Art Fairs and Festivals Near Me
Summer in the Pacific Northwest brings sunshine and a full schedule of art fairs and festivals. While these events take place outside and offer an opportunity to enjoy the weather, rain and wind can also be a challenge. However, for those who are willing to brave the elements, visitors can don rain jackets and rubber boots and enjoy the arts and crafts on display.
Art fairs and festivals serve to celebrate the diversity and richness of creativity and culture through a wide range of artistic expressions. From photography to carvings, dance, theater, and music, there is something for everyone. As an artist myself, I appreciate visiting these events in my area not only to admire the incredible artwork but also to support fellow artists. Even if I don't make any purchases, I enjoy engaging in conversations with the artists to learn more about their inspiration and creative process.
Lower Lewis River Falls is a stunning natural wonder located in southwest Washington state. This popular destination boasts crystal clear turquoise water cascading over a series of rocky tiers, creating a picturesque waterfall that's sure to take your breath away. With its lush green surroundings and easy hiking trails, Lower Lewis River Falls is a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Limited Edition Print from the Panorama and Waterfall Galleries.
Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair
The Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) Arts Fair stands as the Pacific Northwest's premier arts and crafts festival, drawing over 250,000 visitors annually. Scheduled for July 25–27, 2025, in downtown Bellevue, Washington, this free event transforms the city into a vibrant hub of creativity, featuring more than 275 juried artists from across the nation.
Event Highlights
- Artist Marketplace: Explore a diverse array of handmade artworks, including ceramics, jewelry, painting, sculpture, fiber arts, photography, and more. The fair showcases both established and emerging artists, offering attendees a unique opportunity to purchase original pieces directly from the creators.
- Kids Fair: Families can enjoy interactive art activities tailored for children, fostering creativity and engagement.
- Live Performances: The BAMboozle Stage features a lineup of live music and dance performances throughout the weekend, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
- Culinary Delights: A selection of food trucks and a wine garden provide a variety of dining options, allowing visitors to savor local flavors while enjoying the art
Event Details
- Dates: July 25–27, 2025
- Hours:
- Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Location: Bellevue Square and Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
- Admission: Free
Moulton Barn during sunrise with the Grand Tetons in the background. This barn is part of the old Mormon Row Historical District near the Grand Tetons mountain range. Settlers first arrived in the area from Idaho in the 1890s. On a random Tuesday in the middle of September, there were at least 15 other people at this location for sunrise. Limited edition of 50 prints available.
Edmonds Arts Festival
The Edmonds Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity, held annually over Father’s Day weekend in Edmonds, Washington. In 2025, the festival will take place from June 13 to 15 at the Frances Anderson Cultural Center and its surrounding grounds, offering a dynamic blend of visual, performing, and interactive arts experiences.
Visual Arts & Galleries
The festival showcases over 210 artists in outdoor booths, featuring a diverse array of mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and mixed media. Inside the Frances Anderson Center, juried galleries present more than 500 pieces of fine art, curated by professional artists to highlight exceptional talent from both established and emerging creators.
Student Art Exhibition
A cornerstone of the festival is its extensive student art exhibit, displaying over 1,000 works from K-12 students within the Edmonds School District. This initiative underscores the festival's commitment to nurturing young artists and fostering art education in the community.
Performing Arts
Live performances enrich the festival atmosphere, with a lineup that includes music, dance, and theater. Audiences can enjoy acts ranging from rock and jazz to classical ensembles, presented on the Main Stage Amphitheater and the more intimate Edmonds Arts Plaza Stage.
Family-Friendly Activities
The "Kids Create" area offers hands-on art projects for children of all ages, encouraging creativity and family participation. This interactive zone is designed to inspire the next generation of artists in a fun and engaging environment.
Culinary Delights & Refreshments
A variety of food vendors provide an array of culinary options to satisfy diverse tastes. For adult attendees, the Beer & Wine Grotto offers a relaxing spot to enjoy beverages in a convivial setting.
Community Impact
Organized entirely by volunteers, the Edmonds Arts Festival not only celebrates the arts but also supports them. Proceeds fund scholarships, educational grants, and public art installations, reinforcing the festival's role in enhancing the cultural fabric of the community.
Redmond Arts Festival
The Redmond Arts Festival is a vibrant, three-day outdoor celebration of creativity and community, held annually at Redmond Town Center in Redmond, Washington. In 2025, the festival is scheduled for July 11–13, marking its 14th year of showcasing the talents of local and regional artists.
Event Highlights:
- Artist Booths: Approximately 60 curated booths featuring fine art, sculpture, jewelry, wearable art, and handmade crafts.
- Live Entertainment: A lineup of live music performances throughout the weekend, creating a lively atmosphere for attendees.
- Community Art Projects: Interactive art activities, including a community mural project and a kids' chalk art area, encouraging participation from all ages.
- Artist Showcase: An exhibition at the VALA Art Center from July 8–28, featuring works by participating festival artists.
Additional Information:
The festival coincides with Redmond's annual Derby Days celebration, offering attendees a chance to experience parades, bicycle races, and other festivities. Free parking is available at Redmond Town Center, and a complimentary shuttle service connects festival-goers to Derby Days events.
Bring your home gallery life with False Color Painted Barn. Randy Bott's limited edition infrared print of the Palouse in the Oil Painted Nature Photography collection. Limited Edition of 100 prints available.
Sequim Lavender Festival
The Sequim Lavender Festival, part of the broader Sequim Lavender Weekend, is a vibrant celebration held annually in Sequim, Washington—the "Lavender Capital of North America." In 2025, the festival is scheduled for July 18–20, offering a weekend filled with fragrant fields, artisan crafts, live music, and culinary delights.
