Oyster Games
March 25, 2008
Anthony's Homeport on Shilshole Bay
Festivities at the Oyster Olympics include the popular Celebrity Oyster Slurp, "Oystertainment," a fashion contest, art exhibits, clean water raffle, live entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, oyster friendly wines, microbrews and of course, lots of oysters. Call (206) 297-7002 or visit www.pugetsoundkeeper.org for tickets and more information.

APRIL

Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival
2008 dates TBA
Seattle Center
The Seattle Cherry Blossom & Cultural Festival includes the traditional beauty and grace of dance and music, colorful costumes, martial arts, tea ceremonies and entertaining educational activities. For more information call the Seattle Center event information line at (206) 684-7200 or visit www.seattlecenter.com.

MAY

Opening Day of Yachting Season
May 3, 2008
Montlake Cut in Seattle t
Seattle's official opening day of boating season attracts more than 250,000 people to watch a parade of boats, ranging from kayaks to yachts, pass through the city's Montlake Cut. Yearly festivities include a morning of crew races, a sailboat race, and the grand Opening Day Boat Parade. Call (206) 325-1000 or visit www.seattleyachtclub.org for more information.

Seattle Maritime Festival
2008 dates TBA
Seattle Waterfront
Activities at this annual maritime festival include the country’s largest tugboat race on Elliott Bay, tours of a wide range of boats, a chowder cook-off and free children's admission to select waterfront attractions. Call (206) 728-3163 or visit www.portseattle.org for more information.

Opening Day of Yachting Season
May 3, 2008
Montlake Cut in Seattle
Seattle's official opening day of boating season attracts more than 250,000 people to watch a parade of boats, ranging from kayaks to yachts, pass through the city's Montlake Cut. Yearly festivities include a morning of crew races, a sailboat race, and the grand Opening Day Boat Parade. Call (206) 325-1000 or visit www.seattleyachtclub.org for more information.

Seattle International Children's Festival
May 12-17, 2008
Seattle Center
This annual festival is a celebration of world cultures through performing arts. Each year the festival presents world class performances and participatory activities for kids. For more information call (206) 684-7338 or visit www.seattleinternational.org.

Seattle Cheese Festival
May 16-18, 2008
Pike Place Market
The first of its kind on the West Coast, the Seattle Cheese Festival is a celebration of cheese in general and local artisan cheesemakers in particular. 35,000 people each year attend classes, buy cheeses and sample free fromage from the Pacific Northwest and around the world. The festival also features a cheese-related scavenger hunt and cheese maze for kids and a wine garden for the grown-ups. For more information, visit www.seattlecheesefestival.comor call (206) 849-7508.

University District Street Fair
May 17-18, 2008
University District neighborhood
The annual University District Street Fair, sponsored by the Greater University Chamber of Commerce, features more than 300 arts and crafts booths, street buskers, live musical performances and food from around the world. Call (206) 547-4417 or visit www.udistrictstreetfair.org.

Seattle International Film Festival
May 22-June 5, 2008
Various venues throughout Seattle
This highly recognized film festival is a launching pad for new international and American independent films. The Seattle International Film Festival annually presents more than 340 films culled from over 55 countries and ranks as the largest film festival in the U.S. Call (206) 324-9996 or visit www.seattlefilm.com for more information.

Northwest Folklife Festival
May 26-29, 2006
Seattle Center
The largest folk, ethnic and traditional arts event in North America, this annual community-based event held at the Seattle Center features traditional arts that preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest. The annual Memorial Day Weekend festival, which began in 1972, features over 6,000 participants and attracts more than 250,000 people. Call (206) 684-7300 or visit www.nwfolklife.org for more information.

JUNE

Pike Place Market Festival
2008 dates to TBA
Pike Place Market
With live music, entertainment, local artisans and demos from some of the area's most prominent chefs, the Pike Place Market Festival is another reason to enjoy the historic Market at peak season. Aside from the usual Market offerings, the festival will showcase a Strut Your Mutt dog parade, a wine and cheese tasting and a beer garden sponsored by local favorite Red Hook Brewery. For more information, visit www.pikeplacemarketstreetfestival.com.

Fremont Street Fair
2008 dates to be announced
Fremont neighborhood
Celebrate the arrival of summer at one of Seattle's largest neighborhood festivals which features more than 200 arts and crafts booths, ethnic food and entertainment stages. The outrageous Fremont Solstice Parade, hosted by the Fremont Arts Council, takes place Saturday at Noon. Visit www.fremontfair.com for more information.

JULY

Seattle International Beerfest
July 4-6, 2008
Seattle Center
A celebration of beer and the art of brewing, Seattle International Beerfest gives attendees the chance to sample beers with names they've never heard of and often can't pronounce. Featuring more than 100 beers from 15 different countries, live music throughout the weekend, a cigar bar and several food options, the event attracts 10,000 people annually. Must be 21 to attend. Visit www.seattlebeerfest.com or e-mail info@seattlebeerfest.com for more information.

Seafair
2008 dates TBA
Throughout Seattle
Seattle's largest festival features community celebrations, parades and other family-oriented entertainment, culminating with unlimited hydroplane races and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels air show in early August. Call (206) 728-0123 or visit www.seafair.com.

