KITSAP COUNTY FAMILY-FRIENDLY SUMMER FUN 2023

Last updated 6/1/2023

Summer and the sunshine are around the corner, what’s your favorite summer activity/event?

Every summer I make a list of all the family friendly events I think my family would enjoy. Having a list down makes it easy to plan your calendar, or if you’re trying to come up with something fun to do, it’s a nice reference.

Check out these other local posts on my blog;

• If you’re looking for more summer fun near us, check out the Pierce County list.
• Unique Places to Stay in Washington
• Kitsap County Birthday Party Locations for Kids & Teens

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KITSAP COUNTY FAMILY-FRIENDLY

SUMMER FUN

Below you’ll find each town/city and if there’s anything happening this summer. Events will be organized by dates and don’t forget to come back often to see if anything has changed(& visit their website for further info).

PORT ORCHARD

»Kitsap Live Steamer – season opens in April and goes until Fall!

»Community Skate Nights at VanZee Park, Sundays 5-7pm, community driven, weather permitting

»Sound Elite Athletics host’s Bounce House Open Gym and Nerf Wars Open Gym, check their FB for dates!

» Concerts by the Bay – Thursdays starting June 1st- August 31st 6:30pm-8:00pm, hosted by Fathom’s O’ Fun, check out the schedule here

»Low Tide Walk – Manchester State Park. Join Harbor WildWatch for a fun and educational public beach walk program on the stunning shorelines of the Salish Sea. Our knowledgeable and friendly biologists and volunteer naturalists will guide you through a hands-on exploration of the intertidal zone, where you will discover the incredible diversity of marine life that calls our local waters home.
June 3(10:00AM)
July 3(10:30AM)

»June 10, 2023 Free Magic Show at One Less Orphan – Come to Free Magic Show for kids and adults!! Paul the Magician is a well-loved magician and his shows are fantastic! We are thrilled that he is willing to do a free show at One Less Orphan!! Mr. Paul will do magic shows at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm on June 10th.

»June 18, 2023 Father’s Day Salmon Bake & Book Sale – 11:30AM-3:30PM(or whenever the fish run out) at Manchester Library. All proceeds made during this event go directly to the Kitsap County Regional Library in Manchester; a community funded Library.

»Park Days at FWC in Port Orchard – Are you looking for some summer fun for you and your kiddos? FWC invites you to join us for Park Days! From bounce houses, water actives, bike riding and park play, this is a safe place to bring young kids to hangout and enjoy the sunshine. While kids get to play, this is a great opportunity for parents to connect with other families in our community. Bring a lunch, invite your friends, and join us for any of our three gatherings! 10:00am-2:00pm, 4647 Sidney Road SW, Port Orchard
June 23
July 21
August 25

»June 24-25, 2023 Fathoms O’Fun Grand Parade & Summer Festival – Downtown Port Orchard. Parade

»July 1, 2023 Fathoms O’ Fun Presents Fireworks Over Sinclair Inlet & Vendor Show, Downtown Port Orchard, open to public 10:00AM-10:30PM

»July 4, 2023 Manchester’s Indepence Day Kids & Pet Parade – 1:30PM at Qa’Qad Park, children of Manchester are invited to a Village Parade with an Ice Cream as a reward — Bring a pet if you have one.

»Free Summer Meals for Kids – July 12-August 16. Free meals will be served to children 18 years and under. No pre-orders are required, simply visit one of the locations below and enjoy lunch.
-East Port Orchard Elementary
Hot lunch. Monday – Thursday, July 12-August 16. 12:00-12:45pm
-Burley Glenwood Elementary
Cold lunch. Monday – Thursday, July 12-August 16. 12:15-12:35pm
-Manchester Elementary
Cold lunch. Monday – Thursday, July 12-August 16. 10:15-10:35am
-Sidney Glen Elementary
Cold lunch. Monday – Thursday, July 12-August 16. 11:15-11:35am
-Waterfront Gazebo downtown Port Orchard
Cold lunch, Wednesdays only. 12-12:15pm
-SK Regional Park Playground off Jackson
Cold lunch. Monday – Thursday, July 12-August 16. 11-11:20am

»July 14-15, 2023 – Port Orchard Artisan & Vintage Fair, 7/14 12:00pm until 6:00pm, 7/15 10am to 6pm with cleanup to be completed by 8pm on 7/15 at the Sidney Parkway

»July 16, 2023 Hot Rods at the High School – 9am-3pm, by Fathoms O’ Fun. All makes, all models all cars, trucks and motorcycles. Live music, vendors, and food. Fun for the whole family.

