The 10 Best Small-Town Washington Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of
By Jessica Wick|Published April 21, 2017
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
Small-town festivals are made from the heart, usually operated by volunteers holding fundraisers throughout the year for these exciting events. Spend a little time in Washington and you’ll surely hear about some of our largest festivals like Bite of Seattle, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and Hoopfest. But do some exploring and you’ll see that our small towns also have some exciting festivals, and they happen all year. They may not have the fanfare of our bigger cities’ events, but they’re just as fun. Here are 10 small-town festivals near me to put on your calendar for this year or next!
1. Camlann Medieval Village Midsomer Festival, Carnation: June 22 and 23, 2024
Camlann Medieval Village, 10320 Kelly Rd NE, Carnation, WA 98014, USA
Leave behind these hectic times because you've been summoned. The lord of Camlann invites you to attend his summer village festivals in Somersetshire, with crafts and minstrels, puppetry, and archery. Visit the colorful world of Chaucer's England in 1376 and wait for magic to happen. Other events are planned. Discover more on the Camlann Medieval Village website.
2. Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering, Enumclaw: July 26, 27, and 28, 2024
Enumclaw Expo Center, 45224 284th Ave SE, Enumclaw, WA 98022, USA
Attend the sixth 6th oldest Scottish festival in the U.S. You'll enjoy the North American Scottish Athletics Championship, the U.S. West Coast Drum Corps Championship, pipe bands and other entertainment. And if you like to eat, plenty of delicious and traditional Scottish foods will be on hand at the Enumclaw Expo Center. Read all about it on the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association website.
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3. Juan de Fuca Festival, Port Angeles: May 24-26, 2024
Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E 4th St, Port Angeles, WA 98362, USA
Hosted by the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts, the 31st annual event will have a big turnout. Enjoy live performances of more than 100 talented musicians from from several genres, including indie-folk, junk box blues, and country. The lineup also includes ballet and live theater performances and more. See the full lineup on the Juan de Fuca Festival web page.
For the last 60 years, the mining town of Republic has hosted this amazing festival. This year's dates are June 9-11, a beautiful time of year to be in the area.
Since winter can be an isolating time in Eastern Washington, Palouse hosts an annual Cabin Fever Brew Fest every February. Sample local brews and meet your neighbors while enjoying a much-needed night out, which benefits the Palouse Community Center.
Kla Ha Ya Days welcomes people from all over Washington to celebrate the beauty of Snohomish. Proceeds from the family-friendly activities support Snohomish-based community organizations with programs and services for youth and families. This year's festival is July 12-16, kicking off with a parade.
This is a festival based on garlic-themed cuisine. In other words, it's amazing. This year's dates are August 25-27, and you can enjoy live music, crafts and antiques along with your delicious garlic delicacies.
Located just outside of Yakima, Union Gap is a small pioneer town with a lot of local history. On June 17 and 18, head to Fullbright Park to celebrate Union Gap Old Town Days. It's free!
Every August, the Mossyrock Blueberry Festival is held at several venues in the quiet Lewis County town. Aside from all the blueberry treats, you'll see plenty of live music from great local bands.
Located on the Hood Canal, the The Brinnon ShrimpFest is a weekend festival full of local seafood, crafts, music, kids' activities and other exhibits. It's held on Memorial Day weekend, so if you love shrimp, plan your trip now.
Small-town festivals in Washington are abundant. Have you attended any of these on the list? What are your favorite events? Please share your comments below.
If you’re out traveling to some of these fun celebrations, you might want to incorporate a Washington road trip. And when lodging comes up, consider renting a comfy Vrbo.
