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. Thanks to Sia from Centsible in Seattle for providing this extensive list of activities for us.
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.
Also, make sure to check out the comprehensive list of summer festivals & fairs in the Pacific Northwest. Or if you’re interested in check out the list of Summer Reading programs available both nationally or locally in the Northwest.
PUGET SOUND AREA::
Friday July 8th:
*King County Fair –Enumclaw, ; 7/7 – 7/10; Times vary each day, check website for schedule. Admission is $5 per person, Kids 4 and under are free. You can purchase an all day ride bracelet for $2o. Exhibits include kids petting zoo, carnival area, concerts, comedy shows, pig races, tractor races and much more.
* Kent Cornucopia Days - Kent; 7/7 – 7/11; Times vary each day, check website for schedule. South King Counties largest festival, this is a free event for all (there are paid activities, ie carnival and food vendors etc.) Street fair, Dragon Boat races, Farmers Market, Parade, Funtastic Shows Carnival and more.
*West Seattle SummerFest - West Seattle; 7/8-7/10; Times vary each day, check website for schedule; This is a free 3 day street fair that showcases artists, farmers market, street fair, kids area and more.
*Redmond Derby Days - Redmond, 7/8-7/9; Sat from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and Sun from 10:00am to 10:00pm; What started as a bike derby to raise money for community has evolved into much more. Friday night now includes music and a movie in the park (Despicable Me). The event will host concerts, parade, races, and much more. Kids carnival is open from 7/7 to 7/11 – see website for pricing and times.
*Pacific Days - Pacific; 7/8-7/10; Times vary each day, check website for schedule; There will be kids’ activities and games, lots of free family fun, vendors, and music, and our main feature, a chainsaw carvingcompetition, parades and more.
*Sultan Summer Shindig - Sultan; 7/8-7/10; Times vary each day, check website for schedule; Free event promoted as the last logger’s contest in Snohomish County, live music, street fair, carnival, car show, parade and fireworks and more.
*Arlington Street Fair – Arlington; 7/8 – 7/10; 10:00am to 6:00pm; Times vary each day, check website for schedule; Vendors, arts and crafts, entertainment and more.
*FreeTête-à-têter At Frye Museum – Seattle; through Jan. 2012; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Art lovers, did you know the Frye Museum is always free! Even better, they also provide free parking for visitors. Currently they are exhibiting Tête-à-têter, featuring one hundred fifty paintings from the Frye Art Museum’s Founding Collection. You can find a list of free events this week here, including art classes and tours.
*Free Entrance to Seattle Symphony’s “Soundbridge”- Seattle, Beneroya Hall; 6/24 at 10:00 am; 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.
*Free Mike Night at Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater – Snohomish; 6/24 at 7:30pm (sign-up at 7pm); Enjoy songs, instruments, skits & jokes – anything family-friendly. Suggested donation of $5 ($3 for entertainers).
Saturday July 9th:
*Family Day at Gig Harbor Albertson’s – Free event from 10am – 3pm at the Albertson’s store (11330 N W 51st Ave, Gig Harbor); Cowboy-themed games, samples & coupons such as Stockman & Dakota New York Strip Steaks, as well as Smartwater, McCormick, and Kelloggs samples & coupons. There will also be a Stockman & Dakota Celebrity Grilling Showdown and my blogger pal, Queen Bee Coupons, will be one of the celebrity chefs. She’ll be trying to win money for her favorite charity, so if you’re in the area, head on over to cheer her on. The winner is based on attendee votes.
*The Seafair Pirates are Landing! - West Seattle; 7/9, starts at 9:30 am; Free to come to Alki beach to watch the Seafair Pirates land. Music and fun for all. Kids are with inflatables available ($6 for all day jumps or $10 for 2 kids to jump all day). Don’t forget free beach fun too!
*Pioneer Square Fire Festival – Seattle; 7/9; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Antique fire trucks and police vehicles, pipes and drums and kids’ activities.
* Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Seattle; 9:00am to 5:00pm; This museum is always free and preserves the story of the 1897-98 stampede to the Yukon gold fields and Seattle’s role in this event. The park offers a glimpse at the stories of adventure and hardship of the gold rush. The museum is in Pioneer Square so you can spend some time enjoying that area of Seattle as well. You can pair a visit here with the fire festival listed above if you decide to attend.
