Events in Ellensburg, WA

The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is launching a quarterly Real Estate Roundtable series that brings together professionals from across the field for learning and connection. Participants from construction, real estate, contracting, inspections, building, title services, and lending can hear insights from industry leaders, ask questions, and build stronger local relationships. Each session highlights practical resources and best practices designed to support business growth. For questions, email katie@kittitascountychamber.com.

Car enthusiasts gather at Bob's Burgers & Brew in Yakima for a relaxed cruise-in that welcomes every kind of ride, from pristine builds and works in progress to trusty daily drivers. The meet brings together families, spectators, and clubs in a friendly setting where people can park together, swap stories, snap photos, and enjoy a bite while checking out the lineup. It honors a long-running tradition with fresh faces alongside familiar regulars, pairing great cars with great food and an easygoing atmosphere. The restaurant is prepared to accommodate the crowd, and the focus is on community, conversation, and supporting local businesses.

Participate in a group walk at Emil Kissel Park.

A relaxed cruise in at King's Row Drive In keeps a beloved local tradition going with renewed energy. Every type of vehicle is welcome, from showpieces to works in progress and daily drivers, and it is just as much for people who want to socialize as it is for those who want to display a car. Friends, families, clubs, and spectators are welcome, and the restaurant will be ready to serve. Arrive, park alongside other enthusiasts, enjoy the food, and spend a laid back evening sharing your ride. The focus is on filling the lots, supporting local businesses, and starting another memorable season. Attendees are encouraged to post photos of what they are bringing, including new builds, recent refreshes, and in progress projects. More details will follow.

Music Bingo arrives at 5th Line Brewing with Team Welle hosting. Instead of numbers, each round uses familiar songs. Listen, sing along, and mark your card as you aim for fun prizes. Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with craft beverages and a strong community feel. No musical ability is needed. Bring friends and positive energy.

This event at Valley Brewing is family friendly, with food and drinks available. Fromburgers is expected to be on site serving food, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

Spend an early morning at Yakima Coffee Company with a casual meetup featuring an array of vehicles, from classic and performance builds to muscle and exotic cars, plus bikes and trucks. It is a welcoming place to admire standout rides, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy good coffee. Please treat the property with care, keep music off or very low, and be considerate of nearby neighbors during the early hours.

Test your endurance on a moderate 10K or 15K trail run that sets off from Wye Park in Cle Elum, climbs toward the historic town of Roslyn, winds through its picturesque Urban Forest, and descends back to Cle Elum for a spirited finish. Expect sweeping views across the Upper Left Pacific Northwest, with crisp air and vivid colors that come with the region’s Indian Summer making each mile memorable.

Now in its fifth year, this People For People Fun Run features 5K and 10K routes that start and finish at Cowiche Creek Brewery. Runners and walkers, along with families and friends, gather for a community-focused experience that supports the People For People Meals On Wheels Commercial Kitchen Project. Participation helps expand access to nutritious meals for neighbors who need them. Whether aiming for a personal record or taking a relaxed pace... the emphasis is on connection, generosity, and moving with purpose.

An official tournament presented by the World Video Game League challenges versatility with a random-draw format aimed at crowning the best overall gamer. Each division competes on a console selected at random, and every round brings a new game chosen on site. Participants discover the system and title only at the event, with possibilities spanning platforms like Xbox, Nintendo, PlayStation, PC, or Oculus. Prizes include cards, collectibles, and cash, and the top two finishers in every division move on to the state tournament. Five age groups keep the competition fair: 6 and under, 7 to 10, 11 to 13, 14 to 17, and adults 18 and up.

A meeting of ranked teams revisits last season's LSC championship game as CWU welcomes a Northwest rival. The Wildcats aim to protect home field, and the Wolves arrive eager for payback.

