A concert night at River Cree, hour by hour

The appeal of River Cree on a show night is that the evening never needs a car after you park it. Here is a version of the night that fits the hours the resort publishes. Times are suggestions; the opening hours are the resort's.

1. 3:00 pmArrive and park. Self-parking on three lots is free; complimentary valet runs from 9:30 am to 3:00 am. Trip.com lists check-in from 15:00 — the resort does not publish it, so confirm.
2. 4:00 pmCollect tickets if needed. The box office at the Casino Players Club opens at 10 am and takes debit or credit only. Bring the order number and government ID.
3. 5:30 pmDinner. Hell's Kitchen serves dinner from 4 pm; The Kitchen and Tap 25 have show-night menus; River Cree Eats opens at 5:30 pm on show nights for food to go.
4. 8:00 pmHead to The Venue. Leave the backpack in the room: all bags are searched and big ones are refused. Coats can go to the free coat check at the north entrance.
5. 9:00 pmShow. Drinks from the two main bars or the balcony bar. Ask any bar staff for a green designated-driver wristband if someone is driving later — fountain pop and water are free with it.
6. 11:30 pmAfter. Fatburger until 4 am, Cree Subs until 5 am, room service around the clock. Tap 25's bar closes at 2 am.
7. Next dayBreakfast. Tap 25 from 5 am, The Kitchen from 7 am (buffet from 7 on weekends), coffee in the lobby from 6 am. Trip.com gives check-out before 11:00.

Three things that catch people out

The balcony has stairs only. Two flights, no lift. If anyone in your party has trouble with stairs, buy accessible seating instead and call 780-930-2562 before the show.

Shows are 18+. Even with the 2024 change that lets minors into restaurants and community events, River Cree concerts remain adults-only. Do not bring teenagers expecting to get them in.

Tickets from resellers can be refused. The resort says plainly that third-party sellers are not authorised.

What to ask the desk

For a 9 pm show, ask for a late check-out the next day. For a group, ask for rooms on the same floor. For a balcony seat, ask for a room near the Venue end of the building if the hotel will say which that is. Write it all in the note on the coupon.