Festival in the Park at Carrie Blake Park
The heart of the festival is the Festival in the Park, located at Carrie Blake Park (202 N Blake Ave). This free-admission event features over 150 artisan booths showcasing handcrafted goods, lavender products, and local art. Visitors can enjoy live music performances throughout the weekend, including the popular LavenderStock series. A diverse food court offers everything from classic fair treats to lavender-infused delicacies like lavender ice cream and lemonade. A beer garden featuring local and regional brews adds to the festive atmosphere.
Lavender Farm Tours
Beyond the park, attendees can explore Sequim's picturesque lavender farms. Many farms offer free, self-guided tours, allowing visitors to stroll through blooming fields, participate in U-cut lavender harvesting, and watch demonstrations on lavender cultivation and distillation. Each farm has its unique charm, with some hosting their own mini-festivals featuring live music, food vendors, and workshops.
Victor's Lavender Festival
One notable farm event is Victor's Lavender Festival, held concurrently from July 18–20. This free event includes lavender workshops led by expert Victor Gonzalez, live jazz concerts, evening barn dances, and a variety of lavender products for sale. Visitors can also enjoy lavender-infused foods and beverages, including offerings from Bella Italia.
Artisan Vendors and Culinary Delights
The festival boasts a wide array of artisan vendors offering lavender-infused products such as soaps, candles, oils, and culinary treats. Food enthusiasts can indulge in lavender-inspired dishes, including lavender-braised short ribs, lavender honey-glazed chicken, and an assortment of desserts and beverages infused with the herb's distinctive flavor.
Planning Your Visit
Sequim is accessible via Highway 101, with clear signage directing visitors to festival locations. Free parking is available at Carrie Blake Park, with additional ADA parking options. Given the festival's popularity, it's advisable to plan accommodations early, as local lodging fills up quickly during this weekend.
As the waves of Cape Disappointment State Park reflect off the wall, they get hit by incoming waves and create massive columns of water. During the big storms in winter, Cape Disappointment will never disappoint. You have to be careful because as the high tide comes in, the waves can crash over the rock wall and cause severe injury if you are too close. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse creates a perfect backdrop for the large waves. The Lighthouse became the 8th active light on the west coast when it was first fired up on October 15, 1856.
Issaquah Salmon Days
The Issaquah Salmon Days Arts Fair is a cornerstone of the annual Salmon Days Festival, held in downtown Issaquah, Washington. This vibrant event celebrates the return of salmon to Issaquah Creek and transforms the historic downtown area into a bustling hub of creativity and community spirit.
Arts & Crafts Marketplace
At the heart of the festival lies the expansive Arts & Crafts Marketplace, featuring over 200 juried artists from across the nation. Visitors can explore a diverse array of handcrafted works, including:
- Jewelry
- Paintings
- Sculptures
- Pottery
- Textiles
- Woodwork
- Photography
These booths line Front Street and Sunset Way, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with artists and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces.
Festival Highlights
Beyond the arts fair, Salmon Days offers a plethora of activities and attractions:
- Grande Parade: Kicking off the festivities on Saturday morning, the parade features marching bands, floats, and community groups.
- Live Entertainment: Multiple stages host a variety of performances, including local bands, dance troupes, and cultural showcases.
- Field of Fun: A family-friendly zone with interactive activities, games, and educational exhibits tailored for children.
- DockDogs Competition: A crowd favorite where dogs compete in high-flying dock jumping events.
- Culinary Delights: An array of food vendors offer everything from traditional Pacific Northwest fare to international cuisines.
- Issaquah Salmon Hatchery: Visitors can witness the salmon's journey upstream and learn about conservation efforts at this educational center.
Event Details
- Dates: October 4–5, 2025
- Location: Downtown Issaquah, WA
- Admission: Free
Experiencing sunset at Garrapata State Park, overlooking a vibrant-colored cove, is a mesmerizing event.The cove, framed by rugged cliffs adorned with seasonal wildflowers becomes illuminated in the day's final light. The rhythmic sound of waves gently lapping against the shore enhances the serene atmosphere. This picturesque setting offers an ideal spot for quiet reflection and photography, capturing the dynamic interplay of light and color along California's stunning coastline. Limited edition from the Oceans and Coastal gallery.
Conclusion
Art fairs and festivals provide an excellent opportunity for many artists to showcase their work to potential clients. Although I have not participated in any art fair due to the high initial cost, I visit several throughout the year to appreciate other artists' work. According to many photographers I have talked to who do art shows, it costs around $10,000 to acquire everything needed for the first show. This is a significant amount of money for an artist who works for the federal government full-time. Perhaps, when I retire and have more time to dedicate to shows, I may consider participating. Nonetheless, it is always enjoyable to converse with artists at these events, learn where they draw their inspiration from, or why they chose a particular medium. Seeing other photographers' works motivates me to get out and take more photos or visit new locations. Art fairs and festivals also offer an excellent opportunity to buy art directly from the artists and establish a connection for future purchases.
While there is not much green vegetation in Death Valley National Park, the Inn at Death Valley has some nice palm trees. Palm trees are excellent infrared photography subjects. Taken with the 550 nm super color infrared filter on a full spectrum converted camera from Life Pixel Infrared. Limited Edition of 50 prints available.
What drives your passion? What gets you up in the morning? The fire inside that drives me to become a better human is what was going through my head these pine needles were being backlit by the sun. I was about the leave the Bellevue Botanical Garden when the yellow light on the needles caught my attention. The Lensbaby Velvet 85 lens is perfect for these conditions. The soft glow is created by the lens at a wide aperture.
