TurkFest

TurkFest returns to the Armory Food & Event Hall at Seattle Center on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, from 12 PM to 5 PM. It's the annual Turkish cultural festival of Seattle, and 2026 marks its 26th year. The Turkish American Cultural Association of Washington (TACAWA) puts it on, and it's part of Seattle Center Festál, the series of 25 free community-produced cultural festivals that bring in around 400,000 visits a year.

The music and dance are the center of the program. The Anadolu Turkish Musicians and the Anadolu Turkish Folk Dancers perform throughout the weekend, joined by Sehri Seattle and Ahmet Serkan. There's also a special guest, Uğur Önür, who's traveling from Türkiye for the festival. Beyond the stage, the program includes art and textile exhibitions, documentaries, youth activities, and workshops.

The food court is a big part of the draw, with baklava, kebap, lahmajun, Turkish coffee, and ayran. There are also vendors selling Turkish rugs, handmade jewelry, and souvenirs. The festival falls during Turkish Heritage Month, proclaimed by the Washington State Governor, and coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic on October 29, which honors Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

TurkFest has been celebrating Turkish and Turkic heritage in the Pacific Northwest since 2001, and it's grown every year since. It's free to attend, and both days run from 12 PM to 5 PM at the Armory Food & Event Hall, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109.