The mission of the Umbrella Fringe is to celebrate colorful, innovative, and diverse artistic visual and performance arts by providing a place for emerging and established artists to inspire creativity, foster artistic expression, and build community.

A Fringe is a global celebration of creative expression and artistic freedom, rooted in the spirit of independence and innovation. The first Fringe began in 1947 in Edinburgh, Scotland, when eight uninvited theater groups staged performances on the margins of the Edinburgh International Festival, an initiative to revive European culture after World War II. By embracing an open-access ethos, these artists laid the foundation for what became the Edinburgh Festival Fringe—the world’s largest arts festival.

Today, Fringe festivals are held all over the world, continuing to champion the original spirit of inclusivity and creativity that started in Edinburgh.

The Kirkland festival, known as the Umbrella Fringe, will carry on this rich legacy. The name reflects both its all-encompassing nature and a nod to Kirkland’s rainy charm. This vibrant event will celebrate cultural diversity and feature music, spoken word, theater, comedy, visual arts, dance, and family activities.

The festival will kick off on Friday evening at the Kirkland Performance Center. During the day on Saturday and Sunday, attendees will enjoy free visual arts displays and events, while Saturday evening will offer ticketed performances at various venues. Ticket proceeds will go directly to the artists, supporting their creative endeavors and reinforcing the community’s commitment to the arts.