30th Annual Renton River Days with TONS of free fun! - Now until 6pm on Sunday, July 26th 2015

Highly recommend this one and you can expect to spend 3 hours of having fun here if not more! 

For more info. go here.

Bon Odori Festival in Seattle - Saturday and Sunday, July 18th and 19th 2015 - various times!

Bon Odori Festival

Saturday, July 18th, 4PM to 10PM

Sunday, July 19th, 3PM to 8PM

Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple

1427 S. Main, Seattle (map)

" Bon Odori is a traditional summer festival in which we honor our ancestors who have passed on, remember and appreciate all they have done for us, and celebrate their ongoing presence in the lives we enjoy today.

Also known as Obon, the festival is an official Seafair event held at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. The main event is traditional music and dancing in the street in a giant oval. Many festival goers dress in Japanese kimono, yukata or happi coats. The event also features Japanese food booths and refreshment, taiko and martial arts performances, and craft exhibits and demonstrations. "

For more info. go here.

Dragon Fest with dragon and lion dances, taiko drumming, martial arts demos, $2 food bites and more in Seattle - Starting from 12pm on Saturday, July 11th until 6pm on Sunday, July 12th 2015

" This year’s Dragon Fest will feature non-stop cultural performances including Dragon and Lion dances, Japanese taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, the Chinese Girls Drill Team, and much, much, more. For Seattle’s foodies we are proud to bring back the 5th Annual $2 Food Walk presented Delta Air Lines with over 40 restaurants offering a wide array of international $2 bites! "

For more info. go here.

Mill Creek Festival and Street Fair - Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th 2015 - Starts at 11am both days!

There will be 2 performance stages, an artists plaza, a pet plaza arena with demos and performances, a kids zone, 3 on 3 basket ball and more! 

" Besides bouncy toys, a rock climbing wall and even a dunk tank, many of our vendors opt to be in the Kid's Place so that they can sponsor activities such as face painting, arts and crafts, or having your picture taken with a super hero. "

For more info. go here.

CHILDREN'S DAY (kodomo no hi) at Seattle Japanese Garden - Sunday, May 31st 2015 from 11am-3pm - "Less than a Latte" each for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under!

This Japanese national holiday celebrates the happiness of children; embrace the celebration and join in the fun.

FREE Admission for Kids 12 and Under!

Enjoy a spring day in the beautiful garden filled with family-friendly activities. Kids of all ages can experience Japanese cultural traditions through demonstrations, performances, and hands-on activity stations. 

Origami - Nature-themed Crafts - Zen play garden - Sumi-e water painting 

Aikido demonstration - Iaido sword demonstration 

Puppet show - Haiku workshop - Taiko drumming performance - Koi feeding

Guided tours - Scavenger hunt with prizes

11am 11:30am Japan America Society of the State of Washington--"Japan in a Suitcase--Taro Goes to Elementary School" Show-and-Tell Presentation of a Day in the Life of a Child in Japan

12pm Kaze Daiko--Youth Taiko Drumming

1pm Seattle Aikikai--Youth Aikido Demonstration

1:30pm West Cascade Puppet Brigade--'Issunboshi - The Inch High Samurai'. A Modern Telling of an Ancient Japanese Story

2pm Haiku Northwest--"How to Haiku" Workshop

2:30pm Seibu Ryu Iai-Battojutsu Demonstration--Iaido Japanese Sword Training

Guided tours will begin at 12:30pm & 2pm.

This event was generously sponsored by Jeff McLaughlin, in memory of Suzanne McLaughlin.

For more info. go here.

A Glimpse of China - 2015 Seattle Chinese Arts and Culture Festival at Seattle Center - Saturday, May 16th 2015 from 11am-6pm

" Enter Seattle’s own Chinese garden and experience cultural traditions featuring 5,000 years of China’s history in this celebration of one of the world’s oldest cultures. “A Glimpse of China” explores the rich traditions of China’s dance, music, martial arts and brilliant costumes. "

For more info. go here and here.

Tet Festival 2015 with lion dances, a cooking competition, health fair, and tons more at Seattle Center - Saturday and Sunday, February 21st and 22nd 2015 from 11am-7pm both days!

" Explore and experience the cultural roots and contemporary influences of Vietnam through live performances, hands-on activities, foods, crafts, games, martial arts and a lively marketplace. "

For more info. here.

Lunar New Year Celebration with tons of activities presented by the Bellevue Collection - Saturday, February 21st 2015 from 11am-6pm

For more info. go here.

