Here’s a comprehensive guide for potential Memorial Weekend celebrations. If you’re staying in the Seattle area, there’s a little something for everyone. Step out of your comfort zone and learn something new about Mexican culture, listen to some jazz or check out a foreign documentary.
Northwest Folklife Festival
The 47th annual Northwest Folklife Festival will again be held in the Seattle Center over 2018 Memorial Day weekend. The event is sponsored by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. The Northwest Folklife Festival is a staple event in Seattle, it’s an entire weekend dedicated to exploring, expressing, and celebrating all of the diversity in the Pacific Northwest.
Each year, the Northwest Folklife Festival focuses on a central theme to deep dive and explore. In 2016, the theme was “The Power of The Human Voice Through Song,” in 2017, it was Festal Turns 20. The theme in 2018 will be “Echoes of Aztlán and Beyond: Mexican American and Chicana/o Roots in the Northwest.” If you’re going to be in the Seattle area, spend Memorial Day Weekend learning about the Mexican roots in the Pacific Northwest, this area has been a consistent immigration path for Mexican immigrants since the 1700’s. Or if you hate learning about interesting people and cultures, then just enjoy all of the amazing music and food with the money you save from free admission.
“The goal of this Cultural Focus will be to showcase, preserve and recognize traditional and popular arts and culture in Mexican American and Chicana/o communities in our region. This program will explore what it means to
be Mexican and Chicana/o, starting with indigenous roots in America, and moving to
immigration, the building of communities, and a vision of the future” Press Release
Info
May 25 – 28 | Seattle Center | 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109 | 11 A.M. – 10 P.M
Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)
This festival is already going on and doesn’t end until June 10, so if you’re leaving over the weekend, don’t worry. This festival is now in its 44th year and is one of the largest foreign film festivals in the entire world. During a 25 day span, 400 films from 90 different countries will be shown for over 145,000 attendees.
SIFF is also featuring a virtual reality exhibit where you can experience third-dimensional storytelling.
Info
May 17 – June 10, 2018, | Tickets On Sale Now!
Memorial Weekend Boat Party
Party like you’re an extra in an early 2000’s Will Ferrell movie! The boat starts boarding at 9:30 and leaves at 10:30 with or without you, so show up early and get that pre-funk rocking.
The boat in question is a yacht that features two dance floors. There’s a fully licensed bar and there is smoking permitted on the deck. Oceanic Entertainment is bringing Dj’s that will be playing you throwback hits, hip-hop, R&B, reggae, EDM mash-ups and your personal requests!
Info
Sat, May 26, 2018, 9:30 PM – 1:30 AM | The Islander Champagne Cruises | 1611 Fairview Ave E Seattle, WA 98102 | Dress code: American there, red, white and blue
Bellevue Jazz Festival
Now in its 10th year, the Bellevue Jazz and Blues festival draws national headlining musicians and features top-notch regional level talent. This year’s headliners include Deva Mahal Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio.
Info
May 30 – June 3rd, 2018
Trying To Leave Seattle For Memorial Weekend?
Sasquatch Festival
Sasquatch Festival is headed back to the Gorge Amphitheater for Memorial Day weekend. The Gorge is a world-famous venue, and Memorial Day weekend is a great weekend to experience it before the Central Washington Summer scorches the canyon for the next several months.
The Sasquatch Festival has become more low-key in later years after the festival trend lost steam. Sasquatch is known for its friendly attendees, chill vibes and diverse musical lineups. My only year attending the event was in 2015 when I was lucky enough to see Action Bronson, Robert Plant, Flume, Of Monsters and Men, and Modest Mouse, who is headlining in 2018 as well.
Also headling the festival this year is Vince Staples, Bon Iver, Tyler The Creator, and The National. There’s still ticket and camping packages available, click the link to find out everything about the festival!
Info
All Ages | May 25-28 | The Gorge Amphitheater | 754 Silica Rd NW, George, WA 98848 | Three Day Passes: $325 | One Day Passes: $129
Memorial Weekend Cannabis Recommendations
ODO Fine Oil – Royal Romulan Kush
