It's the first week of September, and the Tri-Cities is settling into that sweet spot where summer still lingers but the fall events are starting to pop up. This week brings a big music festival, some outdoor theater, and a host of other happenings.
Kicking Off the Weekend
Things get rolling on Wednesday with Jazz Jams hosted by Julia Ramirez at The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge. It's a free evening of local jazz, always a good way to ease into the week. Thursday brings the Kennewick Hub Night Market to Summer's Hub of Kennewick, promising food trucks, local wines, and some live music.
Friday, September 4th, is a busy one. The Tumbleweed Music Festival 2026 kicks off at Howard Amon Park, offering over 100 free acoustic folk music performances from local and PNW artists. If you're more in the mood for a pairing, Barnard Griffin Winery is hosting a Mac+Cheese & Wine Pairing. For live music, Tranche has both a free Tranche Music Series and a reserved patio seating option for $50. You can also catch Dan Myers: The Sonic Shaman at The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge for a free dinner show. Theater fans can head to the Diane C. Hoch Stage, CBC Outdoor Amphitheatre for Shakespeare in the Park 2026: The Taming of The Shrew, while art lovers can explore ArtWalla ArtWalks at various studios and galleries, and check out the Steamroller Printmaking Event - ArtWalk at Heritage Square.
Weekend Delights
Saturday, September 5th, brings more music to Tranche with a Band TBD performance and Friends of the Devil, playing Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Phish tunes. Sunday, September 6th, is packed with music. The LATINO EXPO FEST takes over John Dam Plaza with multiple musical artists. Over at the HAPO Center, you'll find the Boots A Rockin' Music & Food Throwdown, featuring Colt Ford, Uncle Kracker, Austin Williams, and Louie TheSinger for $70. If you just want to catch Uncle Kracker and Colt Ford, that's also happening there.
Monday, September 7th, is Labor Day, and you can enjoy a free Labor Day Picnic with Luke Jackson band at Columbia Park Bandshell. The Tumbleweed Music Festival continues at Howard Amon Park with more acoustic folk, blues, and bluegrass. And if you're feeling musical yourself, The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge hosts another Open Mic Night.
Looking Ahead
Mid-week brings another Jazz Jams hosted by Julia Ramirez on Wednesday, September 9th, at The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge. Also on Wednesday, Barnard Griffin Winery offers a Tomato Tasting + Lecture with Schreiber Farms... plus wine!. Thursday, September 10th, the REACH Museum has Little Explorers: Owls at Night, a family-friendly event.
Friday, September 11th, the Orchard Park Festival Of The Arts opens at the Orchard Park Train Depot. Tranche again has its Live Music Reserved Patio Seating - September ($50) and the free Tranche Music Series. For a bigger show, NB Ridaz performs at the Ideal Event Center for $75. Theater fans can catch Lend Me a Tenor at The Mystery Theatre, and classic car enthusiasts can head to Downtown Walla Walla Foundation for the free Wheelin' Walla Walla Weekend.
Saturday, September 12th, is another full day. Peanuts Park hosts the free Fiery Foods Festival, and Summer's Hub of Kennewick has an Art With Aubrey - Unicorn Slumber painting class. The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge features Brandy Larsen for free, and Tranche has a Bonfire Party for $15. For country music fans, Gretchen Wilson and The Band Perry perform at the Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Museum for $81. The Gesa Power House Theatre presents Holly Dolly: Uncorked Cabaret, a burlesque show for $25. Heritage Square has The JuneBugs for a free concert. Also, keep an eye out for the Hogs N Dogs Rally, and at the REACH Museum, you can see John Clement: Wandering the Hanford Reach ($10) or take part in a STEAM Workshop: Dino Detectives & Fossil Fun.
Wrapping up the two-week span, Monday, September 14th, has another Open Mic Night at The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge. Wednesday, September 16th, brings more Jazz Jams hosted by Julia Ramirez at The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge and a free event, Art, Creativity, & Immigrant Youth, at the Gesa Power House Theatre.