For a complete listing of activities in the Spokane Region, visit www.VisitSpokane.com/Calendar.asp.
January & February
Outdoor Living Show
541.664.2000
Spokane International Film Festival
Held in late January and early February at The Met Theater.
A small, selective festival of world-class film chosen from the very best features, documentaries and shorts that have been made around the world during the past two years but have not yet been commercially released for wide distribution. They are the same films seen each year at the Cannes, New York or Toronto film festivals.
Many of the filmmakers and stars meet the audiences, share their own stories and anecdotes about the making of their films, and answer questions from audience members. Additional festival events include after-film receptions, forums, seminars, script readings and more. www.SpokaneFilmFestival.org
March
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Held in Saturday closest to St. Patrick's Day in downtown Spokane.
This annual parade is open for total community involvement. Regardless of race, creed or color, everyone has just that wee bit of Irish that comes out in full spirit, whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool Irish person or just Irish-for-the-day, this is one event you won't want to miss.
www.FriendlySonsOfStPatrick.com
April
Japan Week
Held in mid-to-late April throughout Spokane. Celebrate Japanese culture though displays, music, art and demonstrations.
www.JapanWeek.com
Earth Day Celebration
Held on Earth Day in late April at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane.
Procession of the Species along with music, food and Earth Day-related information and displays. Bring you old athletic shoes for The Shoe Fits Recycling program at the Solid Waste System booth. They will be grinded and turned into sports surfaces. www.LandsCouncil.org
May
Bloomsday Run
Held in the first Sunday in May in downtown Spokane. A 12 kilometer (7.46 mile) race through downtown and west Spokane. Starts at 9 a.m. All runners, walkers, wheelchairs, assisted wheelchairs and strollers are welcome to participate. www.BloomsdayRun.org
Blooms on the Bluff
Held two weekends in mid-May in Green Bluff north of Spokane.
Enjoy beautiful flowers, plants, crafts, and fun. This festival will run for two weekends. The trees are blooming, the weather is wonderful, and it is a great opportunity to get out of the house and get ready for spring and summer.
www.GreenBluffGrowers.com
Garden Expo
Held annually on the second Saturday in May, see over 200 garden-related exhibitors. Plants, garden art and crafts are for sale. Meet with related organizations and see demonstrations and seminars. Free admission and parking. Event held at Spokane Community College, 1810 N Greene St. from 9am-5pm. Sponsored by The Inland Empire Gardeners.
www.tieg.org
Spring Wine Tasting
Held Mother's Day Weekend. Taste the new releases at all 10 of Spokane's fabulous wineries, including Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Barrister Winery, Caterina Winery, Grand Ronde Cellars, Knipprath Cellars, Latah Creek Wine Cellars, Lone Canary Winery, Mountain Dome Winery, Robert Karl Winery and Townshend Cellars. www.SpokaneWineries.net
Jr. Lilac Parade
Held in the second Saturday in May in downtown Spokane. Watch the streets come alive with the sounds of thousands of horns and drums. The Junior Lilac Parade is one of the largest children's Parades in the entire United States, held right here in our own backyard. www.SpokaneRotaract.org/JuniorLilac.html
Musicfest Northwest
It is the largest festival of its kind on the West Coast. Students from elementary to post- graduate level participate in ballet, brass, flute, guitar, organ, percussion, piano, reed, string, and voice divisions. www.musicfestnorthwest.org
Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade
Held in the third Saturday in May in downtown Spokane. This parade honors the people who have served in the military. Features marching military units, marching bands, dance troupes, cheer squads, equestrians, classic cars, floats, princesses and queens, and more! www.LilacFestival.org
June
ArtFest
Held the first weekend in June in Coeur d'Alene Park in Spokane's Browne's Addition.
Over 100 artists from throughout the West displaying a wide range of exciting high-quality arts and crafts. Purchase art, crafts and food wile enjoying music and hands-on arts activities. Fun for all ages!
www.NorthwestMuseum.org
Farmers' Market
Center on Sixth Market, 50.385.4820, fridaymarket@hotmail.com,
Community Roots Market, 509.435.5210
Spokane Farmers Market, 509.995.0182,
South Perry Farmers Market, .509.879.2987
Pride Parade & Rainbow Festival
Held in mid-June (on the 2nd saturday of the month) in downtown Spokane. This parade honors all GLBT and their friends, family and co-workers. Following the parade is the Rainbow Festival held in Riverfront Park with a business fair and ever expanding kids/family area. Complete with on-stage entertainment and beer garden.
www.outspokane.org
Taste Washington Spokane
Held in mid-June. Featuring fine wines from over 100 Washington wineries and culinary creations from over 25 regional restaurants.
The Silent Auction featuring Washington wine magnums and the Wheel of Wine adds excitement to the event. And back by popular popular demand: the Fresh Seafood Bar and Washington White Out, a tasting bar featuring white wines that pair well with seafood and shellfish. www.TasteWashington.org
BOBfest
Held in mid-June.
Battle of the Bands - Junior and Senior High School bands compete in this judged event! Other activities include tie-dye and temporary tattoo art. www.SpokaneRiverfrontPark.com
Spokane Hoopfest
Held in the last weekend of June in downtown Spokane. The best outdoor 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the country. With the effort and enthusiasm of thousands of volunteers, Hoopfest strives to create a dynamic downtown festival, transcending basketball through the celebration of athleticism, fair play and community involvement. Spokane Hoopfest Association also provides charitable support through distribution of profits to Special Olympics and basketball-related activities. Anyone who is entering the 3rd grade or older is eligible to play. There are many divisions including co-ed and special olympics. www.SpokaneHoopfest.net
June & July
Northwest Renaissance Festival
Held in June and July north of Spokane. Fun for all ages! King Henry VIII along with family and friends enjoy dancing, games, entertainment, food, merchants from near and far, battle chess, jousting and drinking at the INN!
www.NWRF.net
Strawberry Celebration
Held in the last weekend of June and first weekend of July in Green Bluff in north Spokane.