Chinatown-ID Lunar New Year Festival with lion dances, martial arts, taiko drumming and lots more in Seattle - Saturday, February 21st 2015 from 11am-4pm

" Come celebrate the Year of the Sheep at the Seattle Chinatown-International District’s Lunar New Year Celebration. Over the last few years, Lunar New Year Celebration is the largest event of its kind in the region and showcases diversity, richness and culture of the Asian community. The collaboration with other neighborhood businesses/organizations it has helped draw thousands of visitors from throughout the region for a day of festivities. The celebration include traditional dragon and lion dances, Japanese Taiko Drumming, martial arts and other cultural performances on the Verizon Main Stage. Combined with arts, crafts and a variety of family friendly activities there is something for everyone.

Don’t forget the return of the neighborhood’s 5th Annual $2 Food Walk presented by Delta Air Lines! "

For more info. go here.

Lunar New Year Celebration with a lion dance, a martial arts performance and lots more at Southcenter Mall in Seattle - Saturday, February 21st 2015 from 11am-4pm

Go and check out this fun event as they celebrate the Year of the Goat!

" Join us for a community celebration in honor of Lunar New Year! The celebration begins with a traditional lion dance parade at 11am, which begins in the atrium near Duke's Chowder House and Joey Southcenter. 

Emcee Wei Zuo, from Seattle Chinese Radio, will host the following cultural performances on our main stage in Macy's Court:

11 a.m. – Lion Dance Parade and Martial Arts Demonstration

11:30 a.m. – Seattle Guzheng Studio

Noon – Hwa Sheng Chinese Opera Club

1 p.m. – Chinese Folk Song & Dance 

2 p.m. – Taekwondo demonstration

2:30 – Chinese Yo-Yo

3 p.m. – Classic Chinese Song Solo by Glory Burford

4 p.m. – Hua Mei Tu Fashion & Arts Model Team, Traditional Chinese Costume Fashion Show

Children will enjoy commemorative live calligraphy, interactive origami arts and a children's craft in our Children's Wing from 11am - 4pm. "

For more info. go here.

Special FREE FIRST SATURDAY: LUNAR NEW YEAR at the ASIAN ART MUSEUM in Seattle - Saturday, February 7th 2015 from 11am-2pm

Here is another one I highly recommend! These are monthly but this one (Feb 2015) will also feature a live martial arts performance in honor of the Lunar New Year!

" Each Free First Saturday has an exciting new theme and drop-in workshops guided by teaching artists. Model traditional costumes, enjoy a special performance, watch a family-friendly movie, discover a new book, and embark on a sketching tour of the galleries.

This month celebrate the Lunar New Year with drop-in art activities that highlight the year of the Sheep, live martial arts performances from Mak-Fai, music, dress-up, and a family-friendly sketching tour throughout the galleries. Create your own flipbook with your own portrait and zodiac animal! "

Event location: FULLER GARDEN COURT

For more info. go here.

Bunka no Hi 2014 - a Japanese Culture Festival at JCCCW in Seattle - Sunday, November 16th 2014 from 11am-5pm

Head to Seattle and enjoy Bunka no Hi!

" Bunka no Hi is the JCCCW’s premier annual cultural event and is a celebration of Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage. Bunka no Hi is filled with performances, cultural demonstrations, games, and other activities as a true community wide event, with booths and informational displays from a variety of local vendors and nonprofit organizations. No matter where your interests lie, Bunka no Hi will have something for everyone! "

Event Exhibitors & Activities:

Exhibitor / Activity All Day / Demonstration

Bean Fish Food

Budokan Judo Dojo Demonstration

Calligraphy – Midori Kono Thiel All Day

Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle – Furoshiki Workshop All Day

Haiku NW & Rainier Ginsha Haiku Workshop (ENG/JPN) All Day

Hosekibako All Day – 20% Off Sale

Hyogo Business and Cultural Center All Day

Kabuki Academy Demonstration

Kamishibai – Paper Theater (ENG/JPN) Demonstration

Kaze Daiko Demonstration

Kirigami & Origami All Day

Koto – Miyagikai Demonstration

Math Abacus School of Seattle – Soroban All Day

Minyo Folk Dancing Demonstration – Audience Interaction!

Nikkei Bunko All Day

Omoide (Memories) Project Demonstration

Regional Taiko Group Demonstration

Sakura Con All Day

Seattle Go Center All Day

Seattle Seido Karate Demonstration

Setsuko Pastry All Day – Food Vendor

Shakuhachi (Japanese Flute) Demonstration

Story Telling – Lori Whaley Demonstration

Tea Ceremony Demonstration

Tokyo Dog All Day – Food Vendor

Wotagei Demonstration – Audience Interaction!

