Seattle’s French Fest: A celebration of French-speaking cultures returns

Seattle’s French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures, part of the Seattle Center Festál series, celebrates the diversity of traditions, ideas, heritage, dialects and more that comprise French-speaking cultures around the world.

Presented by France Education Northwest (FEN) and the French American Chamber of Commerce in Seattle PNW (FACC-PNW), this annual festival will take place on Sunday, March 23 from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. at theSeattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall.

The event is free and open to the public and draws its inspiration from the worldwide “Day of Francophonie,” which is organized in over 100 countries each March to celebrate the diversity of global Francophone cultures and traditions. Festivalgoers of all ages have an opportunity to enjoy many engaging activities, including music, dancing, cooking demonstrations and contests, film screenings, wine tastings, and more.

“Now in its 13th year, Seattle’s French Fest is part of the Seattle Center Festál series and attracts thousands of visitors each year,” said Sofia-Cristina Visan, FACC-PNW Executive Director. “We invite you to join us for our 2025 festival which will celebrate and promote Francophone cultures to the greater Seattle area while honoring the theme of ‘A Better Climate.’”

“A Better Climate” will be featured through activities focused on sustainability, protecting nature, circular economy, climate innovation, carbon footprint reduction, and a better social environment while we face increasing scarcity of resources. Activities include: The Children’s Photo Exhibition on Sustainability, in partnership with local schools such as French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS), French Immersion School of Washington (FISW), North Seattle French School (NSFS), Les Lillas French Bilingual Community School, and panel discussions and workshops on sustainability led by the six committees of the FACC-PNW.

Guests can connect with Francophone schools, after-school programs, food vendors, and local businesses, and participate in various cooking demonstrations from Seattle-based French chefs, as well as the new “Best Baguette & Best Croissant” contest in partnership with French Morning. They will also enjoy live performances, including Tahitian dancing from Te Fare O Tamatoa and music by Bonnie Birch, Whozyamama Cajun & Zydeco Band, La Chorale Francophone, and school choirs.

There will be wine tastings, French movie screenings in partnership with Alliance Française, and the opportunity to celebrate the 45th anniversary since Seattle and Nantes became Sister Cities, in partnership with Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association (SNSCA). Booth and vendors include Apple Cox, Pays Provençal, Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association (SNSCA), The French Guys Bakery, L'Experience Paris Bakery, Petit Pierre Bakery, Consulate of Canada, Consulate of France in San Francisco, Medula, and local French schools, preschools and day camps. 

More information on the festival is available at seattlecenter.com and faccpnw.org.