It’s been a long wait, but lots of summer festivals in Seattle are back this year. From small town street fairs to the grand-daddy of them all (we’re looking at you, Seafair), these family-friendly fests should be part of everyone’s epic summer plans. Take down the kitchen calendar, (or better yet, open the calendar app on your phone) it’s time to map out the best summer festivals around. From June through August, this year’s slate includes everything from parades and carnivals to kids’ crafts, live music and of course, all the fair food you can handle. Rain or shine, this summer is gonna be huge!
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Seafair
When it comes to summer festivals in Seattle it goes without saying that Seafair is the best. Celebrating its 72nd year, it is one of Seattle’s biggest and most beloved festivals, attended by almost two million residents each summer. Fortunately, they aren’t attending at the same time. Instead, Seafair is a series of events held around the greater Seattle area over a two month span in the summer. The events consists of races, parades and localized festivals all leading up to the big Seafair Weekend Festival (August 5-7) with its amazing air shows and thrilling hydroplane races.
With so much happening, it’s best to scope out your favorites from the official Seafair summer schedule. But some of our top picks for families include the Seafair Pirates’ Landing, happening this weekend (June 25) on Alki; Amazon Seafair Summer Fourth (July 4), making its triumphant return to Gas Works Park after a three-year Covid hiatus; the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade (July 30); and the Seafair Weekend Festival (August 5-7) to round out the summer.
Online: seafair.org
Marysville Strawberry Festival
Everyone will at least chuckle at the sight of seeing grown adults riding tricycles through an obstacle course, and that’s just one of the zany events at the Marysville Strawberry Festival. Taking place in various locations across town, the Strawberry Festival includes a carnival, live entertainment, fashion show, golf tournament, a marketplace and, of course, lots of strawberries. Plus, this year marks the 90th annual Twilight Grand Parade which boasts over 100 floats, marching bands, bagpipers, drill teams, clowns and more.
Dates: June 16-19, 2022
Online: marysvillestrawberryfest.com
Kent Cornucopia Days
The Kent Cornucopia Days is one of the few places to see dragon boat racing around Seattle. Each boat is filled with 16-24 paddlers in Chinese dragon boats, competing for medals and bragging rights. And it is just one of the many exciting events for families at South King County’s largest summer festival. Presented by the Kent Lions Club, Kent Cornucopia Days is an award-winning and nationally recognized event filled with something for everyone. Come to enjoy the parade, a huge street fair, food court, car show, live entertainment, Kids Zone and more.
Dates: July 8-10, 2022
Online: kcdays.com
Kla Ha Ya Days
This summer festival in historic Snohomish has been a popular family destination for over 100 years, and it’s back to entertain families in 2022. The native word Kla Ha Ya means, “Welcome,” and Snohomish is ready to welcome you to their charming, old-fashioned summertime party. The festival’s carnival kicks off on July 13 with Kids Day and runs through the weekend. Rides, entertainment and food fair are what you’ll find at each of the carnvial’s five days. You’ll need tickets to ride the rides here (pre-sales started last week), so plan to bring your wallet.
There are plenty of free events families can enjoy at Kla Ha Ya Days too like the Frogtastic Kids’ Fair where kids can design their own frog masks, play yard games and climb aboard a fire truck. Follow up that fun with a street fair, arts and crafts booths, salmon barbeque, wine and beer garden and the Grand Parade. Check out the weekend schedule to make your plans.
Dates: July 13-17, 2022
Online: klahayadays.com
West Seattle Summerfest
This year marks the 40th year of community spirit at the West Seattles Summerfest. It’s as family-friendly as it gets, and it’s just the reason you need to make your way to the accidental island to check out this summer festival in Seattle. It’s part street fair, part music fest and tons of fun. The Junction is closed to traffic so families can wander from booth to booth, checking out food vendors, sidewalk cafes, arts and crafts vendors and more. Music stages are scattered throughout, and an epic kids zone will be set up to keep the kids busy too.
