We here at What’s Up NW love Kirkland, Washington and all of it’s charm. We’ve teamed up with Explore Kirkland to bring you some fun and different activities to enjoy this summer with the whole family!
Ongoing throughout the summer
Summer Sundays – Shop, Stroll & Dine on Park Lane
June 2–September 22 | 7 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Park Lane in Downtown Kirkland | www.explorekirkland.com
Park Lane in the heart of downtown Kirkland will be transformed into a Pedestrian-only Plaza on Sundays throughout the summer. Enjoy sidewalk shopping, dining al fresco, and community entertainment.
Kirkland Wednesday Market
June 5–September 25 | 2 to 7 p.m. | Marina Park | www.kirklandmarket.org
Shop Kirkland’s vibrant weekly market that brings local farmers and artisans to Marina Park on Lake Washington. The Market features an array of ready-to-eat food, produce, flowers, berries, fruit, jewelry, fish, meats, cheeses, honey and handmade goods. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association.
Juanita Friday Market
June 7–September 27 | 3 to 7 p.m. | Juanita Beach Park | www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitafridaymarket
Located at the beautiful Juanita Beach Park, the Juanita Friday Market offers delicious locally grown fruits, fresh produce, beautiful flowers, yummy food and handmade crafts. Market features live music each week. Check out our website for more details.
Little Brother’s Saturday Market
2nd Saturday of each month, June – September | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Arete Courtyard | 450 Central Way | www.littlebrotherkirkland.com
A market specifically focused on small local organic farms and producers who specialize in keeping small sustainable diverse farms, providing the opportunity to sell their products direct to consumers including: vegetables, fruit, dairy + cheese makers, eggs, fresh baked goods with local flour, organic plant starts and local flowers! Local musicians, and other weekly educational activities will create a fun food focused vibrant community experience.
Downtown Kirkland ArtStop
Wednesdays | June -September | 2 to 7 p.m. | Marina Park and downtown | www.kirklandartwalk.com
Discover a vibrant art experience with the Kirkland ArtStop! Stroll through the Kirkland Wednesday Market to explore featured artists as well as participating merchants in downtown Kirkland. Live art, music and more. Free. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association.
Downtown Kirkland Wine Walks
June 21, October 25, and November 22 | Downtown Kirkland | www.kirklanddowntown.org www.kirklandchamber.org
Stroll through downtown Kirkland’s charming boutique shopping district and experience local wineries at downtown Kirkland businesses. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association and Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.
Carillon Point Outdoor Movie Nights
July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17 | Dusk | Carillon Point Plaza | www.carillon-point.com
Watch the sun set over Lake Washington followed by an Outdoor Movie at Carillon Point Plaza. Come early, set up a chair, unfurl your blanket, then relax and enjoy the entertainment. Suggested $5 donation to Hopelink.
Movie line-up include:
- July 6 – Mean Girls (10th Anniversary Special!)
- July 20 – Crazy Rich Asians
- August 3 – the Incredibles 2
- August 17 – Solo: A Star Wars Story
40th Annual Kirkland Summer Concert Series
Tuesday Children’s Concerts | July 9–August 20 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Juanita Beach Park
Thursday Evening Concerts | July 11-August 22 | 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Marina Park | www.kirklandsummerconcerts.org
The Children’s Concerts series on Tuesday mornings is one of the only child-themed outdoor concert series in the area. On Thursday evenings, watch the sun set over Lake Washington and the Olympic Mountains while enjoying a picnic in the park complemented by toe-tapping music at the Evening Concerts. Suggested $2 donation.
Kids concert highlights include:
- July 9 – Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth
- August 6 – Brian Waite Band
- August 20 – Caspar Babypants
Evening concert highlights include:
- July 11 – West Coast Feed
- August 1 – Crème Tangerine
- Aug 22 – Petty Differences
Friday Night Family Fun Nights
June 28, July 5, July 19, August 9 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Peter Kirk Pool | www.kirklandparks.net | $6.00 per person
Celebrate Friday Night Family Fun Nights at the Peter Kirk Pool! Enjoy pool games, arts and crafts and music during a themed public swim. Space is limited to the first 270 people.
Sprinkler Park
Thursdays, July 11-August 22 | 12 to 3 p.m. | Lee Johnson Field in Downtown Kirkland | Free
This summer at Lee Johnson Field Kirkland Parks will host Sprinkler Park Thursdays. A variety of sprinklers, suitable for all ages, will be set up for everyone to enjoy and cool off from the summer heat! All ages welcome! Children 10 and under must be supervised by an adult. Please note: Temperatures must be above 70 degrees for Sprinkler Park to be open. Please call our inclement weather hotline at 425-587-3335 for program information.
Juanita Bay Park Interpretive Tours
1st Sunday and 3rd Tuesday of the Month | Times Vary | Juanita Bay Park | www.eastsideaudubon.org
The Eastside Park Rangers in affiliation with the Eastside Audubon Society offer interpretive tours at Juanita Bay Park. Every season gives nature lovers a chance to spot something new and wonderful.
June
Eastside Salsa Marina Dance Party
June 15 | 5 p.m. |Marina Park | www.lavidastudio.com
What’s better on a summer night than dancing all evening long at the waterfront? Salsa Marina is the only outdoor salsa event on the Eastside! Watch professional performances or join in a class at Kirkland Marina Park under the roof of main gazebo! There will be a dance floor laid over the concrete so bring your dancing shoes and join in the fun!
