Each New Year brings new adventures and exciting events we may not yet have had the opportunity to experience. Known for its music scene and coffee culture, Seattle has a range of festivals and experiences that offer travellers exciting reasons to visit for a 2022 city break, in addition to its fantastic attractions, Pacific Northwest cuisine and outdoor pursuits. Here’s visitseattle.org‘s pick of the best for each season.
Spring: Seattle International Film Festival (14-24 April)
Being one of the top cinema gatherings in the USA, the Seattle International Film Festival has more than 400 films from 90 countries during its 25 day programme and is attended by around 150,000 film buffs. Founded in 1974, it is one of the greatest cultural events Seattle has to offer, with 40% of featured films being made by women. Screenings take place primarily in downtown Seattle, or in local, indie cinemas in the surrounding neighbourhoods. SIFF is known for appreciating films that don’t fit standard industry niches.
Summer: Seafair Weekend Festival (5-8 August)
Uniting and celebrating all of Seattle’s diverse communities, Seafair Weekend Festival is committed to offering affordable activities and fun for everyone. Known and loved as an unofficial Seattle holiday, the festival consists of a boating event, airshow and festival. Visitors can discover the shores of Lake Washington, taste local delicacies, listen to music, experience wakeboarding and witness the US Navy Blue Angels soar above them; their new jets, the Blue Angels, will be unveiled for the first time in the Northwest next year.
Autumn: Refract (October dates TBC)
Returning next autumn is Refract, an event that showcases creative uses of glass in the Pacific Northwest. Bringing together the art community, around 60 local artists showcase their talent, shining a spotlight on the intricate medium of glass art. Held across multiple locations, including the Museum of Glass and Bellevue Arts Museum, the lineup includes a programme filled with exhibits, tours, demonstrations, parties and more.
Winter: Dark Beer Fest (December dates TBC)
With winter being the darkest time of the year, Dark Beer Fest hosts a popular winter celebration with the darkest of beers to ensure guests have something to look forward to. Filling the room with beer lovers from all corners of the world, Dark Beer Fest, hosted by the Flying Lion Brewing, is a multi-day event with brew styles changing each day. From cellar favourites to limited edition beers and special releases, there’s over 30 beers to choose from.
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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5 Comments
Even though some of the dates are still tentative, it’s good to have a handle on what might be happening when. Thanks for putting this together.
Spring: Seattle International Film Festival (14-24 April)
Being one of the top cinema gatherings in the USA, the Seattle International Film Festival has more than 400 films from 90 countries during its 25 day programme and is attended by around 150,000 film buffs. Founded in 1974, it is one of the greatest cultural events Seattle has to offer, with 40% of featured films being made by women. Screenings take place primarily in downtown Seattle, or in local, indie cinemas in the surrounding neighbourhoods. SIFF is known for appreciating films that don’t fit standard industry niches.
Spring: Seattle International Film Festival (14-24 April)
Being one of the top cinema gatherings in the USA, the Seattle International Film Festival has more than 400 films from 90 countries during its 25 day programme and is attended by around 150,000 film buffs. Founded in 1974, it is one of the greatest cultural events Seattle has to offer, with 40% of featured films being made by women. Screenings take place primarily in downtown Seattle, or in local, indie cinemas in the surrounding neighbourhoods. SIFF is known for appreciating films that don’t fit standard industry niches.
Summer: Seafair Weekend Festival (5-8 August)
Uniting and celebrating all of Seattle’s diverse communities, Seafair Weekend Festival is committed to offering affordable activities and fun for everyone. Known and loved as an unofficial Seattle holiday, the festival consists of a boating event, airshow and festival. Visitors can discover the shores of Lake Washington, taste local delicacies, listen to music, experience wakeboarding and witness the US Navy Blue Angels soar above them; their new jets, the Blue Angels, will be unveiled for the first time in the Northwest next year.
Autumn: Refract (October dates TBC)
Returning next autumn is Refract, an event that showcases creative uses of glass in the Pacific Northwest. Bringing together the art community, around 60 local artists showcase their talent, shining a spotlight on the intricate medium of glass art. Held across multiple locations, including the Museum of Glass and Bellevue Arts Museum, the lineup includes a programme filled with exhibits, tours, demonstrations, parties and more.
Winter: Dark Beer Fest (December dates TBC)
With winter being the darkest time of the year, Dark Beer Fest hosts a popular winter celebration with the darkest of beers to ensure guests have something to look forward to. Filling the room with beer lovers from all corners of the world, Dark Beer Fest, hosted by the Flying Lion Brewing, is a multi-day event with brew styles changing each day. From cellar favourites to limited edition beers and special releases, there’s over 30 beers to choose from.
Even though some of the dates are still tentative, it’s good to have a handle on what might be happening when. Thanks for putting this together.
Seattle’s a great place to visit at any time of the year. If you can time your trip to coincide with one of these festivals then it’s win:win.
That north-west coast up by Seattle is one of the bits of the US that I haven’t yet seen.
If I could time a visit for Refract my wife would love it.
Let us hope that 2022 is the year when we can finally wine and dine without having to worry about masks and social distancing.
With 150,000 film buffs around for the Film Festival, I bet you get some animated discussions in the coffee houses.