Fall in Washington state is a favorite for many reasons. The temperature drops slightly, but the weather is mostly sunny and dry. The leaves begin to change from vibrant greens to stunning golds and reds that fill the landscape with a comfortable warmth. Whether you’re a local or visiting the area, there are plenty of events in Washington state this fall for you to enjoy.
Seattle
Head to Seattle for an event you’ll remember forever! The Northwest Chocolate Festival is the “world’s largest gathering of artisan chocolate makers.” This two-day festival is packed with educational workshops, award-winning chocolate exhibitors and tastings of handmade chocolate crafted with the finest ingredients – everything from milk chocolate to truffles, cakes and beyond.
Fremont is a historic Seattle neighborhood located on Lake Union along the Burke-Gilman Trail. It’s known for its eclectic vibe and trendy local eateries and shops. Fremont Oktoberfest is hosted in this beautiful neighborhood and is acknowledged as one of the top 10 places in the world to celebrate Oktoberfest. Beer lovers – get ready to explore over 100 beers and ciders, including German biers, award winners and much more. Additionally, there will be plenty of food and entertainment for all to enjoy.
Also in Seattle is a lantern festival unlike any other you’ve been to. The Water Lantern Festival of Seattle floats eco-friendly rice paper lanterns on beautiful Greenlake. Before the main event, you’ll have the opportunity to mingle and enjoy a variety of food trucks, live music and other activities, including designing your personal lantern. This fall event is sure to spark joy and create memories that last a lifetime.
Anacortes
If you head to the charming waterfront city of Anacortes for Bier On The Pier, you can immerse yourself in the wide selection of beers, ciders, food and live music of the Pacific Northwest region. This annual celebration takes place in the backdrop of the beautiful Guemes Channel with tons to explore in the area before or after the festival.
Walla Walla
This experience will take your breath away! Head to the southeast corner of Washington state where you’ll have the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon in Walla Walla from September until the end of October. Available for sunset, sunrise and private rides, these colorful balloons will take you to new heights and offer phenomenal views of beautiful Washington countryside.
Port Angeles
Seafood lovers, look out for the Dungeness Crab And Seafood Festival in Port Angeles, Washington. This festival is 21 years running and offers everything you could want! Incredible food, beverages, live entertainment, dozens of craft vendors, demonstrations and more. Outside of the festival is more adventure waiting to happen on the Olympic Peninsula – you’ll want to stay longer than one weekend.
Port Townsend
This one-of-a-kind event in Port Townsend is for all the lovers of spooky festivities. Haunted Histories & Mysteries of Port Townsend is a weekend-long affair filled with haunted tales of shipwrecks, lost loves, unexplained events and more since 1851. Dive into the history at Port Townsend’s historic waterfront at this unique event!
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a popular destination in Washington year round due to its sheer beauty and picturesque landscape. The Bavarian style village hosts Oktoberfest during the first three weekends in October. Revel in the beauty of the Cascade mountains and the lush forests in the area while enjoying the festivities, German style beers and products of local breweries. This annual celebration is one you won’t forget!
Woodinville
As you prepare for the winter holiday season, you won’t want to miss out on this spectacular holiday boutique craft show in Bothell, Washington near Woodinville. This free four-day event features the best local artists and crafters in the region and offers a variety of products to shop through.
Olympia
There’s few better ways to explore the culture and history of a city than through its local artists and businesses. The Olympia Arts Walk is a celebration of visual and performance art, with participation from downtown businesses and organizations. This one-of-a-kind experience will open your eyes to a rich variety of artistry.
Tacoma
A 35-minute drive from Olympia will bring you to the wonderful city of Tacoma. The Tacoma Holiday Food And Gift Festival returns this year for the 40th time. Toward the end of October, this four-day event at the renowned Tacoma Dome features over 500 booths that offer a range of gifts, specialty foods, arts, crafts and more. There will be a stage with live music, photo opportunities with Santa and even cooking demonstrations. It’s a wonderful chance to explore the vibrant community in Tacoma and shop locally.
As summer comes to an end, Washington’s beautiful cities find new ways to have fun and enjoy the fall season. These events in Washington state are truly special and worthy of your time to get to know the diverse communities throughout the region. Consider a weekend stay or longer at a local inn near the cities mentioned above.