Washington Mutual Family Fourth at Lake Union
July 4, 2006
Gasworks Park (Lake Union)
Spectators gather annually in Gasworks Park to view a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music high above Seattle's Lake Union. Visit www.onereel.org for more information.

Fourth of Jul-Ivar's
July 4, 2008
Myrtle Edwards Park (Seattle Waterfront)
Each year since 1964, Ivar's Restaurants has presented the annual Fourth of Jul-Ivar's celebration at Seattle's Myrtle Edwards Park. Fourth of Jul-Ivar's draws 300,000 people annually for a fun-filled day of food, free live music and a spectacular fireworks show that lights up the sky over Seattle's Elliott Bay. For more information call (206) 587-6500.

Bite of Seattle
July 18-20 2008
Seattle Center
Seattle's annual food festival offers affordable tastes from more than 50 local restaurants, 25 Washington State wineries and 30 food product vendors. Local musicians and dance groups provide entertainment. Call (425) 283-5050 or visit www.biteofseattle.com for more information.

Ballard Seafood Fest
July 26-27, 2008
Ballard neighborhood
Seattle’s historic neighborhood of Ballard hosts this annual seafood festival which features a salmon barbecue, plus arts and crafts and entertainment for all ages. Call the Ballard Chamber of Commerce at (206) 784-9705 or visit www.seafoodfest.org for more information.

AUGUST

BrasilFest
2008 dates TBA
Seattle Center
Both folk traditions and contemporary arts have expression at BrasilFest, Seattle's annual celebration of Brazilian Folklore Day, typically not celebrated outside Brazil. BrasilFest is characterized by its upbeat rhythms, joyful dance and spicy flavors which combine to create a fun, celebratory atmosphere. For more information call the Seattle Center event information line at (206) 684-7200 or visit www.seattlecenter.com.

TibetFest
2008 dates TBA
Seattle Center
Ritual and tradition are the heart of TibetFest, where the modern and ancient combine in an effort to preserve Tibet's unique cultural identity. Performing groups share centuries old stories and legend through lilting melodies and rhythmic movements, wearing symbolic masks and authentic costumes. For more information call the Seattle Center event information line at (206) 684-7200 or visit www.seattlecenter.com.

SEPTEMBER

Bumbershoot, The Seattle Arts Festival
September 6-8, 2008
Seattle Center
Bumbershoot is one of the nation's five largest arts festivals, featuring 2,500 regional, national and international performers which draw hundreds of thousands of people over its four-day run. The festival is held on the 74-acre grounds of the Seattle Center. Call (206) 281-7788 or visit www.bumbershoot.org for more details.

Oktoberfest
September 21-23, 2007
2008 Dates TBA
Fremont neighborhood
This harvest kick-off event takes place in Seattle's quirky Fremont neighborhood. Taste a variety of local seasonal microbrews in the beer garden, or enjoy the vintage car show and browse the booths of the craft vendors. Call (206) 632-1500 or visit www.fremontoktoberfest.org for more information.

OCTOBER

Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
October 12-21, 2007
2008 dates to be announced
Showcasing more than 150 films, including feature films, documentaries and experimental cinema, the festival screens films at venues around Seattle, such as Cinerama Theater, Harvard Exit, Broadway Performance Hall and Northwest Film Forum. Approximately 10,000 film fans are expected to attend films and programs throughout the festival’s ten-day run. For more information, visit www.seattlequeerfilm.com or call (206) 323-4274 for more information.

Seattle Home Show 2
October 11-14, 2007
Qwest Field and Event Center
The fall version of the Seattle Home Show is the ultimate for one-stop shopping for state-of-the-art appliances, roofing, flooring, furnishings and landscaping. Call (425) 467-0960 or visit www.seattlehomeshow.com for more information.

NOVEMBER

Seattle International Auto Show
October 31 - November 4, 2007
Qwest Field and Event Center
Seattle International Auto Show showcases virtually every new model of car on the market and allows attendees to get a sneak preview at prototypes, concept cars and one-of-a-kind vehicles. For more information, visit www.seattleautoshow.com.

DECEMBER

Washington Mutual Winterfest
November 23, 2007-January 2, 2008
Seattle Center
This annual five-week holiday festival at the festively-lit, 74-acre Seattle Center features concerts, holiday displays and lights, ice-skating and family entertainment. For more information call the Seattle Center event information line at (206) 684-7200 or visit www.seattlecenter.com.

Christmas Ship Festival
December 1-23, 2007
On the water and Seattle shores
Seattle's annual ship-to-shore holiday tradition continues with a flotilla of festively-lit boats, including Seattle's Official Christmas Ship, which host onboard choirs who entertain guests and spectators at bon fire sites around the city. Contact Argosy Cruises at (206) 623-1445 or visit www.argosycruises.com for sailing dates and times.

New Year's Eve at the Space Needle
December 31, 2007
Seattle Center
At the stroke of midnight the Space Needle lights up like a giant sparkler and crowds gather on the Seattle Center grounds beneath to celebrate the start of the new year. For more information call (206) 443-2111 or go to www.seattlecenter.com.

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