Events
Check out a searchable event calendar on leavenworth.org
December & January
Village of Lights
One of our most famous festivals, drawing back thousands of visitors year after year. Saturday, at dusk, everyone gathers to the center of town to sing the traditional Christmas hymn “Silent Night” and watch the lighting of the village from a normal town to a magical wonderland of lights.
January
Bavarian Ice Festival aka IceFest
This weekend long even covers a variety of ice related activities and contests including snow sculptures, tug’o’war, ice cube scramble (6 and under), the great Frisbee sweep, the Bavarian mug relay and the famous Smooshing Contest (unique to Leavenworth). Feel free to join in the contests or simply cheer from the sidelines with a steaming cup of cocoa or a warm strudel from some of our local bakeries. If the weather permits, there are a variety of other fun activities including the Nordic ski race, dog sled rides, a snow sculpture competition, snowmobile sled rides and a Rail Jam (an annual display of snowboarding skills brought from Steven’s Pass Nordic Center).
April
Taste of the Town
An annual food crawl featuring local businesses and restaurants presenting dishes and treats with a unique theme for the year. A passport will be issued that is stamped while you “crawl” and taste all that Leavenworth has to offer.
Spring Sensations Month Long Culinary Celebration
Celebrate the unique taste of food in the Bavarian village during the month of April. A theme is chosen (ie: pears) and is highlighted at local shops, wineries and restaurants.
Leavenworth International Film Festival
The film festival brings filmmakers together to compete for cash prizes in categories like nature, outdoor sports, youth film maker, northwest Outdoors and P.O.V.
International Choral Festival – Every Other April
A concert featuring five premier northwest choruses performing individually and a massed choir of over 200 voices.
May
Spring Bird Festival
Art exhibit featuring local talents and a songbird concert at Canyon Wren Recital Hall. The Leavenworth area provides an amazing habitat variety for many different bird species. You can set out on your own or join in on guided trips to bird watch.
Bavarian Maifest
A traditional Bavarian holiday, Maifest (Mayfest), brings 16th century costumes, games, dancing, jousting, eating, drinking and olde world revelry to the modern day. The Maipole dance, german dance lessons, alpen folk music, Bavarian parade and crafts make up the huge list of activities involved in this spring festival.
Art in the Park – Summer
A celebration of professional and amateur artists displaying their skills in the village park Thursdays through Sunday beginning during Maifest through the fall.
Riverfest
A weekend that celebrates playing on the river! Come and enjoy interpretive tours on the ecology of the Wenatchee River, test your mettle with some White Water Rafting and Kayaking, or put together a team for the down river races!
June
Bavarian Bike & Brews Festival
Come and celebrate the outdoors and adventure of the Cascades with an IMBA sanctioned cross-country mountain bike race followed with a celebration including many microbrewers. The next day follow up with the Leavenworth Road Race, sanctioned by the USA Cycling Federation. See more information under Mountain Biking.
International Accordion Celebration
What better setting could there be than Washington’s Bavarian Village for a celebration of accordion music including jazz, popular, classical, ethnic, and more! There are workshops, jam sessions, a parade, and four nights of concerts.
July
Music Festival
On July weekends enjoy the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival. The concerts feature a variety of music and Leavenworth’s professional resident ensemble Icicle Creek Piano Trio.
Kinderfest and Independence Day Festival
Kinderfest is a celebration for children on July 4 with hands-on exhibits, puppets, hayrides and more! The following weekend enjoy Sun-Shopping -Sauerkraut – Sausage – Leavenworth! What better place to enjoy a Sausage Festival! Live Entertainment, a Craft Fair, music, dancing, beer and sausage. Put a little oompah in your life!
August
Acoustic Music Festival
Enjoy great music at the bandstand by the river in Waterfront Park in Leavenworth, Washington. Put on by the Leavenworth Community Coffeehouse.
September
Bavarian Quilt Show
Heirloom quilts, new quilts and wearable clothing. Quilts are exhibited throughout the village with self-guided tours.
Wenatchee River Salmon Festival
The annual return of salmon up the Wenatchee river is celebrated with hands-on exhibits, educational exhibits, entertainment, activities, and a 11 K walk through rural areas and the town of Leavenworth. Also, hike up the Icicle Ridge trail with views over the valley and village.
Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival
Spectacular fall foliage and scenery is celebrated with a Grand Parade, entertainment, food booths, and activities.
October
Oktoberfest
A German tradition from the old country with great German bands in the Festhalle, lots of food, and a parade!
November
Thanksgiving
A special day for families that visit Leavenworth celebrated with a wonderful Thanksgiving Buffet at the Icicle Village Resort. Most of the holiday lights are already shining throughout the resort and Leavenworth, and Thanksgiving is followed with a weekend of Christkindlemarkt in the town.
December
Christkindlmarkt
Modeled after the great open-air Christmas markets in Germany, the village presents the sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional European market with booths, music, and roasting chestnuts.
Christmas Lighting Festival and Village of Lights
Visitors come back year after year for this famous Leavenworth festival. Fridays the town is in darkness awaiting Saturday’s festivities. Saturday at dusk everyone gathers to sing “Silent Night” and witness the lighting of the village as it is transformed into a magical wonderland of lights. Then it’s repeated again on Sunday evenings. See why USA Today rated Leavenworth one of the USA’s top 10 Christmas towns!