Seattle Center Festál unveils 2024 festival schedule

Susan Fried

Submitted

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Seattle Center Festál is back for its 27th year. This beloved series, featuring a dazzling array of two dozen festivals produced by Seattle Center in partnership with community-based organizations from across the region, is set to captivate and celebrate the rich tapestry of Seattle’s cultural communities. All Festál events are free, inviting one and all to join the fun and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our city’s diverse cultures.

“Seattle Center Festál is more than just a series of events; it embodies our commitment to forging One Seattle,” Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell emphasized. “Bringing our city’s diverse communities together to share their cultural traditions and customs enriches the lives of everyone and showcases the unique vibrancy of our beloved city.”

Festál invites the broader community to join in the celebrations of cultural histories, arts, customs, and rituals. Each festival seamlessly blends the old with the new, offering a diverse array of traditional and contemporary music and dance, visual arts and crafts, children’s activities, vendor marketplaces, exhibits, food, and immersive learning experiences suitable for the entire family.

“Festál is where the world gathers to celebrate all the rich diversity and culture in the Pacific Northwest,” said Seattle Center Director Marshall Foster. “Seattle Center is proud and excited to continue to support Festál for the 2024 season.”

Throughout the year, these festivals serve as markers of time, celebrating the change of seasons, harvests, new beginnings, and much more. They draw attention to political emancipation and pay homage to departed loved ones, bring forward traditions from ancient civilizations, and highlight the influences of contemporary society.

Visitors to Seattle Center can look forward to 24 weekend festivals in 2024, offering ample opportunities to experience the warmth of community, engaging activities, cuisines, and captivating art forms. In 2023, Seattle Center Festál was enjoyed by more than 150,000 attendees, and this year promises even more exciting and enriching experiences.

SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL SCHEDULE

• Têt in Seattle – Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 3-4

• Irish Festival Seattle, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17

• Seattle’s French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures, Sunday, March 24

• Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival, Friday-Sunday, April 12-14

• Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, Saturday, May 4

• Spirit of Africa, Saturday, May 11

• A Glimpse of China – Seattle Chinese Culture & Arts Festival, Saturday, May 18

• Northwest Folklife Festival, Friday-Monday, May 24-27

• Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2

• Indigenous People Festival, Saturday, June 8

• Seattle Iranian Festival, Saturday, June 22