Pick delicious strawberries! Bring the kids and pick to your heart's content. www.GreenBluffGrowers.com
July
Neighbor Day & 4th of July Celebration
Held on July 4th at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane.
A community event celebrating Independence Day with family activities, food, music, arts, crafts and fireworks.
www.SpokaneRiverfrontPark.com
Cherry Festival
Held two weekends in mid-July in Green Bluff north of Spokane.
Indulge your sweet tooth with some succulent summer fruit and family fun. As always a visit to Green Bluff means you'll find fresh picked fun and a bountiful of homegrown produce and hometown hospitality! www.GreenBluffGrowers.com
Cherry Picker's Trot & Pit Spit
Held in mid-July in Green Bluff north of Spokane. The Cherry Pickers' Trot and Pit Spit pairs great food with a family friendly fun run for all ages! There's a Tot Trot and a BBQ dinner too. And you will laugh 'til it hurts as contestants compete for the longest distance in the famous Cherry Pit Spit! 509.238.4709, 509.238.2489, www.GreenBluffGrowers.com
South Perry Street Fair
Held in mid-July on South Perry on Spokane's South Hill. Arts and craft booths, food vendors, outdoor movies, music and more! www.SouthPerry.com/Faire.php
100 Years of Motorcycles
More than 30 of the countries premier custom bike builders, live entertainment, national celebrities, massive food courts, multiple beer gardens, contests for everyone and the ultimate display of the industries top vendors. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.
http://www.100yearsofmotorcycles.com/
August
Peach Festival
Held two weekends in late August in Green Bluff north of Spokane.
Celebrate one of Green Bluff's great treasures - big, juicy, tree-ripened peaches! Try some peach ice-cream, cobbler, cakes, or pies. No matter how you slice them, these peaches are delicious. Add lots of other great food, live music, and family entertainment for a great weekend!
www.GreenBluffGrowers.com
Spokane Falls Northwest Indian Encampment & Pow Wow
Held in late August at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane.
Competitive drumming and dancing along with arts & crafts and food booths. 509.535.0886
Spokane Highlands Games
massed bands, pipe band exhibitions, individual piping, heavy athletics , highland dancing, children's games and sheepdog exhibitions. Performances will include Scottish country dancing and live Celtic music. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, www.spokanehighlandgames.org
Fall Plant Sale
A fabulous selection, and all the plants are grown by outstanding volunteers. The event is located east of the Gaiser Conservatory.
http://www.thefriendsofmanito.org/index.html
August & September
Pig Out
In The Park
Held Wednesday - Monday of Labor Day Weekend at Riverfront Park. Annual food festival with 50 food booths offering over 250 menu items. Three adult beverage gardens, over 60 bands perform on two stages, and 50 arts & crafts and commercial booths are located in Vendors Village. www.SpokanePigOut.com
September
Spokane
Interstate Fair
Held early-to-mid September at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. Check out arts and crafts, food preservation, livestock, horticulture, floriculture, photography, games, rides and more!
www.SpokaneCounty.org/fair/fair.aspx
September & October
Apple Harvest Festival
Held over seven weekends in September and October. Enjoy a large variety of the best apples, fresh-pressed cider and other produce, live music, great food, craft booths, corn and straw mazes, and animals. Enjoy some fresh country air and the beautiful views that Green Bluff offers. Great fun for the whole family! www.GreenBluffGrowers.com
October
Custer's Fall Antique and Collectors Sale
The largest indoor Antique and Collectors Sale of its kind in the Inland Northwest with over 300 dealers from across the U.S. www.spokanecounty.org/fair
November
Holiday Wine Festival
Held the weekend before Thanksgiving. Taste the new releases and receive holiday deals at all 10 of Spokane's fabulous wineries, including Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Barrister Winery, Caterina Winery, Grand Ronde Cellars, Knipprath Cellars, Latah Creek Wine Cellars, Lone Canary Winery, Mountain Dome Winery, Robert Karl Winery and Townshend Cellars. www.SpokaneWineries.net
Community Christmas Tree Lighting
Held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Riverfront Park. www.Downtown.Spokane.net
Washington State Quilt Show
The Largest Quilt Show in Eastern Washington is sponsored by the Spokane Chapter of Washington State Quilters. This Quilt Show features 600 quilts, quilted clothing and wall hangings, a Merchant Mall, a Quilters' Boutique selling hand-crafted items, hourly free quilting demonstrations, and public voting for your favorite quilts. The featured quilters are Pam Soliday and Janet Nesbitt.
www.geocities.com/wsqspokanechapter/
Home Idea Show
This event is designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. Each event includes hundreds of exhibits with merchandise, product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior vignettes. The Home Show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home's comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value. Meet with professional contractors, landscapers, architects and interior designers. www.spokanecountyfair.org/fair
November & December
Christmas Tree Elegance
Held the weekend before Thanksgiving through the first week of December. Twelve beautifully decorated trees will be displayed around the Mezzanine of the historic Davenport Hotel. Each tree will be raffled and each winner will receive the decorated tree as well as the thousands of dollars worth of gifts under the tree. www.SpokaneSymphony.org
December
First Night Spokane
Held on New Years Eve in downtown Spokane. A celebration of the arts, First Night blends a combination of visual and performing arts into a presentation that spans throughout Spokane's Downtown core. www.FirstNightSpokane.org
December- April
BeGin!
A once-a-month after-work party. Friends meet up at the MAC to BeGin the weekend with adult refreshments, music, and exhibit cruising. The MAC, 509.456.3931, www.northwestmuseum.org |
