DISCOVER LEAVENWORTH
Activities
Whether you’re into breathtaking nature hikes, winter sports, wine tasting, river rafting, geocaching, art shows, shopping, outdoor Summer theater, or concerts and festivals, Leavenworth has something for everyone.
There are vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms all around the valley! Enjoy a day of sampling our fabulous blends. For a day adventure, drive to Lake Chelan to enjoy the beautiful wineries there.
Leavenworth offers a variety of sumptuous spas, world-class wineries, and fragrant farmers’ markets, and arts & theatre. For more information, visit http://leavenworth.org/attractions.
Whitewater rafting? Sure! Leavenworth Washington is one of the most popular places in all of Washington State to experience this one-of-a-kind adventure due to its ease of accessibility and the typically sunny warm weather throughout the spring and summer months. Leavenworth is located in the center of the state on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, right along Highway 2, and every spring when the snow in the mountains starts to melt the rivers in the area begin to swell. The Wenatchee River, which runs right through Leavenworth, begins at Lake Wenatchee and winds its way through the foothills and into the valley where it eventually empties into the Columbia River in Wenatchee.
You can also enjoy soaring through the forest on a zip line, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, or bike on one of the many trails or Leavenworth’s own pump track.
FALL
Leavenworth, Washington is truly the jewel of the Cascade Mountains. Our authentic Bavarian Village has been notably named by MSN as a “Best Destination for fall.” And by the Today Show as “Most Unusual and Unique Fall Foliage.” These accolades are well deserved. The colors can typically be seen starting late September and lasting through the end of October, so make your plans to visit!
Driving into Leavenworth from the west via Highway 2, you will wind through spectacular Tumwater Canyon. Hugging sheer canyon walls on one side, and winding and twisting through the rocky gorge, the breathtaking white water river rushes past you on the other side. Suddenly, you round a corner and there is Leavenworth, nestled in against the mountains that rise to more than 8,000 feet.
Mother Nature paints with a Technicolor palate of deep reds, vibrant oranges, and sunny yellows throughout. Driving through the canyon and into our beautiful town, you literally will watch our lush greens settle into a rainbow of fall foliage. The warm sunny days and cool crisp nights of fall, lead to bountiful fruit stands, farmers markets and locally grown grapes for harvest.
One hundred shops and restaurants are at your service to satisfy every taste and the most challenging shopping list. Take a romantic horse drawn carriage; indulge in savory handmade chocolates, sample local wines and gourmet food. Outdoor recreational enthusiasts will not be disappointed either. Our mountains are a top destination for folks eager to explore, mountain bike and climb. And, the sights only get better with all the added autumn color.
If you’d like to see more beautiful fall colors, a loop drive from Leavenworth to Lake Wenatchee and Plain (just 15 miles from town), is just what you need to complete your visit! Start by taking the Chumstick Highway from town towards Plain. You will be rewarded with spectacular foliage and views! Continue on to Lake Wenacthee which provides over 12,000 feet of waterfront with spectacular fall scenery. From there, head to Highway 2 East to make the drive through Tumwater Canyon along the Wenatchee River right back into town.
LEAVENWORTH WINE WALK
Second Saturday of September
Wine tasting throughout downtown Leavenworth
WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL
Third Weekend of September
Celebrating the Salmon with live entertainment, food booths, chalk art, exhibits, and activities
WASHINGTON STATE AUTUMN LEAF FESTIVAL
Fourth Weekend of September
Our very own hometown celebration, parade, food booths, entertainment, games and more
OKTOBERFEST
First three Fridays and Saturdays of October
Multiple venues with authentic bier gartens, German food, music, and lots of dancing. See Details
CHRISTKINDLMARKT
Thanksgiving Day weekend
German-style market held outdoors with shopping, live music, specialty foods
WINTER
THE VILLAGE OF LIGHTS
Like an enchanted village inside a swirling snow globe, the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, is truly an unforgettable winter experience. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is the ultimate outdoor playground. Every winter the “Village of Lights” comes alive during the Holidays for a unique winter experience and the opportunity to create a lifetime of memories. In case you haven’t heard, our lights are on every night from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s weekend!
Leavenworth hosts five Holiday festivals each year! We begin the day after Thanksgiving with Christkindlmarkt. You won’t want to miss this celebrated Northwest tradition held in Front Street Park and the Festhalle. Enjoy delicious and authentic Bavarian foods, handmade arts and crafts, and Bavarian and Christmas-themed entertainment. Christkindlmarkt is followed by Leavenworth’s grand Christmas Lighting Festivals the first three weekends of December. During Christmas Lighting, our quaint Bavarian village is transformed with a dazzling array of over 500,000 Christmas lights, live music, Christmas markets, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Visit the park throughout the season to enjoy many performances by hand bell groups, harpists, Celtic strings, and various Yuletide choirs!
