Welcome to Seattle Center
SEATTLE (July 18, 2022) – Seattle Center Festál is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and while 13 festivals have passed, 11 more remain between August and November. Many festivals, produced in partnership with regional community organizations, have made the switch from virtual to hybrid or in-person formats.
Since 1997, this unique and enduring festival series has formed the foundation of public programming at Seattle Center. “Where the World Gathers” is this year’s theme, honoring the past while keeping eyes on the future. Festivals look to new generations and innovative approaches for programming to showcase the diversity of people and cultures that contribute to our region’s character, economy and way of life.
Through Festál, the broader community can engage with its neighbors’ histories, arts, rituals and traditions. Festival programming often includes both traditional and contemporary music and dance, visual arts and crafts, family activities, vendor marketplaces, food demonstrations and learning experiences for everyone in the family.
“Seattle Center Festál festivals bring Seattle communities together in-person and virtually to celebrate our city's diversity," said Mayor Bruce Harrell. "In the spirit of One Seattle, I look forward to a great slate of events this summer and fall to continue honoring the cultures and communities that make Seattle special."
Throughout the year, some festivals serve as markers of time passing, celebrating the change of seasons, harvest time or the new year. Other festivals draw attention to political emancipation, departed loved ones, ancient civilizations and contemporary influences.
“Festál shows us how to commemorate what Seattle is all about,” said Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams. “At the heart of the city, Seattle Center is proud to present these cultural festivals in partnership with the community organizations that bring them to life.”
Visitors can look forward to 11 more Festál festivals this year, each with their own unique communities, programs and festivities in-person on Seattle Center’s campus.
Seattle Center Festál Schedule for August-November 2022
Admission/viewing is free of charge. Find more information and viewing links at: http://www.seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/festal or call 206-684-7200.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál cultivates a deeper understanding of the cultures and ethnic diversity that contribute to the rich vibrancy of the Pacific Northwest. This unique series links together 24 free festivals presented on weekends from February to November, each with its own cultural focus, identity, and range of engaging activities. 2022 commemorates the 25th Anniversary of Festál, ushering in a new era of hybrid programs during this anticipated return to in-person events. Seattle Center Festál is where the world will gather to celebrate the people, the places, the stories, the traditions, and the next 25 years of innovation. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with 24 different community groups and supported by 4Culture, City of Seattle, and Seattle Center Foundation. Festál is also part of the ArtsFund Cultural Partners Network.
About Seattle Center
Seattle Center is celebrating 60 years with all that is “New, Now, and Next” as Seattle’s hub for arts, sports, community events, and cultural festivals. Originally built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the dynamic 74-acre campus has transformed over the years to respond to, reflect, and represent the region’s ever-broadening community. Seattle Center and its iconic International Fountain are often referred to as the “Heart of Seattle,” serving as a treasured community gathering place where the local, regional, national, and international visitors come together every day. Today more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations reside on the grounds, along with a diverse variety of public programs and thousands of events attracting more than 12 million visitors each year. At Seattle Center, part of Uptown Arts & Cultural District and home to Climate Pledge Arena, our purpose is to create exceptional events, experiences, and environments that delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities. Activities at the Center generate $1.864 billion in business activity and $631 million in labor income.
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Note:
Photos, b-roll, and pre-event/event-day interviews with festival producers, performers, and special guests are available upon request.
Contact:
Meghan McLaughlin, meghan.mclaughlin-c@seattle.gov
