Summer's start date on the calendar may still be a week away, but the weather and the seasonal rhythms have everyone in the mood for a few months of fun. It's festival time, with plenty of favorites for Kitsap residents or visitors and a few newer offerings for 2024 as well.
Below, start to plan your summer gatherings and look ahead for something to do in the area nearly every weekend through Labor Day.
June
Juneteenth: Bremerton hosts the annual Juneteenth People's March and Freedom Festival, a tradition of more than two decades. The march begins at 10 a.m. at the Norm Dicks Government Center, and the free community BBQ and other events at Evergreen Rotary Park go from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15
Kitsap Medieval Faire: Reenactments from the Middle Ages comes to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, with demonstrations in the arts, dance and more, and food vendors. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., ticket prices and more information at kitsapmedievalfaire.org. Saturday, June 15
Make Music Day: A local version of a global movement, with live music and exhibit to let participants try different musical instruments from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Evergreen Rotary Park in Bremerton. Free event sponsored by the Music Discovery Center, with more info at musicdiscoverycenter.org. Saturday, June 22
Kitsapfest: A free event focused on well being, with vendors from all kinds of disciplines focused on health offering information and more. Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Silverdale Waterfront Park in Old Town. Sunday, June 23
Bremerton Bridge Blast: The city-wide pre-Fourth of July fireworks display from the Manette Bridge includes an all-day festival on the Bremerton Boardwalk with live music, a beer garden and vendors, plus food trucks and family events at Evergreen Rotary Park. This year the boardwalk activities will continue on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well. Saturday's fireworks start at 10:15 p.m. Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30
Fathoms of Fun Grand Parade: A two-day summer festival in downtown Port Orchard includes The Great Ball Race at 5:15 p.m. down Sidney Avenue from Kitsap Street, and is capped with the annual Grand Parade down Bay Street at 6 p.m. Saturday. Balls may be purchased for the fundraiser at participating businesses or online. More information at fathomsoffun.org. Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30
July
Grand Old Fourth: Bainbridge Island's annual Independence Day events take over Winslow Way and Waterfront Park all day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., capped with the mile-long Hometown Parade at 3. Other activities include a fun run, pancake breakfast, car show, beer garden, kids zone activities and a live music stage that runs until 5 p.m. Thursday, July 4
Kingston's Fourth of July: Start with pancakes at the Kingston Yacht Club and spend the day between Mike Wallace Park by the ferry terminal (live music, beer garden and more) and the Village Green lawn up the block (Tiny Town's kids play areas and climbing games). The community comes together for the annual parade down Highway 104 at noon, and fireworks over Apple Tree Cove start at 10 p.m. Visit kingston4thofjuly.org for the full list. Thursday, July 4
Port Orchard: Watch the skies light up above Sinclair Inlet on Independence Day, with the annual Fathoms O Fun fireworks show at dusk. Thursday, July 4
Chris Craft Rendezvous: The annual meetup of historic wooden Chris Craft model boats moves to the Poulsbo Marina on Liberty Bay for summer 2024. Visit to walk the docks and check out vintage crafts. Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 14
Kitsap Pride: The annual festival returns to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds for 2024, with live music, vendor booths and activities for all ages. Kitsap Pride is also sponsoring other smaller events like a comedy night and drag show during June and July, a full list is at kitsappride.org. Saturday, July 20
Olalla Lavender Festival: A new community festival in South Kitsap, with classes and demonstrations focused on lavender at several area farms, the Olalla Community Center and a winery. The event is free, but registration is suggested through the website, www.olalla-lavender-festival.com. Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21
Whaling Days: Silverdale's big summer festival returns to Old Town 50 years after the first Whaling Days. The three days start off with a bang, including a performance by Sir Mix-a-Lot and then fireworks at dusk on Friday night, and again features live music, beer gardens and vendor booths all weekend along Byron Street. The Whale of a Race hits Silverdale Way Saturday morning, followed by the annual parade and a D-Derby at the Fairgrounds, and a main music stage that features headliner and Kitsap native Joel Gibson Jr. Sunday caps off with boat races in Dyes Inlet and the Great Silverdale Rotary Duck Race on the waterfront at 3 p.m. Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28
August
West Sound Film Festival: The historic Roxy Theater in downtown Bremerton plays host to three days of fun and entertainment for film lovers of all ages. The lineup with specific showtimes will be announced this summer at www.westsoundfilmfestival.com, featuring regional and local filmmakers with works that range from feature-length movies to short films. Friday, August 2, to Sunday, August 4
Bremerton Zine Fest: As the organizers state, it's Kitsap County's first and only convention dedicated to zines, come to buy, trade or maybe even learn how to make one yourself with local artists and creatives. Held at the Kitsap Conference Center for the second time this summer, the Zine Fest is a free event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info at www.bremertonzinefest.com. Saturday, August 3
Crosby Days: The rural hamlet on Kitsap's west side gathers each August for a community logging festival that includes food, kids activities and competitions that include the always popular lawnmower races. Residents of Crosby, which founded a community club on Christopher Road just west of the Seabeck-Holly Road more than 110 years ago, hosted what was planned as a one-time event 40 years ago, and today it's a fun gathering for residents in the Seabeck and Tahuya areas. Saturday, August 10
The Cruz: Port Orchard's biggest annual car show, organized by The Saints car club, takes over the waterfront from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the second Sunday in August. Enjoy the classics on display, enter a 50/50 raffle and browse the food booths. Sunday, August 11
Chief Seattle Days: The Suquamish Tribe's annual festival that includes traditional dancing and cultural demonstrations, food, paddling events and more again offers a way to celebrate the original inhabitants of North Kitsap and the event's namesake leader. Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18
Poulsbo Arts Festival: Come to the waterfront for booths that highlight jewelry, photography, music, metal making and more, with free admission over three days. Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18
Bremerton Air Show: Highlighted in 2024 by a Kitsap County native returning to fly a Navy F/A 18 during an event with multiple displays of historic aircraft, as well as a car show for those focused on the ground, held at Bremerton National Airport along Highway 3. For more information or tickets, visit bremertonairshow.com. Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18
Kitsap County Fair and Stampede: Country group Midland and rockers Warrant and Heart to Heart headline this year's entertainment at the five-day event that again includes everything from rides and animals to rodeo and destruction derby. The whole list of events, tickets and information is available at https://www.kitsapfair.org to start to plan this year's visit to the fair. Wednesday, August 21 to Sunday, August 25
Blackberry Festival: The waterfront boardwalk comes alive for Labor Day weekend, with a festival that includes all sorts of vendors, booths and music -- and blackberries as a flavor or filler -- as well as activities for kids just up the stairs in the heart of the city's Harborside complex. Labor Day weekend, August 31 to September 2
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