Welcome to Seattle Center
Polish Festival Seattle is July 11: 12pm-7pm in the Armory Food & Event Hall and Mural Amphitheatre. The festival is part of the Seattle Center Festál series. It is free and open to the public.
Seattle Center Festál is a year-round series of 25 free cultural festivals, produced in partnership with community organizations. In 2022, Festál celebrated 25 years of stories and traditions, ushering in a new era of hybrid programming. Learn more about Festál and subscribe to the newsletter for updates.
EVENT Schedule – Saturday, July 11: 12pm-7pm|
Time |
Activity/Performance |
|
Noon |
Opening parade from Mural to Armory |
|
12:30-12:40 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
1:00-1:30 |
Demolka / young musicians playing Polish music in fresh, modern arrangements that connect tradition with contemporary sound |
|
1:40-1:45 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
1:50-2:15 |
Sobótka / traditional Polish folk dancing (kids) |
|
2:20-2:30 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
2:35-3:00 |
Sobótka / traditional Polish folk dancing (kids) |
|
3:00-3:30 |
Volleyball Passing Contest |
|
3:30-3:40 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
3:45-4:30 |
Vivat Musica! / Polish choir performing a sing-along |
|
4:30-5:00 |
Soccer Dribbling Contest |
|
5:30-7:00 |
Yaazda / Seattle area Polish rock cover band |
|
Time |
Activity/Performance |
|
12:00-12:30 |
Parade and Opening Ceremony |
|
12:35-1:05 |
Chopin concert featuring Blake Nelson, Omkar Abhyankar and Alexis Lee |
|
1:10-1:20 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
1:25-2:10 |
Vivat Musica! / Polish choir |
|
2:15-2:20 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
2:35-3:00 |
Marcin Pączkowski (Solo) |
|
3:05-3:15 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
3:20-3:25 |
Sobótka / traditional Polish folk dancing (adults) |
|
3:40-4:10 |
Demolka / traditional Polish music with contemporary sound |
|
4:20-4:25 |
Sobótka / traditional Polish folk dancing (adults) |
|
4:30-4:40 |
Syrena Seattle / traditional Polish folk dancing |
|
5:00-5:45 |
Marcin Pączkowski Orchestra |
Find a variety of Polish arts & crafts, imports and other merchandise, from Polish cookbooks to Polish crystal glasses, amber jewelry and more.
OVERVIEW
Seattle Center Festál presents Polish Festival Seattle in partnership with Seattle Polish Foundation and Polish Home Association. The festival features authentic Polish food, live music, exhibits, merchants, vodka tasting, beer garden, workshops, and more.
HISTORY
Seattle Polish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It provides a place for Polish Americans to explore their heritage, share understanding, and build community.
Polish Festival Seattle was founded in 2012 when it joined Festál.
DID YOU KNOW?
Over 125,000 residents of Washington State claim Polish ancestry and around 15,000 Poles live in the Seattle area.
“Sto Lat” or “One Hundred Years” is sung at nearly every celebration.
The symbol of Poland is a white eagle, and has been depicted wearing a crown or not, depending on the government and occupying nations of Poland throughout the country’s history.
Poles have won a total of 9 Nobel prizes including 2 Peace prizes, 5 in Literature 1 in physics and 1 in chemistry. Marie Curie Skłodowska is only woman who won 2 noble prizes in history.
Famous Poles include Frederic Chopin, Marie Curie, Nicholas Copernicus and Pope Jan Paweł II.
Traditional Polish folk art includes intricate paper cuttings (Wycinanki), colorful painted wooden figurines, and vibrant embroidery.
Traditional Polish dishes include pierogi (dumplings filled with various ingredients), bigos (hunter's stew), and kielbasa (sausage). Polish cuisine is known for its hearty and flavorful dishes, often incorporating cabbage, potatoes, and meat.
Polish traditions also include vibrant festivals such as Wianki (Midsummer Night’s Festival) and Święconka (Easter Sunday Blessing of the Baskets), where community members gather to celebrate with traditional foods, music, and customs. These events help to preserve and promote Polish culture and heritage within the diaspora.
