When is the Salmon Festival? A Guide to These Popular Cultural Celebrations

Salmon festivals are annual celebrations held in honor of the salmon fishing industry and culture. They occur in many places around the world with significant salmon populations and fishing industries, like the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Asia. But when exactly do these lively festivals take place? Here is an overview of some of the most popular salmon festivals and when you can experience them.

Pacific Northwest Salmon Festivals

The Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada, with its abundant salmon runs and thriving fishing industry hosts numerous salmon festivals each year.

One of the largest and most famous is the Wild Salmon Festival held in Ninilchik, Alaska every third weekend in August. This exciting event spans three days and includes live music, local Alaskan food, salmon bakes, beer gardens, contests, craft vendors, and more.

The Sitka Salmon Arts Festival in Sitka, Alaska takes place in early August as well, featuring Native Alaskan culture, with traditional dances, food, and artisans. You can also enjoy live music, food vendors, a parade, and salmon barbecue.

In Washington state, the Puyallup Salmon Festival occurs in mid-September with live music, food trucks, a beer garden, salmon bake, and vendors spread throughout downtown Puyallup.

The Coho Salmon Festival in Clarkston, Washington happens in mid-October, spanning a weekend filled with entertainment, food, contests, a carnival and parade to celebrate the migration of this regional salmon species.

Oroville, California puts on the lively Oroville Salmon Festival on the fourth Saturday of September. It includes hatchery tours, live music, a carnival, car show, food, and educational activities.

On the Oregon coast, the Yaquina Bay Salmon Festival takes place in Toledo in late August. It features a salmon bake, live music, craft fair, car show and other family-friendly entertainment.

Irish and Scottish Salmon Festivals

With their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and reliance on salmon fishing over the centuries, Scotland and Ireland have developed a strong cultural connection to salmon. Several festivals celebrate this heritage.

The Galway International Salmon Festival is one of the largest in Ireland, occurring each July in Galway on the country’s west coast. The weeklong celebration includes a food fair, tasting events, cooking demonstrations, music, street performances and the Salmon Parade.

In Scotland, the Cromarty Salmon Festival takes place every August in the village of Cromarty on the northeastern shore. It offers culinary events focused on salmon, including a salmon barbecue, along with guided wildlife trips, games, music, and children’s activities.

The Spey Salmon Festival occurs each July in Aberlour, Scotland and highlights the iconic salmon fishing industry on the River Spey. It features cooking with local salmon, distillery tours, guided river walks, displays, street entertainment and more.

Asian Salmon Festivals

Salmon festivals are also found in parts of Asia near cold Pacific waters where salmon migrate and spawn.

One unique event is the Salmon Sacchep Festival held each October in Okhotsk, Hokkaido, Japan. It centers around the “sacchep”, a traditional Ainu ceremony giving thanks to the salmon. Festival highlights include dancers in colorful costumes, cultural exhibits, food stalls, and traditional salmon dishes.

In South Korea, the East Sea Salmon and Trout Festival takes place every November in Gangwon Province. It celebrates the abundant salmon resources of the East Sea with cultural performances, salmon fishing, a salmon auction, and sampling of unique salmon cuisines.

So if you want to experience the excitement and culture of a salmon festival, plan your travels for late summer through fall, and look for events in places like Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Scotland, Ireland or East Asia. Immerse yourself in the age-old heritage of salmon fishing at one of these lively cultural celebrations.