Washington State offers a variety of festivals to suit every interest, from fresh seafood and craft beer to music, blooms, rodeos, and more. Below you’ll find a selection of some of the state’s major annual events each month.
Looking for something specific or want to see hours and pricing for upcoming events? View our Events Calendar here.
Major Washington State Events by Month
January
Lake Chelan Winterfest, Chelan
As temperatures drop, the fun heats up in Lake Chelan. Visitors can watch live ice carving, enjoy fireworks and a beach bonfire, sip local wines, and more across downtown Chelan and nearby Manson.
Ellensburg Winterhop Brewfest, Ellensburg
Beer enthusiasts will love sipping their way through the Winterhop Brewfest, which invites breweries from around the Pacific Northwest to pour beers in downtown Ellensburg venues.
Also See: Washington Cities for Beer Lovers
February
Red Wine and Chocolate Weekend, Yakima Valley
Sample local reds accompanied by tastings of special treats at a selection of wineries during Presidents Day Weekend.
Seattle Museum Month, Seattle
Throughout February, visitors can explore the many museums in greater Seattle. Soar into aviation history, dive into marine life, immerse yourself in pop culture, marvel at glass art, and more.
March
Taste Washington, Seattle
Wine culture meets culinary excellence during Taste Washington each March. Enjoy educational seminars, wine and food events with celebrity chefs, and the Grand Tasting, which features hundreds of wineries showcasing their finest vintages plus dozens of local restaurants serving up delectable bites.
Penn Cove Musselfest, Coupeville
Celebrate the area’s briny mussels and waterfront offerings at Musselfest. Live music, mussel farm boat tours, food stalls, and a chowder-tasting competition offer lively fun on picturesque Whidbey Island.
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival, Blaine
Birders flock to Northwest Washington to take part in workshops, enjoy guided outings, and hear from experts. Plenty of kid-friendly activities will keep birders of all ages entertained. Learn more about winter birding in Northwest Washington.
Winthrop Balloon Roundup, Winthrop
More than a dozen hot-air balloons fill the sky over Winthrop each winter during this three-day event. Perfect for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts who can also explore the area’s nordic ski trails.
Also See: Where to go Cross-Country Skiing
April
Seattle International Film Festival, Seattle
See the best in international and independent films from around the globe. The festival also features programs, film talks, and a filmmaking camp for youths. Film buffs can also explore filming locations throughout Washington year-round.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Mount Vernon
This iconic Washington State event brings visitors to the Skagit Valley each spring to view acres of tulips and daffodils blanketing the valley. The month-long festival includes more than just blooms and display gardens. Visitors can also enjoy art shows, a street fair, concerts, and more.
Tour de Lopez, Lopez Island
Soak in the beauty of Lopez Island during this non-competitive bike ride. A variety of routes are available for all skill levels, from a family-friendly 5-mile ride to a challenging 31-mile option. Riders can enjoy a catered lunch and live music.
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, Wenatchee
Launched in 1919 to celebrate the apple industry, the festival has expanded to include a variety of events and family fun, from a grand parade, craft fair, and live entertainment, to a golf tournament and carnival.
Washington State Spring Fair, Puyallup
The biggest celebration of spring spans two weekends at the state fairgrounds in Puyallup. Expect live entertainment, fair food, animals, and rides for all ages.
May
Bloomsday Run, Spokane
Since 1977, the first Sunday in May has been dedicated to Spokane’s Bloomsday Run. The annual tradition and national running event attracts tens of thousands of runners each year.
Ski to Sea, Bellingham
This 93.5-mile relay encompasses multiple sports and runs from the slopes of Mount Baker to the waters of Bellingham Bay. Enjoy a festival at the finish line in Bellingham‘s historic Fairhaven neighborhood featuring live music, food, and beer gardens.
Lake Chelan Wine and Jazz Festival, Chelan
Enjoy a range of jazz performances including classic, R&B, Latin, and more playing at wineries and venues around Lake Chelan. Food and wine is available for purchase, and a Festival Pass provides access to multiple days.
Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle
One of the largest folklife festivals in the country is held over Memorial Day weekend. The event boasts performances from dozens of national and regional folk musicians, crafts vendors, and great food.
