Festivals and Events

The Lilac Bloomsday Run (509/838-1579, www.bloomsdayrun.org [1]) held the first Sunday in May, attracts over 60,000 runners with a downtown 12-kilometer course. It’s called the world’s largest timed race; all competitors are given finishing times. Simultaneously, Spokane hosts one of America’s largest fitness and running trade shows.

After Bloomsday, Spokane [2] blossoms with two weeks of activity called the Lilac Festival (509/535-4554, www.lilacfestival.org [3]), culminating in the Armed Forces Day Torchlight Parade on the third Saturday of May. The lilac garden at Manito Park [4] is usually in full bloom for the festival; other events include entertainment, concerts, and an amateur golf tournament.

The first weekend in June brings ArtFest, a kid-oriented hands-on event with arts, crafts, and food at Museum of Art and Culture [5].

Basketball players from all over the Western U.S. descend on Spokane for Hoopfest (509/624-241, www.hoopfest.org [6]) in late June, a weekend of three-on-three basketball games. More than 4,600 teams compete in this double-elimination tournament that spreads over 300 courts. In addition to the hoops, you’ll find a food fair and other activities at Riverfront Park.

On the fourth Saturday in July Spokane [2] comes to life with the Royal Fireworks Concert and Festival (509/455-6865, www.allegrobaroque.org [7]), an extravaganza of food, entertainment, and an open-air symphony concert at Riverfront Park. Fireworks follow the music.

Pig Out in the Park, on the week before Labor Day, is four days of food, live music, and a beer garden in Riverfront Park [8].

The Spokane Interstate Fair (509/477-1766, www.spokanecounty.org/fair [9]), held for nine days in mid-September at the fairgrounds at Broadway and Havana, features big name musical entertainment and a PRCA rodeo.

In late November, Christmas Tree Elegance features the lighting of an enormous metallic tree, a giant snowman, strolling carolers, carriage rides, and decorations.