Marietta, OH Sternwheel Festival 2026

Perhaps one of our most popular weekends of the year is our Marietta Sternwheel Festival weekend. Sternwheel boats from all over the region come in for the festival, but the Valley Gem and Major Riviera are the only ones that take you out onto the river. We kick off our festival events on Friday, September 11 with a Kick Off Luncheon, followed by a Narrated Sightseeing Tour and then a Kick Off Dinner Cruise.

On Saturday, September 12, we start the day with a Sternwheel Luncheon, followed by three one hour Sightseeing Tours and end the night with our Fireworks Dinner Cruise. 

On Sunday, September 13, we race with the other Sternwheelers in town, however, this event is not open for reservations to the public.
Reservations are required for all lunches and dinners and recommended for the sightseeing tours as well.
All events for the weekend are being held on both the Valley Gem and the Major Riviera simultaneously.

Click the photo below to see all the event descriptions for the Marietta Sternwheel Festival for 2026.