Category Archives: Weekend Picks

Northwest Chocolate Festival
SAT-SUN The Northwest Chocolate Festival is proud to be the largest gathering of true Bean-To-Bar chocolate makers in the United States. We are delighted and tastefully surprised to be the largest dessert showcase in the city of Seattle.
Video At the Washington State Convention Center. Map
(www.nwchocolate.com)

Free Museum Day
SAT Free admission to many museums including Seattle Art Museum and The Museum of Flight.
(www.smithsonianmag.com)

National Parks Free Entrance Day
SAT Free admission at Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park and all other National parks. Find a Park
(http://www.nps.gov/index.htm)

Italian Festival
FRI-SUN Food Court & Vendor Market, Celebrity Chef cooking demos, Sicilian puppetry, and a Grape Stomping competition. At the Seattle Center. Map More Festál
(www.seattlecenter.com)

Duvall Heritage Festival
SAT Celebrate the “good old days” by bringing the whole family to Duvall for a day of fun, learning, and reminiscing at the Duvall Heritage Festival at the historic Dougherty Farmstead in Duvall. Map
(duvallhistoricalsociety.org)

Burlington Harvest Festival
SAT Pumpkin hurl, pie eating contest, bouncy house, food vendors and more at the Skagit River Park in Burlington. Map
(www.burlington-chamber.com)

Old Mill Days
FRI-SUN Carnival, arts and crafts vendors, beer garden, chainsaw speed carving, carvers auction, Forest Festival exhibits, classic car show, Lumberjack Competition in Port Gamble. Map Ferry Schedule
(www.oldmilldays.com)

Bainbridge Island Harvest Fair
SUN Music, food vendors, beer and wine garden, display vegetable garden, 4-H petting zoo, sheep shearing, apple cider pressing (bring your own apples), wagon rides, pie contest, scarecrow contest, farming exhibits at Johnson Farm on Bainbridge Island. Map Ferry Schedule
(friendsofthefarms.org/)

Puyallup Fair
THRU SUN Get your happy on at the biggest fair on the West Coast. Carnival fairway with games and rides, Kid’s stage, petting barn, product vendors, agricultural displays and more at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Try a famous fair scone or onion burger. Map
(www.thefair.com)

Fremont Oktoberfest
FRI-SUN Oktoberfest celebration with beer tasting, live entertainment, and more in the self proclaimed “Center of the Universe”. Map
(www.fremontoktoberfest.com)

Redmond Digital Arts Festival
FRI-SEP 28 Artist workshops and digital art competition. The weekend portion will take place at DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond.
(digitalartfestival.com)

Seattle Greek Festival
FRI-SUN Greek food, folk dancing, music and more at St. Demetrios Hall & Cultural Center in Seattle. Map
(www.seattlegreekfestival.com)

The Bite of Broadview
FRI-SUN Carnival rides, live music and entertainment including Caspar Babypants, arts, crafts and food vendors, beer/wine garden, Kids’ Zone, car show. At Christ the King school in Seattle.
(ckseattleparish.communityspice.com)

Wallingford Wurst Festival
FRI-SAT An “Octoberfest” style end-of-summer celebration featuring rides, an array of delicious foods, games for kids of all ages, craft booths, homemade sweets, a book sale, a Biergarten, a raffle, plus live entertainment on an outdoor stage. Map
(www.stbens.net)

Oktoberfest Kent
SAT Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise beer garden, entertainment and free family fest zone for kids with bouncy house, face painting and more at Town Square Plaza Park. Map
(www.kentsunriserotary.org)

Puyallup Fair
THRU Sept. 23 Second weekend of the biggest fair on the West Coast. Carnival fairway with games and rides, Kid’s stage, petting barn, product vendors, agricultural displays and more at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Try a famous fair scone or onion burger. Map
(www.thefair.com)

Bug Blast
SUN Bug out as thousands of specimens, fly, buzz, or crawl to this favorite annual family event. At the UW Burke Museum. Map
(www.burkemuseum.org)

Lake Union Boats Afloat Show
WED-SUN You don’t have to be a boater to appreciate the romance of the sea. Onboard tours of more than 300 recreational power and sail boats with free sailboat rides, how-to seminars, entertainment and food on South Lake Union. Map
(www.boatsafloatshow.com)

Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl
SAT-SUN Medieval trebuchets hurling pumpkins over 1/4 mile, Medieval village with arts, crafts, and food. At Alexander Farm in Everett. Map
(www.festivalofpumpkins.org)

Seattle Fiestas Patrias
SAT-SUN For two days, families enjoy the culture, art, music, dance, and delicious Mexican and Latin American food at the Seattle Center. Map More Festál
(www.seattlecenter.com)

Puyallup Fair
FRI-Sept 23 Opening weekend of the biggest fair on the West Coast. Carnival fairway with games and rides, Kid’s stage, product vendors, agricultural displays and more at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Try a famous fair scone or onion burger. Map
(www.thefair.com)

