ParentMap Insiders’ Ultimate Play List

Every family’s month-by-month guide to seasonal Pacific Northwest events that mustn’t be missed

By Elisa Murray

When you’re raising kids, the days are long, but the years are short, so you’ve got to plan carefully to hit some of our area’s signature annual events while your littles are still young enough to want to go with you. From spotting eagles at their local gathering grounds to quirky festivals to holiday delights, here in the Pacific Northwest we know how to celebrate all year around.

To help you make the most of the best yearly events, we’ve gathered a bucket list of festivals, happenings, out-of-theordinary holidays and more to put on your family calendar.

January

� Eagle watching in the Skagit Valley (concrete-wa.com). Day trip alert! Throughout January, you can view wintering bald continued from page 35 eagles around the Skagit River. Towns such as Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount host story times, activities and other kid fun. There are scads of kid-friendly hiking trails around the area, too (parentmap.com/ skagit-hikes).

� Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration March (parentmap.com/mlk-day). Inspire your kids and give them a taste of history by joining Seattle’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration March, beginning at Garfield High School. Visit the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition website (seattlemlkcoalition.org) for upcoming dates, details and related events.

� Lunar New Year. The Year of the Dragon (parentmap.com/zodiac) will breathe fire into the new year, starting Feb. 10, 2024 (2023 is the less incendiary Year of the Rabbit). One of our region’s main celebrations takes place outside the Wing Luke Museum. Plan for lion dances, firecrackers and more festive fun. Another popular new year celebration, Teết in Seattle, takes place each year at the Seattle Center Armory and Fisher Pavilion.

February

� Kids ’n’ Critters Weekends (nwtrek.org). This winter special, also called “Wild Child Weekends,” entices families to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville by offering as many as two free kid admissions with each paying adult, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in February. Admire the bear brothers, spot the bobcats and don’t miss Northwest Trek’s epic Kids’ Trek playground.

� Children’s Film Festival Seattle (childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org). Detox from Disney at this one-of-a-kind festival hosted by Northwest Film Forum, which screens dozens and dozens of feature films and shorts from around the globe — all aimed at kids and families. We especially love the shorts collections. Pro tip: The festival’s guide makes it easy to pick the right film for your crew based on ages and interests.

� Northwest Flower & Garden Festival (gardenshow.com). Each February, Seattle’s legendary garden show plants itself at the Seattle Convention Center. Admission is free for kids ages 12 and younger, and if you think it’s a bad idea to drag your kids to a garden show, don’t worry. You’ll find lots to look at and plenty of activities to keep them engaged, such as the annual kids’ treasure hunt.

� Great Backyard Bird Count (birdcount.org). Citizen science needs you every February! Rule the roost by tallying all the birds you see — from your yard, the park or any other locale — during one 15-minute time span. Then log your findings with the Great Backyard Bird Count.

March

� First viewing at Seattle Japanese Garden (seattlejapanesegarden.org). Typically held on the first Sunday in March, the annual opening celebration of the enchanting Seattle Japanese Garden features a Shinto blessing and kid-friendly performances. (Discover more secret gardens, p. 25.)

� Dr. Seuss’ birthday (seussville.com). Happy birthday to the author of all of our favorite kids’ stories! On March 2, celebrate the birthday of the beloved author by reading at home, or check your local library for any planned activities. And definitely plan to cook up some green eggs and ham for dinner.

� Holi (parentmap.com/holi). Known as the “Festival of colors,” Holi is joyously continued from page 37 celebrated in India on the day after the full moon in March. Kids love to throw the colored powder. Look for celebrations at various regional locales.

� Pi Day (piday.org). Why not celebrate this special day? It’s an opportunity to bake a pie for someone special, look for pie deals and talk with your kids about what the number 3.141592 ... signifies.

April

� Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (parentmap.com/tulips). Visiting Skagit Valley’s Technicolor fields during the month of April is also a chance to tour some of the small-town gems in the valley, from La Conner to Bow.

� The Daffodil Festival (thedaffodilfestival.org). South Sound communities celebrate spring with a gorgeous street parade that moves through Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting, all in one day.

� Sheep shearing at Kelsey Creek Farm (bellevuewa.gov). Every April, Bellevue’s urban farm invites families to watch sheep being shorn and to enjoy spinning demonstrations, pony rides, tractor rides and more.

� Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival (seattlecenter.com). Admire the cherry blossoms in hot spots such as the University of Washington’s Quad. Follow that up by celebrating Seattle’s Japanese heritage and the change of the seasons at this annual Festál event at Seattle Center.

� Washington State Spring Fair (thefair.com). This more low-key version of the September extravaganza features rides, entertainment, activities and animals at the Washington State Fairgrounds.

� Independent Bookstore Day (parentmap.com/indie). What could be more Northwest than this celebration of our best bookstores? During this event, held on the last Saturday of April, participating bookstores offer activities, deals and an incentive to visit as many of the stores as possible in one day. But really, any day is a great day to visit an awesome independent bookstore!

May

� Free Comic Book Day (freecomicbookday.com). On the first Saturday in May, pick up a free comic book at one of many participating shops around Puget Sound.

� Opening Day of Boating Season (seattleyachtclub.org). Watch the parade of decorated boats as it travels through the Montlake Cut in Seattle to mark the official start of the boating season.

� 17th of May Festival (parentmap.com/17-may). Also called Syttende May (say “SOOT-un-da my”), May 17 is Ballard’s big day. The Seattle neighborhood flies its Scandinavian colors high at this popular and historic parade, one of the largest outside of Norway.

� Northwest Folklife (nwfolklife.org). This iconic Memorial Day weekend festival celebrated 50 years in 2021. Mark your calendar for the incredible lineup of music and dance performances, activities for kids and terrific people watching.

June

� Free Fishing Weekend (wdfw.wa.gov). Always on the first weekend after the first Monday in June, Washington state waives its fishing license requirement for the weekend.

� Juneteenth (parentmap.com/ juneteenth). While this is a newer holiday, a full understanding of this important day is critical to getting a more complete picture of U.S. history. Round up the kids and join one of many family celebrations, ceremonies and events taking place around the region.

� Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade (fremontfair.com). This famous artsy-quirky festival stars a free-spirited parade (be prepared for some questions about naked cyclists), plus there’s a pooch parade, music, art cars and kids’ activities.

� Seattle Pride (seattlepride.org). Pride events around the region celebrate the lives and stories of LGBTQ+ people and families in a wild and colorful fashion. Celebrate all types of families and all manner of love at Seattle signature community Pride celebrations happening around town.

� Greenwood Car Show (greenwoodcarshow.com). There are a bundle of car shows around the region, but this one is extra kid-friendly, with cars lined up for admiration and lots of fun for families. It’s held the last Saturday in June each year.

July

� Jetty Island (parentmap.com/jetty). Trust us: A visit to Everett’s 2-mile-long sandy beach gem, which you reach by an inexpensive foot ferry in July and August, should be on your summer bucket list every year.

� Seafair (seafair.org). An iconic Pacific Northwest tradition, Seafair is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Among its family-favorite attractions: the Milk Carton Derby, the Torchlight Parade and the Blue Angels. Seafair neighborhood parades and activities sprawl from July into August.

� King County Fair (enumclawexpo.com). This county fair at the Enumclaw Expo Center is the oldest county fair in the United States west of the Mississippi. It offers inexpensive and old-fashioned fun, with free entertainment, rides and plenty of farm animals. Dates for 2023 are July 13–16.

� Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair (bellevuearts.org/artsfair). This largest juried arts and crafts fair in the Northwest also includes an amazing Kidsfair, where children can create masterpieces of their own. Dates for 2023 are July 28–30.

� Mosaic (metroparkstacoma.org). Previously known as Ethnic Fest, this awesome celebration of Pierce County’s cultural diversity, held at Wright Park, includes performing and visual arts, crafts and food from cultures around the world, plus events just for kids. Dates for 2023 are July 29–30.

August

� Watching salmon at the Ballard Locks (parentmap.com/locks). From July to October (best viewing in August and September), the fish ladder at the locks offers a spectacular view into the life cycle of our iconic fish.

� Chambers Creek Kite Festival (piercecountywa.gov). The kite-flying fun at Chambers Bay stretches across six months, but the most fun is during the August fest, which features demo kits, food trucks and especially high flying. Dates for 2023 are Aug. 5–6.

� Umoja Fest (umojafestnw.com). This community festival celebrates the local music, food, dance and fashion of families with roots and cultural traditions from the Black diaspora. Dates for 2023 are Aug. 5–6.

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� Pierce County Fair (piercecountyfair.com). Saddle up for old-fashioned county fair fun at the Pierce County Fair in Graham. This fair showcases local kids and families and their animals, the present and future of Pierce County’s agricultural community. Dates for 2023 are Aug. 10–13.

