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CroatiaFest Returns to Seattle Center with Culture, Cuisine, and Community
The free, family-oriented event returns to Seattle Center October 5
SEATTLE— Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Croatia at CroatiaFest on Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon–6 p.m. as part of Seattle Center Festál at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall and surrounding grounds. This free, family-friendly festival will immerse guests of all ages in the vibrant spirit of Croatia.
Step into Croatia’s heritage with exhibits such as A Legacy in Costume featuring museum-quality folk garments, Through the Lens of Martin Koenig photography of rural Croatian communities, and Who Were They and Where Were They From? highlighting Croatian immigration history and accomplishments in Western Washington.
Guests can also enjoy a special travel talk by adventurer Marko Pavela on exploring the Cetina River valley, and the film presentation Leaving=Arriving by Dalibor Martinis: a documentary exploring cyclical migration through personal stories from the Croatian island of Vis.
Live entertainment will showcase traditional and contemporary Croatian culture, including performances by musicians playing Croatian instruments, folk dance groups, singers, and local artists. Award presentations will honor Ivana Prpić of Vancouver, B.C., as the 2025 Featured Young Croatian and Kenneth A. Malich of Gig Harbor, Wash., as the 2025 Outstanding Croatian, with recognition by Croatian Ambassador to the U.S. Pjer Šimunović.
The Croatian culinary experience will be in full force with authentic dishes such as kobasice (sausages), lamb roasted on the spit, ćevapčići (Croatian-style links), sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), burek, palačinke (crepes), and baklava — prepared by local community groups including Anacortes Sister Cities, Balkan Store, Baked in Bosnia, and the Balkan Task Force. Guests can also enjoy cooking demonstrations of njoki (gnocchi) and London štangle fruit bar cookies.
For guests 21 and over, the lively Konoba (Wine & Rakija Room) offers tastings of Croatian wines and spirits from regional producers, accompanied by live Croatian music throughout the afternoon.
Visitors can also explore the bustling CroatiaFest marketplace inside the Armory, with treasures ranging from handmade wood products and ceramics to olive oil, jams/spreads, apparel, baked goods, and specialty imports.
“With authentic food, music, exhibits, and family-friendly activities, CroatiaFest is a showcase of our community’s pride in Croatian culture,” said Joanne Abdo, CroatiaFest producer. “We welcome everyone to experience Croatia’s rich heritage and modern vitality at Seattle Center this fall.”
This festival is part of the Festál series of 25 cultural festivals presented by community groups and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year.
About CroatiaFest
CroatiaFest promotes and preserves Croatian culture and educates future generations of Croatian Americans and the general public with the richness and beauty of Croatian culture. Croatiafest.org
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál is a unique public program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity. These events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of the diversity of our region. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with community groups, presented on weekends from January to November and supported by City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and 4Culture.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of the city. It is home to more than 30 partner organizations—including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, MOPOP, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others—alongside world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events for all ages, centered around the iconic International Fountain.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts & Cultural District, Seattle Center serves as a hub for creative expression, cultural diversity, and civic life. It also manages the City’s new Waterfront Park in partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, delivering cultural programming, operations, and civic care on Seattle’s revitalized downtown waterfront.
In 2025, Seattle Center is projected to generate over $900 million in visitor spending, contribute more than $2 billion in total regional economic impact, and support more than 18,600 jobs. With the support of our Official Partners—Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank— Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest. www.seattlecenter.com