*Chinatown International District DragonFest - Seattle; 7/9-7/10; see website for times; Celebration includes over 30 cultural performances with everything from the spirited Chinese lion and dragon dances, to captivating martial arts demonstrations and Japanese Taiko drumming. There are activities for all ages, and lots of food to be had.
*Kids Cove Concert Series – Bellevue Mall; 7/9; 10:30am; Free family friendly concerts in Center Court second Saturday of each month through Aug. This month the concert is Rowbes: “Meet the Beetles” A Rock and Roll Puppet Show.
*Free Tour Of Seattle Chinese Gardens – Seattle; 7/9; 1:00pm; Each Saturday the Seattle Chinese Gardens offers a free tour. The gardens are always free to Seattle residents!
*KeyFest 2011 in Key Peninsula – Key Center; 7/9 – 7/10; See website for schedule; A free community fair talent show, parade, and fireworks. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
* Rhubarb Days in Sumner Sumner; 7/9; 10:00am to 5:00pm; 1st annual event with antique tractors, rhubarb games, and pie eating contests. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
*Cinema Gig in Gig Harbor – Gig Harbor; 7/9; Movie starts at approx. 9:15pm ; Family films on Saturday free popcorn, water, and soda Families encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. This weeks showing is Despicable Me. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
* Join A Beach Exploration - Multiple Locations (throughout Puget Sound); Through end of July (check website for specific times and locations). Beach explorations are led by trained volunteers called Beach Naturalists. Join them to learn how to enjoy the beach without harming it. They can tell you what seastars eat, why barnacles stand on their heads and how moon snails lay their eggs, and more. My family did this one summer and it was a great educational experience.
* Science & Technology Center (MaST) – Saturdays 10am – 2pm; kids can explore sea life with touch tanks & more. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
Sunday July 10th:
*Farmdays On The Cobblestones At Pike Place Market - 7/10 On Sunday, the north end of Pike Place is closed to traffic, creating more room to shop and walk. Join us each Sunday for a cooking demo or two and learn from local chefs. Demos begin at noon and 2:00 p.m. each Sunday (note: chef demos are subject to change or cancellation without notice).
Monday July 11th:
*MEC Mondays – Seattle; 7/11; 10am to 3pm, The MEC welcomes families and the surrounding community to the exhibit area for free this Monday and Tuesday.
Thursday July 14th
*Half Priced Admission Imagine Childrens Museum – Everett; 7/14; Thursday 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is half priced ( $3.88)
*Market Play Days at Children’s Museum - Tacoma; 7/14; 10 am to 5 pm, Children’s Museum of Tacoma is offering free admission Thursdays this June through August (the Farmers Market takes place on Thursdays during the summer, right outside of the childrens museum too).
PORTLAND AREA:
Friday July 8th:
* Oregon Lavender Festival – Various locations, 7/8-7/10; Dozens of different lavender destinations throw their doors open to the public so that visitors can experience Lavender in Oregon firsthand by touring lavender farms, lavender nurseries, and lavender celebrations of all kinds.
*Marion County Fair - Salem; 7/7-10; Times vary see website for details. County Fair with entertainment, carnival, animals and much more. Different discounts are available depending on the day you go, go here for more detail.
*Oregon Country Fair - Veneta; 7/8-7/10; Time vary see website for details; World class entertainment, hand-made crafts, delectable foods, educational displays and magical surprises
*Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Veterans Powwow - Grand Ronde; 7/8-7/10; Times vary, check website for schedule; 1st 10 drums guaranteed session, arts & crafts & food vendors will be on hand. Free parking/ camping available!
*Lady Bug Nature Walk – Portland; 7/8; 10:00am; Walk through parks, gardens and natural areas. Touch slimy slugs, smell tree bark, feel crinkly and soft leaves, hear musical bird songs etc. Cost is $3 per toddler, adults are free!
*Creative Play At Isobels Clubhouse – Portland; 7/8; 9:30am to 11:30am; As part of creative play, kids can dress up in costumes, play with toys, read stories, play games or create in the art space.
*Sing a Long With Tyleena – Portland; 7/8 & 7/9; 10am; Join us for a musical sing a-long and story time with the fantastic Tyleena! Sing along to your favorite songs and books. Pick up a tambourine, drum or shaker and jam with us while learning some basic rhythm skills. Fun for the whole family!
