Leavenworth to celebrate spring with May festivities

LEAVENWORTH – As spring takes hold in the upper valley, Leavenworth prepares to celebrate with festivities every weekend throughout May. From outdoor adventures to live music, the action-packed month will offer some for everyone, with the traditional Bavarian Maifest taking center-stage.

The first weekend of festivities will kick off with Music of the Alps and Leavenworth Rockfest on May 3 and 4. Music of the Alps will bring authentic Alpine melodies to the Front Street Gazebo in the heart of Leavenworth. Each day, Alpenfolk will perform traditional tunes using genuine instruments and yodeling techniques from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Leavenworth Alphorns will follow their performance, showcasing the Alpine sounds of the 12-foot-long horn from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

On May 3, Leavenworth Rockfest will host climbers and outdoor enthusiasts at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts for a full-day of celebration. The event will feature live music, vendors, speakers, food and drinks, climbing clinics, and a bouldering competition. Attendees can participate in a stewardship event on May 4 to give back to Leavenworth’s world-class climbing areas.

Leavenworth’s traditional Maifest celebration will follow on May 9, 10 and 11. The festival, which has honored the Bavarian tradition since 1971, will include Maipole dancing, Bavarian music, and the annual Festzug (Grand March), where locals don traditional attire to welcome guests.

Mai BlumenLauf, or May Flower Run, will close out the Maifest weekend on May 11. Formerly known as the Mother’s Day 5k, the family-friendly event will have activities for all fitness levels, including a 5k, 10k, and a half-marathon. The routes traverse through downtown Leavenworth and its scenic riverfront trails. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cascade Medical Foundation.

Festivities continue just a few days later, with the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest commencing on May 15 and continuing through May 18. The festival celebrates the return of migratory birds during peak wildflower season, offering birding field trips, workshops, speaker events, music, visual arts, picnics, and activities for all ages and abilities.

On Front Street, live chainsaw carving will combine artistry with timber on May 17 and 18. The event will bring in five professional chainsaw carvers from the Pacific Northwest to create large-scale, German-inspired sculptures. Spectators can watch the process and purchase completed pieces. Music and activities will accompany the event.

The Leavenworth International Alphorn Festival will conclude the month’s festivities from May 23 to 25. Alphorn players from all over North America will gather for a weekend of concerts and special performances, highlighting the deep-rooted traditions of the unique instrument.