Fuschia Show
FRI-SUN Judged display of fuchsias at the beautiful Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard. Map
(www.nwfuchsiasociety.com)

Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival
FRI-SUN Children’s parade, grand parade, art, food, entertainment and fireworks at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. Map
(mukilteolighthousefestival.com)

Newcastle Days
SAT Music, food, craft vendors, entertainment, arts and crafts activities, pony rides, community art show, custom and classic car show at Lake Boren Park. Map
(www.newcastledays.com)

Puget Sound Bird Fest
FRI-SUN Celebration of birds and nature with guided walks, exhibits, vendors and more in downtown Edmonds. Map
(www.pugetsoundbirdfest.com)

Kirkland Concours d’Elegance
SUN Celebration of the arts of vintage automobile, motorcycle and wooden boat design at America’s Car Museum in Tacoma. Map
(www.kirklandconcours.com)

MON Labor Day

Bumbershoot
SAT-MON The original Seattle arts festival. Live music, dance, theater, film, art displays at Seattle Center. Map
(bumbershoot.org)

Bremerton Blackberry Festival
SAT-MON Entertainment, food, fun on the Bremerton Boardwalk. Take a scenic walk-on ferry ride from downtown Seattle. Map Ferry Schedule
(www.blackberryfestival.org)

Evergreen State Fair
THRU MON Washington’s second largest state fair with carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, food booths, and live entertainment Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. Directions
(www.evergreenfair.org)

Tacoma Craft Beer Festival
SAT Beer tasting, food, live entertainment at Street Park in Tacoma. Map
(www.tacomacraftbeerfest.com)

Olympia Harbor Days
FRI-SUN Display and tours of vintage, working and retired tugboats. Live entertainment, food, art, history, and a last farewell to the summer. At Olympia’s Percival Landing. Map
(harbordays.com)

Washington State International Kite Festival
FRI-SUN One of the world’s largest kite festivals in Long Beach, WA. Map
(kitefestival.com)

Evergreen State Fair
FRI-Sept 3 State fair atmosphere with carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, food booths, and live entertainment Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. Directions
(www.evergreenfair.org)

Puget Sound Dahlia Association Flower Show
FRI-SUN See these spectacular blooms displayed by local hobby growers. Bring your camera. At Sky Nursery in Shoreline. Map
(www.pugetsounddahlias.org)

Kitsap County Fair
WEDS-SUN Animals, carnival, exhibits, music, entertainment and more at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds just a short ferry ride away in Bremerton. Map Ferry Schedule
(www.kitsapgov.com)

Slow Food Roots Music Festival
FRI-SUN Races, pirate contests and music at the Stanwood Camano Community Fairgrounds. Map
(www.slowrootsfestival.com)

Sand in the City
FRI-SUN Sculpting events with 240 tons of sand, arts/science/educational activities and entertainment in Olympia. Map
(www.hocm.org)

Garlic Festival
FRI-SUN fun, food, music, crafts, and, oh, yeah… garlic! At Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis. Map
(www.chehalisgarlicfest.com)

Free Summer Fly Days – Battle of Britain Day
SAT Featuring the Hurricane and Spitfire as they return to the skies for a roaring display of military history. Map
(flyingheritage.com)

Snoqualmie Railroad Days
SAT-SUN Train rides, parade, fun run, entertainment, vendors and children’s activities at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. Map
(www.trainmuseum.org)

Celebrate Shorline
SAT-SUN Festival with a parade, car show, sand castle contest and more in Shoreline. Map
(www.cityofshoreline.com)

NW Fuchsia Society Flower Show
SAT-SUN The Pacific Northwest climate is perfect for these beautiful and delicate flowers. See award winning examples from local hobbyists and take home a start for your own garden. At the Bellevue Botanical Gardens Map
(www.nwfuchsiasociety.com)

Kitsap Wine Festival
SAT Celebration of food and wine at Harborside Fountain Park in Bremerton. Map Ferry Schedule
(www.kitsapwinefestival.com)

Viking Days
SAT-SUN Viking reenactments, music, Scandinavian food, beer & wine gardens, crafts, kids’ activities and more in Ballard. Map
(www.nordicmuseum.org)

Renton River Days
FRI-SUN Crafts, games, entertainment, pony rides, parade and more at Liberty Park in Renton. Map
(rentonwa.gov)

Pacific Northwest Nationals Auto Show
FRI-SUN Display of more than 2000 hot rods, customs, classics at Puyallup Fair and Events Center. Map
(www.good-guys.com)

SandSations Sand Sculpture Competition
SAT Teams from around the country compete to build the most creative and intricate sand sculpture. At Long Beach Map
(sandsationslongbeach.com)