� The Evergreen State Fair (evergreenfair.org). In late August, the fair in Monroe revs into action with animals on display, midway rides and a rodeo. Dates for 2023 are Aug. 24–29, Aug. 31–Sept. 4.

September

� Bumbershoot (seattlecenter.com). Seattle’s iconic music fest will celebrate 50 years in 2023. The event is being revived and reimagined for its golden anniversary, so it may look a little different this year. Stay tuned, and check the website for more information and details as they become available. Dates for 2023 are Sept. 2–3.

� Bremerton Blackberry Festival (blackberryfestival.org). This Labor Day fest in berry fun Bremerton features blackberry treats, a fun run, fly-ins and more family fun on the boardwalk. Dates for 2023 are Sept. 2–4.

� BrickCon (brickcon.org). Got some Lego lovers in the house? This Seattle Center festival (the longest-running fan exhibition in the United States!), with thousands of model displays and group builds, has everything. Dates for 2023 are Sept. 9–10.

� Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias (seattlecenter.com). This fest celebrates the various cultural traditions, music and cuisines of Latin America that are represented in our local community. Dates for 2023 are Sept. 16–17.

� Washington State Fair (thefair.com). Bring on the elephant ears! “Doing the Puyallup” in September is an annual rite of passage for many families, with carnival rides, animal encounters, the rodeo, monster truck jams and great entertainment for kids. Dates for 2023 are Sept. 1–24.

October

� Issaquah Salmon Days Festival (salmondays.org). With a theme of “Jammin’ With the Salmon” this year (LOL!), Issaquah Salmon Days will celebrate our region’s iconic fish with a parade, music, a kids’ obstacle course, dock dogs and more. Dates for 2023 are Oct. 1–2.

� Oktoberfest Northwest (oktoberfestnw.com). At the Puyallup Fairgrounds, parents can sip the region’s newest brews, while kids go on rides and frolic in the root beer garden. Dates for 2023 are Oct. 6–8.

November beach for live music broadcast to shore from decorated ships and (if you’re lucky) enjoy a bonfire. Boats pass by locations all around Puget Sound, Dec. 1–23. You can book a tour on the boat, but it’s free to stand on the shore, watch the parade of ships and enjoy the music.

� Day of the Dead (parentmap.com/day-of-the-dead) Honor your family’s dearly departed and experience the cultural traditions of this important day at events around Seattle, including at Seattle Center, Tacoma Art Museum and the Phinney Neighborhood Center.

� Gingerbread Village (parentmap.com/gingerbread-village). This beloved cookie-and-candy fest takes place at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. The best things about this holiday tradition are that it’s free, it’s open nearly all of the time (even on Christmas Day), and its creations are brand new every year. Sweet!

� St. Demetrios Greek Festival (seattlegreekfestival.com). Fulfilling all of your baklava dreams, the beloved St. Demetrios Greek Festival welcomes families to join in for delicious Greek food, music, dancing and other cultural festivities.

� Winterfest (seattlecenter.com). Beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Seattle Center’s awesome holiday celebration features free entertainment at the Armory, a huge model train layout and other signature events.

� Holiday season in Bellevue (bellevuedowntown.com/events). Snowflake Lane, Garden d’Lights and Downtown Park’s covered ice-skating arena are three reasons Bellevue shines brighter than ever during the holidays, Thanksgiving through December.

� Trip the lights fantastic (parentmap.com/holiday-lights). Get some glowing oohs and aahs from your family this season by visiting one of the many spectacular winter light displays around the region. Consult ParentMap’s guide for freebies to splurges, from zoos to parks to city displays.

December

� Christmas Ship Parade of Boats (argosycruises.com). Gather on a dark

� Santa Train excursions (parentmap.com/santa-trains). Make some ho-ho-holiday memories by riding in a train to meet Santa. Trains typically run weekends from late November through mid-December. Buy your tickets early, as they often sell out.

� Model Train Festival (washingtonhistory.org). More trains! The Washington State History Museum has one of the largest model train displays in the region, and it celebrates all things choo-choo during this December festival — with Santa himself in attendance on select days.

BUY TICKETS

MLB All-Star Week is coming to Seattle and has something for the whole family! Experience the fun-filled events happening every day July 7 through July 11. Tickets for several All-Star events are available now—visit allstargame.com to buy yours, or come out to the outdoor portion of Capital One PLAY BALL PARK free all week.