Special Events in Spokane

Late January; early February
Spokane International Film Festival
(509) 624-2615 

Late January; early February
Annual Northwest Bach Festival
(509)-326-4942

Early May
Annual Lilac Bloomsday Run is Spokane's premier 12k run held annually on the first Sunday in May. First run in 1977, it is the largest timed road race in the country.  For most residents, it's impossible to imagine spring in Spokane without Bloomsday.

Mid-May
Annual Spokane Lilac Festival has been a "Lilac City" tradition since 1938. It was an effort originated by the Associated Garden Clubs and the Spokane Floral Society to exhibit the beautiful spring lilacs and to showcase area youth. They organized a parade and a royalty program to honor young women from the Spokane area. The festival has added several events, and remains a highlight each year.

Late June
Annual Spokane Hoopfest Association is committed to organizing and operating the best outdoor 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the country. With the effort and enthusiasm of thousands of volunteers, Hoopfest strives to create a dynamic downtown festival, transcending basketball through the celebration of athleticism, fair play and community involvement. Spokane Hoopfest Association also provides charitable support through distribution of profits to Special Olympics and basketball-related activities.

September
Spokane Interstate Fair.  Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.  Features an extensive series of interactive exhibits. Among these  is a scavenger hunt of entertaining agricultural facts for visiting students.

Late September
Valleyfest has been a successful event bringing the Spokane Valley, Washington community together since 1990. Valleyfest provides entertainment for the entire family, an opportunity to meet and have fun with neighbors, while also recognizing area youth for their talents. Valleyfest's day starts with a Fun Run followed by a Pancake Breakfast. The Valleyfest Parade follows and includes community floats and local school bands. Valleyfest also includes entertainment specifically designed for and performed by children. All of these activities are provided at no cost to Valleyfest participants.

Early December
The Annual ArtFest brings together the region's finest arts and crafts people in a park in Spokane's Browne's Addition neighborhood. Designed to feature high quality original artwork, the festival has steadily grown in attendance, popularity, and sales. ArtFest includes continuous musical entertainment, artists' demonstrations, hands-on art activities for children and adults, and a variety of food concessions.

December 31- January 1
First Night Spokane         
The event seeks to foster the public's appreciation of visual and performing arts through an innovative, diverse and high quality New Year's Eve program that provides a shared cultural experience, accessible and affordable to all. First Night Spokane began on December 31, 2001 with thirteen thousand people of all ages crowding downtown streets. Since then, attendance at this community oriented, alcohol-free celebration of New Year's Eve has grown to over 23,000. First Night Spokane has quickly become a regional New Year's Eve tradition for many in and around Spokane County.