Welcome to Seattle Center
SEATTLE, WA – Polish Festival Seattle returns as part of Seattle Center Festál from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, bringing the vibrant spirit of Polish culture to the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall and Mural Amphitheatre.
This free, one-day festival celebrates the 15th anniversary of Polish Festival Seattle with a special theme honoring 250 years of Polish contributions to the United States. In a joyous nod to FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl win, this year’s festival also salutes the spirit of community achieved through sports.
Guests can participate in volleyball passing and soccer dribbling contests and explore two featured exhibits: “250 Years of Friendship: The Polish-American Story” and a digital exhibit showcasing famous Polish sports figures throughout history. Families and visitors of all ages are invited to join a pierogi (Polish dumpling)-making workshop or learn to craft their own wianki flower crown in a hands-on workshop.
The day begins at noon with an opening parade from the Mural Amphitheatre to the Armory, with a performance lineup spanning the full breadth of Polish musical tradition. Attendees can enjoy folk dance ensembles Syrena Seattle and Sobótka, the Vivat Musica! choir, and Demolka performing traditional music with a contemporary sound. The festival features two stages and will close at the Mural Stage with Yaazda, a Seattle-area Polish pop/rock cover band.
The Marketplace inside the Armory will feature a wide array of Polish arts and crafts, imports, and merchandise, from Polish cookbooks and crystal glasses to amber jewelry and more. Visitors can also enjoy authentic Polish traditional dishes and desserts throughout the day. For adults 21+, an outdoor beer garden and the annual vodka tasting offer additional ways to celebrate.
“Polish Festival Seattle is a beloved community gathering that brings together Poles and friends of Poland from across the Pacific Northwest,” said Alisa Lidzbarski Lahti, executive director of Polish Festival Seattle. “Our 15th anniversary is a milestone we’re thrilled to share with Seattle, and this year’s tribute to 250 years of Polish-American friendship makes it truly special.”
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.
Seattle Center Festál is presented in partnership between Seattle Center and 25 community-based organizations, with support from the City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and 4Culture's Sustained Support and Free/Reduced Access programs. Additional support for Festál 2026 is provided by 2025 charitable donations from the Snoqualmie Tribe, and ArtsFund's Community Accelerator Grant funded by Allen Family Philanthropies.
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, 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
Contact
Jordan Van Beek | jordan@whyforgood.com | 425.638.2293
