Looking for something fun to do in Seattle this Memorial Day weekend? Don’t miss out on the Northwest Folklife Festival!
This will be the 52nd year for Seattle’s Northwest Folklife Festival. The festival runs from Friday, May 26 to Monday, May 29 at Seattle Center. This celebration of Northwest arts and culture will have live music, dancing, food, vendors, and more. Admission is free, although a suggested donation of $20 will go towards the festival’s operation costs.
Read on for all you need to know about this year’s festival!
History
The history of the Northwest Folklife Festival dates back to its inaugural year of 1972. The festival was started and is maintained by the Northwest Folklife organization, which has worked to celebrate and preserve the culture and heritage of Pacific Northwest communities since 1971. You can view a fascinating gallery of the festival over the years that dates all the way back to the ’70s.
Virtual festival
If you can’t make it to the festival in person, you can enjoy it virtually! There will be a daily live-stream featuring some of the festival’s performances and events starting at 11:00 a.m.
Performances and activities
This year’s festival-goers can look forward to a four-day lineup of live entertainment, performers, and activities at Seattle Center. There will be multiple stages for live music and performers, activities for kids, hands-on workshops, dance parties, and more. You can see the full event schedule online.
Vendors
Finally, there will also be vendors selling food and handcrafted treasures. Be sure to bring your appetite! Bring your tote bag for shopping as well, since there will be vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, home goods, apparel, artwork, and more at the Folklife Marketplace. You can check out the list of food and retail vendors.
Seattle Northwest Folklife Festival 2023
When: Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29, 2023
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday; 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday
Where: Seattle Center
Cost: Free admission! Suggested donation is $20