Car enthusiasts gather for a relaxed cruise-in at Majors Restaurant, continuing a classic Yakima tradition with fresh energy and new faces. All types of vehicles are welcome, from showpieces and in-progress builds to dependable daily drivers, and spectators and families are invited as well. Park with friends or your club, trade stories, take photos, and enjoy a bite while checking out the lineup. The focus is on community, great cars, and supporting local businesses. Share a photo of what you plan to bring, whether it is fully finished or still a work in progress. This meet is part of a seasonal series, with more details to follow.

Minimum Wage Band returns to Red Horse Diner with a high-energy showcase of classic rock covers spanning decades of favorites. Special guest Eric Schoonmaker of Boom Box Blitz appears with the band for this show. Formed by chance, the group channels wide-ranging experience into dance-friendly rock and roll, pairing powerful bass and pulsing beats with guitar-driven anthems. The performance blends iconic riffs and contemporary flair, creating an atmosphere for toe tapping, singing along, and a shared celebration of rock.

Ellensburg Rodeo Arena hosts the return of a unique matchup as bikes and bulls face off once again. Now in its eighth year, this Cowboy Cross event brings the action back to the arena for another round of competition.

Create an e-reader or a bag charm alongside Butterfly Kisses. This event is for adults only. Tickets are nonrefundable.

Enjoy two shows at the fair, beginning on the community stage and followed by another performance at the Harvest Plaza stage.

The Friesian Horse Club of the Northwest is set to host the 2026 Washington State Keuring. A central location was selected to better accommodate participants from the club’s wide coverage area.

Enjoy an appearance on the community stage at the Fair.

Beading Beauties is a monthly beadwork circle presented by the Kittitas County Historical Museum in partnership with the Ellensburg School District Ichiskíin Sɨ́nwit ku Tiináwit Payúutmita, the Ichiskíin Language and Native American Culture Program. The gathering honors beadwork as an art form with deep roots across the Columbia Plateau, where Indigenous communities such as the Yakama, Umatilla, Klickitat, Nez Perce, K’tɨ́taas, and Pshwánapam have long used intricate designs to share stories, identity, and community. All experience levels are welcome to bring current projects, exchange techniques, and spend relaxed time creating together. Please bring your own supplies. Refreshments are provided.

Two performances are planned at the fair, beginning on the Community Stage and later continuing at the Harvest Plaza stage.

Tailgaters Bar & Grill hosts a relaxed Wednesday Night Cruise where car enthusiasts gather for an easygoing evening centered on great vehicles and good food. All types of rides are welcome, from pristine show cars and in-progress builds to daily drivers, and the atmosphere is friendly to families and spectators. Participants roll in, park with friends or clubs, share photos, talk about recent upgrades and works in progress, and grab a bite from the restaurant, which is prepared for the crowd. The cruise blends fresh energy with a long-loved tradition, encourages support for local businesses, and sets the tone for a new season of automotive camaraderie.

Learn everyday Ichishkiin words and phrases in a class at Yakima Downtown Library. Ichishkiin is an Indigenous language at critical risk of being lost, and this session offers a way to support revitalization while building useful language skills for daily life. All are welcome. For questions, contact language@yakama.com.

This classics-focused book club meets 3 to 4 times a year to discuss selected works. To attend, participants must purchase the book from the organizers before the meeting. The organizers encourage shopping small so they can stay around for a long time.

A classic Yakima cruise-in tradition at Miner's Drive-In Restaurant welcomes car enthusiasts of every kind. Bring a showpiece, a work in progress, a daily driver, or simply come to hang out. Roll in, park with friends or your club, grab a bite, and enjoy a laid-back showcase where great cars meet great food. Families and spectators are welcome, and the restaurant is prepared for the crowd. Share a photo of what you plan to bring, from fresh builds to ongoing projects. Support local businesses and help kick off a new season of community cruising, with more details to come.

This farmers market is eagerly anticipating a rewarding fall season.

