From August 13–16, the inaugural Aire Craft Festival will bring artists, pilots, performers, and community members together for four days of street arts, contemporary circus, paragliding culture, and outdoor experiences in downtown Issaquah.
Centered along the Rainier Trail and at the Issaquah Community Center, Aire Craft celebrates Issaquah’s remarkable natural landscape and its vibrant creative community. Inspired by France’s legendary Free Flight festival Coupe Icare – and Europe’s rich tradition of street arts festivals, Aire Craft offers a distinctly Pacific Northwest experience rooted in the Issaquah Alps.
Produced by Culture Tug and Clown Garage, in partnership with the City of Issaquah, Visit Issaquah, and Northwest Paragliding, the festival builds upon the work of the many artists, outdoor recreation groups, businesses, volunteers, and civic partners who have helped shape Issaquah’s cultural identity. Aire Craft seeks to contribute a new tradition that brings together the worlds of art, flight, nature and public space.
Festival activities include flying trapeze performances and experiences for the general public, contemporary circus, dance and theater shows, live music, giant puppets, mural painting, community art-making, paragliding simulators, an outdoor cinema celebrating free flight, and a whimsical Free Birds Street Parade inspired by birds, flight, and imagination.
Launching alongside the festival is the free Aire Craft Digital Passport, an interactive experience that encourages residents and visitors to explore Issaquah’s parks, local businesses, public art, and festival venues throughout the month of August. Participants can earn points by checking in at locations across the city, with points converted into entries for prizes—including a tandem paragliding flight with Northwest Paragliding and other festival experiences and local rewards.
“Issaquah already has an incredible story to tell,” said festival founder and executive producer Mick Holsbeke. “Aire Craft is our way of bringing together the people, landscape, and creativity that already make our region special. We hope the festival sparks curiosity, invites wonder, and reminds people that joy can be found in the simple act of stepping outside, looking up, and sharing an unexpected experience with one another.’
Festival Schedule
- Thursday, August 13 – Opening Celebration & Outdoor Cinema Night
- Friday, August 14 – Flying Trapeze & Evening Performances
- Saturday, August 15 – Street Arts Programming, Circus Performances, Community Workshops & Free Birds Costume Parade
- Sunday, August 16 – Street Arts Programming, Circus Performances, Workshops & Closing Celebration
The festival is presented by Culture Tug and Clown Garage in partnership with the City of Issaquah, Visit Issaquah and Northwest Paragliding . Development of the inaugural festival has been supported by a 4Culture Launch Grant, plus the generous sponsorship of the City of Issaquah, Rowley Properties, Visit Issaquah, Premiere Media Group, 509 Hospitality, and the many artists, organizations, businesses, and volunteers who have helped bring Aire Craft to life. Admission is free, with donations welcomed to support artists, educational programming, and future festivals.
Aire Craft is currently recruiting volunteers to help welcome guests, support performances, and bring the inaugural festival to life. Donations are also welcomed to support artists, educational programming, and future editions of the festival.
Tickets & Festival Information
Admission to the festival is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per person per day.
For the latest schedule, volunteer registration, the free Aire Craft Digital Passport, and festival information, at www.airecraftfest.com or follow @AireCraftFest
Culture Tug is a Issaquah-based nonprofit organization dedicated to activating public spaces through arts, culture, and community partnerships. Through festivals, performances, educational programs, and creative placemaking initiatives, Culture Tug works to strengthen connections between people, place, and the outdoors throughout the Pacific Northwest. A recipient of a 2026 4Culture Launch Grant, Culture Tug produces Aire Craft Festival in creative partnership with Clown Garage, combining local collaboration with international inspiration to create accessible public experiences rooted in community.
