Seattle Center Festál presents free cultural festivals throughout the year. Each event highlights the distinct cultures and common threads of the ethnic communities of people living in the Puget Sound region. The festivals showcase the traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops and more. These free cultural festivals are presented by Seattle Center and the generous support by the City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and many sponsors.
The origins of the Festál program date back to the 1962 World’s Fair exhibits showcasing international cultures. In 1988, then Seattle Mayor Charles Royer and Seattle Center Director Virginia Anderson encouraged development of a series of cultural festivals. In its inaugural year, 11 festivals were presented. At last count there were 24. It’s a free, fun way to spend a weekend in the city, whether you are celebrating your roots or exploring a culture new to you.
2024 Festal events at Seattle Center
Embrace our ethnic diversity and cultivate a deeper understanding of the cultures that contribute to the vibrancy of our region at Seattle Center Festál. This series of free cultural festivals is presented throughout the year, each with a unique cultural focus, identity, and range of engaging activities. Share in age-old cultural and contemporary traditions through food, music, dance, art, film and more. All Festál events are in the Armory.
- March 16-17, 2024. IRISH FESTIVAL SEATTLE
- March 24, 2024. FRENCH FEST: A CELEBRATION OF FRENCH-SPEAKING CULTURES
- April 12-14, 2024. CHERRY BLOSSOM & JAPANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL
- May 4, 2024. ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION
- May 11, 2024. SPIRIT OF AFRICA
- May 18, 2024. A GLIMPSE OF CHINA – SEATTLE CHINESE CULTURE & ARTS FESTIVAL
- Memorial Day Weekend. NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
- June 1-2, 2024. PAGDIRIWANG PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL
- June 8, 2024. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FESTIVAL
- June 22, 2024. SEATTLE IRANIAN FESTIVAL
- July 13, 2024. POLISH FESTIVAL SEATTLE
- July 27-28, 2024. SEATTLE ARAB FESTIVAL
- August 10-11, 2024. TIBET FEST
- August 18, 2024. BRASILFEST
- August 23-25, 2024. FESTIVAL SUNDIATA PRESENTS BLACK ARTS FEST
- September 8, 2024. LIVE ALOHA HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
- September 14-15, 2024. SEA MAR FIESTAS PATRIAS
- September 28-29, 2024. THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL
- October 6, 2024. CROATIAFEST
- October 12-13, 2024. TURKFEST
- October 26-27, 2024. DÍA DE MUERTOS FESTIVAL SEATTLE
- November 2, 2024. DIWALI: LIGHTS OF INDIA
- November 9, 2024. SEATTLE HMONG NEW YEAR
- More info: Seattle Center Festál
Image: Depositphotos.com
Upcoming cultural heritage events
Listed below are upcoming cultural heritage events on our calendar.
But wait, there’s more!
- Our big list of live music gigs & concerts – Greater Seattle on the Cheap
- And here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun.
- More free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
- Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page.
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