Events & What’s Happening
Week-long celebration culminating in one of the largest illuminated parades in the Northwest, held annually in mid-May when Spokane's famous lilacs are in bloom.
💡Stake out a spot along the parade route on Riverside Avenue at least an hour early — the torchlight parade after dark is magical for kids.
One of the largest timed road races in the world, drawing over 40,000 participants on a 12K course through downtown Spokane on the first Sunday of May.
💡Kids 12 and under run free — the race is very family-friendly and the festive crowd makes it a great spectator event even if you're not running.
The world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, transforming downtown Spokane streets into hundreds of courts for a full weekend in late June.
💡Register kids in the youth divisions for a memorable first tournament experience, and explore the free spectator areas along the main courts.
A beloved Labor Day weekend food festival in Riverfront Park featuring dozens of local and regional food vendors, live music on multiple stages, and family-friendly activities.
💡Bring lawn chairs and blankets for the main stage area, and let kids explore the adjacent Riverfront Park attractions between meals.
A 10-day regional fair featuring carnival rides, livestock exhibits, live concerts, demolition derby, and local food vendors at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center.
💡Buy discounted ride wristbands online in advance and visit on a weekday morning to avoid the longest lines.
Annual Bavarian-style celebration held at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center featuring German food, music, dancing, and a family-friendly atmosphere in early October.
💡The afternoon sessions are most family-friendly, with kids' activities and traditional dancing demonstrations before the evening crowd arrives.
Downtown Spokane's annual holiday parade held in late November, featuring festive floats, marching bands, and a visit from Santa Claus to kick off the holiday season.
💡Dress in layers — November evenings in Spokane are cold — and grab a spot near the start of the parade route for the best views.
Year-round Saturday market in the South Perry neighborhood offering local produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, and prepared foods from regional vendors.
💡Arrive early for the best selection of fresh pastries and produce — the South Perry neighborhood is very walkable and great for a morning stroll with kids.
Spokane's historic 1909 Looff Carrousel operates seasonally in Riverfront Park alongside walking trails, the gondola over Spokane Falls, and splash pads in summer.
💡The carousel is only $2 per ride — combine it with the gondola skyride over the falls for a full afternoon outing that kids of all ages love.
Free weekly storytime sessions for young children held at Spokane Public Library branches, featuring books, songs, rhymes, and simple crafts for ages 2–6.
💡Check the library website for branch-specific schedules — the Central Library branch tends to have the largest storytime space and most consistent programming.
Spokane's beloved 90-acre Manito Park is a free destination featuring formal gardens, a conservatory, playgrounds, and a popular duck pond that attracts families year-round.
💡Bring bread or duck-friendly snacks for the pond, and don't miss the Duncan Garden rose display in June and July when blooms are at their peak.
Midweek farmers market on the North Side offering seasonal produce, local honey, baked goods, and handmade crafts in a relaxed, neighborhood-friendly setting.
💡Wednesday mornings are less crowded than weekend markets, making this an easier outing with strollers and young kids who like to stop and explore every booth.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡The Riverfront Park carousel is only $2 per ride and one of the most authentically restored carousels in the Pacific Northwest — get there before 11am on summer weekdays to avoid school group lines.
- 💡Manito Park's duck pond near 21st and Bernard requires bringing your own bread-free snacks (the park asks visitors not to feed the ducks bread) — kids can still watch and the pond is free all year.
- 💡The Spokane Indians minor league baseball team plays at Avista Stadium in the Valley — tickets start at $10, the games are casual, and fireworks nights on select Fridays in July–August are a local tradition worth planning around.
- 💡The free Centennial Trail runs 37 miles from Nine Mile Falls east into Idaho — the flat section between Kendall Yards and Gonzaga University is the best stroller-friendly and beginner-bike stretch, about 3 miles round trip with river views.
- 💡Mt. Spokane State Park is 30 minutes north and has a free summit drive mid-June through October — the parking area at the top has a picnic area and 360-degree views of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges that kids find genuinely impressive.
- 💡The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) on West Coeur d'Alene Avenue offers free admission the first Friday evening of each month from 5–8pm — the permanent exhibition on plateau Native American cultures is particularly well-designed for school-age children.
- 💡If you're visiting in August, the Pig Out in the Park food festival at Riverfront Park runs for five days over Labor Day weekend with $4–8 food items from 50+ local vendors — it's crowded but extremely family-friendly and one of the best food events in the Inland Northwest.
- 💡The Spokane Falls overlook at the Howard Street bridge (inside Riverfront Park) is at peak visual impact in late May and June when snowmelt pushes the falls to full volume — by late August the flow drops significantly, so time your visit accordingly.