Photo by Stevan Chase
Summertime is fine in the Yakima Valley! The summer festival season kicks off in May with the first of many unique events* celebrating culture, music, heritage, art, food, wine and craft beverages. Mark your calendar to enjoy live music, food, craft vendors and more! Come dance in the sunshine! For a full listing of all festivals and music events in the Valley running through early fall, click here!
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Grande in the Yakima Valley
May 5 and 6
Cinco de Mayo is the largest cultural event in the Yakima Valley, celebrating Latino culture and heritage. Cinco de Mayo celebrations are planned throughout the valley with the largest occurring in Sunnyside and Yakima. Enjoy live entertainment with dancing horses, carnivals and unforgettable authentic Mexican food. In Downtown Yakima expect the Mariachi/ Latino music and more all afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. LEARN MORE
Roots & Vines Festival
May 18 from 4pm to 10pm
This annual one-day event is a celebration of craft beverages produced in the Yakima Valley and features nationally touring Bluegrass, Americana and Folk bands. Tickets are $15, or $20 at the door! Purchase online at The Capitol Theatre Box Office. LEARN MORE
Yakama Nation Treaty Day Commemoration
June 6 to 11
2019 Yakama Nation Treaty Day Commemoration & Cultural Center Anniversary June 6 to 11 Festivities kick off from 1pm to 3pm at the Cultural Heritage Center Theater for the Frank Waln Youth Engagement! There’s a full week of events planned! Enjoy parades, pow-wows, free movies, performances, games, ceremonies, speakers, golf, basketball and softball tournaments, and rodeos! Fun for the whole family! LEARN MORE
June Art Fest at Chalet Place Mall
June 6
FREE one-day, fine art and crafts festival in Yakima. Musical acts this year include Kyle Bain and Killdeer String Band! Currently there are 27 local artists participating! LEARN MORE
Bottles, Brews and Barbecues
June 8 from 10am to 6pm in Prosser’s beautiful Vintner’s Village.
Bottles, Brews and Barbecues, is an annual day-long festival celebrating local wines, craft beer, barbecue, and good music in Prosser wine country! Barbecue competitors from throughout the Northwest come to participate in this competition, juried by the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association. Ticket pricing will be $20.00 online and $25.00 at the gate. This is a 21+ event and ID is required at entrance. Tokens can be purchased at the event in exchange for glasses of wine, beer and food. Commemorative glass included with entry. Service dogs are welcome – please, no pets. LEARN MORE
1st Annual Sun, Sips & Suds – A Beer, Wine & Spirits Exhibition
June 14 from 5:30pm to 9pm at Fullbright Park, Union Gap, WA.
This is 21+ only event with a great lineup of music, wine, beer and spirits. Enjoy warm weather with one of the first outdoor concerts of the year in the Valley. LEARN MORE
Northwest Burger Jam
June 15 from noon to 5pm at Cowiche Creek Brewing Co.
The inaugural Northwest Burger Jam is the creation of renowned local chef Shawn Niles, The Fat Pastor. Kick back and watch fierce competitors battle to create the best burger while you enjoy craft beer, burger vendors and live music and entertainment. Choose general admission for $15 or select VIP seating under the tent for $50 and enjoy tastings from the competitors and food demonstrations. Purchase tickets online. LEARN MORE
The Prosser Scottish Fest and Highland Games
June 15 from 9am to 6pm
Welcome to Central Washington’s premier Scottish Fest and Highland Games! Celebrate Scottish culture with an anvil launch, Celtic music, pipe band, Highland dancers, Highland heavy athletics, clan tents, Highland sheep and cattle, children’s activities, food vendors, Scottish merchants and the Flying Anvil Pub. $10 General Admission, $5 for kids 5 to 12 years and those 65 and older. Children 4 years and under admitted free! LEARN MORE
4th Annual Sunnyside Summer Ale Fest
June 22 from 5pm to 10pm at Centennial Square in Downtown Sunnyside.
