August 21-23 2026

Celebrate the Outdoors. Celebrate Community.

Bluffs2Backwaters is Winona’s signature recreation festival, a multi-day celebration of everything we love about getting outside. Set between our iconic bluffs and the winding backwaters of the Mississippi, the festival brings people together through adventure, music, art, and community.

From competitive events and camping to creative workshops and live performances, Bluffs2Backwaters is where outdoor stoke meets small-town soul. Whether you’re here to race, paddle, climb, dance, or simply connect, you’ll find something that reminds you why Winona is one of the Midwest’s best places to play.

At its heart, Bluffs2Backwaters is about connection. Between people and nature, recreation and art, locals and visitors. It’s about celebrating the places that inspire us and the community that keeps them alive.

Join us for a weekend of exploration, creativity, and celebration — from the bluffs to the backwaters.