Spring Festivals: March
- St. Patrick’s
Day Parade - The St.
Patrick’s Day Parade on
Bainbridge Island is one
of the many popular
annual events. Take the
ferry over to the island
and celebrate your Irish
heritage - even if
you’re not Irish!
Location: Bainbridge
Island.
April - Skagit
Valley Tulip Festival -
Believe it or not ,
Washington is a larger
producer of tulips than
the Netherlands. This is
celebrated every year at
the annual Skagit Valley
Tulip Festival. Not far
from Seattle, the beauty
of Skagit’s tulip fields
will amaze you. The
festival runs the month
of April, but the tulip
blooms depend on
seasonal changes. Check
the weather before you
go! Location: Skagit,
Washington
May - Seattle
International Film
Festival - This film
festival is actually the
largest film festival in
the United States.
Running for three weeks,
this film festival
offers options for
everyone. Buy a pass and
see as many as possible,
or simply try out a few
of the films. Location:
Throughout Seattle
Syttende Mai -
This annual festival
celebrates Norwegian
Independence Day.
Imagine July 4th with a
Scandinavian flair.
Location: Ballard
Summer Festivals: June -
Solstice Parade -
The Solstice Parade is
the official kick-off of
the Fremont Fair. Over
the past 20 years, the
Fremont Arts Council has
been a non-profit
organization celebrating
art and creative
expression. The Solstice
parade has become
popular not only with
the locals in Fremont,
but with hundreds of
people from Seattle and
beyond. The parade
celebrates not only the
beginning of summer, but
a love of art and
community. Location:
Fremont
Lake
Union Wooden Boat
Festival - The Wooden
Boat Festival is an
annual event celebrating
one of the most favorite
pastimes of Seattlites -
Boating. The festival
includes a regatta and
people’s choice awards.
Location: Lake Union.
July - Summer
Nights - Summer Nights
at South Lake Union Park
is the relocated venue
of Summer Nights at the
Pier. The park itself is
12 acres of waterfront
with amazing sunsets and
views of downtown
Seattle. These outdoor
concerts are a great way
to celebrate summer.
Location: South Lake
Union Park
Seafair - Seafair has
been celebrated in
Seattle for over 50
years and has become
part of the fabric of
Seattle life. Events
begin in July and
continue through August,
including a milk carton
derby, marathon,
triathlon, pirates
landing, fleet arrival,
hydroplane racing, and
air show. Most of the
events revolve around
planes and boats - two
Seattle staples - hence
the name, Seafair.
Location: Lake
Washington
August -
Evergreen State Fair -
While not located in
Seattle, the Evergreen
fair is close enough for
a visit. There is all
kind of entertainment
available at this fair -
dancers, jugglers,
animal shows, home ec
contests, a rodeo,
carnival and more! There
is plenty to do for
everyone, whether you
enter yourself in a
contest, ride a roller
coaster, or watch the
dancers do their thing.
Location: Monroe.
Fall Festivals -
September:
Bumbershoot -
Bumbershoot is the
festival to end all
Seattle Festivals. For
over 30 years,
Bumbershoot has been The
labor Day weekend host
to cutting edge bands
and artists. The Seattle
Center becomes a meeting
place for artists,
locals, and visitors.
This four day festival
offers amazing music,
art, and friends. Visit
and you won’t be
disappointed. Location:
Seattle Center
Salmon Homecoming
Celebration -
Beginning with a Native
American canoe
celebration, the Salmon
Homecoming is an ancient
festival which has been
slightly modified for
modern times.
Historically, the local
Native Americans would
celebrate the return of
the salmon to their home
and celebrate another
plentiful year. Take
some time to enjoy
watching the Native
American basket weaving,
carving, canoeing, and a
1000 pound salmon bake.
Location: Piers 62/63.
November:
Green Lake
Frostbite Regatta -
Green Lake is a popular
destination year-round.
Surrounded by parks and
walking paths, the lake
is a great place for
some outdoor exercise
and fun. The Frostbite
Regatta is perhaps the
last boating event of
the year at the Lake.
Grab a scarf, some hot
coffee, and enjoy
watching the races!
Location: Green Lake.
Winter Festivals -
December:
Christmas Ship
Festival - For over 50
years, carolers on boats
have been singing to
Seattlites warming
themselves around huge
bonfires. The decorated
boats parade up and down
the Puget Sound,
creating one of the
largest holiday
flotillas. Warm yourself
around the fire, and
enjoy the carols.
Location: Puget Sound.
Yulefest
-
Many people don’t
realize that there is a
significant Nordic
population in Seattle,
particularly in Ballard.
This fact becomes
evident annually at
Yulefest. Every year,
Yulefest is held at
Nordic Heritage Museum,
celebrating Scandinavian
Holiday Celebrations
including food, crafts,
music, and tradition.
Location: Ballard.
Plan Your Trip
To learn more about Washington getaway options, view festival and events schedules, as well as local attractions and sites to explore visit http://www.experiencewashington.com.
About The Author -
Michelle Linden
is a travel, art, and
architecture buff who
has recently moved to
Seattle after living in
Honolulu, Chicago,
Gloucester
Massachusetts, and Delft
Netherlands. In between
studying and working in
design, she dreams
travel and works to help
others compare and
select vacation options
via the Your Life
Passion Website!
