Every summer, downtown Bellevue transforms into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most vibrant open-air galleries. From Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2026, Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend brings more than 350 artists, live performances, cultural experiences, hands-on activities and local flavors together in the heart of the city.
Whether you are searching for an original piece of art, introducing the kids to something new or planning a creative summer getaway, this is one of the best weekends of the year to experience Bellevue.
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend 2026 at a Glance
Dates: Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26, 2026
Friday hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Downtown Bellevue, including Bellevue Square, NE 6th Street and 106th Avenue NE
Admission: Free; select after-hours events require tickets
Official information: BellevueArtsFair.com
One Arts Weekend, Three Creative Areas
If you remember the BAM Arts Fair and Bellevue Downtown Arts Market as separate events, there has been an important change.
Beginning in 2025, Bellevue Arts Museum and the Bellevue Downtown Association joined forces to co-produce one coordinated Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend. The new format brings the two longstanding art fairs together under one name while preserving the character of each experience.
Today, the weekend unfolds across three walkable areas:
The Arts Fair
Located at Bellevue Square’s West Parking Garage, the Arts Fair carries forward a beloved Bellevue tradition with roots dating to 1947. Meet artists from Bellevue, the Pacific Northwest and across the country while exploring paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, glass, textiles, woodwork, sculpture and mixed-media pieces.
This is not simply a place to look at art. It is an opportunity to speak directly with artists, learn about their creative processes and purchase something made by the person standing in front of you.
The Arts Market
The Bellevue Downtown Arts Market brings its open-air energy to NE 6th Street, the PACCAR lot and 106th Avenue NE between NE 4th and NE 8th streets.
Browse booth after booth of original art, handcrafted home décor, wearable pieces, photography, sculpture, glass, woodwork and gifts. The market has a lively, accessible feel that makes it just as enjoyable for casual browsers as it is for serious collectors.
The Creative Corridor
Connecting the Arts Fair and Arts Market, the Creative Corridor turns NE 6th Street into a celebration of art in motion.
Look for live performances, artist demonstrations, interactive projects, cultural programming and creative experiences near Bellevue Arts Museum, Avenue Bellevue and other participating downtown locations. It gives the weekend a true festival atmosphere—and makes the entire event easy to explore on foot.
Discover More Than 350 Artists
The heart of Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend is its extraordinary range of artists.
More than 350 participating artists work across a wide variety of mediums, from painting and printmaking to ceramics, jewelry, fashion, photography, sculpture and glass. You may arrive looking for one particular style and leave captivated by something completely unexpected.
Give yourself time to wander. Talk with the artists. Ask how a piece was made or what inspired it. And if something speaks to you, take it home. Purchasing directly from an artist makes your find—and your Bellevue weekend—even more memorable.
Experience Living Traditions
New in 2026, Living Traditions is a cultural exhibition series celebrating the communities and artistic practices that have shaped the Pacific Northwest.
Its inaugural program, Japanese Art and Resilience in the Pacific Northwest, explores Japanese and Japanese American creativity through traditions including calligraphy, ceramics, ikebana, tea, bonsai, haiku and mokuhanga woodblock printing.
Visitors can encounter artists and cultural practitioners throughout the weekend, view installations and demonstrations, and contribute a wish to a community Tanabata display. The program adds meaningful cultural context to a weekend already filled with visual discovery.
Explore the Living Traditions program.
Make Art, Hear Music and Bring the Family
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend is designed for participation—not just observation.
Free arts activations invite visitors of all ages to experiment, create and see artists at work. Family programming includes hands-on crafts, interactive experiences and playful activities, while live music, dance and cultural performances bring energy to the Creative Corridor throughout the weekend.
The official mobile event app includes artist directories, entertainment schedules, demonstration times, food vendors and interactive maps. Download it before you arrive or use the QR codes displayed throughout the fair to plan your route and receive live updates.
Stay for the After-Hours Events
When the daytime booths begin to close, the creativity continues.
The 2026 schedule includes Fashion Friday, Sixth Street Sessions and Rooftop Rhythms, a Saturday-night celebration featuring live Latin jazz, food, cocktails, dancing and downtown Bellevue views.
