Mateel Community Center

Reggae on the River was founded in 1984 as a fundraiser to rebuild the Mateel Community Center after the original location, the old fireman’s hall, was destroyed by fire. From its earliest days, the festival created a powerful cultural fusion of Northern California cannabis culture and Jamaican reggae music. Over the past 40 years, it has grown from a small local gathering into one of the most recognized and iconic reggae festivals in the United States, attracting thousands of fans from across California, the West Coast, and around the world.
Throughout its history, Reggae on the River has hosted legendary reggae artists including Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, Buju Banton, and Luciano, alongside rising stars who continue to shape reggae music today. Each festival brings a unique mix of live performances, interactive workshops, artisan markets, and community-driven events, making it much more than a music festival. It is a cultural celebration that brings people together.