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Embrace our ethnic diversity and cultivate a deeper understanding of the cultures that contribute to the vibrancy of our region at Seattle Center Festál. For over two decades, people have come together at Festál events to share in holistic experiences rooted in age-old and contemporary traditions. The 2021 theme, "Where the World Gathers" links together the series of 24 free festivals presented throughout the year, each with a unique cultural focus, identity, and a range of engaging activities.

Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership between Seattle Center and the 24 Cultural Festival Organizing Committees, with the generous support of T-Mobile, 4Culture, the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.


Festal Email Signup Form

Festál is Virtual!

In 2020, Virtual Festál was launched to hold space for community to gather in face of the loss, isolation and uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Motivation arose from a love of culture and the need to celebrate the beauty of our humanity during these challenging times. It was a manifestation of the collective resilience, brilliance and commitment of the Festál producers, volunteers and loyal community sponsors. Virtual Festál offered new ways of celebrating traditions and cultural expressions through food, music, dance, art, language and history to digitally connect with our greater Seattle community, and now, a global community. We are looking forward to 2021 Seattle Center Festál and invite you to join us online because Festál is where the world gathers. To watch the virtual presentations, visit the festival pages below.

Virtual Festál 2021 Schedule

Check out our quick reference Virtual Festál Schedule, listing the many festivals taking place throughout 2021. Keep a copy for yourself, share it with family, friends and colleagues, and help spread the word about these amazing online experiences. Click below to download your copy.   
Download Schedule

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration

May 2, 2021 VIRTUAL
Recognizing Seattle's strong ties with Asia and the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our region through culturally-influenced music and dance and a celebrity hum bow eating contest.
API Heritage Info

A Glimpse of China - Seattle Chinese Culture & Arts Festival

May 8, 2021 VIRTUAL
Illuminating the colorful and ancient palette of Chinese arts with dance, painting, calligraphy, workshops and martial arts.
A Glimpse of China Info

Spirit of Africa

May 15, 2021 VIRTUAL
Fostering greater inclusivity, awareness and appreciation for the varied traditions of music, movement and storytelling of the African diaspora.
Spirit of Africa Info

Northwest Folklife Festival

Memorial Day Weekend VIRTUAL
Cultivating and preserving the diverse arts, heritage, and traditions that reflect our dynamic Pacific Northwest communities. Co-curated and co-created for the people, by the people.
NW Folklife Festival Info

Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival

June 5-6, 2021
Observing Philippine independence from colonial rule and the strength of Filipino identity and imagination through art exhibits, songs, spoken word, film and martial arts.
Pagdiriwang Info

Indigenous People Festival

June 12, 2021
Instilling better understanding for American Indian and Alaska Native tribes in the Pacific Northwest through a blending of traditional and contemporary music, dance, drama and arts.
Indigenous People Festival Info

Festival Sundiata presents Black Arts Fest

June 19-20, 2021
Sharing the profound stories of African Americans through an entertainment-packed weekend featuring hip hop, dance, gospel, visual arts, soul food, exhibits and a marketplace.
Festival Sundiata Info

Seattle Iranian Festival

June 26, 2021
Deepening community and understanding for the rich culture of Iran with Persian poetry, tea, modern music and traditional dance.
Iranian Festival Info

Polish Festival Seattle

July 10, 2021
Promoting Polish heritage and presence in our region through a lively day of food, exhibits, workshops, vodka tastings and a beer garden.
Polish Festival Info

Seattle Arab Festival

August 14-15, 2021
Highlighting the sights, sounds and tastes of 22 Arab nations with henna dying, live music, calligraphy, coffee, cooking and folk dancing reflective of the varied Arabian cultures.
Arab Festival Info

BrasilFest

August 22, 2021
Uniting traditional and contemporary Brazilian drumming, dance, music, visual arts, capoeira and celebration during the week of Brazilian Folklore Day.
BrasilFest Info

Tibet Fest

August 28-29, 2021
Bestowing messages of love, compassion and kindness through a fusion of ancient and new Tibetan arts and culture to engage, entertain and educate.
Tibet Fest Info

Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival

September 12, 2021
Cultivating passion and appreciation for Hawaiian culture with BBQ, poke, hands-on workshops, island music, dance and a marketplace.
Live Aloha Info

Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias

September 18-19, 2021
Commemorating Latin American independence with art and craft displays, dancing horses, mariachi bands, folk dancers and tantalizing, time-honored foods.
Fiestas Patrias Info

The Italian Festival

September 25-26, 2021
Offering a spotlight on this inventive nation with food and wine, music and musings–and spirit that is uniquely Italian.
Italian Festival Info

CroatiaFest

October 3, 2021
Preserving the customs and creativity of Croatian culture with musical ensembles, colorful dress, savories and sweets and imported goods.
CroatiaFest Info

Turkfest

October 9-10, 2021
Integrating Easter and Western influences through Turkish arts and expression, textile displays, workshops and rich cuisine.
Turkfest Info

Diwali: Lights of India

October 23, 2021
Inspiring a day of joyful celebration that marks the Indian festival of light with art workshops, succulent foods, henna tattooing, folk dancing and more.
Diwali Info

Dia de Muertos Festival Seattle

October 30-31, 2021
Honoring the departed in a celebration steeped in ritual and tradition through elaborate community altars, sugar skull making, processions and festive music.
Dia de Muertos Info

Hmong New Year Celebration

November 6, 2021
Marking the end of the harvest season and the coming of the new year for this deeply rooted Asian highland culture with ornate clothing, traditional dances, visual arts and ball-tossing competitions.
Hmong New Year Info

Tet in Seattle - Vietnamese Lunar New Year

February 5-22, 2021 VIRTUAL
Inviting the community to a celebration of the lunar new year with lion dances, firecrackers, martial arts, dance and visual arts.
Tet in Seattle Info

Irish Festival Seattle

March 13 & 17, 2021 VIRTUAL
Highlighting the Irish heritage of the Pacific Northwest with traditional music, step-dancing, art exhibits, genealogy workshops and Celtic handcrafts.
Irish Festival Info

Seattle's French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures

March 21, 2021 VIRTUAL
Celebrating the place of French language, culture and joie de vivre in over 30 countries worldwide with francophone fashion, fine cuisine, wine tastings and a wide array of musical performances.
French Fest Info

Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival

April 9-11, 2021 VIRTUAL
Underscoring the deep friendship between Seattle and Japan as it honors the renewal of life with springtime cherry blossoms, booming Taiko drums, contemporary Japanese arts and a traditional tea ceremony.
Cherry Blossom Info

Festál Virtual Backgrounds

Add color and flair to your virtual meetings and download your favorite Festál background! Seattle Center has an entire gallery of images, also featuring iconic Seattle Center vistas, buildings, and production photos.
Download Images

"Yes, and..." Podcast

"Who lives here? What is their experience of life? How does it intersect with our personal experiences of this city?" In partnership with local guest speakers and community, Festál presents "Yes, and...", a podcast that acknowledges what has happened, what exists now, and what else is to come.
Listen and Download Podcast

Gathering Around the Table

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of Festál in 2017, Seattle Center released the keepsake, Gathering Around the Table: A Festál Cookbook. Inside this hardcover edition, discover fun recipes and beautiful photographs of cuisine and festival costumes, representing 24 cultural festivals.
Purchase Cookbook

HISTORY OF FESTÁL

Learn more about the history and legacy of the Festál series.

Visit Historylink website

Virtual Festal Sponsors

4 Culture logo

Sponsors

Coca-Cola
Alaska Airlines Logo
T-Mobile
Sponsor Info