Makah Days

View on map
Cultural & TraditionalNeah Bay
Dates28–30 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsMakah Days functions simultaneously as
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Makah Days in Neah Bay

Held the weekend closest to August 26 in Neah Bay, Washington, Makah Days is the Makah Tribe's annual celebration commemorating the 1913 raising of the first American flag over the reservation. War canoe races, bone games, a salmon bake, traditional dancing and a royalty court mark the three-day gathering, which reached its 100th observance in 2024.

Neah Bay sits at the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, home to the Makah Tribe, whose ancestors have lived along this stretch of Olympic Peninsula coastline and practiced whaling, fishing and canoe culture for thousands of years.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Makah Days functions simultaneously as citizenship commemoration and living cultural celebration: the date marks a specific 1913 historical event, the flag-raising at Neah Bay, while the programming, war canoe races, bone games and traditional dance, showcases Makah cultural practices that long predate that date and continue actively today

02

The mystery stays covered

The event also serves as an informal reunion, drawing tribal members who have moved away back to Neah Bay each year

03

The city starts moving

Its remote location, on the northwesternmost tip of the contiguous United States, means attending requires deliberate travel, giving the celebration a sense of pilgrimage for both tribal members and visitors

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Competitive war canoe races

Water and renewal

Living ritual

traditional bone games

The sacred route

Living ritual

a community salmon bake

The local code

Living ritual

drumming and dance performances

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and the commemoration of the August 26

Tradition 6

Living ritual

1913 raising of the first American flag at Neah Bay that anchors the celebration's timing

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

28–30 August 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to the often cool, breezy Olympic Peninsula coastline; a rain jacket is wise even in August, and layers help with shifting coastal weather.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map48.37 N, 124.62 WOpen in Google Maps

Neah Bay, WA

Nearest airportYYJ — Victoria
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Neah Bay via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Neah Bay, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to the often cool, breezy Olympic Peninsula coastline; a rain jacket is wise even in August, and layers help with shifting coastal weather.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Makah Days?

Makah Days is listed for 28–30 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Makah Days take place?

The festival is listed in Neah Bay, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Neah Bay, WA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmakah.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates28–30 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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