Seasonal Events

• The Japanese American Community on Bainbridge hosts the annual Mochi Tsuki Festival. This family-friendly cultural festival celebrates the ancient tradition of making mochi (pounded rice cakes) to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year. Pound rice and make mochi cakes along with the mochi masters. Highlights of the festival also include energetic and boisterous taiko drummers.

• For over 35 years, 5,000+ cyclists descend on Bainbridge Island for the famous Chilly Hilly, all for the joy of riding 33 chilly hilly miles. Named one of the top four rides in the nation by Bicycling Magazine, the race is open to all. Be prepared for a challenging 2675 feet of overall hill climbing while braving the elements in late February. The spectacle of the thousands of cyclists riding off the ferry car deck is reason alone to come for the weekend. Find a spot to cheer the cyclists on —from the sidelines or the finish line. Organized annually by the Cascade Bicycle Club .
• Four times a year, the Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island hosts Wine On The Rock — two days of curated wine tasting across the Island with pairings of chocolate (FEB), cheese (MAY), music (JULY), and charcuterie (NOV). Tickets are good for both days (one per visit to each winery) and include a special event glass and souvenir wine tote. Make a weekend of it!

• Ring in spring with the egg Megga Hunt annual egg hunt. Live entertainment, games, face painting, and crafts make this a joyous event for the young and young at heart. Mr. E. Bunny is known to make special appearances, too!
• Don’t miss the opening of the Farmer’s Market! Every Saturday from 10 am – 1 pm through early December.

• Hey Ladies! Grab your girlfriends and head downtown for the annual Girls’ Night Out. This much-loved springtime event brings women of all ages out to the shops, where they are warmly greeted with wine, hor d’oeuvres, and discounts. The $10 admission fee gets you a swag bag filled with goodies. For every $10 spent shopping, you’ll receive beads to trade for raffle tickets.
• The annual Trillium Trail Run in Battle Point Park combines the love of trails and the outdoors with athleticism. Choose the 5k run/walk or 10k and hit the trails for a good cause; your entrance fee supports trail maintenance by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District.
• Wine on the Rock |Wine and Cheese. Two days of wine and local cheese pairings at five Bainbridge Island wineries. Usually happens over Mother’s Day weekend. Treat the mom in
  your life to a weekend of indulgence on Bainbridge Island.

Since 1948, the Strawberry Festival, organized by the Filipino American Community Of Bainbridge Island, celebrates a proud history of strawberry farming. First started by the
Japanese community, the Filipino community stepped in to keep the berries growing when
Japanese residents on Bainbridge were sent to internment camps during WWII. Enjoy a
delicious lunch of Fililipo cuisine, including a sweet strawberry delight, a royal coronation, and live music.

• The Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction and Rummage is a yard sale like no other in the world. Local Rotarians and an army of volunteers take over the entire junior high school campus (fields and parking lots too) and fill it with zillions of donated items. With only 6 hours to find your treasures, you need to move fast. Get to Bainbridge the day before to attend preview night so you can run to the prize at the top of your list at the opening bell. Prices go down as the clock counts down to the close. You’ll find everything under the sun: kitchenware, furniture, books, toys, a gymnasium full of clothing, camping supplies, computers, tools, designer departments for upscale items and auctions for big-ticket items like cars and boats. 100% of proceeds are invested in local non-profits and projects to improve lives and make the world a better place.

• The annual July 3rd Street Dance kicks off Independence Day activities on Bainbridge Island. Winslow Way is closed to traffic to make way for food vendors, live music, games, sidewalk chalk, beer garden, and more at this giant downtown block party. This much-loved tradition is fun for the whole family — especially for teens and tweens!
• The Grand Old 4th is the biggest summer celebration on Bainbridge. The day starts with a traditional pancake breakfast, and then the town turns out for a classic mile-long hometown
  parade. More than 100 vendors set up around Waterfront Park with food, fun for kids, arts and crafts, and information booths. Look for other activities happening around the island, like the Bainbridge Youth Services Fun Run and the Old Timers Baseball game.
• Bainbridge Performing Arts brings Shakespeare to the sheep sheds at Bloedel Reserve every summer. Past performances include ‘As You Like It,’ ‘Macbeth,’ ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Get your tickets for The Bard at Bloedel early, since the program often sells out.
• Wine on the Rock |Wine and Music. Two days of wine and music at five Bainbridge Island
  wineries. Enjoy a breezy summer weekend listening to live music and sipping wine…on the Rock!

