A foothill city at the south end of Lake Sammamish.
Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0Source
Saturday and Sunday are Salmon Days downtown. The hatchery is the stop to make, and Sunday afternoon is a free family dance at Pickering Barn. Sunday noon is a free gallery open house in the Highlands.
Upcoming
Events updated Sep 30
Nothing in this list matches.
Today
Chess Club
Blakely Hall, Issaquah Highlands
All ages and experience levels. The Highlands calendar says you do not need to bring a board. It asks first-time players to fill out a short form so the hosts know who is coming. This is the Wednesday before Salmon Days, in the Highlands, not downtown.
Tomorrow
Rise & Shine Story Time
Thu Oct 1 · 10:30–11:00 a.m.Oct 1, 10:30 a.m.Nov 5, 10:30 a.m.
Issaquah Library, 10 W Sunset Way
Same shape as Tuesday night: stories, music, and play time after, for newborns to 5 with an adult. No registration. Space is limited. A calm morning before the festival.
This weekend
Story Stroll: Watercress
Starts at Issaquah Library, 10 W Sunset Way
A self-led walk through Watercress, by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin. The story starts at the library and continues through historic downtown. The stroll runs from Sep 5 through Oct 3. Free. Sponsored by the association and Friends of the Issaquah Library.
Grande Parade
The chamber lists a 10:00 a.m. start. The 2026 theme is “Stars, Stripes & Salmon.” The route leaves Confluence Park, goes down Rainier Blvd N, turns onto NW Dogwood St, heads north on Front St, then turns onto NE Gilman Blvd toward the dispersal area. Road closures on the downtown info page begin at 9:00 a.m. and reopen after the last entry passes.
Salmon Days Festival
Sat Oct 3 and Sun Oct 4 · 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
The 57th festival, hosted by the Greater Issaquah Chamber. Hours are 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. both days. The star stop is the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery at 125 W Sunset Way. A bike valet sits at Rainier Blvd N and NW Dogwood St, staffed with Cascade Bicycle Club.
Feathers and Scales Gallery Open House
Blakely Hall, Issaquah Highlands
A free open house for the Feathers and Scales show. Live music from Michael Thompson, a chance to meet artist Anita Wong, and refreshments. All ages, including kids under 4.
Family Dance Party
Sun Oct 4 · 3:00–6:00 p.m.Oct 4, 3:00 p.m.Oct 4, 3:00 p.m.
Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave NW
Free Hispanic Heritage Month dance with the city and The Circle. Music from Spanish-speaking countries, dance lessons, and snacks. Open to everyone. It overlaps the last hours of Salmon Days, and it is at the barn, not on Front Street. Downtown in the morning, Pickering in the afternoon, works.
Later
Ragtime
Through Sun Oct 18 · evenings 7:30 p.m.
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St N
The Issaquah run is Sep 15 through Oct 18. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s posted matinee is 2:00 p.m. This Saturday, Oct 3, the 2:00 p.m. show is ASL-interpreted, and the 7:30 p.m. show has pay-what-you-choose seats. A captioned matinee is Sat Oct 17 at 2:00 p.m. Thursday 2:00 p.m. and Sunday 7:30 p.m. do not happen every week, so check the ticket calendar before you promise one of those.
Audience note from the theatre: racist and offensive language, and moments of violence, including murder. Guns are fired onstage. About 2 hours 50 minutes with intermission. Not for young children. Tickets start at $42 online. KIDSTAGE’s next public Issaquah show, Footloose, is in December.
Story Stroll: Apple Pie Picnic
Sat Oct 10 and Sat Oct 17 · all dayOct 10Oct 17
Starts at Issaquah Library, 10 W Sunset Way
The next downtown stroll, after Watercress comes down. Apple Pie Picnic, by Alicia Duran, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. Self-led from the library through historic downtown. KCLS lists both Saturdays as all day. Sponsored by the Downtown Issaquah Association and Friends of the Issaquah Library. Oct 17 is also Issaquah Goes Apples, so the pages are on the harvest route.
Fall Farm Fresh Market
Sat Oct 10 · 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Historic Shell Station, 232 Front St N
Downtown Issaquah Association’s fall market, with Ayala Farms. Saturdays from Oct 10 through Dec 5, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., with live music 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. This Saturday, then Oct 24.
