Timeline

This page functions as the current Timeline for The CW's Riverdale. It contains matters of the past, present and future (if necessary) in chronological order.

Pre-series

 * Manfred Mugggs immigrates to the United States from Holland, and drops the third "G" from his family name (becoming Manfred Muggs)
 * In 1941 Riverdale is founded.
 * In 1942, The Riverdale Register is founded.
 * Riverdale High School is also founded.
 * It is unknown when Southside High is founded (sometime prior to the start of the series).
 * The Blossoms start a maple syrup business together which they name Blossom Maple Farms.
 * The two Blossom brothers, Cheryl's great-grandfather and Betty's great-grandfather, have a feud that causes one Blossom brother to murder the other over greed and hate. They are business partners in the selling and trading of maple syrup, however, Cheryl's great-grandfather decides he no longer wants to share the profits and attempts to murder Betty's, however, fought back and murdered Cheryl's great-grandfather in self-defense. The feud between the two Blossom brothers a couple generations ago leads to the splitting of the bloodline, causing one of the brothers’ lines changing his last name to Cooper to avoid being convicted as the murderer, while the others keep the Blossom name - this lasts to present day.
 * In 1977, a family of four, the Conways, who live at the edge of town, are murdered by the Riverdale Reaper. The murder is never resolved, and the Reaper is believed to have escaped.
 * The third child of the murdered family manages to escape. He changes his name and is adopted by another family in Riverdale. After seeing the Reaper's identity, the boy gives the identity of the murderer to a group of men in town, who then kidnap and presumably kill the Riverdale Reaper by burying him alive at Pickens Park. However, it is later revealed that the man Joseph Conway had sentenced to death is the wrong man.
 * FP Jones, Fred Andrews, Hal and Alice Cooper attend their Homecoming dance; Hal and Alice are crowned King and Queen. Fred and FP's band play as entertainment.
 * Hal and Alice have an argument on the night of being crowned Homecoming king and queen. Alice has learned she is pregnant, but Hal wants to arrange an abortion. Alice later checks into the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, where she gives birth to a baby boy five months later. The Sisters arrange an adoption for the baby.
 * Hermione Lodge and Fred Andrews briefly date in high school before Hermione leaves him for Hiram Lodge.
 * Hermione and Hiram get married and move to New York City. There, they have a daughter who they name Veronica.
 * Fred marries Mary Andrews and they have a son named Archie.
 * Alice and Hal get married and have Polly and Betty.
 * On October 2, 2001 Jughead Jones is born to FP Jones.
 * In 2011, Jughead is sent to a juvenile detention facility for attempting to burn down Riverdale Elementary School.
 * Clifford has secret meetings with the Sugarman over by his home. During the Sugarman's visits, Penelope takes their young children, Jason and Cheryl upstairs to their rooms, protecting their innocence from the Sugarman.
 * Clifford has plans for Jason, he grooms him to take over the family business. However, Penelope disagrees with Clifford after finding out his plans for their son.
 * Two years prior to the series, Mary and Fred Andrews separate, and Mary moves to Chicago.
 * FP Jones is fired from Andrews Construction and subsequently begins drinking heavily.
 * FP's wife and daughter then leave him and move to Toledo. Jughead moves into the projection booth at the Twilight Drive-In, his workplace.
 * Hiram Lodge hires the Southside Serpents to decrease the property value of the Twilight Drive-In, in order for the Lodge Industries to buy the land at a cheaper price.
 * During the 2016-2017 school year, Polly Cooper and Jason Blossom begin dating. However, after pressure from his parents, Jason breaks up with Polly.
 * Upon learning that she is pregnant, Polly Cooper and Jason Blossom secretly resume their relationship and become engaged, with Rose Blossom's heirloom ring.
 * Jason learns that the family maple syrup business is a cover-up for drug dealing. Jason wants no part in the family business and threatens to expose the truth, thus prompting his urge to run away.
 * On July 4th, Jason and Polly plan to elope and start a new life on a farm upstate.
 * To finance their getaway, Jason approaches FP at the Whyte Wyrm, a known hangout for the Southside Serpents, and he has him run drugs in exchange for cash and a getaway car.

Season 1
2017

May

 * Hiram Lodge is arrested for fraud and embezzlement.

