About two hours east of Seattle, the Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth hosts its annual Leavenworth Maifest each May, marking the arrival of spring with a mix of traditional German-inspired celebrations and family-friendly events. Now in its 55th year, the festival has been a seasonal fixture since 1971, drawing visitors from across the Pacific Northwest.
This year’s Maifest runs from Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10. Read on for everything you need to know before you go!
Maifest centers on classic Bavarian customs, including live folk music, traditional dancing, and the ceremonial Maipole dance. One of the most recognizable events is the Festzug, or Grand March, where local participants—often dressed in traditional Trachten—parade through town alongside performers and even Bernese Mountain dogs. The festival atmosphere extends throughout Leavenworth’s downtown, with performances staged at the gazebo and other central gathering spots.
In 2026, organizers are expanding the event with new highlights at the Festhalle. Additions include a weekend beer garden featuring regional craft breweries and a new indoor stage hosting live entertainment. Performances range from family-oriented programming to concerts by visiting artists such as Manuela Horn, known for her Alpine music and audience participation shows.
The weekend schedule begins Friday with live accordion music. Saturday features a full slate of events, including the Grand March at noon, multiple Maipole dances performed by the Tirolean Dancers of Oregon, and evening concerts. Sunday includes the Mai Blumenlauf, a 5K, 10K, and half marathon supporting cancer research, followed by another day of music and dancing.
For Seattle-area residents, Leavenworth’s Maifest is the perfect spring weekend getaway. For more information, you can visit the Leavenworth website.
