If you’re heading to Bellevue, Washington this summer, you’re in luck. We’ve got some of the most unique, talked-about summer festivals and street fairs in the country. And once you get a taste—you’ll want to make us a summer getaway destination every year.
The Strawberry Festival
Coming to Bellevue June 24-25, the Strawberry Festival at Crossroads Park is the perfect place to take the kids and enjoy the summer weather. While the main stage will feature music from big band to classic rock –performers will also be delighting festival goers with entertainment for kids and adults alike. Look for inflatable bouncers, pony rides, face painting, strawberry shortcake eating contests and much more.
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend
Celebrating its 33rd summer, Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend will once again be bringing fine arts and crafts to the streets of downtown Bellevue. Coming July 28-30th, Arts Fair Weekend features three different arts fairs bringing in over 600 of the most talented and popular artisans, musicians and craftspeople from the Northwest and beyond. This is truly the event locals look forward to all year long.
In addition to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience from national as well as local artists, Bellevue Art Museum’s (BAM) ARTSfair offers free programming all weekend long including: BAM Exhibitions, KIDSfair, the Sound & Movement Stage, food trucks, and much more.
At 6th Street Fair, you’ll peruse an eclectic mix of arts and crafts from local artisans. This fair is the perfect place to find a gift or a treasure for yourself from baskets and beadwork to paintings and pottery that reflects the culture of the region. Bellevue Festival of the Arts also features a variety of local Northwest artists, musicians and craftspeople. Plus the proceeds benefit various local and global non-profit organizations.
Bellevue Farmers Market
There’s no better way to explore the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer than at the Bellevue Farmers Market. The farmers market features amazing local produce, flowers, meats, fish and baked goods—but also entertainment for the entire family. There’s live music along with a whole host of food trucks to satisfy the desires of even the hardest-to-please foodie. Located in the parking lot of Bellevue Presbyterian Church, half a mile north of Downtown Bellevue,
the Farmer’s Market takes place rain or shine Thursdays from 3-7pm through October 11th.
Kirkland Uncorked
For wine lovers, you can’t beat Kirkland Uncorked. Taking place July 14-16 and just a short drive along Lake Washington to Kirkland, this event is in beautiful downtown Kirkland’s Marina Park, right on the water. Showcasing over 70 Washington wines, you’ll be sipping the best Washington State has to offer. Be sure and visit the beer tent and street fair while nibbling on delicious food from dozens of local vendors.
Kirkland Summerfest
Also in Marina Park August 11-13, is Kirkland Summerfest. An event for the entire family, Summerfest features kids activities all day Saturday and Sunday as well as live music, food, beer and wine throughout the weekend.
Enjoy family fun in the kid zone while listening to live music from great local musicians. Indulge in fabulous cuisine from a wide array of food trucks while you soak up the sun.
Live at Lunch
Downtown Bellevue’s favorite place to hang out on a gorgeous day, Live at Lunch is the perfect lunchtime destination. With different locations throughout downtown Bellevue, music and entertainment line-ups, it’s the best place in the city to relax in the summer sun.
Being in downtown also means a wide variety of quick and delicious lunch options to pick up and take with you to enjoy the music. Try the fresh and hearty sandwiches, salads and quinoa bowls at Homegrown. Or stop by Gilbert’s on Main for our favorite sandwich, the cold turkey and hot pastrami with swiss cheese, coleslaw and homemade Russian dressing. Truly heavenly.
Mark your calendars, Live at Lunch takes place July 11th-September 14th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Noon-1:30 p.m at plazas and parks throughout downtown Bellevue.
Bellevue Family Fourth
The 2017 Bellevue Family 4th presented by The Bellevue Collection will take place at the newly renovated Bellevue Downtown Park. The Eastside’s largest 4th of July event will honor America’s birthday for the 26th consecutive year.
Enjoy live entertainment, a Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone with kid-friendly entertainment, jugglers, mascot characters, face painting and free interactive games, plus food vendors and a spectacular fireworks show synchronized to a live performance at 10:00 pm by Bellevue’s Youth Symphony Orchestra. It is truly a Fourth of July you will never forget.
Seafair
Of course, no summer in the Pacific Northwest is complete without Seafair.
This non-profit festival was founded in 1950 to attract tourists to the Seattle region and promote marine events to enhance Seattle’s reputation as the Boating Capital of the World. Taking place this year August 4th-8th, events happen throughout Seattle and the Eastside and touch more than two million people throughout the summer.
Seafair’s Signature Events include:
- Seafair Kickoff June 14th
- Alaska Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, July 18th
- Seafair Pirates Landing, July 8th
- Seafair Summer 4th
- Safeway/Albertsons Seafair Milk Carton Derby, July 15th
- Swedish Seafair Triathlon & Kids Triathlon, July 23rd
- Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade, July 29th
- Seafair Fleet Week & Boeing Maritime Celebration, August 1-6
- Seafair Weekend featuring the Boeing Seafair Air Show and Albert Lee Appliance Cup, August 4-6
Check out the Seafair website for all the details.
Written by – Tami Rogers
Photo Credits – Top to Bottom: Bellevue Family 4th concert via Colin Walker, Bellevue Strawberry Festival slide via Eastside Heritage Center, BAM ARTSfair streetview via Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue Farmers Market streetview via Bellevue Farmers Market, Kirkland Uncorked at Kirkland Marina via Kirkland Uncorked Facebook, Glass Flowers via Kirkland Summerfest, Folk Band via Bellevue Downtown’s Live at Lunch, Fireworks at Bellevue Family 4th via Colin Walker, Seafair boats via Rod Mar
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