July

 * July 4th weekend, Archie and Jughead are supposed to go on a road trip, however, Archie cancels at the last moment (so he can get together with his music teacher, Geraldine Grundy at Sweetwater River)
 * The morning of July 4th, Jason's plan to leave Riverdale commences as he and Cheryl drive out to Sweetwater River and take a boat ride to the other side of the river, where they part ways. Jason wants to leave Riverdale and doesn't want his parents to look for him, so they stage an accident to fake his death; the boat tips over, Jason falls into the water and supposedly drowns.
 * Dilton Doiley leads Riverdale's boy scout group on a bird watch expedition throughout the woods located nearby Sweetwater River. He fires a gunshot, which is initially believed to be the shot that kills Jason Blossom, in order to teach his scouts to shoot. Jason and Cheryl hear the gun-shot across the river before parting ways. Archie and Ms. Grundy, who have a picnic at Sweetwater River, also hear it. Dilton and his scouts arrive at the river's edge, where they find a soaking Cheryl.
 * As Polly Prepares to join Jason on the other side of the river, Alice Cooper learns of Polly and Jason's plan, as well as her pregnancy, and in order to prevent Polly from leaving town, Alice has her locked away at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, a home for "troubled youths".
 * Hal Cooper makes an appointment for Polly to have an abortion behind his wife's back.
 * After Jason reaches Greendale, he is abducted by Mustang, a Southside Serpent who is hired by Cliff to kidnap Jason. Mustang ties him up, tortures him in the basement of the Whyte Wyrm, and keeps him captive for a week.
 * On July 11th, Cliff appears and takes Nana Blossom's ring from Jason's pocket, then he points the gun at Jason's face and shoots him.
 * FP Jones and Joaquin DeSantos discover Jason's body in the basement, and they cover it up and get rid of any evidence that could link them to the crime, even though they haven't done it. They then dump Jason's corpse at Sweetwater River.
 * Coincidentally, this is the same week that the Blossom family bury an empty casket, as Jason's body hasn't yet been found.
 * Archie spends the summer working construction for his father's company, Andrews Construction.
 * Betty attends as an internship over the summer where she organizes a book release party for Toni Morrison.
 * Hermione and Veronica Lodge arrive in town on the last day of Summer vacation and take up residence at the Pembrooke.

August

 * The first day of the Sophomore year for Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Kevin, Josie and several others.
 * The following Saturday, Riverdale High School hold a back-to-school Semi-formal.
 * Later that night, Kevin and Moose go to Sweetwater River for a hook-up and discover Jason Blossom's corpse washed up on the shore, which has a gunshot wound to the forehead.
 * Jason's autopsy commences the following Monday which reveals signs of animal scavenging, ligature marks, and him being frozen.
 * A Pep Rally is held the Friday succeeding the discovery of Jason's body, which Mayor Sierra McCoy dedicates to his memory. Josie and the Pussycats perform at the event.
 * Cheryl is questioned as a possible suspect in the murder of her brother. She admits to lying about the events of July 4th, but not to killing Jason.
 * Veronica, Betty, Cheryl, Ethel, and many other female students expose that Chuck Clayton and his posse have been slut-shaming many of the girls at school which leads to them being suspended and banned from the football team, the Riverdale Bulldogs.
 * Mayor McCoy hosts Taste of Riverdale, a lead-up event to the town's 75th-anniversary jubilee.
 * The Twilight Drive-In is purchased by Lodge Industries and subsequently closed down, but not before one last showing of "".
 * Left without a home or a job, Jughead moves into a forgotten closet at the High School.
 * Hal breaks into Sheriff Keller's house and steals evidence that could potentially lead law enforcement to Polly.
 * Jason Blossom's Memorial is held at the Blossom mansion.

September

 * Kevin hosts the 75th annual Variety Show; Archie, and Josie and the Pussycats perform.
 * Betty and Jughead visit Polly at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy and learn of her and Jason's plan to run away together. Betty tells Polly that Jason is dead.
 * With Polly's directions, Betty and Jughead find Jason's getaway vehicle off of the lost highway on Route 40. Inside is his varsity jacket, drugs, and several other items. After they leave to retrieve the authorities, the vehicle is later set on fire by FP, unbeknownst to them.
 * The same night, Polly escapes from the Sisters of Quiet Mercy group home.
 * Andrews Construction wins the contract for the new development of the drive-in's land.
 * A search party throughout Eversgreen Forest is held to find Polly. It ends unsuccessfully which leads Alice to hold a press conference and reveal to the public that Polly is pregnant with Jason Blossom's baby.
 * Polly is found in the attic of the Cooper house by Betty.
 * Veronica and Hermione let Polly stay at their apartment because she does not want to give up her unborn baby.
 * Jughead is detained and questioned as a suspect in Jason Blossom's murder. He is later released after Fred Andrews falsifies documents stating Jughead was working for him on July 11th.
 * Jughead moves into the Andrews house.
 * Andrews Construction break ground on the SoDale project.
 * Moose Mason is attacked at the site.
 * FP Jones is rehired as foreman.
 * Hermione, Veronica, and Betty host a baby shower for Polly at The Pembrooke.
 * After the shower, Polly goes to live with the Blossoms.
 * Alice learns that Hal had made an appointment for Polly to have an abortion and kicks him out of the house. He begins living at The Register.
 * The start of maple season begins on the last week of September.
 * The Blossoms host two exclusive events; the Blossom's annual tree tapping ceremony, as well as a banquet. Archie escorts Cheryl to these events, as Cheryl serves as the honorary heir of Blossom Maple Farms.
 * Polly Cooper learns that she is expecting twins.