At Franklin Park, this women-only 5k celebrates resilience and strength, honoring those who have faced and overcome challenges. Alongside the main run, a dedicated girls’ event invites young participants to discover their determination. It brings women and girls together in a supportive, empowering atmosphere. Participants can run, jog, or walk and can look forward to food trucks, vendor shopping, and other festivities. All finishers receive a custom medal. Registration is $50 for individuals, $45 per person for teams of four, and $40 per person for teams of ten. Children ages 5 to 13 are $20. A portion of proceeds supports the YWCA.

Homecoming weekend brings CWU football against Midwestern State and a lively hub for fans at Alumni Plaza. This family-friendly space offers great views of the field along with food and beverages, including soda, beer, and wine available for purchase from Iron Horse Brewery. Expect heaters for cooler weather, casual cornhole games, and an easygoing atmosphere that suits all ages. General access to Alumni Plaza is $10, payable on site, and children receive complimentary entry with a paid adult. The venue is cashless. Reserved seating in Alumni Plaza and RV tailgating spots are available in advance. Arrive early for complimentary tacos offered before each game by the CWU Alumni Association. The Alumni tent will be set up just outside the Wade North Gate in Lot X-12.

The Kilted Crooner returns to Swiftwater Cellars for an evening centered on familiar favorites, with time set aside for requests.

In Ellensburg, Washington, the PNWFM Symposium focuses on Mines and Minerals of the Great Basin, featuring eight presentations on Nevada pegmatites, Round Mountain gold, the North Star Mine, the Culver Antimony Mine, Virginia Valley opals, the Thomas Range, specimen mining adventures, and sulfosalt minerals, with talks by Mike Wise, Scott Werschky, Brent Thorne, Dan Evanich, Rick Kennedy, Jeremy Fuller, Graham Sutton, and Simon Kocher. The program also includes a Northwest Mineral Updates segment and a Central Washington University geology student poster session. Daytime activities take place at Discovery Hall on the CWU campus, with talks in a large lecture hall and mineral displays plus silent auctions in the Intro Geology Lab classroom. A catered boxed lunch can be ordered in advance and delivered to Discovery Hall, with a choice of a Southwest Turkey Wrap or a Hummus and Quinoa wrap, along with chips, a cookie, water, and soda selections. A Saturday banquet dinner and live auction on the CWU campus follows the talks, allowing time afterward to visit evening dealers at the hotel. The Friday and Saturday evening vendor hall is at the SureStay Hotel by Best Western Ellensburg, and the hotel provides a continental breakfast. Registration is open, with pricing reduced by 15 dollars compared with last year. Options include a Symposium plus Membership package for 90 dollars, a Symposium only ticket for members prepaid through 2027 for 70 dollars available by request through Bruce Kelley, and a complimentary symposium ticket for full time students with membership handled separately. Add ons include a Saturday boxed lunch for 20 dollars, a Saturday banquet for 30 dollars, a membership only option for 20 dollars, and a room dealer fee for 25 dollars with confirmation coordinated with Thea Stender. A separate registration should be completed for each attendee.

Explore a fall vintage market filled with more than 65 vendors offering antiques, upcycled pieces, jewelry, pillows, signs, candles, and other vintage treasures. Recognized by Flea Market Decor as one of the top 12 markets to visit in the United States, it brings together a vibrant selection of unique finds in one place. Admission is $5 at the gate, and parking is free.

Step into a fae-themed retreat at Suncadia in Cle Elum, created as a relaxing weekend for readers anticipating an upcoming book release. Enjoy a pampered getaway where meals and tidying are handled so your time can be spent resting and reading, with the option to do a little painting if that calls to you. Share conversations about favorite worlds, take part in a trivia night with fun prizes, get creative with crafts, and enjoy great food. With many activities and places to explore nearby, you can do as much or as little as you like throughout the weekend.

