Overview:
Northwest Folklife Festival is one of the largest free music festivals in North America. One of the programming staff figured out that, if there was only one stage running 24 hours a day at Folklife, the festival would go on for weeks. There are thousands of musicians and storytellers from around the world who come to Seattle to play and listen. Music ranges from ukulele groups to folk-punk, hip-hop, indie rock, ska, Latin, old time music, and beyond.
Northwest Folklife Festival is one of the largest free music festivals in North America. One of the programming staff figured out that, if there was only one stage running 24 hours a day at Folklife, the festival would go on for weeks. There are thousands of musicians and storytellers from around the world who come to Seattle to play and listen. Music ranges from ukulele groups to folk-punk, hip-hop, indie rock, ska, Latin, old time music, and beyond.
The Music:
As stated above, the music at Folklife is an eclectic array. The staff at Folklife uses the term "folk music" to apply to any music made by folks, and that includes jazz, rock, blues, reggae, bluegrass, protest, and hip-hop. There's often a mandolin orchestra, a fiddle contest, and a dozen or so stages with nonstop music, which is to say nothing of the dozens of buskers who show up and entertain people who are walking between shows. These include everything from protest singers to steel drum groups.
As stated above, the music at Folklife is an eclectic array. The staff at Folklife uses the term "folk music" to apply to any music made by folks, and that includes jazz, rock, blues, reggae, bluegrass, protest, and hip-hop. There's often a mandolin orchestra, a fiddle contest, and a dozen or so stages with nonstop music, which is to say nothing of the dozens of buskers who show up and entertain people who are walking between shows. These include everything from protest singers to steel drum groups.
Lodging:
Northwest Folklife is an urban festival—it takes place in the heart of downtown Seattle, in the park surrounding the Space Needle. Camping is not allowed in Seattle Center, but there are tons of hotels all over town. For budget travelers, The Green Tortoisehostel is a long walk or short bus ride away, near Pike Place Market. Busses are free in a specific radius downtown, but Seattle Center exists outside the free zone. Check with MTA for the best route from where you're staying to the festival.
Northwest Folklife is an urban festival—it takes place in the heart of downtown Seattle, in the park surrounding the Space Needle. Camping is not allowed in Seattle Center, but there are tons of hotels all over town. For budget travelers, The Green Tortoisehostel is a long walk or short bus ride away, near Pike Place Market. Busses are free in a specific radius downtown, but Seattle Center exists outside the free zone. Check with MTA for the best route from where you're staying to the festival.
The Food:
Expect to find a couple of rows of food trucks, ranging from dogs and burgers to fairly decent Thai and Indian food, and your typical array of deep fried options. I've seen a truck there before serving Acai smoothies for the health conscious. Naturally, there's plenty of coffee and options for vegetarians (this is Seattle, after all).
Expect to find a couple of rows of food trucks, ranging from dogs and burgers to fairly decent Thai and Indian food, and your typical array of deep fried options. I've seen a truck there before serving Acai smoothies for the health conscious. Naturally, there's plenty of coffee and options for vegetarians (this is Seattle, after all).
What to Bring:
Water. I couldn't stress this enough. Water at this festival is way overpriced, and you'll be plenty well-served bringing your own bottle to tote around. If you have food allergies, you're probably used to bringing your own food. Even though Seattle is replete with alternative dietary options at its restaraunts, the festivals are not as well-equipped. Bring sunscreen, and a poncho or umbrella never hurts, although rain this time of year is usually more of a drizzle.
Water. I couldn't stress this enough. Water at this festival is way overpriced, and you'll be plenty well-served bringing your own bottle to tote around. If you have food allergies, you're probably used to bringing your own food. Even though Seattle is replete with alternative dietary options at its restaraunts, the festivals are not as well-equipped. Bring sunscreen, and a poncho or umbrella never hurts, although rain this time of year is usually more of a drizzle.
What to Expect:
Expect sensory overload. There are numerous stages in a relatively small area, considering. The Folklife staff is well-prepared for lost children, so make sure you discuss with your kids that if they lose you, they should tell a sound person or someone with a badge. Always be prepared for any weather—this is kind of an unpredictable time of year for the weather. It could be sunny, hot, chilly, and rainy all in one day.
Expect sensory overload. There are numerous stages in a relatively small area, considering. The Folklife staff is well-prepared for lost children, so make sure you discuss with your kids that if they lose you, they should tell a sound person or someone with a badge. Always be prepared for any weather—this is kind of an unpredictable time of year for the weather. It could be sunny, hot, chilly, and rainy all in one day.
