Here is this week’s list of family-friendly free or frugal events for around the Northwest, as well as some events going on around the country. Don’t forget to check out Goldstar for Discount Tickets on many local activities and events, if you are looking for a specific event and want to save some money!
Be sure to check out Thrifty NW Moms Summer Fun Page for park reviews and other frugal summer fun ideas, as well as our roundup of Summer Reading Programs in the Pacific NW and our around the Pacific NW too! We’ve got a big list of summer festivals and fair in the Northwest as well.
If you see a fun, frugal event that’s not listed, feel free to leave a comment so we can add that event to our list.
PUGET SOUND AREA::
Friday July 20th:
*Bite Of Seattle – Seattle; 7/20-7/22; Friday & Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m; Taste great food from all around the world at this traditional Seattle festival. Event is free, but food will cost. Entertainment all weekend too. FREE showing of “It Happened at the World’s Fair” on Friday night of the Bite! The fun starts at 6:30 with British Export (Beatles’ tribute band) and Danny Vernon (The Illusion of Elvis), and the movie gets going at 8:30. Parking can be pricey, so you may want to consider the bus for this event.
*A Mid-Summer Nights Dream - North Seattle; 7/20 – 7/22; Show times vary so check website for details; Mismatched lovers, a magical wood, nobility and peasantry, and fantastic language. Add to this original music, an ass who gets actual donkey ears, and the funniest “play within-a-play” ever written, and you have Shakespeare at his glorious, silliest best. . Tickets are free and donations go to support youth education program. All youth performances are always free and open to the public, & donations to the scholarship fund are gratefully accepted! Held at Bathhouse Theater (Greenlake).
*White Center Jubilee Days - White Center; through 7/22 (times varies so check website for events schedule); There is a street fair with carnival, auto show, parade and more.
*Enumclaw Street Fair – Enumclaw; 7/20-7/21; 9:00am to 8:00pm; Free street fair with vendors and a full carnival with rides, games and of course good ‘ol fair food. Free admission & free parking. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
*Kla Ha Ya Days - Snohomish; 7/20- 7/22; Times vary check website for times. Event includes car show, carnival, parade, street fair, food, frog jumping contest and more.
*Strawberry Festival - Vashon Island, 7/20 to 7/22; Times vary check website for details; The festival is free and you can catch a shuttle from Vashon ferry terminal for $1 each way. Food, arts and crafts, music events, parade, carnival rides, and more.
*Covington Days Festival - Covington, 7/20 to 7/22; Times vary check website for details; Free event with carnival, arts & crafts vendors, kids’ activities, informational booths, entertainment and more.
*Capital Lakefair - Olympia; 7/20-7/22; Times vary check website for details; Food and arts and crafts booths, entertainment, carnival, car show, parade and more.
*Movies In The Park – Puyallup, 7/20; Pre-show activities and games start at 7 p.m., and movie plays at dusk. Enjoy a free outdoor showing of Zoo Keeper. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Concessions available for purchase.
*Cinema Under The Stars - Everrett; 7/20; Family entertainment pre-show starts at 7:30 p.m., and movie starts at dusk. Enjoy free outdoor showing of Wall E (PG). Bring blankets. Snacks available for purchase.
*Jetty Island Days - Everett; through 9/3; Jetty Islands Open Day is today. Enjoy Sandblast celebration, pirates hunt, crafts and more. Ferry rides to Jetty Island are free, but donations of $2 per adult and $1 per child help offset this cost and are appreciated. Find the calendar for the all of the Jetty Island Days activities here.
*Seattle Centers ‘The Next 50′ celebration - Seattle; through 10/21; Join The Next Fifty for a full schedule of activities launching the six-month celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Most of the events are FREE.
*Funtastic Fridays – Mercer Island; 7/20; 1pm; Join the Fun Mobile crew for wacky, zany fun at nine special Friday events this summer for our new program, “Funtastic Fridays! There will be crafts, games and more. This weeks theme is This week: Touch a Truck event.
*Free Casper Babypants Concert – Seattle; 7/20 – 25th; See website for schedule; Hear a concert by popular kids’ entertainer Caspar Babypants, featuring music on guitar and piano.
*FreeTête-à-têter At Frye Museum – Seattle; 7/13; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Frye Museum entrance and parking are free all the time. You can check their events page here, for a list of weekly events.
*Free Entrance to Seattle Symphony’s “Soundbridge”- Seattle, Beneroya Hall; 7/6; 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Soundbridge is a music discovery center and is free each Friday after 12 pm; Ages 2-5, 30 minute interactive storytelling with song & rhythm, dance & musical instruments.