• Bainbridge Island Summer Studio Tour celebrates the beauty and craftsmanship of local artists. Visit working studios and island historic community halls to meet the artists, see work in progress, and pick up a piece or two. It’s a great way to get inspired for your own creative
  pursuits! Admission is free, and maps are readily available.
• Chief Seattle Days were established in 1911 to honor the local Suquamish and Duwamish tribalchief known as Si’ahl. Many of the original activities are still part of the celebration today, the Indian salmon bake, native canoe races, baseball, drumming and dancing, and the “Memorial Service to Chief Seattle” at his gravesite. A parade, fun-runs, vendor booths, and The Coast Jam, a pow-wow with competitive dancing, is not part of the celebrations is part of the contemporary celebration.
• Invented right here on Bainbridge Island, Pickleball is part tennis, part badminton, and part
  squash. Now the fastest growing sport in the world (an estimated 4.5 million people play
  globally!), the three-day Founders Day Tournament celebrates the sport where the sport was born, and where players come to play and win.

Movies in the Park is a slice of old fashioned fun for warm summer nights. Bring the whole family, a picnic, blankets, and chairs for feature-length films on the big screen under the stars at Battle Point Park. Even better — admission is free!

• Experience the art of painting outdoors at Bainbridge Island Plein Air! En Plein Air, first made popular in France, capitalizes on natural light. Local and visiting artists load their brushes and battle the breezes to paint scenes across the island. Pieces completed during the three-day event are available to purchase and enjoy local wine and chocolate at the awards ceremony.
• Bike for Pie is a super fun family event sponsored by local biking advocates Squeaky Wheels. Whether you’re on one, two, or three wheels, get in the race and win a delicious slice of pie for your effort. Go with the 32-mile ride (you’ll get a second piece of pie!) or the shorter 9-mile jaunt. Take home a t-shirt to remember the ride.
• Quilts and quilters unite for the annual Bainbridge Quilt Festival. As you wander through the downtown displays, you’ll be amazed by the artistry and quality. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite and to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to take home a masterpiece.
• Located at historic Johnson Farm, The Harvest Fair is a chance to meet the farmers and creators who grow and cook incredible island fare. Come for family-friendly activities like cider pressing, carriage rides, live music, food, beer and wine, farm animals, and games. Check out the winners of the best pie, biggest zucchini, and most beautiful dahlia contest.

• Bainbridge Gardens hosts the ever-popular Pumpkin Walk, a festive fall tradition, with music, food, and fun for all. A grand display of almost 300 carved and lit pumpkins glow along Nature Trail. Kids especially love the Harvest Hay Maze, bounce house, and face painting. Get your picture taken with the Great Pumpkin; he gives out candy! And don’t forget your costume!
• Take a night ride through another haunted pumpkin trail where ghosts, zombies, and other
  creatures frighten and delight at the annual Haunted Hayride at Battle Point Park. This all-ages event includes face painting, crafts and games, prizes, and refreshments. Glow sticks and costumes encouraged!
• Witches, ghosts, fairies, superheroes, and queens pack Winslow Way every year on Oct. 31 for Trick or Treat Downtown. Kids collect candy from the shops, while grownups snap pictures and chat with friends. Be on the lookout for a thrilling flash mob!

• Wine on the Rock |Wine and Charcuterie. Enjoy the last of fall color and close out the year with two days of wine and charcuterie pairings at five Bainbridge Island wineries.
• The annual Turkey Trot is the perfect way to start burning calories in anticipation of your huge Thanksgiving feast. Choose from a 5k or shorter 1-mile. The run takes place at Battle Point Park and benefits the Helpline House. Silly hats, funny glasses, and costumes are highly encouraged.
• Launch the holiday season at the Downtown Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting. Get in the spirit with live music, holiday performances, Dickens Carolers, s’mores, and apple cider. Help the kids spy the Elf on the Shelf at participating stores to win a prize and share the excitement as the kids meet up with elves, reindeer (yes, reindeer), and Santa himself. Close out the night while taking in the Argosy Christmas Ship lights as it makes a stop in Eagle Harbor.

• For more than 25 years, Christmas in the Country, a homespun, grassroots arts and crafts festival, has stood the test of time. Enjoy the abundance of locally made gifts, crafts, and goodies while touring homes, farms, and studios across the island. With upwards of 75 or more vendors to visit, it makes for a full weekend. Refreshments, live music, pony rides, and pictures with Santa make it fun for the whole family. Admission is free for this self-guided tour.
• Bainbridge Island Winter Studio Tour celebrates local artists and artistry. Visit working studios and island historic community halls to meet the artists, see work in progress, and pick up a piece or two. It’s a great way to get inspired for your own creative pursuits! Admission is free, and maps are readily available.