Special Events
Spokane knows how to host a great event! From Bloomsday, the biggest timed foot race in the nation, to Hoopfest, the country’s largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament, Spokane brings people together to celebrate fitness. Community creative events like Art Fest and First Night bring us artfully together and the Lilac Festival and Interstate Fair just plain delight us. Come join us for friendly community fun and eventful experiences!

Bloomsday
Held the First Sunday in May ( 2016 Bloomsday is May 1, 2016 )

Spokane Bloomsday, a premier 12k run, is one of the country's biggest road races and is one of the largest timed running events in the World . Each year this city rite-of-spring event attracts over 50,000 devotes to the streets of Spokane. From international elite runners and regional athletes to walkers with baby strollers, the race is a healthy celebration of fitness. The happiest crowd of 50,000 people you’ll ever sweat with! Run and join us!
More information (click)

Lilac Festival
Held in May - 2016 Days are May 16th - 22th

Spokane loves its Lilacs! Since 1938 the city has held a spring celebration to showcase spring lilacs and new growth. Even from the beginning festival days the goals have been not only to relish spring but also to recognize outstanding area youth, to honor local military personnel and to foster goodwill with Northwest Communities. From parades to breakfasts, to garden tours and park events, it is a festive spring time in Spokane. The Spokane Lilac Festival remains the premier heritage event and largest form of free family oriented entertainment in the Inland Northwest.

Armed Forces Torchlight Parade - May 21, 2016
More information (click)

Art Fest
Held the first weekend of June - 2016 Event June 3 - 5

Art Fest has become one of the Pacific Northwest's premier arts festivals. Juried artists offering the handcrafted wonders of ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, fiber and fine art gather under tents to form a village of art for 3 fabulous days. Complement this with great food booths and an outstanding selection of live music and you just plain wouldn’t want to miss it! But wait there’s more…besides the educational artist demonstrations there are hands-on creative activities for children that can bring instant delight and possibly even inspire that next generation of artists.

Hoopfest
Held the Last Weekend in June - 2016 Event June 25 & 26

When the Spokane Hoopfest Association puts on a fest, everyone hoops! Rightly so as this is the nation’s largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament! With a host of thousands of volunteers behind the scenes, Hoopfest is one of the most dynamic downtown athletic festivals you will see. Played in the heart of the city on every street available, this is a come one come all event. All ages and abilities play while crowds of thousands cheer. Hoopfest transcends basketball through the celebration of athleticism, fair play and community involvement. Come and whoop and hoop with us!
More information (click)

Pigout In The Park
Held Labor Day weekend in Riverfront Park (2016 event is Sept 2-5 )

Get your tummies ready and your ears alert! Pig Out In The Park is Spokane’s annual event that features 50 restaurant booths serving over 250 menu items. Besides a plethora of taste selections the entrees are easy on the wallet as they are all less than $7.95. Then there is music, music, music! Over 75 bands will be performing everything from Bluegrass and Blues to Rock, Reggae and Barbershop. And the admission to it all is expensively priced at FREE! Their motto is “You’ll never eat it all!” and closely followed by “Just try and hear it all!”
More info and the entertainment schedule (click) www.spokanepigout.com

Spokane Interstate Fair
Held first Friday after Labor day - 2016 Fair is Sept 9 - 18

Spokane County's Interstate Fair is a ten-day event celebrating the creativity of the hand and the land! There is allot of mooing, oinking, crowing and horsing around followed closely by giant vegetables, gorgeous flowers and better than fair food. Crafts abound, vegetables rule and animals compete for the 28,000 ribbons and trophies that are awarded to deserving entrees. A carnival offers personal thrills and the rodeo provides spectator excitement. Fairs are as American as apple pie, don’t miss this fine fall fair time!
More information (click)

First Night Spokane
Held New Year’s Eve and Day

Start the year on a creative high note! First Night Spokane is a community celebration of the New Year through the Arts. Internationally, “First Night seeks to foster the public's appreciation of visual and performing arts through an innovative, diverse and high quality New Year's Eve program which provides a shared cultural experience, accessible and affordable to all.” Locally it’s called Fun Night with artists demonstrations, lots of music of every genre, celebration food and crowds of happy people welcoming in the New Year. Join us downtown and artfully celebrate!
More local information (click)