The crisp, sometimes wet, autumn days are well upon us. Bring some lighthearted fun and a little warmth to your days by heading to a few of the family friendly events across the city. Over the next two weeks, light lanterns, imbibe sudsy brews, indulge in hot street food and otherwise greet fall head-on with these charming, uniquely Seattle events.
Luminata Lantern Parade – September 21
Celebrate the equinox with glowing costumes, colorful lanterns and rhythmic music-making at this year’s Luminata lantern parade around Green Lake park. Around the world, the autumnal equinox is recognized as the last day of summer followed by colder, longer nights.
Lanterns offer a symbol of community and positivity heading forward into the winter months. Bring along funky, illuminated costumes, drums and other instruments and comfortable walking shoes and join in on this shimmering, twinkling night of lights!
Fremont Oktoberfest – September 23-25
It isn’t a proper introduction into fall without Fremont’s Oktoberfest, Seattle’s largest beer festival! This three-day event celebrates the best craft beers from around the Pacific Northwest. Sample over 80 craft brews from names like No-Li, Backwoods Brewing and Portland’s McMenamins. Also on tap will be German offerings like Spaten and Paulaner.
Need something to nosh on while you sip? Find Oktoberfest pretzels and Zieglers bratwurst at the festival among other delicious options. Kids are free on Sunday, and activities include Zucchini 500 racing, pumpkin carving and root beer tasting. You can even bring your pooch along and enter them in the CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Model Contest at Dogtoberfest. Live music throughout the weekend guarantees this festival kicks fall off with a bang.
Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival – September 24
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Showcasing some of the tastiest local artisan and farmstead cheeses from around the state, the Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival is a must-do for cheese lovers. Meet cheesemakers and sample fine cheeses from Kurtwood Farms, Beecher’s and Acme Farms among dozens of others. Explore the taste, texture and terroir of cheese in an interactive seminar presented by the Traveling Cheesemonger herself, Julia Powers. Don’t forget to grab a glass wine or sudsy beer from local craft brewers to pair with your favorite cheese.
Fishermen’s Fall Festival – September 24
The sound of seagulls overhead welcomes you to the scenic waterfront of Fishermen’s Terminal for the 28th annual Fishermen’s Fall Festival, a day celebrating Seattle seafood and the return of the North Pacific fishing fleet! This festival provides families with the opportunity to learn more about local seafood and get hands-on at the trout pond installation and art projects like the ever-popular wooden boat building.
Come with an appetite and enter the Lutefisk eating competition or oyster slurp contest to compete for great prizes from Taylor Shellfish Farms. Don’t miss out on the delicious salmon BBQ, and demonstrate your skills in the kitchen in a salmon fillet contest. We always look forward to the outrageous survival suit races, where sight-set contestants become an orange blur of motion in a race to swim to the safety of a floating finish line.
Trucktoberfest – October 1-2
Next weekend, what better way to start off the month than with a blend of local street food and suds. This year’s Trucktoberfest heads to the South Lake Union Discover Center lawn for a weekend of the best of local breweries paired with local grub to compliment your Oktoberfest brews of choice. You can also catch an outdoor film series as well as cover bands, and fun for the whole gang on Sunday’s family-friendly admission.
As you make your fall plans, be sure to include at least one of these cheerful events in your calendar. After all, everyone needs a fall pick-me-up after a long summer. Discover a new passion for fish, beer, fish or even colorful parades – Seattle’s diverse event offerings are certainly crowd pleasers.
Clipper Recommends:
- Want more suds? Celebrate Oktoberfest by hopping on the Seattle Brewery Tour to pay a visit to three unique breweries and learn what goes into a beautiful brew.
- Is wine more your thing? Head just outside the city to experience Woodinville’s Wine Trail to taste award-winning wines at three boutique wineries.