Dates: July 15-17, 2022
Online: wsjunction.org/summer-fest
Covington Days Festival
This fun, family-friendly weekend summer festival in Seattle has over 100 vendors show off arts, crafts, food and more. The fun begins with a morning parade followed by arts and crafters, exhibitors, kid and family activities and live entertainment. We know your kids will love the inflatable toys, and the watermelon eating contest is gonna be off the hook.
Dates: July 16-17, 2022
Online: covingtonwa.gov/covingtondays
Parkadilly Kids Concert & Fair
Located at the Lake Sammamish State Park, Parkadilly is the biggest kids’ concert and summer festival on the Eastside. It’s a chance to get the kids outside, listen to music and enjoy one of our most Headline entertainers this year include the Gansango African Dance, Dancing Silhouette, Northwest Tap Connection, and Joyas Mestizas. Kids of all ages will enjoy the petting zoo with rabbits, goats, llamas and more. And don’t miss the Seattle Fly Dogs who will be demonstrating exciting tricks and impressive agility. Outdoor activities will include arts and crafts, complimentary face painting, and games galore. More than 45 kid-centric vendors will also be on-site alongside assorted food trucks to cater to all picnickers’ tastebuds.
Good to know: There is no charge to attend Parkadilly, but an annual Discover Pass or $10 daily pass is required to enter the park.
Date: July 17, 2022
Online: lakesammamishfriends.org
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Renton River Days
This family-favorite event’s big draw is the Rubber Ducky Derby. For just $5, your rubber duck can join thousands of other little yellow quackers racing down the Cedar River and possibly winn up to $1,000. All proceeds benefit the Salvation Army, Renton Rotary Food Bank, Renton School District and other deserving area non-profits. Other features include the Grand Parade, with Kent Phillips from STAR 101.5 FM as the announcer; the fantastic Rubber Ducky Derby; a pancake breakfast; live music; art demonstrations; an antique and classic boat show; and the “Nibble of Renton” food trucks to keep you well fed when you’re there. Parents can peruse the beer and wine garden, and there will be plenty of kids activities for your crew to enjoy too.
Dates: July 22-23, 2022
Online: rentonriverdays.org
Des Moines Waterland Days & Parade
The city of Des Moines begins its 63rd Waterland Days with a barbecue and concert Friday night featuring Randy Hanson and Uncle Ernie. The annual Kids Parade will usher in the nighttime parade strolling down Marine View Drive on Saturday night where the Seafair Pirates and Seafair Clowns will no doubt be throwing a ruckus. The Wheels and Keels Car and Boat show will take place on both Saturday and Sunday at the Marina. So many things to choose from. What looks good to you?
Dates: July 22-24, 2022
Online: destinationdesmoines.org/waterland-festival
Tour De Terrace
The Tour de Terrace summer festival for Mountlake Terrace and neighboring communities was created in 1993 to generate community spirit and pride, and it’s one of many Seafair affiliated events this year. Families from all over are invited to celebrate in this fun-filled weekend fest. You and the kids can check out all kinds of activities including a parade, craft fair, live music, a classic car, truck and motorcycle show, and a delish pancake breakfast that kicks everything off bright and early–not necessarily in that order. The other big draw? A carnival with thrilling rides and games your kids will want to play again and again.
Dates: July 22-24, 2022
Online: tourdeterrace.org
Kirkland Summerfest
Located right on the shores of Lake Washington, Kirkland’s largest festival returns for its 10th year with three days of lively musical performances, outdoor entertainment, a marketplace, beer and wine garden and more. While we know the kids will stay busy in the Kids Zone that will be set up on Saturday and Sunday, we have a sneaky suspicion dad may want to enter the Tackiest Tiki Hawaiian shirt contest to see if he comes out a winner.
Dates: July 29-July 31, 2022
Online: kirklandsummerfest.com
Nubian Jam
Celebrating 30 years, Nubian Jam is a “celebration of African and African American culture in the form of fellowship and community connectedness.” And while this summer festival is all about being educational and unifying, it’s also a hot spot for summer festival entertainment. Fashion shows, vendors, fair food and activities for kids of all ages guarantee that everyone who attends will have a great time.