Some after-hours experiences require separate tickets, so review the official event schedule before your visit.
Plan an Artful Weekend in Bellevue
With three days of programming, Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend deserves more than a quick walk-through. Turn it into a downtown getaway and enjoy Bellevue’s combination of art, global dining, shopping, green spaces and approachable luxury.
Friday: Begin with the Arts Fair
Start at the Arts Fair at Bellevue Square and spend the morning meeting artists and exploring the juried booths. Follow the Creative Corridor along NE 6th Street for art demonstrations, cultural programming and live performances.
Take a dinner break at one of Bellevue’s globally inspired restaurants before returning for Fashion Friday or another evening event.
Saturday: Explore the Arts Market and Living Traditions
Begin at the Bellevue Downtown Arts Market, then follow the Creative Corridor toward Bellevue Arts Museum and Avenue Bellevue. Make time for the Living Traditions installations and demonstrations, family art activities and live entertainment.
When you need a quiet break, walk to Bellevue Downtown Park for views of the skyline, gardens and the park’s circular promenade. End the day with dinner downtown or make plans for Rooftop Rhythms.
Sunday: Revisit Your Favorites
Sunday is your chance to return to the artist whose work you cannot stop thinking about, pick up a final treasure or catch a performance you missed.
Afterward, continue exploring Bellevue’s creative side through public art, galleries and colorful urban spaces—or trade the festival energy for a restorative walk through the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Discover more inspiration with Visit Bellevue’s arts and culture experiences.
Getting to Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend takes place in the center of downtown Bellevue and is easy to reach by public transportation.
Ride Sound Transit’s 2 Line to Bellevue Downtown Station and walk west toward the event. Bus service is also available throughout the region. Visit our transportation and getting-around guide to plan your trip.
If you drive, parking is available at The Bellevue Collection and in other downtown garages. Parking may be free or require validation depending on the facility. There is no public arts-fair parking in the Bellevue Arts Museum garage, so follow official event signage and allow extra time during peak Saturday hours.
Comfortable shoes are essential—the three event areas are walkable, but there is plenty to see. Bring sun protection, a refillable water bottle and a lightweight layer for changing Pacific Northwest weather.
Stay in the Center of the Creativity
Staying downtown puts the fair, restaurants, shopping, parks and after-hours programming within easy reach. Bellevue offers everything from design-forward luxury hotels to comfortable, family-friendly accommodations—many just steps from the event.
Make a full weekend of it and give yourself time to experience the art without rushing.
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend FAQs
When is Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend in 2026?
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend takes place Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2026. Hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday.
Is Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend free?
General admission to the Arts Fair, Arts Market, Creative Corridor, live stages and family programming is free. Select after-hours programs and workshops may require tickets or advance registration.
Where is the Bellevue Arts Fair held?
The weekend takes place across downtown Bellevue. The Arts Fair is located at Bellevue Square’s West Parking Garage. The Arts Market is centered around NE 6th Street, the PACCAR lot and 106th Avenue NE. The Creative Corridor connects the event areas along NE 6th Street.
Are the BAM Arts Fair and Bellevue Downtown Arts Market still separate events?
They are now presented together as Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend, co-produced by Bellevue Arts Museum and the Bellevue Downtown Association. The Arts Fair and Arts Market retain distinct locations and experiences within the unified weekend.
Did KidsQuest take ownership of the Bellevue Arts Fair?
No. KidsQuest Children’s Museum purchased Bellevue Arts Museum’s Bellevue Way building, but the property transaction did not transfer ownership of the fair. Bellevue Arts Museum continues to co-produce Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend with the Bellevue Downtown Association.
Is Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend family-friendly?
Yes. The weekend includes free arts activities, artist demonstrations, live performances and interactive family programming. Bellevue Downtown Park and Inspiration Playground are also nearby.
Let Creativity Lead the Way
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend is more than a marketplace. It is a citywide celebration of imagination, culture and the people who turn ideas into something tangible.
Come for the art, stay for the performances and global flavors, and leave with a new perspective—plus, perhaps, a one-of-a-kind piece that will remind you of an unforgettable summer weekend in Bellevue.