»Explore Your Local Beaches – Join local naturalists out on Kitsap beaches to observe the unique creatures that call the grafile intertidal zone home. These 60-90 minute low tide beach explorations are FREE and suitable for all ages. Boots or closed toe shoes recommended.
July 30th – Manchester State Park, 8:45am-10:15am, meet on lawn near the old torpedo warehouse. Discover Pass required.

»July 30, 2023 Mustangs on the Waterfront – Our show hosts one of the largest gatherings of Mustangs in Washington! Enjoy events throughout the day such as raffle drawings, poker walk, kids coloring contest and games, and valve cover races!

»August 13, 2023 – The Cruz by the Bay, 10:00AM-4:00PM, Downtown Port Orchard

»August 27, 2023 -Cruisin’ Sunday, at Christian Life Center, This event will be packed with show cars, trucks, motorcycles, entertainment, inflatables, food and fun for all ages. 10:00AM-4:00PM

 

BREMERTON

»Free Summer Meals for Kids – June 20-August 18. For kids & teens under 18 or up to 21 if enrolled in a BSD program, check out the schedule, locations and times here.

»May-August Kitsap Forest Theater – May-June showing of The Sound of Music, July/August showing of Seussical, The Musical. Buy tickets here.

»May 20, June 3, June 24, July 29, September 9, 2023 Kitsap Destruction Derby Association at Kitsap Fair Grounds

»First Friday Art Walk – Every first Friday, 5pm-8pm, rain or shine, Downtown Bremerton and Manette

»Kids Market Bucks Club – The first Thursday of May, June, July, August, and September kids ages 3-12 are welcome to visit our Kids Tent with a parent or guardian and complete an activity. Once the activity has been completed we’ll stamp their Kids Market Club Passport and give them $4 to spend on fresh fruits, veggies, and edible plant starts. Kids who complete ALL of the monthly activities will receive a special reward at the end of the season. Passports will be kept at the market so participants don’t have to remember to bring them back each week.

»Explore Your Local Beaches – Join local naturalists out on Kitsap beaches to observe the unique creatures that call the grafile intertidal zone home. These 60-90 minute low tide beach explorations are FREE and suitable for all ages. Boots or closed toe shoes recommended.
June 6– Lion’s Park, 12:30pm-2:00pm, meet at northwest end of Lion’s Park, near the boat launch.
August 2– Lion’s Park, 11:30am-1:00pm, meet at northwest end of Lion’s Park, near the boat launch.

»June 17, 2023 Kitsap Medieval Faire – at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds & Event Center. ​A Day of Historical Recreation & Demonstrations of Martial and Artisan Skills from the Middle Ages.

»June 24, 2023 Bremerton Bridge Blast- at Bremerton Waterfront. The Bremerton Bridge Blast is a grand event that takes place at two different sites simultaneously. The Bremerton Boardwalk and the Evergreen Rotary Park are about one mile apart and both sites have stunning views of the Manette Bridge, the firework platform. The Bremerton Boardwalk will feature a beer garden, entertainment, food, craft, and commercial vendors.

»Naval Under Sea Museum – Summer Steam Program – WEDNESDAYS FROM 4TH OF JULY THROUGH LABOR DAY, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
On Summer STEAM Days, STEM-based activity kits are available for pickup inside the museum from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Kits explore a different concept each week, and have the materials you will need to try it out at home.