Celebrate Sunnyside’s fantastic summer weather and world-class hops with an event that and showcases incredible beer, wine, food and live music in the heart of hop country. LEARN MORE
Art Walk & Wine Gala
July 20 from 6pm to 10pm
Celebrate the 16th Annual Art Walk and Wine Gala this summer in downtown Prosser! Stroll through a large variety of exhibits featuring Northwest artisans with fine art, pottery, woodworking, glass art and reclaimed whimsy. Sip award winning wines from local wineries. Enjoy live music and a variety of tasty food vendors! LEARN MORE
Yakima Folklife Festival
June 21 to 23
During the day, Saturday and Sunday, the festival is in the beautiful Franklin Park adjacent to the Yakima Valley Museum, with a kick-off concert early Friday evening. In the evening on Friday and Saturday, music moves to Downtown Yakima venues. LEARN MORE
5th Annual Yakima Uncorked Wine, Brews & Food Festival
June 29 from 5pm to 10pm
This fantastic festival highlights grapes and hops grown right here in our valley, along with exquisite food. You’re invited to celebrate the rich culture of the Yakima Valley community featuring wine, craft beer, food, arts and live music right in the heart of hop and wine country. LEARN MORE
Moxee Hop Festival
August 1 to 3
Celebrate hop harvest with live music and lots of entertainment during the day! Shop various crafts, eat delicious foods and enjoy all the entertainment the Moxee Hop Festival has to offer. LEARN MORE
Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival
August 24 from 6pm to 10pm
The Prosser Beer and Whiskey Festival is our region’s premier craft brewing and distillery event. General admission receives access to the cigar lounge, awesome live music and a wide variety of excellent food vendors. LEARN MORE
Chinook Fest
September 6 to 8
Escape to three days of music, camping and fun in the scenic Cascade Mountains! This is a 21+ event on Friday and Saturday. Minors will not be permitted on festival grounds or in the park camping on these days. The event opens to ALL AGES on Sunday and kids under 12 are FREE! LEARN MORE
Yakima Taco Fest
September 14
Kicking off National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Central Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Craft Beverage Yakima celebrate the Yakima Valley’s migrant workers and agricultural roots through the Yakima Taco Fest. Bringing people together to taste fusion and traditional tacos, sip on local craft beverages and dance to the sweet rhythm of Latin music. LEARN MORE
Central Washington State Fair
September 20 to 29
Don’t miss several nights of big-name, national entertainment, a huge variety of great food, carnival rides, livestock exhibits and displays that make it the single largest family entertainment event in the region! There is something for everyone! LEARN MORE
The Great Prosser Balloon Rally & Caren Mercer-Andreason Street Painting Festival
September 27 to 29
Begin the festivities Friday night with a Night Glow set to music when the glow of the balloons lights the nightin Art Fiker Stadium. The balloons launch Saturday and Sunday at sunrise from the Prosser, Washington, Airport. Spectators should arrive early (about 6:15am) to watch the pilots prepare the giant balloons. Some lucky spectators may even by asked to assist the balloon pilots inflate, chase and recover the hot-air balloons. Parking and admission are free. The two-day Caren Mercer-Andreason Street Painting Festival in Downtown Prosser features local and regional artists creating works of art on the pavement in historic downtown Prosser during the Hot Air Balloon Rally. LEARN MORE
Fresh Hop Ale Festival
October 5 from 5pm to 10pm
The Fresh Ale Hop Festival isn’t just, “One of the 10 Best Beer Festivals in the Nation.” It’s also a vehicle for community enrichment and positive social change. Each fall after the work of hop harvest, brewers from around the Western U.S. and beyond gather to compete with craft beers brewed with freshly harvested hops. Proceeds are granted to arts and science endeavors. Come and drink some amazing craft beer, enjoy live music and great food, and do some good! This year’s festival takes place at a new location in Downtown Yakima, adjacent to the railroad tracks at 5 West Yakima Avenue. LEARN MORE
Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
October 27 from 12pm to 5pm
Mighty Tieton’s Dia de los Muertos Community Delebration honors both los muertos (those who have passed) and the beauty of life. Experience traditional sand painting in the warehouse, face painting, dancing horses, local musical and dance group performances, a parade, sugar skull decorating, exhibits on the sacred traditions, contemporary and traditional altars, sugar skull displays, paper marigolds, and papel picado. The altar exhibition runs through November 17. LEARN MORE
*This list reflects event information received as of April 30, 2019
Categorized in: Family Fun, Food and Dining, Hops and Beer, Wine Country
