Kirkland Summerfest – Even though it’s a short drive from downtown Seattle, Kirkland is one of the state’s best-kept secrets:
- An amiable small town with a considerable city sophistication
- A peaceful lakeside setting
- Rich cultural mix with a close-knit community.
Across Lake Washington from Seattle, Kirkland is in western Washington’s “Kirkland Corridor.”
East of the city. Theatres, music venues, museums, galleries, tourist attractions, and street fairs are all part of the vibrant arts and cultural scene in this thriving group of communities. This year’s Summerfest in Kirkland provides a beautiful opportunity for outdoor concerts, lakeside picnics, wine tasting, art shopping, and dining al fresco in Kirkland’s beautiful weather.
Summer is a great time to visit Kirkland, whether you’re a local or just passing through. Spend a long weekend in hotels, attend a few performances, and sample the cuisine at one of our nearby eateries to get the most out of Summerfest. Come to Kirkland Summerfest and enjoy all that this community offers you while staying and playing in style.
Friday marked the opening day of the Kirkland Summerfest, a three-day arts and music festival in Kirkland, Washington. According to festival director Rob Butcher, “people are delighted to be able to return and feel normal again.
After nine years, the festival was about to be canceled again when Gov. Jay Inslee lifted restrictions, but now it’s back and bigger than ever.
Despite the rising cases of COVID-19 in Washington, many festival-goers had no problem enjoying the sun, the music, the cocktails and beer, and outdoor activities without wearing a face mask.
The festival is following the state’s current COVID-19 safety guidelines, which do not call for the use of masks when taking place outdoors. Today, wearing a show inside a public building is recommended but not mandated.
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Kirkland Summerfest Beach Party
Paddleboarders took advantage of Lake Washington’s mild waters, beer drinkers sampled the region’s craft brews, and art collectors browsed the fair’s many booths. Kyle Jordan stated emphatically, “We all need to have our community time.”
Kirkland Summerfest will host live music, local art, and fun-for-the-whole-family activities on the shores of Lake Washington in July.
Rob Butcher, creative director of Chump Change Productions, said, “This year is bigger and better than the previous years.” “We’ve added more options for families.” In the Kirkland area, Chump Change has organized several multi-day festivals.
Kirkland Summerfest KidZone
Kids and families can play in the 11-acre Kid Zone at Heritage Park on Saturdays and Sundays. There are obstacle courses, bouncy toys, and even a train ride for kids to enjoy. In addition, a small street fair will feature vendors and performers specializing in children’s products.
For children and their families, the Create Zone at Heritage Hall will be a place to interact with creativity and artwork. As part of Summerfest, the Kirkland Arts Center collaborates with local potter Larry Calkins on a community art project that will feature ceramic artists and pottery wheel demonstrations.
The Youth Art Showcase in Heritage Hall, which is open to the public throughout the festival, accepts submissions from children. Ages 4 to 18 are invited to submit self-portraits for this year’s show. A juried art fair will take over park Lane from Friday to Sunday. There will be a variety of artworks for sale from artists across the Pacific Northwest.
Kirkland Beer
Sip Kirkland is a new addition to this year’s Summerfest. The waterfront will be the site of the tasting event. Butcher said, “This is a premier wine and beer tasting event.” ‘With a carefully curated list, we offer over 70 different wines and over 35 different beers.’
Attendees will sample wine and beer from breweries and wineries across the state at the event. There is a large beer garden and great acts playing on Friday and Saturday nights, including Nite Wave as the headliner,” said Butcher.
Each night will have a different focus on music, and the first one will be a throwback to the 1980s on Friday, according to him. At least five DJs will be spinning tunes all day on the Tiki Beach stage on Saturday. On our website, you can find a list of bands.
Beer Zumba is an excellent way for adults to recover from a late night out on the town on Saturday. Columbia Athletic Club instructors will lead a calorie-burning dance party, followed by drinks in the Tiki Beach lounge. Youth-led bands, such as KEXP Youth Resonance, School of Rock Bellevue, and Rain City Rock Camp will perform live on Sunday as part of KEXP’s Youth Music Day in Seattle.