Seafair Torchlight Parade
SAT The quintessential Seattle celebration of local communities and neighborhoods. Floats, hydroplanes, marching bands, drill teams, the Seafair Clowns & Pirates and more starting at 7:30PM from the Seattle Center. (www.seafair.com). Tip: if you can’t make it in person, you can also watch live local TV coverage of the parade. Map
(www.seafair.com)

Sixth Street Fair
FRI-SUN Works by more than 140 artists plus music, food and kids’ activities in Bellevue. Map
(www.bellevuedowntown.org)

Bellevue Festival of the Arts
FRI-SUN Juried arts and crafts fair features 200 of the most talented and popular artisans, musicians and craftspeople from the Northwest and beyond. Map
(www.bellevuefest.org)

Bellevue Arts Museum Art Fair
FRI-SUN Shop from over 300 artists from across the continent and engage in a multitude of free, fun community programs designed to celebrate art and creative expression. Map
(www.bellevuearts.org)

Alki Beach Art Fair
SAT-SUN Juried art fair, music, food, children’s art and more at Alki Beach Promenade. Map
(alkiartfair.org)

Tour de Terrace
FRI-SUN Carnival, arts & crafts, food, parade and fireworks at Evergreen Playfield in Mountlake Terrace. Map
(www.tourdeterrace.org)

Seattle Scottish Highland Games
FRI-SUN Bagpipes, drums, Celtic arts, folk music, food, beer, parade and games at Enumclaw Expo Center. Map
(www.sshga.org)

Lake Stevens Aquafest
FRI-SUN Music, water events, children’s parade, pet show, carnival and vendors. Map
(www.aquafest.org)

Kitsap Arts and Crafts Festival
FRI-SUN Art shows, entertainment, food, children’s activities at Mike Wallace Park in Kingston. Map
(www.kitsapartsandcrafts.com)

Silverdale Whaling Days
FRI-SUN Music, food, fireworks, beer garden and outrigger canoe races at Silverdale Waterfront Park. Map
(www.whalingdays.com)

Free Summer Fly Days – Fighter Evolution
SAT Featuring the Spitfire and P-51 as they return to the skies for a roaring display of military history. At the Flying Heritage Collecton, Paine Field Map
(flyingheritage.com)

Bite Of Seattle
FRI-SUN The Northwest’s original food festival with booths featuring 50+ Seattle area restaurants and 30+ food product companies as well as wine tasting and entertainment at the Seattle Center. Map
(www.comcastbiteofseattle.com)

JB Lewis-McChord Air Expo
SAT-SUN Air Force Thunderbirds and other precision flying demonstrations, as well as military aircraft on display at Mchord Air Base in Tacoma. Map
(www.lewismcchordairexpo.com)

Duvall Sandblast Arts Festival
SAT-SUN Fine Arts & Crafts, Sand Sculpturing and Live Music at McCormick Park in Duvall Map
(duvallarts.org)

White Center Jubilee Days
WED-SUN Festival featuring live music, foods, carnival, free children’s entertainment, fireworks and a parade in downtown White Center. Map
(www.jubileedays.org)

Kirkland Uncorked
FRI-SUN Celebration of Washington wine and food plus an art show on the shores of Lake Washington at Marina Park in Kirkland. Map
(www.kirklanduncorked.com)

Gig Harbor Art Festival
SAT-SUN Arts & crafts booths plus entertainment and a food court in Gig Harbor. Map
(www.peninsulaartleague.com)

Phinney Beer Taste
SAT Taste microbrews from a selection of 21 Northwest breweries including special brews made for this event. Admission includes ten tastes, brats from Barking Dog Alehouse, pub style snacks, and live music Map
(www.phinneycenter.org)

Bon Odori Festival
SAT-SUN A celebration of Japanese Buddhism with traditional folk dancing, ikebana flower arrangements, taiko demonstrations and more at Seattle Buddhist Temple. Map
(seattlebetsuin.org)

Sequim Lavendar Festival
FRI-SUN More than 150 crafts and lavender booths, food, music and more in downtown Sequim. Map
(www.lavenderfestival.com)

San Juan Island Lavender Festival
FRI-SUN Lavender farm tours and workshops, cooking demos, picnics and live music at Pelindaba Lavender Farm on San Juan Island. Map
(www.pelindabalavender.com)

Capitol Hill Block Party
FRI-SUN Music from local and national bands with food and vendors along 10th Ave & East Pike. Map
(capitolhillblockparty.com)

Chinatown Seafair Parade
SUN Chinese dragon, taiko drumming, drill teams, dancing lions and other entries make their way through the International District. Map
(www.seattlechinesechamber.org)

Enumclaw Street Fair
FRI-SAT Entertainment, food, farmers market, arts & crafts and more in downtown Enumclaw. Map
(www.enumclawstreetfair.com)

Snohomish Kla Ha Ya Days
WED-SUN Community festival with a parade, car show, chili cook-off, soapbox derby, carnival, entertainment and more in downtown Snohomish. Map
(www.klahayadays.com)