Packwood Flea Market, Packwood
The multi-day event attracts hundreds of vendors. Browse antiques, artisan gifts, upcycled items, art, and more. The market happens twice a year and is considered one of the largest in the country.
Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville
Held in the historic waterfront town of Coupeville, this festival features canoe races, Native art, storytelling, music and dance performances, food, and more.
Spokane Lilac Festival, Spokane
This event celebrates the Spokane community with a week of festivities that combine the city’s famous lilacs with community events that culminate in the nation’s largest Armed Forces Torchlight Parade.
Viking Fest, Poulsbo
This festival in Poulsbo celebrates Norwegian heritage with plenty of action. Enjoy a carnival and street fair, road races, a strong-man competition, a parade, and more.
June
Seattle PrideFest & Seattle Pride Parade, Seattle
Seattle’s PrideFest combines advocacy and celebration during an action-packed weekend for all ages. Enjoy entertainment, beer gardens, food vendors, and more at the Seattle Center and Capitol Hill. That same month, join Seattle Pride® to celebrate love, diversity, and equality with a vibrant Seattle Pride Parade. This is a free, all-ages event along 4th Avenue in downtown. Also See: LGBTQ+ Guide to Seattle
Deming Logging Show, Deming
Originally established in 1963 to raise funds for injured loggers, this event has grown to include dozens of exhibitions that display the skills and tools used in the logging industry. Don’t miss axe throwing, speed climbing, log rolling, and more.
Spokane Hoopfest, Spokane
The world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball event. Each year, more than 6,000 teams play 14,000 games across 42 blocks in downtown. The Toyota Shootoff and slam dunk competition are highlights.
Rhubarb Days, Sumner
Don’t miss this festival featuring a pie-eating contest, a rhubarb bake-off, games, and music.
July
Sequim Lavender Weekend, Sequim
Each summer, the landscape around Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula is awash in purple as lavender fields burst into bloom. Visit during the third weekend in July to enjoy the Lavender Festival Street Fair, visit local farm fields, and more.
The Taste Northwest, Puyallup
This massive food festival features dozens of restaurants and specialty food vendors, live musical performances, food competitions, beer gardens, kids’ activities, and more.
Seafair Summer Fourth, Seattle
Experience an epic Fourth of July celebration with a choreographed fireworks show and a host of pre-show activities during the day. Enjoy multiple vantage points for either Lake Union, Gas Works Park, or Lake Union Park.
Chelan Pro Rodeo, Chelan
The Chelan Rustlers Saddle Club and Aces Wild Pro Rodeo bring two nights of heart-pumping rodeo fun to the Chelan Valley. Expect bronc riders, bulls, performances by trick riders, and more. Find more Washington rodeos.
Northwest Raspberry Festival, Lynden
Held in downtown Lynden, this festival showcases fresh, local raspberries. Enjoy berry-themed events and food as well as basketball tournaments and farm tours. Also See: U-Pick Farms for Fresh Produce
Skagit Valley Highland Games, Mount Vernon
Kilts and bagpipes abound at this traditional Scottish event. Enjoy bagpiping and drumming competitions, fiddling, traditional Scottish athletics, and Scottish Highland dancing.
Tri-Cities Water Follies, Tri-Cities
Enjoy three days of hydroplane races and airshows on the Columbia River. Attendees can expect booths, a kids’ zone, pit tours, and more.
4 Days of Aloha, Vancouver
Celebrate Hawaiian culture at this four day event in Vancouver‘s Esther Short Park, featuring live music, dance, arts and crafts, and food vendors.
August
National Lentil Festival, Pullman
The Palouse Region in Eastern Washington grows a quarter of the lentils in the country, and this festival celebrates the legume with street fairs, music, cooking demos, a parade, and more.
Anacortes Arts Festival, Anacortes
This art bash stretching through downtown Anacortes features 250-plus artisan booths, live music, wine and beer gardens, food trucks and vendors, a kids’ area, and a fine art show.
Boeing Seafair Air Show, Seattle
You don’t have to be an aviation geek to appreciate this air show. Watch aerobatics done by a variety of military and civilian teams, including demonstrations by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army Golden Knights, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Air Force.
