Riverkeeper Fish Migration Celebration
June 14, 2025
NYC to Westchester
Location
NYC to Westchester
Event type
Community
Every year, the Hudson River supports the epic migration of iconic fishes like the Atlantic sturgeon, American eel, striped bass, American shad and shimmering schools of river herring – all on their journey to spawn, just as they have for centuries. This June, their incredible odyssey will surface in a whole new way!
Join us on Saturday, June 14 for Riverkeeper’s first annual Fish Migration Celebration, a fun and beautiful day where art and advocacy set sail together! A whimsical flotilla of artist-designed boats, inspired by the fishes themselves, will trace their path upriver, turning the water into a moving masterpiece. And leading the way? A larger-than-life sturgeon-themed boat designed by Greg Corbino, a breathtaking tribute to one of the river’s most magnificent creatures.
Join us on Saturday, June 14 for Riverkeeper’s first annual Fish Migration Celebration, a fun and beautiful day where art and advocacy set sail together! A whimsical flotilla of artist-designed boats, inspired by the fishes themselves, will trace their path upriver, turning the water into a moving masterpiece. And leading the way? A larger-than-life sturgeon-themed boat designed by Greg Corbino, a breathtaking tribute to one of the river’s most magnificent creatures.
THE EXPERIENCE
A welcoming of the fish – The community comes together from 9:30 am to noon in Manhattan at Hudson River Park’s Pier 64 in Chelsea at the Riverkeeper Fish Migration Celebration’s Welcoming of the Fish. It’s free, family-friendly, and delightfully fishy!
A spectacle on the water – A flotilla of migrating fish, led by a massive Atlantic sturgeon, will travel the route of the seasonal migration, north from the Atlantic Ocean into the streams of the Hudson. The flotilla will begin its voyage from Chelsea Piers in New York City at 10:30 am and make its way upriver, arriving in Croton-on-Hudson by late afternoon. Dress as your favorite Hudson River fish and join in the fish parade!
A musical culmination – After watching the Riverkeeper Fish Migration Celebration flotilla sail north along the eastern bank of the river, join us at Croton Point Park, where we’ll drop anchor at the Hudson River Music Festival around 4:00 pm.
A spectacle on the water – A flotilla of migrating fish, led by a massive Atlantic sturgeon, will travel the route of the seasonal migration, north from the Atlantic Ocean into the streams of the Hudson. The flotilla will begin its voyage from Chelsea Piers in New York City at 10:30 am and make its way upriver, arriving in Croton-on-Hudson by late afternoon. Dress as your favorite Hudson River fish and join in the fish parade!
A musical culmination – After watching the Riverkeeper Fish Migration Celebration flotilla sail north along the eastern bank of the river, join us at Croton Point Park, where we’ll drop anchor at the Hudson River Music Festival around 4:00 pm.
WHY IT MATTERS
This isn’t just a celebration, it’s a call to action! The Hudson’s fish need our help. Pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change threaten their survival. Through art and community activation, we will make their hidden struggle visible, turning wonder into action and spectators into stewards of the river.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Whether you’re watching from the shore, parading as your favorite fish, or helping to make the art for the flotilla, you’re furthering Riverkeeper’s mission of fighting for a healthy and thriving Hudson River. Come be a part of this unforgettable experience where art and activism flow together to honor the Hudson and its returning fish!
Sign up for event updates to stay tuned for more details and ways you can get involved!
Sign up for event updates to stay tuned for more details and ways you can get involved!
Video loading...Partners and contributors
Riverkeeper Fish Migration Celebration is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Retired FDNY fireboat John J. Harvey
Heather Henson
The Riverkeeper Fish Migration Celebration is proud to be part of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's 2025 River To River Festival
Brenna Ross
Sleepy Hollow Project (Gina Carey, Megan Isenstadt, Fay Serafica)
Riverkeeper Fish Migration Celebration’s audio stream is made possible through a partnership with Wave Farm.
Related campaigns
Saving Hudson River fish
Protecting iconic species vital to our local ecosystems
Protecting and restoring habitats
The Hudson River watershed is home to a breathtaking diversity of life. Protecting and restoring our aquatic habitats is critical for their renewal and for a healthy future for all life in the watershed
Dam removal
By removing old, obsolete dams, we are healing the ecosystem and restoring life to the Hudson and its tributaries
