Whidbey Island’s Growing Music Festival is all about Community, Accessibility and Fun
With summer in full swing on Washington’s Whidbey Island, the month of August brings celebration of the arts with a variety of festivals and events that celebrate creativity in all mediums. LittleBIGFest (August 16-18) is a growing arts festival featuring headliners like the Polyrhythmics and a collection of local island talent. LittleBIGFest’s mission is to create an inclusive, supportive and safe space for people of all walks of life to come together and find community. Accessibility for celebration of the arts is prioritized with traditional live music performances, alongside yoga, a healing zone and silent disco.
LittleBIGFest Founder Keegan Harshan is a Whidbey native who returned home to raise his family seven years ago and took over Blue Sound Music, which offers instrument rentals to school, lessons and a little bit of everything musical.
Harshman notes that “we have a great music community here, but it’s isolated being that we’re on an island. As someone eager to grow and push boundaries, I started thinking a great way to support a community would be to bring everyone together for a festival.” The event began in 2018-2019 and returned in 2023. As it enters the fourth year, Harshman anticipates about 1,000 guests per day to enjoy 38 bands this year, approximately half of which are from Whidbey Island.
A few can’t miss Whidbey island bands at Little Big Fest, or check out their websites for various island venues for alternative show dates include:
· Janie Cribbs and the T.Rust Band, a four piece blues band with fierce female vocals
· The Wax Lips, an island band playing original alternative rock.
· Bigfoot and the Unicorn, live looping Cello and vocals with a drummer.
In addition to live music, find arts on the island during a Plein Aire Paint Out (August 12-15), Island Shakespeare Festival’s outdoor theater offered Wednesday through Sunday through September 8, Oak Harbor’s music festival over Labor Day weekend and more! Event details follow:
Island Shakespeare Festival, Whidbey’s accessible outdoor theater with showings offered five days a week through September 8, offerings a variety of show times with two rotating performances. King Lear and Lucky Chance rotate on a performance scheduled offered Wednesday through Sunday. Bring a picnic for the family and enjoy the wine, beer and refreshments garden before the show! Find a full schedule of events linked here.
Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, August 10. The Coupeville Arts Festival returns for another fantastic year of artists displaying crafts from all around the Pacific Northwest. This two-day event allows you to explore historic downtown Coupeville while shopping for various unique arts and crafts. Local food vendors will also be available.
Whidbey Plein Air Paint Out, August 12-15. For four days, artists ranging from novice to expert come out to paint the glorious beaches, forests, townscapes, and vistas around Coupeville! The artwork produced will be featured in a Gala and Art Sale
Little Big Fest, August 16-18 .Founded in 2018, LittleBigFest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting a continuously thriving music and arts culture on Whidbey Island, providing scholarships for music and arts education through this annual 3-day music and arts festival at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds. There will also be a Family Fun Zone with games, workshops, and performances to entice children of all ages. Both individual day and weekend passes are available. Camping passes are available and sold separately. www.littlebigfest.org
Whidbey Working Artists: Summer Open Studio Tour, August 19-20. Every summer, the artists of Whidbey Island open the doors to their studios for guests to meet the artists and see works that are in progress. Studios will remain open from 10:00am – 5:00pm both days. whidbeyworkingartists.com
Oak Harbor Music Festival, August 30- September 1. This three-day festival taking place in downtown Oak Harbor is packed with local musicians showcasing a variety of musical genres. The event is free to attend and will have local bites, arts and crafts, vendor booths, and a beer garden for those 21+. All proceeds from the weekend go towards scholarships that provide equal access to music education programs and various musical opportunities. oakharborfestival.com
Djangofest, September 18-22. The Djangofest music festival is dedicated to the vibrant Django genre, which is a blend of American jazz and Romani folk music. The 4-day event will take place at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. Tickets and more info at djangofest.com.
About Whidbey and Camano Islands
Just north of Seattle in the heart of the scenic Salish Sea, sits two of the most charming island destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Camano and Whidbey offer different experiences with each season. A colorful palette of locally owned shops and restaurants provides deep and delicious connections to the community and the land. Off-the-beaten path trails and beaches share sanctuary, solitude, and a deeper connection with the incredible marine and forest ecosystems that thrive within these communities. Rich history and a healthy dose of local color in all mediums are provided by the region’s many artists. Lodging options range from nationally renowned hotels with farm-to-table dining to secret spots ideal for a quiet retreat. For more information on amenities, lodging and a calendar of events visit www.whidbeycamanoislands.com. Connect on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook via @GoWhidbeyCamano.
Photo Credit Clockwise, R-L; Russell Sparkman, 1-3 and Dennis Browne 2-4