Fairs, Festivals & Parades

Northwest Folklife: annual Memorial Day Weekend festival

Northwest Folklife Festival is the annual free Memorial Day weekend celebration of ethnic, folk, and traditional arts. Folklife is Seattle's unofficial leap into summer, with four days of jam-packed excitement all day and into the night. About Northwest Folklife The Memorial Day Weekend festival is … [Read more...] about Northwest Folklife: annual Memorial Day Weekend festival

Memorial Day Weekend events 2021

Memorial Day is a National holiday observed annually on the last Monday in May. The holiday honors men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. It’s also the unofficial beginning of summer. To observe Memorial Day, many military cemeteries and war memorials hold commemorative events to honor and … [Read more...] about Memorial Day Weekend events 2021

Free “Festál” ethnic festivals at Seattle Center

Seattle Center Festál presents free cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year. Each event highlights the distinct cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in the Puget Sound region through traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops and more. Festal was founded in … [Read more...] about Free “Festál” ethnic festivals at Seattle Center

Tickets and information for Seafair Weekend

Seafair Weekend is the culmination of Seattle's summer festival. It's an exhilarating rite of summer, complete with thundering hydroplane boats on the water and an air show overhead. One of Seattle's favorite traditions at Genesee Park in south Seattle on Lake Washington, the day features the U.S. Navy Blue … [Read more...] about Tickets and information for Seafair Weekend

Seafair signature events and community festivals

Many people think that Seattle's Seafair summer festival is the hydroplane races on Lake Washington with the Blue Angels flying overhead during Seafair Weekend in August. Far from it. Seafair is a summer-long festival from June through August, with several signature events and many, many community events … [Read more...] about Seafair signature events and community festivals

Earth Day events in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area

Earth Day events in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area include conservation, recycling, and other activities designed to educate us on the benefits of protecting our natural resources through mindful living. Many events are free, but many require that you register in advance. We might also include events that have a small … [Read more...] about Earth Day events in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area

Where to see fireworks in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and beyond

Here’s our list of where to see free public fireworks in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Kirkland, plus other cities and communities north, south, east, and west of Seattle. To help you and your family enjoy the day, be sure to read tips and tricks for photographing fireworks in Seattle. If you think you … [Read more...] about Where to see fireworks in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and beyond

Where to see the Blue Angels for free Seafair Weekend

The Boeing Air Show during Seattle Seafair Weekend is a must see for all families and thrill seekers. For many across the Pacific Northwest, summer and Seafair reach their pinnacle as the pilots behind the yokes of the "Blue" Boeing F/A-18 Hornets make their thunderous and spectacular appearance over the … [Read more...] about Where to see the Blue Angels for free Seafair Weekend

Free Alki Art Fair supports community artists

The annual Alki Art Fair on one of Seattle’s most scenic Puget Sound beaches is a showcase for the work of over 100 artists. Find a variety of media including painting, pottery, glass, textiles, metal, jewelry, and more. Alki Beach in West Seattle comes alive during the art festival with street food, beer & wine … [Read more...] about Free Alki Art Fair supports community artists

Daffodil Parade marches to four south Sound cities

Second only to the summertime Washington State Fair in Puyallup, the Daffodil Festival is an annual celebration of the history and traditions in four Pierce County cities: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting. The Daffodil Festival is made up of many smaller events and parades. The Daffodil Parade includes … [Read more...] about Daffodil Parade marches to four south Sound cities

Solstice events, lantern festivals, and light shows

The word solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning sol (sun) and stitium (to stop). The solstice occurs twice a year, when it reaches the northernmost point (summer in the norther hemisphere) and southernmost point (winter in the northern hemisphere). Each solstice indicates the stop of the sun before it … [Read more...] about Solstice events, lantern festivals, and light shows

Washington State Fair events at Puyallup Fairgrounds

Located south of Seattle and east of Tacoma in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the Washington State Fair Events Center comprises over 160 acres. The facilities are available for rent during the year. The Washington State Fair hosts two annual events, the 20-day Washington State Fair every September, and … [Read more...] about Washington State Fair events at Puyallup Fairgrounds