Curiosity Collection Launch Party
Issaquah Library, 10 W Sunset Way
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Issaquah is the first KCLS branch with a Library of Things, and this party opens the Curiosity Collection. Household tools and specialty equipment will be available to check out. Free.
Teen Climate Workshop
Blakely Hall, Issaquah Highlands
A free workshop for teens using the En-ROADS climate simulator. No RSVP. The posted time is 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., and it may run until 5:30.
Issaquah Goes Apples
Sat Oct 17 · 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Historic Shell Station, 232 Front St N
The 11th annual harvest day, from the Downtown Issaquah Association. Farm Fresh Market, the Historically Hip Artisan Market, an apple cider press, scarecrow building, art, photo spots, and live music, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the Historic Shell Station.
Treats and Tails Halloween Event
Blakely Hall, Issaquah Highlands
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Trick-or-treat for kids ages 3 to 10 with an adult. Bring a bag. The standby line is free. An optional $5 VIP ticket per trick-or-treating child holds a reserved slot. Adults and babies who are not collecting treats, and pets, do not need a ticket. Pets use a separate patio entrance (green tent, east side). Lines form outside.
Planting and Tree Care 101
Confluence Park, 595 Rainier Blvd N, Issaquah
A free hands-on lesson in planting, mulching, watering, and pruning young trees. Sammamish city staff lead it through the Eastside Climate Partnership, and the work is at Confluence Park in Issaquah. Tools are provided.
Ragtime, captioned
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St N
Village Theatre lists a captioned performance at 2:00 p.m. The Issaquah run ends the next day, Sunday, Oct 18. After that the production moves to Everett. Language and violence, about 2 hours 50 minutes with intermission. Not for young children.
Monster Mash Parent Survival Night
The Little Gym Issaquah, 82 Front St S
A drop-off evening at the gym. The kids stay for games and gymnastics, and you get the night. The gym lists it at $70, for ages 3 to 8.
Reading with Rover
Issaquah Library, 10 W Sunset Way
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School-age kids read aloud to a certified therapy dog, with an adult. Free.
Fall Farm Fresh Market
Sat Oct 24 · 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Historic Shell Station, 232 Front St N
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., and the season continues through Dec 5. Live music is 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Halloween at Cougar Mountain Zoo
Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St
Howl-O-ween at the zoo.
Issaquah Highlands Holiday Tree Lighting
Village Green Park, 2550 NE Park Drive
A family tree lighting at Village Green Park, with free cocoa, Santa photos, and carols. Apple cider and cookies are served. The tree lights at 5:30 p.m., when Mayor Mark Mullet flips the switch. Santa and Mrs. Claus are there for photos, and Issaquah police and Eastside Fire & Rescue visit.
Issaquah Reindeer Festival
Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St
A reindeer festival for families at Cougar Mountain Zoo, with admission at the gate and Santa photos for an extra donation. Santa is there Nov 27 through Dec 23, 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Festival hours those days are 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or dusk. Dec 26 through Dec 30 the holiday fun continues 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. without Santa. Members do not need to buy ahead for Dec 20–23 and Dec 26–30.
Turkey Trot Parent Survival Night
The Little Gym Issaquah, 82 Front St S
A drop-off evening at the gym. Kids run through games, then crafts and stories. The gym lists ages 3 to 10.
Caroling at the Depot
Issaquah Depot Museum, 78 1st Ave NE
A downtown sing-along of holiday songs, with hot chocolate and candy canes. Santa and Mrs. Claus are there for photos. Bring an instrument if you want, or just sing. All ages.
KIDSTAGE Footloose
Hunt Family Theatre, 120 Front St N
Village Theatre KIDSTAGE’s public production of Footloose, performed by students in grade 9 through age 20. Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:30 p.m. Sundays are at 2:00 p.m. The theatre stages it for teen actors and audiences. Expect mild language, a scene of underage drinking, some sexual content, and themes of grief and domestic violence. Tickets go on sale soon.
Issaquah Dance Theatre Nutcracker
Longman Performing Arts Center, Issaquah High School
Issaquah Dance Theatre’s family Nutcracker needs a ticket, except children under 2 on a lap. Each day has a one-hour show at 11:00 a.m. for a young audience, plus full shows at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sales are final, and an exchange costs $15.
Know something fun in Issaquah? Suggest an event.