54th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival @ Seattle Center

The Northwest Folklife Festival is one of the largest access-for-all festivals in the country — and has been since 1972. Held annually on Memorial Day weekend, Folklife was started as a way to celebrate the global traditions of Northwest communities. Each year has a theme that highlights a cultural concept to reflect on together. For the 54th year of the festival, that’s ikigai (ee-kee-guy) — a Japanese idea that means “reason for being.”

The Northwest Folklife Festival is the perfect place to contemplate your ikigai. With over 4,000 performers on 20+ stages, as well as food, crafts and art vendors spread across Seattle Center, it’s a love letter to the communities who make up this region.

🎊Festival highlights:

Threads of the People: Part fashion part folk art, this runway show extends off the stage with presentations and workshops that highlight local clothing creators.

Community quilt: A collaborative art project where attendees bring fabric to add to a textile that is representative of the area.

Multiple stages for music: Catch performances from musicians playing everything from Cajun Zydeco to Cumbia at the many stages throughout the Seattle Center grounds. Dance beneath the Space Needle or run through the International Fountain while music blasts from Mural Amphitheatre.

Family-friendly activities: Enjoy family dance time, a maker’s space with the Seattle Children’s Museum and a performance at the Seattle Children’s Theatre of “The Pa’akai We Bring.”