Chinatown-International District festivals

The Seattle Chinatown-International District (aka the “ID”, pronounced eye-dee), located south of downtown is a cultural hub of the Asian American community. Historically, it is the only area in the continental United States where several cultures—Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, African Americans, and Vietnamese—settled … [Read more...] about Chinatown-International District festivals

Lunar New Year 2021 events around Puget Sound

Seattle is home to a diverse community of Asian cultures who celebrate the Lunar New Year. These celebrations welcome the return of spring and chase out the dark days of winter (and the evil spirits who lurk there) with the lion dance, firecrackers, special foods, and other traditions. Although the Lunar New … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year 2021 events around Puget Sound

Black history month in Seattle

February is Black History Month, making it the perfect time to highlight African American culture and the black experience in Seattle. A calendar of local events celebrating black history is listed below. This is also the perfect occasion to learn more about the civil rights movement in Seattle. Civil rights movement … [Read more...] about Black history month in Seattle

Here’s how and where you can celebrate Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras translates from French as "fat Tuesday" and has roots in the Christian liturgical calendar. The Epiphany is January 6, 12 days after Christmas when the Magi or Wise Men from the East, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh followed the star to the Christ child in Bethlehem. Epiphany marks the end … [Read more...] about Here’s how and where you can celebrate Mardi Gras

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Northwest African American Museum

Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in Seattle embraces the important histories, arts, and cultures of people of African descent. NAAM exhibits the history, art, and culture of people of African descent and the Black experience in America, including roots in slavery as well as recent immigrants from Somalia, … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Northwest African American Museum

Online: National Math Festival 2021

National Math Festival brings together some of the most fascinating mathematicians of our time to inspire and challenge participants of all ages to see math in new and exciting ways. The Festival features juicy talks, hands-on demos, art, films, performances, puzzles, games, children’s book readings, and more for all … [Read more...] about Online: National Math Festival 2021

Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend

The first Wooden Boat Festival (WBF) in North America in 1978 at Port Townsend eventually joined with Northwest Maritime Center in 2005 to continue to engage and educate people in traditional maritime culture and to inspire people to adventure on the sea--the most powerful teacher you may ever know! Today, the Port … [Read more...] about Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend

Virtual New Years Eve 2020 fireworks in Seattle

You may not recall, but last years Space Needle fireworks show, scheduled for midnight on December 31, 2019 was cancelled due to high winds. Once again, circumstances have changed the plan for the annual Seattle Space Needle New Year's fireworks show. Although the live show is cancelled, the show will still go … [Read more...] about Virtual New Years Eve 2020 fireworks in Seattle

Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center

Seattle Center is the scene for Winterfest--five weeks of free and affordable family activities and holiday-inspired fun. The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving and go until New Year's Eve. The Seattle Center grounds are open 365 days a year. The Armory, Fisher Plaza and other buildings are closed … [Read more...] about Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center

Auburn Veterans Day 2020 weeklong celebration

Auburn is designated by the Veterans Day National Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Regional Site for the celebration of Veterans Day. Auburn is also a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner. Auburn has hosted the Veterans Parade since 1965. The Auburn parade takes place the Saturday before … [Read more...] about Auburn Veterans Day 2020 weeklong celebration

Veterans Day parades and commemorative events

Here’s our list of Veteran’s Day parades and other commemorative events in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region. For free Veteran's Day meals and freebies, see our list of Veterans Day free meals and shopping discounts. About Veteran's Day World War I unofficially ended when the Allied nations and … [Read more...] about Veterans Day parades and commemorative events

Virtual: Free Washington State Biz Fair

Join the annual Washington State Biz Fair -- for both new and existing small business owners. Biz Fair is the longest running all-government and non-profit-run small business fair in our state. The purpose of the fair is to provide a wide spectrum of information, in a non-sales environment, that small business … [Read more...] about Virtual: Free Washington State Biz Fair

Free events throughout the year at Seattle Center

Seattle Center is an arts, recreational, and civic center at the core of the city. Its roots reach back more than 100 years, as a site of Native American celebrations. Today, it is one of the nation’s best gathering places. A wide variety of events and activities are hosted throughout the year, including art & … [Read more...] about Free events throughout the year at Seattle Center