With four distinct seasons and a mild climate, Redmond is wonderful for families who love to get out. Check out my favorite free seasonal kids activities in Redmond!
1. Salmon watching (September and October)
Did you know Redmond was once known as Salmonberg?
Salmon were so abundant during the 1800s that the local rivers teemed with fish. Nowadays, you can still see plenty of salmon returning to spawn in Redmond’s waterways each fall.
The best time to view salmon in Redmond is between September and late October. There are 3 types of salmon swimming in our rivers: Coho, Chinook and sockeye.
In Redmond, the best viewing spots are along the Sammamish River (see section about Sammamish River Trail above) and Bear Creek (trail is behind the Keep It Simple Farm in Redmond).
2. Redmond Derby Days (2-day event in July)
This 2-day summer event is probably Redmond’s biggest festival. When I first moved here, I thought Derby Days was pretty odd – instead of horse races (like the name implied), it had a bike race, 5K run, carnival, art festival, parade, live entertainment and beer garden. These events were all fun but I wasn’t sure how they all tied together.
After experiencing several Derby Days, I’ve stopped questioning and just accepted it for what it is: a community festival where everyone comes out to enjoy the sunny weather and experience some old-fashioned summer fun.
If you have kids, don’t miss the popular Pancake Breakfast at the Redmond Fire Station!
3. Redmond Farmer’s Market (every Saturday, May through October)
The Redmond Farmer’s Market features free musical performances, and plenty of people and pet watching opportunities! My little one asks to go to this market all the time because there’s so much to see and experience.
This is the Eastside’s oldest farmer’s market and it’s located near the Redmond Town Center.
Hours: every Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, from May through October
4. Redmond Lights (December 2nd, 2017)
I’ve saved my favorite Redmond festival for last. Whatever you do, do not miss this magical winter festival!
Redmond Lights is an amazing festival where the entire downtown area lights up and the community comes out for musical performances, breathtaking light displays, hot chocolate and fireworks!
I can’t describe how excited my little one gets at the sight of so many lights twinkling in the dark. We were all absolutely dazzled by the lit up trees, holiday floats and the experience of roaming down pathways dotted by flickering lights.
The celebration begins at 4pm, when the winter skies darken. Watch out for volunteers handing out blinking lights as souvenirs! Be sure to bundle up warmly and have your rain gear ready!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of free things to do in Redmond! We think Redmond is a fantastic place to live and all these fun activities make Redmond an even more wonderful city!
Did we miss anything? Let us know by leaving a comment!
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