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Seattle Center’s free four-day cultural blowout
Spend Memorial Day weekend at Seattle Center with music, dance, storytelling, food, and crafts—donation-powered and beloved by locals and travelers.
Event details
Northwest Folklife Festival turns Seattle Center into a four day cultural exchange over Memorial Day weekend, May 22 to 25, 2026. You are steps from the Space Needle and a short ride from Elliott Bay and Lake Union, with performances spread across indoor halls and outdoor plazas. Entry is free and donation powered, making it one of the easiest ways to spend a city holiday with the region’s artists and tradition bearers.
You can move between multiple stages for live music, dance, and storytelling spanning dozens of global traditions, from bluegrass and gospel to classical Indian dance, hip hop, and community choirs. The Mural Amphitheatre is a reliable anchor for larger sets, while smaller courtyard stages keep folk and acoustic acts close. When you want a break from the shows, browse the maker market for local craft and design, then refuel at food courts serving a broad range of international options.
Plan your day like you would a major museum visit. Arrive early if you want guaranteed access to popular indoor venues, since rooms can hit capacity in the afternoon. We recommend the Seattle Monorail or King County Metro because parking in Lower Queen Anne is limited, and bring layers plus a reusable water bottle for variable spring weather. Even though admission is free, a daily donation keeps the festival running, and if the main grounds feel crowded, a walk toward Olympic Sculpture Park adds fresh air and Puget Sound views.
Families are well covered with youth activity zones and hands on crafts, and well behaved leashed pets are generally fine outdoors but not allowed inside performance spaces. Rain rarely changes plans since many stages are covered or indoors, and the festival often winds down Monday evening with final main stage sets, with details varying by year. For lodging, you will have the simplest access from Lower Queen Anne or South Lake Union, while the waterfront is a scenic base with ferry connections, and Lake.com can help you find a quieter rental within an easy transit ride.
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