Founded in 1964, the Autumn Leaf Festival is Leavenworth’s longest-running festival. Sponsored by the Washington State Autumn Leaf Association and held in downtown Leavenworth, this free event celebrates the annual changing colors of the autumn leaves and is popular with ‘leaf peepers’ and outdoors lovers near and far. Highlights of the Autumn Leaf Festival include food booths, music in the park, a car show, a kid’s parade, and the Grand Parade on Saturday the 24th at Noon, featuring the 2022 Royal Lady.

Oktoberfest returns to Leavenworth over three weekends (Fridays & Saturdays) after a three year hiatus. In addition to longstanding traditions of music, dancing, and the ceremonial tapping of the kegs, Oktoberfest will now take place throughout the town, including two fully programmed venues (beer gardens) located at the Leavenworth Festhalle and at Front Street Park. Local breweries including Icicle Brewing Co., Doghaus Brewing, and Blewett Brewing will be pouring their beers (and a special collaboration brew) alongside imports from Germany. And a Kinderplatz will feature kids’ activities, games, and a root beer garden just for them. Make plans to celebrate Oktoberfest in America’s unofficial Bavarian capital.

New this year, the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and Icicle Creek Center for the Arts present the inaugural Summit to Sea Film Festival. This three-day film festival celebrates independent and award-winning films documenting the natural world from summit to sea, shining a light on conservation through dozens of screenings at the Snowy Owl Theater on the Icicle Creek Campus. Through a partnership with International Ocean Film Festival, attendees of the Summit to Sea Film Festival will have rare access to a lineup of films that aim to educate, entertain, and encourage active participation in important conservation efforts. Tickets go on sale August 15th and with proceeds going to local non-profits; Waste Loop, ICCA and Wenatchee River Institute to help fund their environmentally focused programs.