VILLAGE OF LIGHTS AND THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTING FESTIVAL
1st three weekends of December
Our amazing light displays dazzle from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s weekend so anytime you come in the winter will be magical! We also celebrate our annual Christmas Lighting Festival the 1st three weekends of December with entertainment and full lighting ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday.
BAVARIAN ICEFEST
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
Ice carving, snow sculpture contest, crafts, and lots of specialty food!
SKI EVENTS
All Winter
Leavenworth Winter Sports Club, Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge host all kinds of events and races throughout the winter. Not to mention the miles of cross country ski trails in the area!
VALENTINES WEEKEND
Valentine’s Day Weekend
Wine, handmade chocolate and fine dining. How much romance can you stand?
SPRING
Leavenworth Washington is well known for its abundance of sunny days and bright blue skies – boasting an average of over 300 days of sunshine per year! “April showers bring May flowers” couldn’t be truer when describing spring in Leavenworth, and when the May flowers do arrive, they dazzle! The earliest bloomers are typically the Glacier Lilies which can be seen all around the Ski Hill area in town. Their delicate yellow pedals drop down towards the thawing ground and these small but abundant wildflowers are often seen popping up through the last couple inches of snow as the winter whites give way to spring greens. As the temperatures in the valley continue to warm, big bright yellow Arrowleaf Balsamroot begins to grow along many roadsides and riverbanks. They then spread higher into the hills and continue all the way up into mountains alongside countless hiking trails.
Around the same time that these picturesque flowers reach peak bloom near the valley floor, they are joined by tall purple Lupine, and reddish-orange Indian Paintbrush, followed by multiple types of lilies, becoming a vast array of different wildflowers that celebrate every color of the rainbow. Not only do the riverbanks and hillsides burst with color this time of year, downtown Leavenworth also competes for floral glory with beautiful hanging flower baskets on every street corner and eye-catching flower displays around storefronts, restaurants, and other downtown businesses.
Leavenworth’s annual Maifest Celebration in May always marks the return of the hanging flower baskets. By August, the flowers in these baskets stretch 5 feet or more and some reach nearly to the ground hanging from old-world style street lights and lamp posts. Enjoy the views from your vehicle, or find the perfect trail to get up close and personal. As spring turns to summer in the Bavarian Village, the flowers continue to get larger and even more abundant, especially in the higher elevations in the mountains.
There’s something about the combination of the Bavarian-themed architecture, the abundance of flowers, the river and the mountains in the distance that truly make you feel like you’ve crossed the ocean and are in a distant magical European town.
EMPTY BOWLS FESTIVAL
March
Soup dinner from our creative culinary stars benefiting our Community Cupboard
SPRING SENSATIONS
April (all month long)
Long Tour Leavenworth and enjoy locally sourced specialty pear dishes and items throughout our shops and restaurants
TASTE LEAVENWORTH!
April
Sign up for this yummy stroll through town with local culinary specialties waiting for you at each stop. Buy a coupon book online or at the Visitor Center and taste your way through town.
ALEFEST
April
An “ale” of a good time with over 20 microbrews, live Northwest bands and delicious food!
MAIFEST
Second Weekend of May
Almost always on Mother’s Day this authentic Bavarian Festival features tradition Bavarian and Maibaum dances, music, parade, Mother’s Day crafts, and of course, lots of food!
SPRING BIRD FEST
Third Weekend of May
A celebration of birdsong and the natural world. Tours, float trips, art and so much more.
BAVARIAN BATTLE OF THE BIKES
May
An exciting race weekend includes Dirt Digest and Red Bull Pump Track Championships
SUMMER
There’s more than stunning beauty, long warm days, unique shops and restaurants in Leavenworth. Whether it’s a summer read under a tree, a lazy river float, wine tasting, alpine hiking or more thrilling adventures, you will always find something to enjoy around our beautiful valley. And what could be better than watching a professional production of Summer Theater under the stars? The annual presentation of The Sound of Music is supplemented with two other fine shows and not to be missed!
LEAVENWORTH FARMERS MARKET
Thursday Afternoons in June
Locally grown produce and fruit, food, crafts, and music from June through September!
BAVARIAN BIKE & BREW
First Weekend in June
Sanctioned IMBA bike race, music and beer garden
LEAVENWORTH WINE WALK
First Weekend in June
Sample regional wines throughout downtown Leavenworth
LEAVENWORTH INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CELEBRATION
Third Weekend of June
Concerts, dances, competitions and an accordion parade!
ICICLE CREEK CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
All Month of July
Classical Jazz and Bluegrass concerts and classes
SUMMER THEATER,
July and August
Three different musical theater productions are performed under the stars. Always popular is the annual production of Sound of Music at the Ski Hill amphitheater
KINDERFEST
4th of July
Every Independence Day we celebrate the children, throughout town there are crafts, games and yummy treats!