Fun Annual Events in Kitsap County

Annual Events in Spring and Summer

Easter Egg Hunts

Friday and Saturday before Easter at Battle Point Park on Bainbridge Island

The Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District hosts two egg hunts for local children of all ages. One of them is a Flashlight Egg Hunt for teens. The other is a daytime mEGGa hunt for younger children. It has been canceled for the last two years due to the pandemic, but check their Facebook page for updates for 2023.

Cost: Free

Viking Fest

3rd Weekend in May in Downtown Poulsbo

Perhaps one of the most well-known events in Poulsbo, Viking Fest is a weekend-long event featuring a carnival, Viking village, parade, live music, vendor marketplace, a road race, and many other family-friendly activities. With a city slogan of “The Viking City”, this signature event is one you don’t want to miss. 

Cost: Free to Attend and Activities Vary

Midtsommer

3rd Saturday in June at Poulsbo's Waterfront Park

Paying homage to mid-summer festivals popular in Nordic countries, this annual event at the Waterfront Park in Poulsbo features the raising of a maypole, traditional Nordic dancing, flower crowns, music, and a Viking Bonfire at dusk. This cultural event is hosted by the Sons of Norway.

Cost: Free to Attend and Activities Vary

Kingston 4th of July Celebration

July 4, 2022 in Downtown Kingston

Fun Fact: Kingston’s parade is “the longest-running 4th of July celebration west of the Mississippi”! There will be a parade, live music, and a fireworks show. Kiwanis Tiny Town is also a fun part of the festivities. There’s a music festival at Mike Wallace Park in the Port of Kingston and a beer garden for those 21+. The Kingston 4th of July committee is working hard to create a wonderful, safe celebration. Visit the event’s Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. 

Cost: Free to Attend, Activities Vary

The Downtown Port Orchard Artist and Vintage Fair

July 16 and 17, 2022 in Downtown Port Orchard

This wonderful two-day event is held during the Chris Craft Rendezvous. Enjoy the work of local artisans, vintage finds, food vendors, and more.  Check out the photo booth, the Chris Craft boats in the marina, the scavenger hunt, and Saturday's Cornhole Tournament. Additionally, the Sidney Art Gallery and Museum will feature local artists in action on both days, thanks to the South Kitsap Artists Association.

Cost: Free to attend, purchases separate; Cornhole Tournament is $20 for 2-person team

Kitsap Pride

July 23, 2022 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in Silverdale

Now in its 26th year, this is the premier LGBTQ+ Pride event in Kitsap County. This year’s event is expected to have 50+ booths, a beer garden, food trucks, vendors, and wonderful live entertainment from DJs to drag performances. Check their Facebook event for more details as the time nears.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

Wednesday Nights from July – August 6:00-8:00 PM at Battle Point Park, Bainbridge Island

Enjoy tunes from Pacific Northwest artists at Battle Point Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a picnic dinner from home, a to-go meal from a local restaurant, or purchase a meal from a participating food truck. 

Cost: Free to attend, purchases separate

Bremerton Blackberry Festival

Sept. 3 – 5, 2022 at the Bremerton Boardwalk

Presented by the Bremerton Rotary, this weekend event is a celebration of all things blackberry and includes 100+ vendors. It is the longest-running festival in Bremerton, bringing in an estimated 25,000 visitors over the course of Labor Day weekend. Live music and a beer garden are part of the festivities. All food vendors are required to sell one blackberry-themed item for a tasting fee of $5 or less. 

Cost: Varies by activity

Annual Events in Fall and Winter

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

Mid-September to Halloween at Pheasant Fields Farm in Silverdale

One of the largest corn mazes in the West, this family activity is perfect for fall. Make your way through the corn maze, select a pumpkin from the many varieties available, and enjoy photo ops, fresh produce, and more. Check back for 2022 dates.

Cost: Free to visit the farm; purchases and maze separate

Bainbridge Gardens Pumpkin Walk

October 1st – 31st at Bainbridge Gardens

This family favorite tradition has been running for almost three decades. The Bainbridge Gardens’ historic nature trail is lined with hundreds of hand-painted and carved pumpkins as well as themed vignettes. Pumpkin submissions are requested from the community to add to the pathway, and it’s an integral part of the experience. Live music and food trucks are usually present on weekends.

Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted 

Port Gamble Ghost Conference

The Weekend after Halloween in Downtown Port Gamble

Did you know that Port Gamble is home to one of the most haunted places in Washington? This year will be the 12th annual conference which has three days of speakers, paranormal investigations, and lots of history. 

Cost: $10 – $45 (depending on event)

Festival of Chimes and Lights

Dec. 3, 2022 in Downtown Port Orchard

This annual event typically goes from afternoon into the evening and involves a tree decorating contest, a pet costume contest, a jingle bell run, Santa's arrival, live music, a tree lighting, food, and more.

Julefest and Bazaar

1st Saturday in December in Downtown Poulsbo

A Saturday full of Little Norway fun, the Julefest and Bazaar provides an authentic experience. Start the day at the Nordic Marketplace at the Sons of Norway to kick off your holiday shopping, and grab some Scandinavian food for lunch. In the evening, the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Vikings will escort the Lucia Bride from a Viking ship on Liberty Bay to a winter proclamation and Bonfire to celebrate the winter solstice. 

Cost: Free to Attend and Activities Vary

Port Gamble Country Christmas

The 2nd Weekend in December in Downtown Port Gamble

House-drawn carriage rides, crafts in Santa’s Workshop, special appearances by characters, and over 100,000 twinkling lights are topped off by Western Washington’s only holiday season fireworks show. Donations are encouraged to benefit Kingston’s Sharenet Food Bank.

Cost: Free to Attend, Activities Vary

Kingston Cove Christmas

December to Early January at the Kingston Marina

This event kicks off in early December with a tree lighting ceremony and an appearance by Santa. There’s also live music and food vendors. The incredible display includes light sculptures of everything from an octopus to a dragon, and the Port of Kingston reportedly uses over 500,000 lights to build it each year. You can stroll through the Kingston Marina to marvel at it throughout the holiday season and into early January.

Cost: Free to Attend, Activities Vary

Menorah on the Green

First Day of Hanukkah at Winslow Green, Downtown Bainbridge

Join the Chabad of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap to celebrate the Festival of Lights nightly as the candles of the Menorah are lit. Latkes and donuts are available and attendees can enjoy live music and arts and crafts. 

Cost: Free to attend, activities vary

New Year’s Eve at the Roxy

December 31st at the Roxy Theatre in Bremerton

Ring in the New Year at the Historic Roxy Theatre. Live music, food, vendors, and more. The event is also a fundraiser for the theatre. Learn about the 2021/2022 event, and follow the Roxy Theater's Facebook page for the latest information. 

Cost: TBA

Mochi Tsuki Celebration

Early January, location TBA, Bainbridge Island

For over a millennium, making and eating the sweet rice treat mochi has been a celebrated New Year’s tradition in Japan. For over 30 years, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community (BIJAC) has celebrated this tradition with more than 2,000 participants. Due to the pandemic, this was a virtual event in 2021 & 2022, but check their website and the BIJAC Facebook page to see if the in-person version will be back in 2023. 

Cost: Free