Poulsbo’s downtown waterfront is gearing up for one of the most exciting weekends of the year. The Liberty Bay Festival, presented by the Poulsbo Historical Society & Museum, returns for another year of maritime history, live vessels, family fun, local vendors, and waterfront adventure — and this year’s lineup is bigger than ever.
Mark your calendars: May 29–31, 2026.
When & Where
The festival takes place along the downtown Poulsbo waterfront along Front Street and Liberty Bay.
Festival Hours:
Friday, May 29 — 2pm to 10pm
Saturday, May 30 — 10am to 10pm
Sunday, May 31 — 10am to 4pm
Admission is free. Most festival activities are open to the public at no charge, including the arts booths and both Poulsbo museums. A handful of special experiences — like ticketed vessel cruises and workshops — are priced individually by the hosting organizations.
The Boats: A Fleet Worth Seeing
The heart of the Liberty Bay Festival is on the water. This year brings together a remarkable collection of historic vessels, each with its own story to tell.
Virginia V — The Mosquito Fleet’s Crown Jewel The star of the waterfront is the Virginia V, a National Historic Vessel and one of the last surviving steamships from the legendary Mosquito Fleet — the flotilla of over 700 steamers that served Puget Sound communities from the late 1880s through the 1950s. Walk her decks, see the gleaming steam engine up close, and hear local experts talk about the ports of call that once dotted every inlet around Liberty Bay. The Virginia V is also offering a series of cruises throughout the festival weekend, including a Sunset Dinner Cruise on Saturday, May 30th benefiting the Poulsbo Historical Society. (Note: the dinner cruise has sold out — check virginiav.org for any remaining availability on other departures.)
Valkyrie — A Viking Ship, Right Here in Poulsbo The Valkyrie is a stunning 56-foot replica of the Skuldelev 6, a Viking ship recovered after a thousand years from the waters near Roskilde, Denmark. Hand-built by two Washington brothers as a tribute to their father, with carvings by local indigenous artists, the Valkyrie is now homeported right here in Poulsbo. You may even get the chance to pick up an oar.
M/V Lotus — High Tea on a 1909 Houseboat Step aboard the M/V Lotus, a beautifully preserved 1909 cruising houseboat now operated by the MV Lotus Foundation. Tours are available, and the Lotus’s signature High Tea — served in the ship’s elegant Edwardian salon — is an experience unlike anything else on the waterfront. Seating is limited; check mvlotus.org for reservations.
Air Snipe — A WWII Submarine Chaser The Air Snipe is one of the last surviving SC-497 class submarine chasers, built in 1943. She served in the South Pacific during WWII on anti-submarine patrols and convoy escorts before transitioning into Coast Guard service and later civilian life. Now preserved by a nonprofit and open to the public — a rare piece of living history.
Poulsbo Boats — Built Right Downtown These hand-crafted fishing boats were designed specifically for the waters of Puget Sound and built in a basement right on Front Street by Ronald Young. Meet the grandson and great-granddaughter who built one in their own backyard, and see several original Poulsbo Boats alongside their owners.
Faering — A 900 AD Replica A replica of the Gokstad Faering found inside the famous Viking ship burial mound in Norway, this 21-foot vessel was built in 2012 using fir, red cedar, and white oak — the same traditional materials as the original from around 900 AD.
Cruise with the Curator: A Special Ride on the Carlisle II
On Saturday, May 30th, the historic M/V Carlisle II — one of the last remaining Mosquito Fleet vessels still in service — will operate as a pop-up passenger ferry between Bremerton and Poulsbo in support of the festival.
The highlight is the Cruise with the Curator: a 4-hour round-trip storytelling adventure from Poulsbo to Bremerton and back, led by Poulsbo Historical Society Curator Judy Driscoll alongside longtime locals Patty and Tom Henderson. Enjoy the scenery, hear maritime legends, and take a one-hour break on the Bremerton waterfront before the return voyage. Offered by donation, walk-on only with limited capacity.
Carlisle II Schedule — Saturday, May 30th:
- Depart Bremerton 11:00am → Arrive Poulsbo 12:30pm
- Depart Poulsbo 1:00pm (Curator Cruise) → Arrive Bremerton 2:30pm
- Depart Bremerton 3:30pm (Curator Cruise) → Arrive Poulsbo 5:00pm
- Depart Poulsbo 6:00pm → Arrive Bremerton 7:30pm
Activities for the Whole Family
Saturday, May 30th (10am–5pm):
- Salty Scavenger Hunt at the Maritime Museum — test your maritime knowledge, find the clues, and win a prize
- Nautical Beach Party on the Heritage Museum Lawn — lawn games, sea-inspired crafts, photo backdrops, and beach vibes all day
Sunday, May 31st:
- Salty Scavenger Hunt continues at the Maritime Museum (10am–5pm)
- Coffee and Cephalopods (10am–1pm) — coffee for the grown-ups, storytime and octopus coloring sheets for the kids, plus games exploring the wonderfully weird world of octopuses, squid, and their many relatives
- Under the Sea Dance Party (1pm–5pm) — music, lawn games, art stations, and costumes highly encouraged. Free, all ages welcome.
Gyotaku Fish Printing at the Sea Discovery Center The Poulsbo Historical Society is teaming up with the Sea Discovery Center (18743 Front St NE) for hands-on Gyotaku painting — the traditional Japanese art of fish printing. No real fish involved: kids print with silicone fish molds, keeping things colorful, educational, and smell-free. Take home your creation on a t-shirt ($10), tote bag ($10), or poster ($3). Available Friday 12–4pm and Saturday 11am–4pm.
Vikings Are Coming! Keep an eye out along the waterfront — Vikings will be roaming the festival all weekend, sharing stories and posing for photos. It’s Little Norway, after all.
Local Vendors & Food
Food & Treats:
Boom Street Burgers — Poulsbo’s beloved local smash burger spot
Sugar & Spice Mini Donuts — hot fresh mini donuts, corn dogs, and Wisconsin cheese curds
The Pink Web — fresh-spun cotton candy in all the colors
Viking Ice Cream — small-batch ice cream made with A2 milk from heritage Jersey cattle
Artisan Vendors:
- Out of the Woodworks — high-end handcrafted woodwares from Olympia
- Palmer’s Workshop — veteran-owned woodwork blending natural wood and vibrant resin
- Bubbly Baby — organic handcrafted soaps, bath bombs, and body care
- Brigid Trading Company — Celtic-inspired, nature-based self-care goods made in the PNW
- Buttered — sustainable soapery partnering with local farmers
- Tugboat Girl — one-of-a-kind miniature boats built entirely from reclaimed materials
- DL Fowler, The Lincoln Guy — award-winning author and poet
Festival merchandise is also available through the Poulsbo Historical Society’s online store, with select tees and hoodies stocked at the Maritime Museum.
Getting Here
Poulsbo is about 90 minutes from Sea-Tac Airport via highway or ferry, and the Kitsap Airporter can arrange transportation (kitsapairporter.com). Arriving by boat? Moorage is available at the Port of Poulsbo (portofpoulsbo.com). Lodging options nearby can be found here.
For the full rundown on ticketed experiences, vessel tour schedules, and more, visit poulsbohistory.org/libertybayfestival. The Liberty Bay Festival is a community celebration put on by the Poulsbo Historical Society & Museum — every visit, donation, and purchase helps keep Poulsbo’s maritime history alive for future generations.
Come for the boats, stay for the bay — and don’t miss the boat.
Liberty Bay Festival — May 29–31, 2026 · Downtown Poulsbo Waterfront · Free Admission