Saturday July 21st:
*Get OUT Summer with Sam – Seattle (Sculpture Park); Various times and dates throughout the summer; Stay active in the park this summer. Drop by and participate in a weekly line-up of events, including a brand-new Thursday farmers market, performances, social dancing, yoga and drawing in the park on Saturdays and more.
*West Seattle Grand Parade – West Seattle; 7/21; 11:00am; Come enjoy this parade with pirates, clowns, marching bands, drill teams, floats and more.
*Fraser Cabin Heritage Program – Bellevue, 7/21; 11:00am to 3:00pm; Free hands-on activities that relate to 1880s settler life including agriculture, dairy, household tasks, games and more.
*Sandblast Arts Festival – Duvall; 7/21 – 7/22; Noon to 9:00pm Sat. and Noon to 6:00pm on Sun.; Sand sculpturing, arts and crafts fair, music and more. Event is free.
*Pioneer Festival - Job Carr Museum in Puyallup; 7/21; 11:30am to 4:30pm; Free event in Old Town Tacoma with music, old-fashioned games and contests and more. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
*CinemaGig Outdoors – Gig Harbor ; 7/21; Movie starts at dusk; Gig Harbor’s outdoor summer theater with free popcorn, water and soda. Watch a free showing of Lady and the Tramp. Bring blankets.
*Beach Explorations – Throughout the Puget Sound; see website for specific locations and times. Join beach naturalists and explore the beach at low tide. Free.
*Camlann Village Weekend – Carnation; Noon to 5 p.m. Through July 22 and Sept. 1-23. Live portrayals of medieval villagers and every-day village activities. $5 suggested donation, free ages 4 and younger.
*Bellevue Art Museums Get Crafty Saturday – Bellevue; 7/22; 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Free craft time for kids each Saturday. $2 material fee or free with admission.
*Pond Boat Sailing – Seattle; Saturdays and Sundays through November; 11am to 2pm; Join The Center for Wooden Boats for pond boat sailing in Lake Union Park’s Model Boat Pond. Ages 5 and older. $5 suggested donation for boat rental, free first Saturdays.
* Science & Technology Center (MaST) – Saturdays 10am – 2pm; kids can explore sea life with touch tanks & more.
Sunday July 22nd:
*Chinatown Seafair Parade – International District Of Seattle; 7/22; Free parade features lion and dragon dances, martial arts, Seattle Chinese Girls Drill Team and more
Wednesday July 25th:
*Wild Wacky & Sometimes Wet Wednesday - Bremerton; 7/25 (every Wed. through Aug.); Join The Naval Undersea Museum where kids and parents are invited to drop in from 10:00am to 2:00pm every Wednesday this summer for hands-on activities about the undersea. Free.
Thursday July 26th:
*Half Priced Admission Imagine Childrens Museum – Everett; 7/26; Thursday 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is half priced ( $3.88)
Sounds Fun Mom always has a great list of events local to the South Sound area of WA as well, if you are looking for more ideas!
PORTLAND AREA:
Here’s our list of weekly events for the Portland area.
Friday July 20th:
*Kalama Community Fair - Kalama Fairgrounds; 7/19 to 7/21; Times vary see website for schedule; This fair includes all of the trimmings, animals, kids activities food and more.
*West Linn Old Time Fair – West Linn; July 20-21, See website for event schedules ; The fair will feature great food, musical entertainment, carnival rides, custom car show, games and activities for the whole family
*Robin Hood Festival – Sherwood; July 20-21, See website for events schedule ; Free festival with Renaissance reenactments, a knighting ceremony, and an archery contest between Sherwood Oregon USA and their good friends in Nottinghamshire UK. There will be a castle building contest, along with a teen dance, and lots of music, food and crafts vendors. A kids and family area. Much more. Radio Disney will be there on Sat.
*Battle Ground Harvest Days – Battle Ground; July 20-22, Times vary see website for events schedule. Carnival, Fred Meyer Grand Parade, Harvest Days Run, Market & Food Vendors, Live Entertainment, Bingo, Beer & Wine Garden, Car Show & Shine, and lots more!
*Free Walk Climbing Wall – Portland; Now through end of September ; The Rock Climbing wall starts to travel throughout Portland for free rock climbing fun for all. Check website for locations, dates and times in your area!
*Pier Pool - Through 8/1; 1:30pm to 3:30pm; Admission is free every Friday!
*Free Movies In The park Summer Series - Portland; See website for specific times. Come enjoy free movies at various Portland area parks all summer. Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30 pm. Movie begins at dark.
*Free Playground Programs & Free lunch – Portland area playgrounds. Enjoy free playground programs and free lunch for kids 0 -18 all summer. See website for locations and times.
*Family Movie Night at Café Sip-n-Play - Portland; 7/20; 5:00pm; Free Movie Night. Grab a bite to eat, relax, and unwind while you enjoy a movie with the little atmosphere.