»July 22, 2023 Kitsap Pride –  at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Gordon Fields from 3-9 p.m. Look for more food vendors, improved youth and teen spaces, and of course amazing entertainment, local vendors, beer garden(21+) and our fabulous LGBTQ+ community!

»August 4-5, 2023 NW Food Truck Fest – Kitsap County Fair & Event Center. Info here.

»August 19-20, 2023 Wings Over Washington Air Show – For the first time in more than 30 years, an air show is returning to the Port of Bremerton at the Bremerton National Airport! Join us August 19-20 for a celebration of classic military aircraft and world-class aerobatic performers! Purchase tickets.

»August 23-27, 2023 The Kitsap County Fair & Stampede

»September 2-4, 2023 Blackberry Festival –at Bremerton Waterfront. This FREE, family-friendly festival takes over Bremerton’s picturesque waterfront . Celebrating all things “blackberry” on the Bremerton Boardwalk. Over 100 vendors, bands, beer, blackberry wine, and more.

 

SILVERDALE

»June 3, 2023 CKFR Kids Day – at Kitsap County Fairgrounds 10am-2:30pm. This is a completely FREE event for the entire family with live fire and rescue demonstrations, entertainment, bounce house, fire engines, Airlift Northwest helicopter, hot dogs grilled by the firefighters, free bike helmets (while supplies last), and SO much more!

»July 28-30, 2023 Whaling Days Festival– check out their site for schedule and more info.

»Explore Your Local Beaches – Join local naturalists out on Kitsap beaches to observe the unique creatures that call the grafile intertidal zone home. These 60-90 minute low tide beach explorations are FREE and suitable for all ages. Boots or closed toe shoes recommended.
August 2 – Silverdale Waterfront Park, 12:30pm-2:00pm, meet at the tables near the restrooms or find us on the beach.

 

POULSBO

»May 19-21, 2023 Viking Fest – Parade, Road Race, Live Music, Carnival & Street Fair.

»Explore Your Local Beaches – Join local naturalists out on Kitsap beaches to observe the unique creatures that call the grafile intertidal zone home. These 60-90 minute low tide beach explorations are FREE and suitable for all ages. Boots or closed toe shoes recommended.
June 6 – Kitsap Memorial State Park, 12:30pm-2:00pm, Discover Pass required.
August 30 – Kitsap Memorial State Park, 10:15am-11:45am, Discover Pass required.

»Summer Nights At the Bay – Tuesday evenings in July & August, Mi Williams Waterfront Park.

»​ June 17, 2023 St. Hans Midtsommerfest – A festival which includes decorating and raising the Maistang, folk dancing, and the Viking lighting of the bonfire.

»August 18-20, 2023 Poulsbo Art Festival – There is something for every family to enjoy – including jewelry, photography, metalworking, ceramics, woodworking and fabric arts. Raffles of artwork, demonstrations, music and much more complete a fun weekend at the park.

 

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

»June 10, 2023 Boater’s Fair – We have lots of activities on deck at this FREE event for you and your family. Learn how to do knot-tying, come to the nautical swap meet, watch a helicopter rescue demonstration and tour all kinds of boats! 10:00AM-2:00PM at Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park Dock

»Explore Your Local Beaches – Join local naturalists out on Kitsap beaches to observe the unique creatures that call the grafile intertidal zone home. These 60-90 minute low tide beach explorations are FREE and suitable for all ages. Boots or closed toe shoes recommended.
July 3 – Ford Ward Park, 10:30am-12:00pm, meet at the lower parking lot near the boat ramp.
June 3 – Rockaway Beach, 10:00am-11:30am, This small conservancy park is easy to miss with a limited parking area. Carpooling encouraged. There is a short flight of stairs to beach.
August 30 – Point White Pier, 9:30am-11:30am, Meet at Point White Pier or find us on the beach.

»Grand Old 4th of July – The Grand Old Fourth includes a Pancake Breakfast, all-day Street Fair, Foot races (benefiting Bainbridge Youth Services), a Classic Car Show, Historic Baseball Game, Music, Food, Entertainment, a Beer Garden, and plenty of Family Fun – all capped off by the “Best Small Town Parade in America.”

