Kirkland to Host First Umbrella Fringe Festival Oct. 3–5; Most Events Free, Artists Paid

KIRKLAND, Wash. — The Kirkland Arts Center will present the Umbrella Fringe Festival Friday through Sunday, Oct. 3–5, with a ticketed opening night at the Kirkland Performance Center and free performances, visual art and family programming across downtown on Saturday and Sunday.

Organizers said the festival’s launch aims to spotlight local arts organizations, pay performing artists, and build a recurring community event. David Lincks, executive director of the Kirkland Arts Center, described weekend programming that ranges from Indian classical dance and spoken-word performances to music, theater and a citywide visual-arts fair. "We have about 1,700 students a year," Lincks said, noting the arts center’s role in community outreach and production.

The festival opens Friday, Oct. 3, at the Kirkland Performance Center with a ticketed performance of a set inspired by Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Two tickets for that evening will be available at the Kirkland Arts Center to the first person who comes in and says, "I heard you on the podcast." Organizers said ticket revenue and any profits from that night will support the arts center.

Saturday, Oct. 4, is the festival’s busiest day and free at most venues. Programming will run at Moss Bay Hall (blue venue), the Kirkland Arts Center (purple venue), Kirkland Urban (yellow venue), the Kirkland Teen Union Building (K TUB, orange venue), and the library (green venue). Saturday activities include bands, improv, theater, dance, spoken-word events, family programming, vendor booths and an art market. The festival moves to Kirkland Urban for a continuation of visual arts plus stage programming on Sunday, Oct. 5, which will wrap the weekend.

The arts center will also run a citywide "find the gnome" activity on Oct. 4: "They're actually gnomes," Lincks said, adding students and teachers created ceramic gnomes that will be hidden around downtown with clues posted on the art center’s Instagram.

Organizers emphasized that artists will be compensated. "We want to emphasize that... we're paying the artists," Lincks said, adding that sponsors and other funding have helped cover performance fees and production costs.

Volunteers are needed for multiple roles across venues; the Kirkland Arts Center is coordinating volunteer sign-ups and will post a registration link in the festival materials. Christian Loesch, who works with the city of Kirkland on festival logistics, said staff and community volunteers helped shape the plan and logistics.

Organizers said the event is a first-year effort and they plan to announce 2025 dates at the festival’s close if the weekend proves successful. The arts center will also distribute free printed programs and maps (color-coded by venue) to help attendees navigate events across downtown.

Practical notes released on the podcast: most venues are free except the Friday evening performance; families should expect music, art markets, and performances in multiple locations; and some special ticketed items or capacity-limited shows may require advance purchase. For program details and volunteer information, organizers said they will post maps, schedules and sign-up links on the Kirkland Arts Center and City of Kirkland channels.

The festival is being led by the Kirkland Arts Center with city support and venue partners across downtown. Organizers framed the event as an opportunity to expand local arts exposure and to develop a recurring Kirkland tradition if attendance and logistics prove successful.