A Glimpse of China - Seattle Chinese Culture & Arts Festival
Celebrating traditions while fostering connection in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere
Seattle, WA - The history and culture of China will be on display 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th during A Glimpse of China – Seattle Chinese Culture & Arts Festival at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall.
This one-day family-friendly event – part of the Seattle Center Festál series of 25 cultural festivals – is free to attendees allowing them to explore art, painting, and calligraphy; view live performances on stage; take in traditional Chinese clothing; and participate in cultural traditions which cover 5,000 years of Chinese history.
In addition, organizers say this year’s festival will overlap with last year’s theme of promoting understanding, respect, and appreciation of our multicultural community and focus on the importance of this mission.
Festál cultural festivals are created and led by the communities themselves – each an authentic expression of heritage and tradition – bringing together elders, youth, and families to keep alive the cultural knowledge, traditions, and stories to be passed on and celebrated across generations.
“We believe this festival has a deep and lasting impact, especially on younger generations of volunteer artists. For many groups, it has become a meaningful ‘family tradition,’ with some performers participating for more than 20 years,” said Ruoxi Zhang, event producer.
“It’s inspiring to see performers who first joined decades ago return as leaders and organizers, now mentoring the next generation. This continuity reflects the heart of our festival—community, cultural connection, and shared growth across generations.”
This festival is in partnership with Washington Chinese Arts & Culture Committee, a non-profit organization which strives to foster understanding, friendship, and opportunities between local Chinese and American communities and between China and America through art and cultural events, as well as other exchange activities. The volunteer-run organization is operated by professionals from different fields who share the same vision and passion for China/US cultural exchange.
This festival is part of the Festál series of 25 cultural festivals presented by community groups and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál is a unique public program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity.
These community-produced events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of our region’s diversity through immersive performances, food, arts, and educational programming. Collectively, the festivals welcome approximately 400,000 visits annually, generate an estimated $30 million in economic activity, support more than 250 jobs, and engage thousands of volunteers, artists, and small business vendors.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, MOPOP, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others. Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center serves residents and visitors of all ages year-round.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center is an inclusive destination where community comes together through arts, culture, and public life, serving residents from across Seattle and the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world. In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, Seattle Center also manages the City’s new Waterfront Park, providing cultural programming, operations, and civic care along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.
Over the past three years, Seattle Center has welcomed 11 to 12 million visits annually, with the majority of visits coming from the Seattle and Puget Sound region and is projected to reach 12.5 to 13.5 million visits in 2026. This activity generates more than $1 billion in visitor spending, contributes more than $2 billion in regional economic impact, and supports more than 18,600 jobs.
With the support of our Official Partners — Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank — Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest. www.seattlecenter.com
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