A biennial gathering for Northwest cellists, the Central Cello Celebration brings players together to explore beloved repertoire and unite in a large cello choir at the CWU Music Department. It welcomes participants of every age. High school and college musicians have added chances to perform in recitals, workshops, and masterclasses, and with a teacher recommendation, players of all ages may be considered for recital and small group lesson spots. Priority in the main masterclasses is given to high school students. Rehearsals begin on the first evening and the event concludes with a Finale Concert the following evening. All are encouraged to take part in every session, including discussions, rehearsals, and concerts. This year highlights the theme of Heroes with the premiere of Tom Walworth’s Marvel from A to X, music drawn from heroic traditions in the cello canon, and tributes to the quiet champions in our lives such as parents and teachers. Distinguished pedagogues lead throughout the event, with featured artist and clinician Dr. Minna Rose Chung offering master teaching, and an honor planned for a notable Northwest figure to be announced. Participants rehearse and then perform in either the Celebration Cello Choir for advanced high school and collegiate players or the Debut Cello Choir for developing cellists with at least two years of experience. For the premiere, all cellists perform together. Students ages 4 to 23 may appear as performers in masterclasses and recitals with teacher recommendation. If a performance requires piano, players secure their own accompanist or may request a contracted collaborative pianist. Official pianists include a CWU collaborative piano professor and Barbara Balatero. The faculty and clinician roster features Minna Rose Chung, Bruce Walker, Tom Walworth, Kara Hunnicutt, Bret Smith, and John Michel. Conductors include Nikolas Caoile for the Celebration Cello Choir and Bruce Walker for the Debut Cello Choir. The coordinating team includes Rebecca Bolton, with co-directors John Michel, Michael King, and Kevin Leiferman. The schedule opens with registration, a session with Dr. Chung on CelloMind and thumb position, an evening recital, a reception, and choir rehearsals. The next day continues with check-in, a Suzuki play-down rehearsal, sectionals, combined rehearsals, a master class with Dr. Chung, sponsor exhibits, optional lunch, small group open lessons with the faculty, a recital that includes the play-down, more combined rehearsal, a dinner break, a choir call, the Finale Concert, and farewells. Recitals and the final concert will be livestreamed on the CWU Music Department YouTube channel. All participants complete the online registration form. Early bird registration is $95 and regular registration is $120. Special thanks are extended to event sponsors, including Henry Bischofberger Violins, Hammond Ashley Violins, Applebaum Violin Shop, Starkie Lutherie, R.L. Ray Violin Shop, and Ricardo Perez Luthier.

Hosted at Yakima Elks Golf & Country Club, this charity evening supports a local nonprofit low vision clinic. Participants share a meal while blindfolded, practice putting with low vision simulation, and take part in a silent auction featuring items from the community. Each ticket includes dinner and two drinks.

Hosted by NW Roots Construction, Chamber After Hours brings local professionals together for conversation, networking, and career growth. As part of a monthly series, it creates space to meet peers, build partnerships, and trade practical insights that support professional development. The atmosphere is relaxed and community focused, making it easy to expand networks and form lasting relationships.

This festive market highlights the close of the season with the last of the harvest. Crafters embrace full holiday mode, showcasing seasonal creations and a cheerful atmosphere. The series wraps up with one final big market event.

Now in its third year, the Ellensburg Holiday Market takes place in the Teanaway and Umtanum Halls at the Kittitas Valley Event Center. Admission is free.

Jen Howard brings her blend of folk, roots, reggae and sophisti-pop to Kana Winery in a live performance. An American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist originally from Prestonsburg, Kentucky, she channels a blue-collar, homeschool upbringing into songs that explore human nature, love, courageous drive and intentional compassion. Her releases include the debut EP Motion from 2019 and the album Still released in March 2024. She has performed widely across the United States and internationally in Canada, Germany, Iceland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru and Costa Rica. The performance highlights heartfelt songwriting, versatile musicianship and themes that foster connection.

Whistlin' Jack's Lodge and Outpost hosts a whisky-themed evening over Thanksgiving weekend, with the Kilted Crooner returning for the occasion.

Joe Dombrowski will appear at The Ridge in Ellensburg, Washington. This visit offers a chance to see him at a local venue.