Saturday July 9th:
*Mississippi Ave Street Fair -Portland (North); 7/9; 10:00am to 9:00pm; Vendors, crafts, food, kids corner and more.
*Sandy Mountain Festival - Sandy; 7/9-7/10; 10:00am to 8:00pm Sat. & 10:00am to 6:00pm Sun.; Over 150 artisans show their wares while entertainment is provided on two stages. Enjoy a mouthwatering treat from one of over 20 food booths manned by our local nonprofit organizations.
*Kids Cook At The Market – Portland; 7/9; Cooking classes for kids 7 to 11 at the Portland Farmers Market. This weeks class i sBerry Bonanza Salad and is $5 per child.
*Portland Farmers Market – PSU; 7/9; 8:30am to 2:00pm; Join the PSU Market this Saturday for lots of local fresh fruits & veggies and more.
*Family Days At The Washington County Museum – Portland; 7/9; Come participate in free family fun and crafts. Join Museum staff and Print Arts Northwest volunteers to celebrate the kick off of summer family days with free hands-on history and art activities for the whole family.
* Free Family Swim At Marshall Community Center - Vancouver; 7/9; 4:45pm to 6:30pm; Bauman Chiropractic is sponsoring free family swims at Marshall Pool Saturday evenings.
*Free Guided Nature Walk: Creek Critters – 7/9; 10:00am to 11:30am; Join park rangers for a free guided nature hike.
*Lady Bug Nature Walk – Portland; 7/9; 10:00am; Walk through parks, gardens and natural areas. Touch slimy slugs, smell tree bark, feel crinkly and soft leaves, hear musical bird songs etc. Cost is $3 per toddler, adults are free!
* Kids Saturday Morning Skate Session At Oaks Park – Portland; 7/9; 10:30am to 12:00pm; For $5.50 children 10 and under can skate (skates included). Parents free with paid child admission.
Monday July 11th:
*Washington County Museum Free Admission – Portland; 7/14; 10:00am to 4:30pm; Admission is free to this museum every Monday.
*Mondays On The Mall – Portland – Downtown Central Transit Mall; 6/27; Various Times; Free events all day including Wii play, caricatures, the original photo booth and entertainment.
Tuesday July 12th:
*$4 Admission To Oregon Zoo – Portland; 7/12; 9am to 6pm; Oregon Zoo offers $4 admission on the second Tuesday of each month.
*Portland Farmers Market- Portland; 7/12; From July 5 – August 18, you can enjoy a Taste of Portland Farmers Market at Pioneer Courthouse Square. These special local lunch markets will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-2pm in conjunction with the Square’sNoon Tunes Summer Concert Series.
Wednesday July 13th:
*Honeybee Happenings – Portland – Leach Botanical Society; 7/13; 10:00am to 11:00am; Weekly nature-related story time and craft activities for young children (Ages 1-6)and their parents with short outdoor explorations if weather permits. $2 per child. No pre-registration required.
Thursday July 14th:
*Portland Farmers Market- Portland; 7/14; From July 5 – August 18, you can enjoy a Taste of Portland Farmers Market at Pioneer Courthouse Square. These special local lunch markets will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-2pm in conjunction with the Square’sNoon Tunes Summer Concert Series.
NATIONAL EVENTS:
*Lowes Build And Grow Clinic - Saturday 7/9; 10:00am; Come join Lowes Build and Grow Clinic to make and take a tow truck. Register here.
*Michaels The Knack Events– Sat. 7/9; 11:00am to 2:00pm; Passport to Fun INDIA – Henna Hand & Elephant Event FREE Make-It Take-It crafts will be done .(Ages 3 & up)
*Michaels The Knack Events – Tues. 7/12; 11:00am to 2:00pm; Passport to Fun Russia – Nesting Doll & Bear Event. Make-It Take-It crafts will be done .(Ages 3 & up)
*Michaels The Knack Events – Tues. 7/14; 11:00am to 2:00pm; Passport to Fun France – French Impressionist Style Painting & Frenchman Event. Make-It Take-It crafts will be done .(Ages 3 & up)
*Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores – Sat. 7/9; 11am to 3pm; Kids can come to this free craft time and make a Mosaic Mirror Craft.
*Barnes and Noble Free Storytime – Sat 7/9; Times and events vary by location. Check your location for specific story’s available this weekend.
What are your favorite events this week? Any we missed – let us know in the comments!
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RedTri.com always has great family events listed, check them out too!
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