Northwest Folklife

Mission

Northwest Folklife creates opportunities for all to celebrate, share, and participate in the evolving cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest.

About Us

Northwest Folklife is a cornerstone of cultural expression. 

Since 1972, Northwest Folklife has created spaces where communities come together to celebrate their heritage, share their stories, and honor their traditions. This year, we are proud to highlight our cultural focus: Ikigai, a Japanese concept that inspires us to find what makes life truly worth living - seeking meaning, fulfillment, and joy. 

At Northwest Folklife, our purpose is clear: we lead with creativity, collaboration, and care to build a vibrant, bold future rooted in community. But we can't fulfill on our purpose without the support of Friends like you.

Your Support Fuels Our Purpose

• No other organization in the region provides programming where tradition and innovation coexist 
• Every Memorial Day weekend for the last 54 years, tens of thousands gather for our annual Folklife Festival
• We are by and for community: we collaborate with Community Coordinators, artists, partner organizations and leaders from across the Pacific Northwest to co-design and co-curate the annual festival and our year-round programs

Northwest Folklife is proud and grateful to be community funded. All of our events are free to the public, and this commitment to financial accessibility isn't possible without generous support from our community of passionate donors. 

Will you become a Friend of Folklife and make a gift today?

Save the Date for this year's annual Folklife Festival: May 23 - 26, and help us celebrate our 2025 Cultural Focus, Ikigai.