*Music From Mr. Hoo from The Alphabeticians – Portland; 7/20; 11:00am to 12:00pm; Mr. Hoo will be singing songs with and for kids. He’ll play his guitar and sing some original songs, some Alphabeticians songs, some classic kid songs and Hoo knows what else? $3 suggested donation pp.
Saturday July 21st:
*East Portland Exposition – East Portland; 7/21; 11:00am to 7pm; This is the largest multicultural event in the City of Portland and features both traditional and contemporary performances,exhibitors, food, kids activities and more.
*Bald Eagle Days Festival – Cathlamet; July 21-22, See website for events schedule; Every year the Festival has a theme and the parade entities follow the theme with floats trucks, tractors, horses, etc. Many trophies and awards are given each year to category winners.
*NE Broadway Super Sale & Street Fair - Portland; 7/20-22; Come enjoy music,shop, kids’ activities, food, pet fair, wellness fair, vendors, and more.
*Pop-in Saturday: Summer in the City - Portland; 7/7; 12pm; Make tie-dye shirts, headbands, listen to Beatles tunes, blow bubbles, and do some face painting. Free.
*Free Movies In The park Summer Series - Portland; See website for specific times. Come enjoy free movies at various Portland area parks all summer. Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30 pm. Movie begins at dark.
*Lets Go Camping – Various state park locations, weekends through 8/24; $20 per family. Tent, sleeping bags and mattress pads provided if iy need them. Lots of fun activities for everyone. There are 17 weekend events scheduled at various state parks. A very secure event with ranger-led activities and experienced volunteers on hand to assist you 24/7. Call 888-953-7677 to reserve spots. For more information head here and click on the Let’s Go Camping link on the left side of the page.
*Family Movie Night at Café Sip-n-Play - Portland; 7/21; 5:00pm; Free Movie Night. Grab a bite to eat, relax, and unwind while you enjoy a movie with the little atmosphere. This weekend: .
* Free Family Swim At Marshall Community Center - Vancouver; 7/21; 4:45pm to 6:30pm; Bauman Chiropractic is sponsoring free family swims at Marshall Pool Saturday evenings.
* Kids Saturday Morning Skate Session At Oaks Park – Portland ; 7/21; 10:30am to 12:00pm; For $5.50 children 10 and under can skate (skates included). Parents free with paid child admission.
*Free Guided Nature Walk – Portland – 7/21; 10:00am to 11:30am; Enjoy free guided walks with park ranger..
Monday July 23rd:
*Washington County Museum Free Admission – Portland; 7/23; 10:00am to 4:30pm; Admission is free to this museum every Monday.
*Mondays On The Mall – Portland – Downtown Central Transit Mall; 7/23; Various Times; Free events all day including Wii play, caricatures, the original photo booth and entertainment.
Wednesday July 25th:
*SandSations Sandcastle Festival - Long Beach; 7/25-7/29, ; our Masters artists will start building in downtown Long Beach onWednesday, culminating Friday afternoon with a Rodeo themed sculpture. FREE sculpting lessons on Friday, followed by a beach bonfire Friday night. Saturday is the big day, with five hours of sculpting on the beach and the Sand Flea Pet Parade. Prizes and notoriety are guaranteed!
For more Portland happenings, check out the PDX Kids Calendar, a comprehensive events-based website for families in the Portland area.
NATIONAL EVENTS:
*Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores– Sat. 7/14; 11am to 3pm; Kids can come to this free craft time each week for a new craft (plus print a $5 off $25 coupon).
*Kids Skate Free Program – Kids 12 and under can get 2 free skate passes per week during the summer.
*Kids Bowl Free – 2 free bowling passes per child per day for the summer months.
*Kids Bowl Free AMF Program - Kids 15 and under can bowl 2 free games per day through Sept. 3rd.
*Michaels Passport To Imagination Event - 7/21; 1:00pm to 4:00pm; Come learn about Chile. Free.
*Michaels Passport To Imagination Event - 7/24; 1:00pm to 4:00pm; Come learn about Brazil. Free.
*Michaels Passport To Imagination Event - 7/26; 1:00pm to 4:00pm; Come learn about Morocco. Free.
* Summer Movie Express - $1 movies on Tues. & Wed. through the summer with this program.
*Barnes and Noble Free Storytime - 7/21; Times and events vary by location. Check your location for specific story’s available this weekend.
{ 2 comments }
Do you know if the movies in the park, in Puyallup is today? The website says June 22nd, but your website says July.
Thanks,
Victoria
Victoria,
It looks like there was a typo on our events list. We had it posted under Fridays events, but had the date mis-typed as 7/22 instead of 7/20. Sorry about that error, and thanks for bringing it to our attention. There is no movie in the park tonight that I am aware of. Thanks again!