El Rio Vivo 2026

Event Cost
Free

Start Date
March 7, 2026

End Date
March 7, 2026

Start Time
8:00 am

End Time
4:00 pm

Location
Liberty Wildlife
2600 E Elwood St
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(480) 998-5550
info@libertywildlife.org
Map It

Contact
Chris Sar
(480) 998-5550
development@libertywildlife.org

El Rio Vivo is back for the 3rd year, with even more fun, art, music and food!

El Rio Vivo celebrates the restoration of the Rio Salado by bringing together nature, art, music and great food all in one day! And it all benefits the work of Liberty Wildlife in helping nurture the nature of Arizona along the Salt River in Phoenix, Arizona.

Event Date: Saturday, March 7th

Doors open at 8 am
River Walk from 8:30 – 11 am (3 mile total)
Art & Music Festival from 10 – 4 pm

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The River Walk

The El Rio Vivo Interactive River Walk will be held from 8:30-11am.

Guests will walk along the Peace Trail overlooking the Rio Salado and will encounter information about the flora and fauna dependent on this river. The total distance is about 3 miles round-trip, but you can turn around at any point. Stations at various stops along the walk will provide more information about the river, and guests can meet some of our education ambassador wildlife at each station.

The Peace Trail is a paved trail. For the protection of the wildlife present, we ask you not to bring dogs or other pets on the walk. For any questions regarding any aspect of the River Walk and its accessibility and difficulty, please email info@libertywildlife.org.

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Conservation & Community Partners

Big Thanks to our Sponsors:

SRP – Music Stage Sponsor

ASM – Kids Corner Sponsor

Freeport McMoRan – River Rapids Sponsor

2026 List of Sponsors, Partners and Participants:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs, ASU Rio Reimagined Program, Arizona Master Naturalists, City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department, Rio Salado Audubon, Desert Rivers Audubon, Gila River Indian Community, AZ(LAND), Maricopa Bird Alliance, Keep Phoenix Beautiful, Southwest Monarch Study, ASU Julie Ann Wrigley School of Global Futures Laboratory, Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAPLTER).

The Musicians

In 2026 we welcome the music and refreshing sounds of Ashley Creighton, Blood Feud Family Singers, The Rebel Set, and Echo Twins.

The Artists

In 2026 we welcome the following artists. In total we have 20 artists, featuring jewelry, painting, sculpture, crafts and more. The artists include: Frances Wingfield, Tanju Bayramoglu / Nature Hike, Denise (DeeDee) Mazikowski, Amy Baffa Lynne, Deliliah Ashley, Lee Wilder / Kris & Co Press, Tempe Arts Guild, Trevor Hyatt / WhereMyWaresAt, Lucinda Wilson, Jose A. Ortiz, Aelin Meyer / 6 Legged Salamander, Liberty Wildlife volunteers, Amphi Art Studio / Alexandra Beuerlein, Alysia Viscanti, Rupali Holmes Fine Art, Aditi Bapat / Double Helix Creations, Mary O’Neil, Patty Natt, Monroe Designs, Janice Dawson.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Liberty Wildlife Cannot Take Ducks, Geese or Lovebirds at this time

Liberty Wildlife is following proper protocols and taking precautions to prevent the spread of the avian flu in our facility and the community. Currently, we have been advised to not take any waterfowl (ducks or geese) to help minimize exposure to other animals. All waterfowl that are sick/injured should be transported to our partner Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG).

Veterinary Emergency Group
7210 W Ray Rd 2196 E Camelback
Chandler, AZ 85226 Phoenix, AZ 85016
(I-10 & Ray Rd) (Biltmore Area)

You can also text East Valley Wildlife to ask their current availability for ducks/geese: 480-814-9339

We also have been advised to not take in lovebirds anymore. Please try any of the groups above. Thank you for understanding.

Native American Wildlife Celebration VEG website VEG map