Date: July 30, 2022
Online: scbhcwa.org/events
BAM Art Fair
The Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) has been bringing the world of art, craft and design to budding artists of all ages for over 75 years. This festival of art features thousands of original artworks on display, live music, artist demonstrations, food booths, chalk work and more. But your kids will really enjoy the KidsFair geared to bring out their creative sides with art projects, games and gallery activities. The Bellevue Arts Museum is also offering free admission during event. (Not a bad place to duck in for an air conditioning break, if you need one.)
Dates: July 29-31, 2022
Online: bellevuearts.org/artsfair
Celebrate Shoreline
Come celebrate the City of Shoreline’s birthday with two stages of live music and shows. But the kids will flip for pony rides, children’s theater, a toy workshop and hands-on activities to keep their little hands busy all day long. Outside and will plenty of sunshine (we hope) this free, family-friendly, summer festival has its own “family area hours,” from noon to 6 p.m., which will work out great for families with little ones.
Date: Aug. 20, 2022
Online: shorelinewa.gov
Snoqualmie Days
All aboard! Snoqualmie Days (formerly Snoqualmie Railroad Days) is every train lovers favorite summer festival in seattle. The annual celebration of the Snoqualmie Valley, its people, and its culture, it draws tons of visitors to the Eastside each summer. Kids will love the hands-on history activities with living history re-enactors in the History Comes Alive area, located near the gazebo in Railroad Park. This year’s festival will feature a Grand Parade, live entertainment, train rides, a pancake breakfast at the Snoqualmie Fire Station, a Field of Fun and a model railroad show. The kiddos can also opt to hang out at the Kids’ Stage or hop a ride on a train, a speeder motor car or a wagon. And if that doesn’t grab their attention, maybe the Children’s Field of Fun will have to do.
Dates: August 19-20, 2022
Online: snoqualmiedays.org
THING Music Fest
The THING is a 3-day festival of music and arts at historic Fort Worden. The event features a tightly curated lineup of diverse performers, with an emphasis on fresh discoveries. All are welcomed to this mix of music, comedy, visual arts, speakers and highlights from Seattle Theatre Group’s (STG) signature education and community programs. The festival offers four stages (two indoor and two outdoor) at this former military base, which also makes for some fun exploring as well. Hint: bring your beach gear and SUP if you’ve got it. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly, so make your plans early. And guess what? Kids age 12 and under get in free.
Dates: Aug. 26-28, 2022
Online: thingnw.org
Olalla Americana Music Fest
While not a summer festival in Seattle, families with their sights set on an old-timey music festival can ferry (or drive) over to the Kitsap Peninsula for a change of pace. Formerly known as The Olalla Bluegrass Festival, this summer festival has reinvented itself by showcasing a wider range of acoustic musical groups. Expect to hear sweet sounds from the comforts of your festival chairs (sun shades are a plus to bring). And when you need to get up and stroll, you’ll find plenty of folk craft vendors (including quilting, lace making, spinning and wood carving) and food booths to check out with your crew. If nothing else here is enough to convince you, the berry pie will. Grab a slice!
Date: Aug. 20, 2022
Online: olallaamericana.com
Sammamish P.O.P. (Party on the Plateau)
This Eastside favorite summer festival offers musical and cultural performances from local talent during the day and a popular live band in the evening. When the sun is out, the kids can play in the Kids Zone where they’ll find bouncy houses, face painting, balloon artist and a petting zoo so you can enjoy time together as a family. There will also ben an outdoor game area with plenty of yard games for folks of all ages. After all that play, head to the food rodeo where you’ll find a variety of places to choose from. The featured entertainment for the evening will be the ABBA graphs, playing early in the evening, so you can see the show and still get the kids home in time for bed. Even better if they fall asleep on the ride home.
Date: Aug 20, 2022
Online: sammamish.us
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