Bellevue is the place to be when it comes to summer fun! In the coming months, you can experience A-list concerts, championship sporting events, and cultural festivals with crafts and cuisines from around the world, all without leaving Bellevue and its neighboring communities along the east side of Lake Washington.
The Bellevue area has outdoor events to interest everyone, from kids’ fairs to community bike rides to live music at a winery. And don’t forget about the huge Fourth of July celebration! With the recent opening of the Link light rail 2 Line, connecting Redmond and Bellevue, many of these festivals are more accessible than ever. You’ll want to add these events to your calendar as you plan your summer travel.
May 25–September 28: Chateau Ste. Michelle Summer Concert Series
The Chateau Ste. Michelle winery in Woodinville has hosted high-profile summer concerts for four decades now. This year’s 40th anniversary performance lineup features Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends The Beach Boys and Pat Benatar, as well as current hitmakers such as John Legend, Stevie Wonder, and Tate McRae.
June 8: Lake to Lake Bike Ride
Explore the Eastside on two wheels on the annual Lake to Lake Bike Ride, a non-competitive ride from Lake Sammamish to Lake Washington. Choose from a challenging 24-mile route, a casual eight-mile route, and a short children’s ride in Robinswood Park. Proceeds benefit a great cause, the City of Bellevue Youth Program donation fund.
June 15: Juneteenth Community Celebration
Support Black performers and vendors at Crossroads Park during Bellevue’s community celebration for the Juneteenth holiday, which recognizes the end of slavery in the US. The free festival includes an entertainment stage with music and dance performances you won’t want to miss, plus booths from Black-owned restaurants and businesses.
June 20–23: 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
The Pacific Northwest welcomes the most elite golfers in the world when Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish hosts the 70th KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Everyone is welcome to witness the sport’s most prestigious major tournament, with daily grounds tickets for the general public starting as low as $40.
June 22: Indian American Community Services Night Market
Enjoy delicious Indian cuisine along with traditional dances, global music, and crafts at the Indian American Community Services (IACS) Night Market at Crossroads Park. The market typically features more than a dozen restaurants and 30-plus local vendors, as well as face-painting and games for the kids. Admission is free!
July 4: Bellevue Family 4th
Join 50,000 revelers in Bellevue Downtown Park to honor America’s independence at Bellevue Family 4th, the Eastside’s largest Independence Day celebration. Feast on burritos and barbecue from the food trucks, visit the Family Fun Zone, and, best of all, take in the captivating fireworks show set to live music from the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. It’s a truly memorable way to spend the holiday.
July 12–13: Redmond Derby Days
Bicycling has been an important part of Redmond Derby Days since the event began as a community fundraiser way back in 1939. That spirit continues to this day, with adult bike races at the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome and an outdoor kids bike parade. Other attractions include carnival rides, a drone light show, and an urban craft market at Redmond City Hall campus.
July 16–August 20: Movies in the Park
Bring the kids to Crossroads Park every Tuesday at dusk for the Movies in the Park series, which features popular films projected onto a 40-foot screen. This year’s specific titles haven’t been announced as of press time, but they’re always crowd-pleasing, PG-rated movies. Why not bring a blanket and some snacks and turn the evening into a family picnic?
July 26–28: BAM Arts Fair
Head to the Bellevue Arts Museum and Bellevue Square for the annual BAM Arts Fair, a festival offering just about every form of craft you can imagine: paintings, photography, ceramics, drawings, glass, jewelry, furniture, handmade clothing, and more. There’s also a kids fair and live music and dance performances. Fair admission and parking at Bellevue Collective are both free.
August 2–4: Seafair Weekend Festival
Seafair is always one of the most-anticipated summer events in the PNW, due in large part to the majesty of the Blue Angels flying overhead and the excitement of the hydroplane races on Lake Washington. Watch the aerial spectacular from any park in Bellevue, or rent a kayak at Meydenbauer Bay Park to get an up-close look at the festivities.
August 23–25: Arts in the Garden
With 53 acres of themed gardens, woodlands, and wetlands, Bellevue Botanical Garden is one of the city’s most incredible attractions. That’s even more true during Arts in the Garden, which showcases the work of local artists. Many of the pieces on display are glass and metal art with nature or wildlife themes that complement the garden’s natural environment.
September 7: NW Ukrainian International Festival
The West Coast’s largest Ukrainian cultural event arrives in Bellevue Downtown Park as part of
Eastside Welcoming Week, an event designed to foster a welcoming atmosphere for immigrants within all aspects of the community. Learn about Ukrainian customs, hear traditional music, and sample authentic foods. Keep an eye out for performers wearing vyshyvanky, the embroidered shirts which are a national cultural symbol.
September 12–15: WA Ganesh Festival
One of the most popular annual events in India, Ganesh Chaturthi, has found a local home on the Eastside. The Ganesh Festival expands to four days and moves to Crossroads Park this September. The festivities include the unveiling of a Ganesh Idol, a Grand Procession, dining and shopping booths, and performances that bring the spirit of India to Bellevue.
