Juanita Beach has been reopened as of 4:15 p.m., September 22, 2026, for swimming, wading, and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming since September 15 due to elevated bacteria levels.

Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water this week and notified the City that the waters were again safe for recreational use. King County crews return weekly to the beach throughout the summer to take samples to ensure that the water is safe.

For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.

Unique arts experiences and artists are spreading out across downtown Kirkland and the Village at Totem Lake. The Umbrella Fringe Festival is running from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27. The event will showcase unconventional and experimental art of various genres.

Ready to join the fun? Look at the map above to see the many, many places where you can appreciate art during Umbrella Fringe. There are flower displays, music performances, comedy shows, and more. Visit the Kirkland Arts Center website for additional details.

Community members gathered for Kirkland’s ninth annual City Hall for All celebration on Saturday, September 19. It was a fun-filled day of civic engagement centered around Welcoming Week and the event’s four pillars: community, sustainability, economic development, and trucks (yes, trucks!). Kirkland Councilmembers and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay kicked off the festivities. Over the course of the event, proclamations and books were read, a mini belonging parade was marched, children’s businesses were patronized, good food was eaten, art and history were discussed, items were fixed, trucks were climbed, and community connection abounded. This year’s City Hall for All was a civic celebration for the books, and we’re already thinking ahead to next year!

If you missed out, you can take part in numerous other upcoming community events. Learn more about what’s happening in Kirkland.

The City’s next Conversations with Council event is coming up on Tuesday, September 29! Stop by Kitchen + Market Cafe (Yarrow Bay) at 10426 Northup Way anytime between 10 AM and 12 PM to connect with Councilmembers in a casual setting. These drop-in sessions are designed for open dialogue — without agendas or presentations — and all are welcome. 

As with all Conversations with Council events, light refreshments will be provided; no purchase is required to attend. You are encouraged to B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Topic)™, ask questions, and share ideas on the issues that matter most to you. Learn more and see future dates as announced on the City’s program page. 

The September 29 session at Kitchen & Market Café marks the program’s first business-hosted event. Local businesses interested in hosting a future Conversations with Council session can learn more about hosting requirements and apply here.

Follow along as the future Kraken Iceplex and Kirkland Community Center becomes a reality. We’ll be providing video updates on the status and progress of construction at the site, including sharing aerial footage of the site.

This month, construction crews are (literally) laying the foundation for the future facility, which is expected to open in late 2027. This includes active installation of building and retaining wall footings as well as continued excavation for stormwater vaults.

To learn more, watch the video update above and/or visit the project page.

Bid farewell to summer and say hello to fall at Kirkland’s sixth annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Juanita Beach Park North (9703 Juanita Drive NE).

“The Harvest Festival has become a favorite fall tradition, bringing families, friends, and neighbors together for a fun day at Juanita Beach Park,” said Councilmember Jon Pascal. “Whether you come for the food, friendly competitions, or the Kids’ Korral, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season and connect with our community.”

Festival highlights include the Rustic Bites Round-up of food trucks, live music, artisan food and craft vendors, and activities for everyone. Guests can also enjoy friendly competitions like pie eating, corn shucking, and a cornhole tournament. The Kids’ Korral offers activities for children such as ring toss, horseshoes, pumpkin bowling, crafts, and pony rides.

In the spirit of harvest, please show support by bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to those in need. Donations will be accepted in the food collection tent.

This free community event is made possible by generous support from Amazon, Ziply Fiber, Neal Smiles Orthodontics, Juanita Kids Dentistry, Humana, and Sailhouse.

On-site parking is limited. Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or take transit. A complimentary bike valet will be available. Shuttle service will run every 15 minutes between the North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Avenue NE) and the festival from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For the latest event updates, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/CommunityBuildingEvents  or call 425-587-3336.

Each quarter, representatives from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Sound Transit, and Skanska host an update meeting about the I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project. The project is bringing improvements to a 4.5-mile stretch of the corridor between Kirkland and Bothell, including addressing aging infrastructure, opening upstream fish habitat, and connecting communities, freight, and regional growth centers.

The next meeting is coming up on Wednesday, September 30 and will be held on Zoom at 12 PM. It’s a chance for community members to learn more about the project, hear about upcoming construction work, ask questions, and find out how to stay informed. Register online if you plan to attend. Learn more on the WSDOT project page.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Approximately 25% of the blood supply supports cancer patients because blood transfusions are a vital part of treatment and recovery. Turn your support into action by donating blood with Bloodworks Northwest.

The Bloodmobile will be at the Kirkland Justice Center from 9 AM to 3 PM on Friday, October 9. Make a donation appointment today to give. In one hour, you can make a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer.

Time is running out to take the Neighborhood Stores and Services Community Survey! Survey participants get to share their feedback on potential changes to regulations that guide where and how we do business in the City of Kirkland.