Makah Days, Neah Bay
This event on the Olympic Peninsula commemorates thousands of years of Makah culture. Enjoy canoe races, a salmon bake, and browse Native American art while learning about the tribe’s past and present.
Northwest Washington Fair, Lynden
Enjoy horse shows, a rodeo, livestock judging, food and craft displays, a demolition derby, and nightly entertainment in the grandstands during this 10-day event.
Omak Stampede, Omak
Enjoy heart-pounding entertainment at this annual event. Know for the World Famous Suicide Race, you’ll also find a carnival, art show, rodeo, and the Indian Encampment & Pow Wow sponsored by the Colville Confederated Tribes.
Pigout in the Park, Spokane
This six-day food and music festival held at Riverfront Park boasts 90 free concerts on three stages, more than 50 food booths, and three adults-only beverage gardens.
Washington State International Kite Festival, Long Beach
Enjoy world-class kite flying and competitions on the Long Beach Peninsula as flyers from around the world convene to awe spectators with choreographed movements and kite battles.
September
The Great Prosser Balloon Rally, Prosser
Balloon pilots from across the western U.S. converge in Prosser for this annual festival. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
Ellensburg Rodeo, Ellensburg
The state’s biggest rodeo takes place over Labor Day weekend and features a carnival, parade, and musical performances.
Packwood Flea Market, Packwood
The multi-day event attracts hundreds of vendors. Visitors can browse an assortment of antiques, artisan gifts, upcycled items, art, and more. The Flea Market also takes place in the spring.
Washington State Fair, Puyallup
Washington’s official state fair draws visitors for concerts, rodeos, exhibitions, tons of rides and games, fair food, animal experiences, art booths, and so much more.
Wooden Boat Festival, Port Townsend
Billed as the largest wooden boat festival in North America, this family friendly event takes place in charming Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. Step aboard historic and modern wooden boats, watch demonstrations, and more.
October
Bellingham SeaFeast, Bellingham
This two-day event celebrates Bellingham’s maritime heritage, working waterfront, and culinary bounty. Enjoy live entertainment, seafood, and more.
The Dungeness Crab Festival, Port Angeles
This event celebrates the region’s seafood and maritime traditions. Enjoy local Dungeness crab as well as live music, a 5K run, booths by local artists, and a U.S. Coast Guard demonstration. Find more seafood festivals.
Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Yakima
With more than 70 breweries, wineries, and cideries, as well as food and live music, this festival is recognized as one of the nation’s best beer festivals. Fun Fact: the Yakima Valley produces more than 70% of total U.S. hops.
Friday Harbor & Orcas Island Film Festivals, San Juan Islands
Screen new films and documentaries and enjoy filmmaker events during these festivals on San Juan and Orcas islands. The events take place during Savor the San Juans, a fall celebration of food, farms, and films.
Northwest Chocolate Festival, Seattle
Calling all chocolate lovers. Billed as the largest gathering of artisan chocolate makers in the world, this festival features workshops, exhibitors, and samples of indulgent concoctions.
Oktoberfest, Leavenworth
This traditional Oktoberfest celebration is held in the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth. Enjoy delicious local beer and food, live music, traditional German dancing, steinholding competitions, and more.
OysterFest, Shelton
Head to Hood Canal for shellfish, brews, music, and the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships. The seafood festival features tons of food items and hands-on water quality exhibits.
December
Seattle Christmas Market, Seattle
Situated in the shadow of the Space Needle, the market brings the feel of European-inspired holiday markets to Seattle. Sample seasonal food and drink, explore rows of artisan booths, enjoy live entertainment, stroll through Lovers Lane, and more. Also See: Discover More Festive Holiday Events
Fairhaven Winterfest, Bellingham
Each December, Fairhaven is decked out in lights and holiday decor for the holiday season. Enjoy a holiday market, tree-lighting celebration, carriage rides, a lighted bike parade, and more.
Village of Lights: Christmastown, Leavenworth
This Bavarian village was practically made for Christmas. Take in more than half a million lights and enjoy sleigh rides, roasted chestnuts, carolers, and Santa photos. Leavenworth also hosts Winter Karneval events in January.
Zoolights, Tacoma
More than half a million lights turn Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium into a holiday display. See a scuba-diving Santa and more family fun.