Islam is the world’s second largest religion with nearly 2 billion followers worldwide. (Christianity is the largest, around 2.4 billion.) There are an estimated 7 million Muslims (followers of Islam) in America. Islamic places of worship, known as mosques, exist in all 50 states. Muslim 101 A man from Mecca named … [Read more...] about Islam and the holy month of Ramadan
Holidays & Observances
Seafair signature events and community festivals
Many people think that Seattle's Seafair summer festival is Seafair Weekend in August with hydroplane races on Lake Washington and the Blue Angels flying overhead. Far from it. Seafair is a summer-long festival with several signature events as well as many community-driven celebrations throughout the Puget sound … [Read more...] about Seafair signature events and community festivals
Where and when to see cherry blossom trees
Flowering cherry trees burst into bloom, usually from mid-March through mid-April throughout the Pacific Northwest. Exactly when depends on the variety: early blooming versus late blooming. Seattle cherry blossom season begins with (red/pink) buds that burst into (pink/white) flower. As the flowers fade, the trees … [Read more...] about Where and when to see cherry blossom trees
When is daylight saving time?
Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. Officially, the time change occurs each designated Sunday at 2:00 A.M. However, most of us reset clocks before we go to bed so that we wake up and know the … [Read more...] about When is daylight saving time?
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival every April
The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of THE destination events for the Pacific Northwest. Each year, the festival welcomes people from across the United States and around the world, including all 50 states and over 85 foreign countries. Every spring hundreds of thousands of people come to enjoy the … [Read more...] about Skagit Valley Tulip Festival every April
Free things to do in March
Listed below are the free things to do in March. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our March events calendar. Free events March 2024 Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to … [Read more...] about Free things to do in March
Affordable March events and entertainment
Our March events calendar features a wide variety of entertainment in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region. As always, we focus on events with a regular adult admission price of $15 or less, or virtual admission of $30. For more expensive events, we look for popular events with available ticket discounts that can … [Read more...] about Affordable March events and entertainment
Where to buy pie on National Pi Day (3/14) in the Puget Sound region
Pi Day is celebrated worldwide on March 14, which is a perfect excuse (if you need one) to eat pie. Any kind of pie will do: fruit pie, cream pie, quiche, pizza, calzone, hand pies, piroshki, or any other kind of pie. What is Pi? Pi is the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (π) used in mathematics to define the … [Read more...] about Where to buy pie on National Pi Day (3/14) in the Puget Sound region
Recommended restaurants and bars for St. Patrick’s Day
Here are our suggestions for restaurants and pubs in the Seattle area who offer Irish-inspired menus and drinks, appropriate for celebrating St. Patrick's Day (March 17). (Listed restaurants roughly north to south throughout the Puget Sound region.) Shawn O'Donnell's American Grill & Irish Pub 4 Puget Sound … [Read more...] about Recommended restaurants and bars for St. Patrick’s Day
Our guide to St. Patrick’s Day free and cheap events
St. Patrick's Day happens every March 17. Parades are usually held on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day (unless the holiday falls on Saturday, of course). Find a summary of the festivities around the Puget Sound region below, followed by a calendar list of St. Patrick's Day events for the current … [Read more...] about Our guide to St. Patrick’s Day free and cheap events
Daffodil festival every March in La Conner WA
The La Conner Daffodil Festival is a relative newcomer to the Pacific Northwest flower festivals lineup. During the month of April, there is the long-running Daffodil Parade in Pierce County, began in 1934. And of course, the internationally known Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which began in 1984. Since 2015, La … [Read more...] about Daffodil festival every March in La Conner WA
Free and cheap Passover resources and ideas
Passover or Pesach is the first of the three major festivals in the Jewish calendar. Passover occurs in spring and is followed seven weeks later by Shavu'ot. Sukkot occurs in autumn. About Passover Passover commemorates the biblical story of Exodus. As the story goes, Moses pleaded with the Egyptian Pharaoh to … [Read more...] about Free and cheap Passover resources and ideas
President’s Day: history and things to do
George Washington’s birthday is the official federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Many of us know it as President's Day, Presidents Day, or Presidents' Day. All are correct. Well, all of them are wrong. The official Federal name for the holiday is Washington's Birthday, which is actually … [Read more...] about President’s Day: history and things to do
Valentine’s Day 2024: Gifts, Dinner, and Things to do
Valentine's Day is celebrated every February 14 in the U.S. (and many other countries). Gifts are often exchanged between loved ones. Couples often share a romantic dinner at home or at a special restaurant. Some families like to celebrate together, adults and children. About Valentine's Day The history of the … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day 2024: Gifts, Dinner, and Things to do
Free things to do in February
Listed below are the free things to do in February. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our February events calendar. February 2024 free things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers … [Read more...] about Free things to do in February
Affordable February events and entertainment
Our February events calendar features a wide variety of entertainment in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region. As always, we focus on events with a regular adult admission price of $15 or less, or virtual admission of $30. For more expensive events, we look for popular events with available ticket discounts that … [Read more...] about Affordable February events and entertainment
Black history month around Puget Sound
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 around Puget Sound
All about Groundhog Day
The tradition of Groundhog Day dates to the 1800s when German immigrants in America continued their tradition of a weather-predicting hedgehog on Candlemas Day (February 2). Since there were no hedgehogs in North America, the similarly inclined burrowing groundhog (aka woodchuck) was drafted into service. The reason … [Read more...] about All about Groundhog Day
Here’s why, how, and where you can celebrate Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras translates from French as "Fat Tuesday". The holiday has roots in the Christian liturgical calendar. The Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas on January 6, the day when the Magi or Wise Men from the East followed a bright star to the Christ child in Bethlehem, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, … [Read more...] about Here’s why, how, and where you can celebrate Mardi Gras
Lunar New Year 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 events around Puget Sound
Tacoma Daffodil Festival hosts parades in six locations
Second only to the summertime Washington State Fair in Puyallup, the Daffodil Festival is an annual celebration of daffodils in Pierce County's Puyallup Valley. The Daffodil Festival is made up of many smaller events and parades, honoring the history and traditions in the Puyallup Valley where daffodil flowers grew for … [Read more...] about Tacoma Daffodil Festival hosts parades in six locations
Martin Luther King Jr federal holiday
The Birthday of Martin Luther King is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of January. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor. Born January 15, 1929, King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. In 2024, … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King Jr federal holiday
Lunar New Year celebration at the Bellevue Collection
Lunar New Year at The Bellevue Collection is presented in partnership with Seattle Chinese Culture and Arts Association (SCCAA), The Overseas Community Affairs Council, and Republic of China (Taiwan). Festivities include a virtual presentation of a lion dance, performances, crafts and more. The Chinese calendar … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year celebration at the Bellevue Collection
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
Evergreen State Fair in Monroe
The Evergreen State Fair is a family-friendly celebration of all things Washington, showcasing the state's rich livestock and agriculture heritage. Held in Snohomish County north of Seattle, it the county’s largest event. Activities at the Evergreen State Fair for visitors include free entertainment on the … [Read more...] about Evergreen State Fair in Monroe