Embrace our ethnic diversity and cultivate a deeper understanding of the cultures that contribute to the vibrancy of our region at Seattle Center Festál. The 'Love, Peace and Understanding' theme for 2019 is woven throughout 24 free, ethnic cultural festivals. In a time of divisive national rhetoric, Festál celebrates our shared humanity to build connections, tear down stereotypes and create trust.

Entering its 22 year, Festál offers an opportunity for communities to gather and share deeply rooted traditions and contemporary influences with the greater Seattle area through live music, dance, visual exploration, literature, film, workshops, demonstrations, hands-on learning and play for kids and adults. Many festivals also feature authentic foods and goods available for purchase.

New this year is the 'Alaska Airlines Fly Away Giveaway.' Guests who obtain a passport inside the Armory and collect stamps by attending Festál events can enter to win two round-trip airfare tickets to any Alaska Airlines destination. Each stamp is an entry to win; the more Festál events attended and stamps collected, the better the odds of winning!

All Festál events are held at the Seattle Center Armory with some events expanding to the adjacent Fisher Pavilion and/or the Mural Amphitheatre. More information at seattlecenter.com/festal and/or visit sponsoring organization websites for more details.

Here are the festivals in the 2019 series:

Têt in Seattle: Vietnamese Lunar New Year - Saturday & Sunday, January 26 & 27, 11am-7pm. Inviting the community to a celebration of the Lunar New Year with lion dances, firecrackers, martial arts, dance and visual arts. tetinseattle.org

Irish Festival: A Celebration of Irish Arts & Culture - Saturday & Sunday, March 16 & 17. Highlighting the Irish heritage of the Pacific Northwest with traditional music, step-dancing, art exhibits, genealogy workshops and Celtic handcrafts. irishclub.org

Seattle's French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures - Sunday, March 24, 11am-5pm. Celebrating the place of French language, culture and joie de vivre in over 30 countries worldwide with francophone fashion, fine cuisine, wine tastings and a wide array of musical performances. fenpnw.org

Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival - Friday thru Sunday, April 26 thru 28. Underscoring the deep friendship between Seattle and Japan as it honors the renewal of life with springtime cherry blossoms, booming Taiko drums, contemporary Japanese arts and a traditional tea ceremony. cherryblossomfest.org

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration - Sunday, May 5, 11:45am-5pm. Recognizing Seattle's strong ties with Asia and the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our region through culturally influenced music and dance and a celebrity hum bow eating contest. apiheritage.com

A Glimpse of China: Chinese Arts & Culture Festival - Saturday, May 18. Illuminating the colorful and ancient palette of Chinese arts with dance, painting, calligraphy, workshops and martial arts. chinaartandculture.org

Northwest Folklife Festival - Memorial Day Weekend, May 24 thru 27. Weaving a cultural tapestry of art and music for all to enjoy at this packed, participatory four-day community-wide celebration. nwfolklife.org

Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival - Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2, 11am-6pm. Observing Philippine independence from colonial rule and the strength of Filipino identity and imagination through art exhibits, songs, spoken word, films and martial arts. festalpagdiriwang.com

Indigenous People Festival - Saturday, June 8, 11am-5pm. Instilling better understanding for American Indian and Alaska Native tribes in the Pacific Northwest through a blending of traditional and contemporary music, dance, drama and arts. sihb.org

Festival Sundiata: Black Arts Fest 2019 - Saturday & Sunday, June 15 & 16. Sharing the profound stories of African Americans through an entertainment-packed weekend featuring hip hop, dance, gospel, visual arts, soul food, exhibits and a marketplace. festivalsundiata.org

Iranian Festival - Saturday, June 22. Deepening community and understanding for the rich cultures of Iran with Persian poetry, tea, modern music and and traditional dance. iaca-seattle.org

Spirit of Africa - Saturday, June 29. Fostering greater inclusivity, awareness and appreciation for the varied traditions of music, movement and storytelling of the African diaspora. thespiritofafrica.org

Polish Festival Seattle - Saturday, July 13. Promoting Polish heritage and presence in our region through a lively day of traditional foods, exhibits, workshops, vodka tastings and a beer garden. polishfestivalseattle.org

Seattle Arab Festival - Saturday & Sunday, August 10 & 11. Highlighting the sights, sounds and tastes of 22 Arab nations with henna dying, live music, calligraphy, coffee, cooking and folk dancing reflective of the varied Arabian cultures. seattlecenter.com/festal

BrasilFest - Sunday, August 18, 12 noon-7pm. Uniting traditional and contemporary Brazilian drumming, dance, music, visual arts, capoeira and celebration during the week of Brazilian Folklore Day. brasilfest.org

Tibet Fest - Saturday & Sunday, August 24 & 25. Bestowing messages of love, compassion and kindness through a fusion of ancient and new Tibetan arts and culture to engage, entertain and educate. washingtontibet.org

Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival - Sunday, September 8, 11am-7pm. Cultivating passion and appreciation for Hawaiian culture with BBQ and poke, hands-on workshops, island music and dance and a marketplace. seattlelivealohafestival.com

Seattle Fiestas Patrias - Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15. Commemorating Latin American independence with art and craft displays, dancing horses, mariachi bands, folk dancers and tantalizing, time-honored foods. seattlefiestaspatrias.org

The Italian Festival - Saturday & Sunday, September 28 & 29. Offering a spotlight on this inventive nation with food and wine, music and musings - and spirit that is uniquely Italian. festaseattle.com

CroatiaFest - Sunday, October 6. Preserving the customs and creativity of Croatian culture with musical ensembles, colorful dress, savories and sweets and imported goods. croatiafest.org

Turkfest - Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20. Integrating Eastern and Western influences through Turkish arts and expression, textile displays, workshops and rich cuisine. turkfest.org

Diwali: Lights of India - Saturday, October 26. Inspiring a day of joyful celebration that marks the Indian festival of light with art workshops, succulent foods, henna tattooing, folk dancing and more. vedicculturalcenter.org

Dia de Muertos: A Mexican Celebration to Remember Our Departed - Saturday & Sunday, November 2 & 3. Honoring the departed in a celebration steeped in ritual and tradition through elaborate community altars, sugar skull making, processions and festive music. diademuertosenseattle.org

Hmong New Year Celebration - Saturday, November 9. Marking the end of the harvest season and the coming of a new year for this deeply rooted Asian highland culture with ornate clothing, traditional dances, visual arts and ball-tossing competitions. hmongofwa.org

About Seattle Center Festál
This illuminating series of 24 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, Lyft, 4Culture, the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by Seattle Center. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call (206) 684-7200.

Courtesy of Seattle Center Festál

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