July
Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade, Picnic and Fireworks
July 4 | Marina Park | Downtown Kirkland | www.kirklanddowntown.org
Join in the fun at Kirkland’s 20th anniversary Fourth of July celebration featuring a “decorate to celebrate” event for kids at Marina Park Pavilion, followed by a parade, live music and a picnic. The evening finishes off with a fantastic fireworks display over Marina Park with viewing from Kirkland’s many waterfront parks. Free. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association.
Downtown Sidewalk Sale
Friday-Sunday, June 28-August 4 | Downtown Kirkland | www.kirklanddowntown.org
Shop Kirkland’s amazing collection of boutique shops. Come and browse the Downtown area, and chat with the participating merchants who will be displaying their wares outside their stores on summer weekends. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association.
Kirkland Uncorked
July 12–14 | Marina Park | www.kirklanduncorked.com
Kirkland Uncorked is Washington’s largest summer wine festival, located on the picturesque shores of Lake Washington at Marina Park. Kirkland Uncorked features wine tasting, grilling, a Burger Brawl and live music in the Tasting Garden (21+), plus the Uncorked Market, a boat show, and the Food Truck Feast inside the all-ages Street Fair.
Les Misérables (School Edition)
July 26 – August 4, 2019 | Kirkland Performance Center | www. studio-east.org/les-miserables/
Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical – a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time. Epic, grand and uplifting, Les Misérables School Edition packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world.
Kirkland Summerfest
July 26–28 | Marina Park | www.kirklandsummerfest.com
Celebrate Summerfest where Kirkland’s Marina Park and downtown core are transformed into a lively arts destination with music, dancing, street performances and family entertainment. Food trucks and a beverage garden round out the attractions. See website for times and locations of activities.
Junior Softball World Series
July 28–August 3 | Everest Park | www.jrsoftballworldseries.com
Held annually in Kirkland-teams from around the world will compete this August in the weeklong Junior League Softball World Series Championship. Opening Day begins Sunday, July 28. Championship playoffs will be held Saturday, August 3, broadcast by ESPN. Free.
August
1,000 Lights Water Lantern Festival
August 10 | Juanita Park | www.1000lights.com/events
1000 Lights Water Lantern Festival is the perfect setting where family and friends can come together and enjoy the beauty of thousands of twinkling lanterns lighting up the night and the water. Stemming from eastern traditions, the 1000 Lights Water Lantern Festival is a place of gathering for friends, families, and communities to share their hopes and dreams.
Kirkland Waterfront Car Show
August 11 | 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Downtown Kirkland | www.Kirklandwaterfrontcarshow.org
Join in the fun at the Annual Kirkland Waterfront Car show, one of the largest car show events on the Eastside. Hundreds of cars on display along Marina Park and downtown Kirkland. Entertainment and family activities all day. There will also be free advice for those who don’t have that much knowledge of the auto industry. From how to make basic repairs to providing a liberty mutual insurance review to finding a reliable mechanic, there’s something for everyone no matter their existing knowledge. Free. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association.
Park to Park Open Water Swim
August 25 | 7:30 a.m. | Swim ends at O.O. Denny Park | www.parktoparkswim.com
The Park to Park swim is a fun, noncompetitive 1.42-mile swim across Lake Washington from Matthews Beach, Seattle, to O.O. Denny Park, Kirkland. Proceeds from the swim benefit the Emergency Patient Assistance Fund at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
September
Crossing
September 7 | Cross Kirkland Corridor | www.crossingkirkland.org
Kirkland neighborhoods come together for a city-wide block party on the Cross Kirkland Corridor for this fun, exciting event.
Seattle 3-Day Walk
September 14 | Seattle and Kirkland | www.the3day.org
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk comes through Kirkland on September 14. The feelings of pride and strength you’ll realize while walking 60 miles through the city of Seattle, over Lake Washington and through Kirkland are only matched by the spirit and gratitude of the communities you encounter and those you are helping along the way.
Kirkland Kids Triathlon
September 7 | 11 a.m. | Juanita Beach Park | www.kirklandparks.net
Kids ages 3–12 can swim/splash, bike and run in this triathlon that is just for them! The triathlon includes a 50-yard swim/splash in Lake Washington, a half-mile bike ride, and a half-mile run. All segments will be in the park, so kids feel safe and spectators can catch all the fun.
All Porsche Grand Display
September 8 | 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Carillon Point, Kirkland | www.carillon-point.com/about/events
This display of all things Porsche includes sports cars, Panamera sedans, Cayenne SUVs, Tractor diesel models, clothing, sporting equipment, drivers’ collection, memorabilia and more.
Kirkland Police Explorers Benefit Car Show
September 14 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Kirkland Justice Center | Free | www.kirklandwa.gov
The Kirkland Police Explorers, sponsored by the Kirkland Police Department and local businesses, host their annual car show. This free, family friendly event will feature those beautiful cars, a BBQ from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an opportunity to vote for your favorite car with trophies awarded in several categories.
Kirkland Oktoberfest
September 20–22 | Marina Park | www.oktoberfestkirkland.com
Kirkland Oktoberfest is the Eastside’s fall tradition on the waterfront-a three-day celebration of the harvest season with plenty of beer, bratwurst, music, games, contests, costumes and more.
Tall Ships at Carillon Point
September 26–October 9 | Carillon Point | www.carillon-point.com
Ever wanted to know what is was like to sail on the high seas? Ask the crew while you tour the majestic tall ships when they dock at Carillon Point this summer. Public tours and sailings offered throughout the weekend.
Woodmark Husky Cruises
September – November | Carillon Point | www.destinationhotels.com/the-woodmark
Relax and enjoy a scenic boat ride to and from Washington Husky football games aboard Waterway Cruises West Star, complete with No Host bar service onboard.
