registration (t-shirt and sunglasses not guaranteed)
- Discounts available for additional family members.
Salmon Festival Motor Mania
Hosted by the Oro Dam Cruisers
Show off your hot rods, classic cars, trucks, or motorcycles at this popular car show.
- $20 Pre-Registration
- $25 Day-Of Registration
Contact: Josh McQuarrie
📞 (530) 990-1722
📧
orodamcruisers@gmail.com
Salmon Festival Feather River Tours
Hosted by the Forebay Aquatic Center
Experience the
Chinook Salmon spawn on the Feather River with a guided kayak tour.
- $70 per ticket
Contact:
📧
aquatics.education@gmail.com
📞 (530) 893-2984
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.
2025 Salmon Festival Sponsors
Salmon Court/Beer Garden Sponsors
Rawhide Express Sponsor
River Guardian Sponsor
2025 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