October

 * On October 1st, Chuck Clayton's suspension ends and he returns to school.
 * The evening of October 2nd, Betty and Archie host Jughead's 16th Birthday Party at the Andrews house.
 * The morning of October 3rd, Mary Andrews returns to Riverdale.
 * On October 5th, Riverdale High School holds its annual Homecoming dance.
 * Archie and Veronica perform a cover song together called Kids in America by Kim Wilde.
 * FP Jones is arrested for the murder of Jason Blossom.
 * On October 6th, Mustang dies.
 * Through surveillance video of the basement of the Whyte Wyrm on July 11th, the truth about Jason's killer is uncovered. A surveillance video of Jason Blossom's death is discovered by the gang, thus revealing Clifford as Jason's killer.
 * Soon thereafter, Clifford commits suicide by hanging himself before the Sheriff arrives.
 * The truth about the Blossom maple syrup business being a front to smuggle drugs from other countries surfaces.
 * Cheryl Blossom attempts suicide at Sweetwater River, but is later saved by Archie.
 * The 75th Anniversary Jubilee is celebrated at the Town Hall.
 * Cheryl sets fire to Thornhill. Penelope goes in to retrieve the family portrait and as a result, suffers major third-degree burns and acute smoke inhalation in the process.
 * Pop Tate is attacked by a masked gunman at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, only for Fred Andrews to be shot by the unknown assailant whom then flees the scene.

Season 2

 * Penelope Blossom is taken to hospital by Cheryl following the destruction of the Thornhill.
 * Fred Andrews survives the attack.
 * Hiram Lodge is released from jail and returns to Riverdale.
 * The same night, Geraldine Grundy is killed by Black Hood.
 * Josie McCoy joins the River Vixens.
 * FP Jones' sentencing is delayed.
 * Betty Cooper hosts Retro Night in an attempt to keep Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe from closing down.
 * Josie and the Pussycats performs a cover song called Milkshake, featuring Cheryl.
 * Hiram Lodge bought Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe.
 * Moose Mason and Midge Klump are ambushed by the Black Hood.
 * Midge doesn't get shot. Unfortunately for Moose, he gets shot in the chest but manages to survive.
 * Alice Cooper receives a letter from Black Hood, who takes responsibility for shooting Fred, Moose, and Midge, as well as killing Geraldine Grundy at Greendale.
 * Archie Andrews creates a group club called The Red Circle in an effort to find and deal with the Black Hood.
 * Betty receives an envelope from the Black Hood that contains a letter for her and a cipher for the location of his next target.