»Wednesdays starting 7/5-8/30 Sounds of Summer Concert Series – at Battle Point Park 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family, and friends, and join us on Wednesdays to hear FREE live music from highly celebrated artists from the Pacific Northwest. Pack a picnic or purchase dinner from an on-site local food truck. Parking is available off of Battle Point Road near softball fields.

»Friday Nights in August Movies in the Park – at Battle Point Park. Movies begin 30 minutes after sunset. Titles are subject to change depending on availability. Movies may be canceled due to inclement weather. Parking is available off of Battle Point Road near softball fields.

 

SEABECK

»August 12, 2023 Crosby Days Logging Festival – Parade, logging events, competitions, train ride, Kids area, exhibits, vendor, food and more.

 

MISC AREAS!!

»Explore Your Local Beaches – Join local naturalists out on Kitsap beaches to observe the unique creatures that call the grafile intertidal zone home. These 60-90 minute low tide beach explorations are FREE and suitable for all ages. Boots or closed toe shoes recommended.
June 4 – Shine Tidelands State Park, 11:00am-12:30pm, On the northwest side of the Hood Canal Bridge, Discover Pass required.
July 30 – Shine Tidelands State Park, 9:00am-10:30am, On the northwest side of the Hood Canal Bridge, Discover Pass required.
August 1 – Shine Tidelands State Park, 10:00am-12:00pm, On the northwest side of the Hood Canal Bridge, Discover Pass required.
June 16 – Kingston Ferry Terminal Beach, 10:30am-12:00pm, Also known as Saltair Beach Park, North of the ferry dock.
July 15 – Kingston Ferry Terminal Beach, 9:30am-11:00am, Also known as Saltair Beach Park, North of the ferry dock.
August 29 – Kingston Ferry Terminal Beach, 9:30am-11:00am, Also known as Saltair Beach Park, North of the ferry dock.

»Kitsap Regional Library – Summer Learning begins June 1, This summer, grow your own way during the Library’s free annual summertime program, Summer Learning. Celebrate the joy of learning through fun, educational activities. During Summer Learning, kids, teens, adults and families can enjoy live events, challenges and more.

»Barnes & Noble – Summer Reading, Participation is a fun and easy way for kids to earn free books. They simply read a designated number of books – library books, books borrowed from friends or books bought at Barnes & Noble – write about their favorite part in our Reading Journal, and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Children then choose their free book from the books listed on the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them during July and August.

»Pizza Hut – Camp Book It, June thru August. Camp BOOK IT! is open to all families with PreK-6th grade students (ages 4-12). Parents set goals, track reading and reward their students, all in our digital dashboard.

»Regal Summer Movie Express – Bring the family to the nearest Regal theater for the 2023 Summer Movie Express! Bring the family to the nearest Regal theatre for our 2023 Summer Movie Express series! Summer Movie Express tickets are just $2 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays featuring summer movies the whole family will enjoy. Availability varies by location, so select a movie from the posters above to see showtimes or check participating theatres for schedules.

»SEEFilm Cinemas in Bremerton – Starting June 20 Summer Fest – Summertime is made for families, memories and magic and what better place to bring all three of those elements together than at the movies! This year SummerFest will bring new favorites to the schedule, a list that is sure to put smiles on the faces of all ages, and with $1 admission per-person, life just can’t get much better!

»Kids Bowl Free at All Star in Silverdale– June 5-August 29 Youth, 17 and under, can bowl 2 games FREE every Monday and Tuesday when they present their Summer Fun Pass. Shoe rental is not included. See the bowling desk to get your free Summer Fun Pass.

»Kids Bowl Free at Hi Joy in Port Orchard – June 1-August 31, Make bowling part of your regular summertime activities. Youth, 17 and under, can bowl 2 games FREE every Wednesday and Thursday when they present their Summer Fun Pass. Shoe rental is extra. See the bowling desk to get your free Summer Fun Pass.

»August 4, 2023 is Free National Parks Day