General Festival Info
2024 Festival Hours
Friday, August 2 10:00am – 6:00pm Festival
Saturday, August 3 10:00am – 6:00pm Festival
Sunday, August 4 10:00am – 5:00pm Festival
Our Location
How do I find Anacortes, Washington?
Interstate 5 to Exit 230, west on State Route 20
and Spur 20 to downtown Anacortes
Parking is available around neighborhoods east and west of the Festival thoroughfare.
Be prepared to walk a short distance.
FAQ
Where is the best place to park?
Parking in Downtown Anacortes is always a challenge on Festival weekend. We do not have any designated parking for the Festival and you will need to find street parking on the East or West side of Commercial Avenue. If you come into Anacortes on R Avenue, start looking for parking when you pass Safeway at 12th Street. There is often parking around the Depot Arts Center and the streets surrounding it. If you come into Anacortes on Commercial Avenue, turn left at 12th Street and go up a few blocks before turning right into our downtown neighborhood. There is often parking around the Anacortes Library and Causland Park.
Where is handicapped parking?
We have very little designated handicapped parking. We recommend coming to the Festival early as these spots do fill up quickly. The handicapped parking this year will be in the City of Anacortes parking lot, East of City Hall. You will find this lot on Q Avenue and 6th Street. It will be marked with blue flags and signs.
What are your COVID protocols?
Currently there are no restrictions in our area with regards to COVID. We recommend mask wearing if you are uncomfortable being in a large crowd. We also have some extra masks and hand sanitizer in our information booth if you forgot those items at home.
Can I bring my dog?
We STRONGLY urge you to leave your dogs at home. They do not enjoy the Festival as much as you do, no matter how well behaved they are. It is commonly hot out and the asphalt is usually of paw burning temperatures. Every year, there are dog fights, which puts everyone on edge. Every year, a dog uses an artist’s art or canopy pole as a leg lifting opportunity. And, every year, one of our volunteers or staff have to clean dog poop up from the street or an artist booth. All of these things lead to us begging you to please leave your furry friends at home this year.
What is the best time to visit the Festival?
You will find that early mornings, late Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday tend to be less crowded.
Where can I stay overnight?
Many of our hotels fill up quickly for Festival weekend, but there are a number excellent hotels & motels for you to check in with. A comprehensive listing of places to stay can be found at Experience Anacortes.
I can’t find my favorite vendor, where are they?
We have a new jury each year that select the artists who participate in our Festival. Some of your favorites may not have been able to make it this year or may have chosen to participate in other festivals. There are still more than 230 booths and we are confident that you will find some new favorites!
I can’t find my favorite food vendor, where are they?
We’ve all seen the stories about how restaurants are struggling to find staff and supplies. This seems doubly true for many of our favorite food vendors. You will find dining options throughout the Festival and at our local restaurants. We hope you enjoy!
Are there any restaurants that I should visit while I am in Anacortes?
We have 16 restaurants with outdoor dining areas in our downtown corridor. In addition to that, you will find a number of fabulous choices along Commercial and R Avenues on your way into town. A comprehensive listing of restaurants can be found at Experience Anacortes.
What else is there to do while I am on Fidalgo Island?
From hiking to whale watching to time at the beach, there are so many things to do on Fidalgo Island, that one weekend won’t be enough time. Experience Anacortes is a great starting point to find your next adventure.