November

 * Archie is barred from Riverdale High and suspended from their varsity football team, Riverdale Bulldogs.
 * A fight, called Riverdale Rumble, ensues between the Serpents and The Red Circle.
 * As a result, Dilton is stabbed in the leg.
 * The St. Clair family arrives in Riverdale.
 * According to Sheriff Keller, Betty's letter from the Black Hood doesn't match the handwriting of the letter Alice received.
 * Jughead goes through the initiation to become an official member of the Southside Serpent.
 * The Lodge family host the SoDale Gala Opening.
 * Josie and the Pussycats perform a cover song called Out Tonight.
 * Nick St. Clair almost rapes Cheryl.
 * Betty receives a series of calls from Black Hood, threatening her to sever ties with her friends or he will kill those closest to her. As a result:
 * She publishes an old news report about Alice's teenage arrest as a Southsider.
 * Veronica is un-friended by Betty.
 * Betty breaks up with Jughead.
 * Betty is forced to give Black Hood a name because Betty breaks the rules by telling Archie about his calls; she gives him Nick's name and location.
 * Following Betty and Jughead's breakup, Jughead and Toni kiss.
 * Nick ends up not being Black Hood's next victim. Black Hood reveals that he only asked Betty to name his next victim just to test her and prove how alike they are.
 * A big meeting takes place at the Cooper house where parents of Archie, Josie, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie address Cheryl's situation with Nick and their involvement with Jingle Jangle.
 * Southside High is raided, where all the Serpents are wrongfully arrested, including Sweat Pea and Toni Topaz.
 * Veronica reveals to her parents that Nick tried to advance toward her like the way he did to Cheryl.
 * As a result, the St. Clairs end up in a car accident; Nick will gradually recover, with time, but Xander and Simone St. Clair's statuses are currently unknown.
 * Betty is tasked by Black Hood to find out the true identity of "The Sugar Man".
 * Penelope Blossom confesses to Cheryl that over the years there have been many Sugarmen, replacing each other as the years have passed.
 * The current Sugarman is revealed to be Mr. Phillips who is then incarcerated by the Sheriff.
 * The Black Hood visits Mr. Phillips in his cell and kills him. The Black Hood gets inside the station by forced entry. Sheriff Keller is out on patrol, leaving the overnight deputy to guard the station. Unfortunately, he falls asleep, allowing the Black Hood to easily slip past him and into Mr. Phillips' cell.
 * Tall Boy and Ghoulie leader, Malachai, plot an alliance against the Northside after they'd heard of the Southside High raid issued by the Mayor, declaring that as an act of "war" on the Southside.
 * Jughead challenges this and seeks advice from FP who suggests that he challenge them to a drag race.
 * The Serpents engage in a drag race with the Ghoulies.
 * Malachai was caught by the police for the illegal street race, because Archie had tipped off Sheriff Keller.
 * The Black Hood writes a letter and places it at the door of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe. In the letter, he warns the people of Riverdale to consider the next 48 hours a test; If they are to sin, he’d kill again.
 * Penny Peabody collects on the debt Jughead and FP owe her by deceiving Jughead into making a drug delivery in Greendale, however, what Jughead initially thinks is a one-time delivery is, in fact, full-time.
 * Josie and Sierra McCoy move out of their house to live at the Five Seasons hotel.
 * Josie have a secret admirer who's been leaving gifts and notes in her locker.
 * Chuck takes an interest in Josie and asks her out on a date, which she immediately rejects.
 * Chuck and Josie bond at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe. Sierra interrupts their bonding and threatens Chuck to stay away from her daughter.
 * Valerie and Melody quit Josie and the Pussycats after learning that Josie is going solo behind their backs.
 * Betty and Veronica find out that Sheriff Keller is having an affair with Mayor McCoy.
 * Archie confesses his love to Veronica, however, his love is not reciprocated.
 * Every family in Riverdale receives a letter from the Black Hood who informed them that they're being targeted and punished for their sinful ways.
 * FP is released from jail.
 * Archie and Veronica team up and investigate the Riverdale Reaper.
 * They learn about the murder that took place forty years ago in the Conway family's residence, and visit the house. It turns out to be the very same house that the Black Hood sent Betty to.
 * They discover the identity of the murdered family's surviving child. The school janitor's real name is not Joseph Svenson but Joseph Conway, who is the child that survived the murder.
 * Jughead and Betty throws FP a retirement party at the Whyte Wyrm.
 * Veronica breaks up with Archie.
 * Jughead breaks up with Betty.

December

 * In the days leading up to Christmas, Fred and Archie sell Christmas trees to bring in extra money.
 * Fred receives a hospital bill of $86,000
 * Veronica, Kevin, Jughead, Archie, Josie, Cheryl, and Reggie gather for Kevin's Secret Santa exchange at the school lounge.
 * Moose returns to school.
 * Archie and Betty begin an investigation after Mr. Svenson goes missing.
 * During their investigation, they learn that Svenson admitted to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy that he falsely identified his family's killer, thus sentencing an innocent man to death.
 * Archie and Betty share a kiss.
 * Afterward, they learn that he is taken by the Black Hood, only to later discover that he is, in fact, the Black Hood.
 * By the end of the investigation, Betty burns all the evidence from the Black Hood investigation in a fire, with the exception of a black hood.
 * The Serpents give back to the Southside community through their yearly charity work of presents and meals for the young and elderly.
 * Veronica finds out about Lodge Industry's purchase of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe.
 * Enraged that her parents have been keeping this from her, Veronica then pays for Fred's hospital bill, disguising herself as Hermione.
 * Hermione and Hiram tell Veronica all the family business secrets. Veronica agrees to join her parents in running the family business but refuses to do anything illegal.
 * Jughead reveals to Toni, Sweet Pea and other young Serpents that Penny has forced his father into dealing drugs. He devises a plan to take out Penny.
 * The young Serpents kidnap Penny from her warehouse and take her to Greendale, her new place of residence, as she is banned from returning to Riverdale. Jughead then forcefully removes her tattoo with a knife.
 * On Christmas Day, Archie and Veronica get back together, as Veronica confesses her love for him.

2018

January

 * Penelope becomes a courtesan in order to pay the debt left behind from the Christmas tree and the ludicrous presents that Cheryl purchased for herself.
 * Southside High is shut down. The students will be transferred to other schools in the district, Riverdale High included.
 * Polly returns to the Cooper house, unbeknownst to the family, to gather her things in order to sever all ties with them, per instructions of the "Leaders of the Farm". Betty learns that Polly had the twins; they are named Juniper and Dagwood.

March

 * Love, Simon is released in theaters, which Cheryl Blossom, Toni Topaz, Moose Mason, Midge Klump, Josie McCoy and Kevin Keller all watch on opening night at the Bijou.