Things To Do - Spokane

Spokane offers a plethora of local events and annual festivals, making it a lively destination for visitors, especially through late-spring to the end of summer.  These exciting events play a significant role in the shaping culture and community of Spokane.

In April, Japan Week is held, and offers dozens of cultural and artistic activities in honor of Washington State’s Japanese heritage.  Just after that, in the beginning of May, the annual Lilac Bloomsday Run is held, which is the world's largest timed street race, drawing up to 70,000 runners.  Spokane is known as the "Lilac City" and, accordingly, the run is followed by the crowing of the "Spokane Lilac Princess."  Festivities surround this event for many days.  After more than three decades, Bloomsday has worked its way into the fabric of life in the Inland Northwest. For most residents, it's impossible to imagine spring in Spokane without Bloomsday.

Towards the end of each May, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture partners with the Spokane Art School to host Spokane ArtFest in Browne’s Addition Coeur d’Alene Park.  Artists demonstrate how they create work while children get hands on art experiences in a wide array activity.  From printmaking, painting, photography, to sculpture and glass, artists display their one-of-a-kind contemporary pieces in this historic tree-lined district of Spokane.  Continuous musical entertainment from jazz to country is presented while visitors enjoy scrumptious food from some of the areas most colorful restaurants.

During the summer a variety of events take place at local markets in the Latah Creek Plaza next to the beautiful Latah Creek valley and have something for everyone.  Antique vendors, art, live music, food, wine and brew, farmers markets, plants and flowers, honey, exotic animals and fun activities for families are a small list of what takes place.  Currently, these markets are among the largest in the Inland Northwest.

The last weekend of every June, a three-on-three basketball tournament, known as "Hoopfest" takes over the city.  Hoopfest is the world's largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the world and is frequented by children, adults, and even NBA stars, and attracts nearly 50,000 players each year.  Hoopfest is a place for players of all ages and abilities from all over the country to come together in pursuit of the ultimate goal: to become a Hoopfest Champion. It's where friends and families gather and cheer at the top of their lungs for their favorite team. It's the chance to see a college superstar, or your dad, hustle like he's in the final game of the NBA finals. It's a place for your seven-year-old to score her first basket.  Beyond basketball, Hoopfest is an outdoor festival chock full of concerts, shopping, food, interactive entertainment, and every year brings some thing new.  Hoopfest has grown into an unparalleled event that is cherished by the Inland Northwest.  The city streets close down and shops, restaurants and other tourist attractions welcome over 300,000 people each day!

Food lovers enjoy an opportunity to stuff their faces in public without shame at the "Pig Out in the Park" festival, held annually around Labor Day weekend in September, where local restaurants set up booths, live musicians perform, and people come by the thousands to sample the variety of gourmet eats.  Over 225,000 servings of food, desserts, beverages and treats will satisfy Pig Out fans from across the region.  Staged in beautiful downtown Spokane in Riverfront Park, the sights, smells and sounds are always plentiful and affordable.

Racing fans flock to the yearly American Hot Rod World Final Drag Race that is held in the beginning of August, and bikers come into town in September for the Tour des Lacs, a two-day long ride for charity with over 1,000 participants.

New to Spokane is SpokeFest, a community day of bicycling in early September.  Two-different routes make it easy for people of all ages and experience levels to get involved.  With the support of the community and growing interest, SpokeFest is quickly becoming on of Spokane’s favorite outdoor events.

If you are looking to take in a sporting event during your time in Spokane, be sure to check out the schedules of the Spokane Shock, Spokane’s very own arena football team, or the Spokane Chiefs, members of the Western Hockey League.  University athletics, the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Witworth Pirates, offer many sporting events as well.

Check out the "Calendar of Events" for a complete guide of things to do in Spokane!