Maifest Weekends in May

Leavenworth has been raising the Maipole every May since 1971, keeping alive a 16th-century German tradition that celebrates spring with flowers, ribbons, music, and communal dancing. The festival now spans the entire month, with themed weekends that turn Front Street Park into a revolving showcase of Alpine culture. Music of the Alps (first weekend in May) features AlpenFolk performing traditional tunes with authentic instruments and yodeling, followed by Leavenworth Alphorns demonstrating the 12-foot-long Alpine horn. The Traditional Maifest Celebration (May 10 to 12) brings Maipole dancing, Bavarian music, and the Festzug (Grand March), where locals dress in dirndls and lederhosen to welcome visitors in full ceremonial style. Chainsaw carving takes over the third weekend (May 18 to 19), with five Pacific Northwest artists creating large-scale German-inspired sculptures on Front Street using chainsaws and specialty tools. Memorial Day Weekend (May 23 to 26) closes the month with the Leavenworth International Alphorn Festival, featuring alphorn players from across North America performing concerts and workshops at the Front Street Park Gazebo.

All events are free to attend, though arriving early secures the best viewing spots for the Festzug parade and Maipole ceremonies. Parking fills quickly on weekends, so use the free Park-and-Ride at 200 Ward Strasse (behind Safeway) and catch Link Transit Route 32 into downtown. May brings blooming pear and apple blossoms, wildflowers coloring the valley, and perfect patio conditions for post-event meals. Mozart’s Restaurant (founded 1996) offers live piano and harp music on weekends alongside Austrian-inspired dishes and an extensive wine cellar. Andreas Keller (founded 1989) serves schnitzel and sauerkraut with live accordion music and Saturday Polka Nights that extend the Bavarian festivities well into the evening.

Lake Wenatchee, 20 miles north, reaches its most photogenic state in May, with snow still capping the surrounding peaks while the lake itself warms enough for kayaking and paddleboarding. Lake Chelan, an hour northeast, offers more than 30 wineries and tasting rooms along the waterfront, perfect for couples seeking a quieter contrast to Leavenworth’s festive crowds. Lake.com lists cabins and waterfront homes at both destinations, allowing travelers to bookend their Maifest weekends with mornings on the water and evenings watching the sun set over the Cascades.