City Staff is exploring new and updated rules that could potentially allow small-scale, neighborhood-serving businesses in residential areas. By making it easier for local entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses at home, we could see more walkable, connected neighborhoods with better access to everyday goods and services. Community feedback will help shape critical components of the project, like allowed business types, hours of operation, location requirements, and more.

If you’d like your voice heard, visit kirklandwa.gov/neighborhoodstores and complete the survey by September 30, 2026.

Before Medicare open enrollment starts on October 15, you can get your questions answered. The Senior Council is holding the Medicare Resource Fair on Thursday, October 1. Stop by the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Avenue) between 10 AM and 2 PM to get the information you need.

There will be presentations by Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) volunteers throughout the day, offering free, unbiased Medicare assistance. You’ll have a chance to learn about Medicare parts, enrollment, benefits, and plan options. Explore changes during open enrollment and how to get help with costs. Providers will also be on site to answer your questions.

The event is free and no registration is required. Visit the event page to learn more.

The City of Kirkland’s 2026-2027 Youth Basketball League is back for another exciting season! Open to boys and girls in grades 3-6, the league focuses on teamwork, sportsmanship, and basketball fundamentals in a supportive and inclusive environment. The season runs from late November to early March, with games beginning on January 9.

Registration costs $168 for Kirkland residents and $202 for non-residents. The fee includes practices, games, and a jersey players can keep. Teams are formed by grade, gender league preference, and nearest LWSD elementary school. Buddy and coach requests are welcome but are not guaranteed.

Spots fill quickly, so register today at https://kirklandparks.net. Registration closes on November 7. If you have questions or need assistance, call 425-587-3336.

Grab your favorite snacks, gather your movie crew, and enjoy a night at the movies from the comfort of your car! The City of Kirkland invites the community to Wheels & Reels, a drive-in movie series featuring four films on a giant LED screen at Juanita Beach Park. 

The series kicks off Saturday, October 10, 2026, with Disney and Pixar’s animated adventure Hoppers. Three additional movie nights will follow in Spring 2027, offering a mix of family favorites, science fiction, and adventure.

2026-2027 Wheels & Reels Movie Schedule

• Oct. 10, 2026: Hoppers (PG)

• March 13, 2027: The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13)

• April 10, 2027: Toy Story 5 (PG)

• May 8, 2027: Project Hail Mary (PG-13)

All screenings take place at Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive. The parking lot opens at 6 p.m., and movies begin at 7 p.m. Films will be shown on a giant LED screen, allowing guests to enjoy the show from their vehicles.

Admission is $20 per vehicle, and advance registration is required. Space is limited, and participants are encouraged to register early to reserve their spot.

For more information and to register, visit www.kirklandparks.net or call 425-587-3336.

Did you know that traveling by ferry across Lake Washington, between Kirkland and Seattle, was common from the late 1800s to 1950? Ferry ridership slowly fell off after the Lake Washington Floating Bridge opened in 1940, especially when the toll was removed in 1949, according to HistoryLink.org. Regularly scheduled passenger service ended 76 years ago, when the ferry Leschi made its last run on August 31, 1950.

The image above of the Leschi was provided by the Kirkland Heritage Society. Learn more about our city’s past by visiting the KHS website.

(4) I-405/NE 132nd Street Interchange Closure in Kirkland The northbound and southbound I-405 ramps at NE 132nd Street in Kirkland will close from 10 PM on Friday, September 25 to 5 AM on Monday, September 28. All local roads leading to the roundabouts will also be closed, with access to local businesses, driveways, and Woodlake Apartments to be maintained throughout the closure weekend. Signed detours will be in place and flaggers will assist drivers accessing locations within the closure area. 

• NE 132nd Street will be closed from 111th Avenue NE to 120th Avenue NE. 
• Totem Lake Boulevard and 116th Way NE will be closed from NE 128th Street to NE 132nd Street. 
• 116th Avenue NE will be closed from NE 132nd Street to near NE 133rd Street.

For project updates, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/capitalprojects.

Umbrella Fringe Festival

Date: Friday, September 25-Sunday, September 27

Time: Various times

Location: Various venues in downtown Kirkland and the Village at Totem Lake

From pop-up performances in unexpected places to interactive experiences that blur the line between audience and performer, Umbrella Fringe will transform Kirkland into a stage like never before. Whether you’re a theater buff, an art lover, or just curious about something different, this festival promises a one-of-a-kind adventure that will surprise, inspire, and leave you wanting more.

For arts experiences, venues, and more information, visit the Kirkland Arts Center website.

For more events from the City, visit our Community Events page. For up-to-date happenings around Kirkland, visit ExploreKirkland.com/Events.

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