For more info. go  here.

24th Annual Cultural Crossroads Festival in Bellevue - Now through Sunday, November 9th 2014

For more info. go here.

Back to School Carnival with games and activities at My Gym in Bellevue - Tonight, Friday, September 12th 2014 from 4-8pm

" Back to School Carnival Night at My Gym Children's Fitness Center in Bellevue! 

Friday, September 12th 4-8pm

Register for Fall classes and automatically get entered to win ONE FREE MONTH of class! Already registered for class? Bring a friend with you to share the fun. 

- Classes for kids ages 6 mos -- 13 yrs old!

- Fun Carnival themed games and activities!

- Check out our state of the art facility!

- Meet our friendly My Gym Staff!

- Dance & Martial Arts Classes too (taught in our very own dance room!)

Can't attend the event? Register online and still get Fall Savings and you'll still be entered in the raffle. Good luck! "

My Gym Bellevue

13800 Bel-Red Rd. Suite #3

Bellevue, WA 98005

(425) 451-1393

For more info. go here and here.

"Aki Matsuri" - aka Fall Festival - A festival of Japanese Culture with workshops, demos, martial arts, puppet shows and more - Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th from 10am-6pm (until 4:30pm on Sunday)

Head to Bellevue College and experience this wonderful festival!

" Every Fall, ENMA presents "Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival)", a 2-day program of Japanese cultural, educational, and fun events for all age groups.

The Aki Matsuri is a celebration of Japan's rich cultural heritage. A large number of local artists and craftpersons practicing Japanese-style arts and crafts (including the performing arts and martial arts), and Japan related businesses & organizations will be participating during the entire two day event activities. 

2014 will be our 17th year to present the Aki Matsuri. "2014 Aki Matsuri" will be held on September 6 (Saturday) and 7 (Sunday), 2014 at the Bellevue College's main campus located in Bellevue, Washington. " 

For more info. go here.

Bon Odori Festival IN SEATTLE - SATURDAY, JULY 19th FROM 4-10PM AND SUNDAY, JULY 20th 2014 FROM 3-8PM

Go and check out Bon Odori at the Seattle Buddhist Temple in Seattle. There will be Taiko and martial arts performances, traditional Japanese dress, music and dancing, craft exhibits and demos, food, a beer garden and more!  

" Bon Odori is a traditional summer festival in which we honor our ancestors who have passed on, remember and appreciate all they have done for us, and celebrate their ongoing presence in the lives we enjoy today. "



                                                                  For more info. go here.

DragonFest with lion dances, taiko drumming, martial arts demos, $2 Food Bites and more in the International District - Saturday and Sunday, July 12th and 13th 2014 from 12pm-12am (until 6pm on Sunday!)

" The Dragon Festival is the largest annual Asian American celebration in the Pacific Northwest’s. Centered in the heart of Seattle’s historic Chinatown-International District, the Festival attracts more than 30,000 people over two days and features a line-up of over 30 cultural performances with everything from the spirited Chinese lion and dragon dances, to captivating martial arts demonstrations and Japanese Taiko drumming. Bounded by the iconic Chinese Gate and beautiful Hing Hay Park, this Seafair Festival brings the streets to life with historic walking tours, a large-scale outdoor Asian market and cultural activities for people of all ages. In addition to the Dragon Fest day time activities, the Chinatown-ID is excited to promote the Night Market at Dragon Fest. 

As the sun sets over the C-ID, more than 25 food trucks, live music and a dance party will begin. With a wealth of fun for all ages, the Dragon Fest is the premier pan Asian American celebration in the Northwest! "

For more info. go here.

2014 Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival at Seattle Center - Saturday and Sunday, June 7th and 8th 2014 - Various Times

For more info. go here.

KODOMO NO HI (CHILDREN'S DAY FESTIVAL) AT JCCCW IN SEATTLE - SUNDAY, MAY 4TH 2014 FROM 11AM-5PM

   

For more info. go here.

Lunar New Year celebration at Bellevue Square Mall's Center Court - Saturday and Sunday, February 8th and 9th 2014 from 11am-6pm (1-5pm on Sunday)

   

Images courtesy of The Bellevue Collection

" The celebration will feature numerous traditional and contemporary cultural demonstrations including martial arts, music, dance, and visual arts. The festival is open to audiences of all ages and includes fun, complimentary activities for all to participate in. "

For more info. go here.