Eugene Tea Festival 2026

A well-timed visit with family in Oregon gave me the opportunity to attend the Eugene Tea Festival for the first time.  The festival is in its fourth year, kicking off in 2023 and preceded by virtual tea tastings and local events.  This year's festival took place on on May 31st at the Farmer's Market Pavilion in Eugene, Oregon's downtown arts district.  The Pavilion and the adjoining plaza were lined with booths for tea, artisan, and food vendors.

The tea festival is free to attend, though donations are welcome and come with a tasting cup to enjoy all the tea samples available at the vendor booths.  

At a table inside the Pavilion, Josh Brock (The Empty Tea Cup) and Laurie Dawson (Whatcom Tea) prepared tea throughout the day, providing a welcoming space to decompress and meet new tea friends.

The vendor booths had an impressive range of teas and tisanes from around the world, as well as handcrafted teaware, art, and decor.

Thanks to everyone who worked to bring this festival to the local community.  It was a wonderful event!

The next Eugene Tea Festival will take place on May 30, 2027.

Cascadia Tea Festival 2026

The Cascadia Spring Tea Festival was held on April 11, 2026 in Everett, Washington. This was the volunteer-run community tea event's 5th year!

The festival returned to beautiful Forest Park in Everett, Washington.  Vendor were located in Floral Hall and a dedicated tea tasting space was a short walk away in Lions Hall.  My day began with vendor booth exploration and catching up with tea friends.

Lions Hall Tea Tastings

Lions Hall was lined with tea tasting tables as well as a crafting area for young people (and the young at heart).

Ward and Barbara Everson presented a tasting of shou puerh lightly infused with different flowers.  The dried flowers are placed in a strainer so some of their aroma and flavor is introduced when the brewed tea is poured through the filter into the cha hai (fairness pitcher.)  This results in lighter floral notes than if they were steeped allowing the flavor of the tea to come through.  

Dark Depths (Crimson Lotus) poured over lavender

Diarmuid Fahy & Sam Culwell were brewing intriguing teas from their collection.

Li Shan

Li Shan 30-Year Aged Roasted Oolong

Thanks to the volunteers and vendors for making this tea festival happen!  

Upcoming Event: Cascadia Spring Tea Festival

Cascadia Tea Events will host their next tea festival on Saturday, April 15th in Everett!

Cascadia 2023 Spring Tea Festival

Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Floral Hall in Forest Park, 802 E Mukilteo Blvd, Everett, WA 98203

Price: FREE (donations welcome)

Buy tickets or RSVP

Northwest Tea Festival 2012

The 2012 Northwest Tea Festival took place at Seattle Center on October 6th and 7th. 

This was my first tea festival and a great experience being around so many tea people and browsing all the tea booths.

I attended the first day of the tea festival so I could take part in the Tea Sommelier Apprentice Level 1 training presented by James Norwood Pratt and Devan Shah.  The was a beginner-level introduction to tea, giving attendees the knowledge to better appreciate the many nuances of tea.