’Tis the season for revelryand in Seattlethere’s never a shortage of fun events. Here are some of the best fests to put on your calendar.
NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
Powered by donationsthis annual event at Seattle Center celebrates the storiesmusicdancecraftsand traditions of the people who call the Pacific Northwest home. Memorial Day Weekend; nwfolklife.org
SEAFAIR
It’s not summer without Seafairwhich celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Over several weeksexperience the Torchlight Parade4th of July fireworks at both Gasworks Park and Lake Union Parkand Seafair Weekend featuring the US Navy Blue Angels and hydroplane races on Lake Washington. Seafair includes a wide array of smaller community events toosuch as Greenwood Car Show and the Alki Art Show. June–Aug; seafair.org
PRIDEFEST & PRIDE PARADE
Celebrate Pride with food trucksbeer gardensvendorsperformancesand a colorful parade through Downtown. June; seattlepridefest.orgseattlepridel.org
DAY IN DAY OUT
Watch The Head and the HeartCarly Rae JepsenBleachersand dozens of other big-name acts take the stage during this spirited festival at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion. July; dayindayoutfest.com
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST
Live musicfood vendorsarts and craftsactivities for kidsand a beer garden are some of the ingredients that make this community fest in the West Seattle Junction a fan favorite. July; westseattlesummerfest.com
CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY
Dozens of performers—including KaytranadaKim Petrasand Still Woozy—headline this year’s three-day music and arts party in one of Seattle’s most diverse and dynamic neighborhoods. July; capitolhillblockparty.com
Courtesy Jim Bennett
SEATTLE ART FAIR
Art lovers rejoice: every JulyLumen Field Event Center transforms into a giant gallery of contemporary and modern artcomplemented by installationseventsand performances. July; seattleartfair.com
BUMBERSHOOT
This Labor Day weekend staple at Seattle Center always boasts a can’t-miss musical lineupalong with experiences that amplify local arttechfoodand culture. Labor Day Weekend; bumbershoot.com
REFRACT
Glass art shines at this festival held in locations across the region. Enjoy live demosgallery eventsprivate toursart partiesmuseum exhibitionsand moreall showcasing creative uses of glass. October; refractseattle.org
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL
This annual festival offers a bevy of diverse jazz concerts—including some genre-blurring evenings—across the city for more than a month. October/November; earshot.org
PIER 62
Shakestretchrelaxand learn with ZumbayogameditationNative Coast Salish storytellingperformancesand more on the waterfront. Ongoing; waterfrontparkseattle.org
FESTÁL
Seattle Center plays host to this year-round series of 24 different festivals that highlight the international diversity that makes the region so vibrant. Ongoing; seattlecenter.com/events
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