Liberty Bay Festival - Celebrate Poulsbo’s Maritime Culture & ship History on the Waterfront
The Liberty Bay Festival on the Poulsbo waterfront is May 29-31st, 2026!
The Liberty Bay Festival is a waterfront celebration of Poulsbo’s maritime heritage and community spirit. A centerpiece of the event is a collection of historic ships, including Virginia V, a National Historic Landmark that will be docked at the Poulsbo Marina for public tours, educational programs, and VIP cruises. The festival will feature live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly activities.
Step aboard the last surviving mosquito fleet-era boats!
The CARLISLE II and Virginia V are the LAST surviving and operating ships from the era of the Mosquito Fleet. With opportunities to step aboard these ‘floating museums’ and even experience a sailing…this is a fascinating way to get hands-on with Poulsbo’s maritime past.
Festival Hours
Friday: 2pm-10pm
Saturday: 10am-10pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm
Liberty Bay Festival is free for the general public. Enjoy open‑access activities like the arts booth in the park and both Poulsbo museums at no cost.
Some experiences, however, are hosted by partner organizations and include ticketed pricing. These may include special events, tours, workshops, or experiences.
Virginia V
A gorgeous Mosquito Fleet steamer, designated a historic landmark, was preserved to promote maritime history and ensure her continued seafaring.
Virginia V Sailings:
May 25th, Bremerton to Poulsbo 1-Way Cruise
May 28th, Poulsbo Dryft Concert
An intimate, wooden steamship experience aboard the Virginia V with two of the region's most talented singer/songwriters. You'll join a small crowd of fellow concert-goers on the wood-and-windows encased main deck and settle in for an extraordinary evening.
Doors open: 7:30pm
Show begins: 8pm
Two acts will play a 45-minute set, with an intermission in between. Wine and beer will be available for purchase, and light snacks are complimentary.
May 29th, Poulsbo Harbor Cruise
A 2-hour, afternoon escape on the beautiful waters of Liberty Bay. Unwind with stunning views, easygoing vibes, and a welcoming snack and beverage bar. It’s the perfect outing for families—sit back, enjoy a treat, and soak in the sights of Puget Sound.
Boarding – 3:30-3:50pm
Departure – 4:00pm
Return – 6:00pm
May 30th, Poulsbo Sunset Cruise | SOLD OUT
This vessel is not ADA-compliant
Carlisle II
The CARLISLE II, still in operation as intended, via the Kitsap Transit route between Port Orchard and Bremerton (foot ferry).
Saturday, May 30th only
Bremerton > Poulsbo > Bremerton
11am-7:30pm (one sailing only)
Park downtown Bremerton and hop on board for the 11am departure to Poulsbo for a day of exploring the Liberty Bay Festival. At 6pm, you’ll begin your sailing back to Bremerton (eta 7:30pm).
Poulsbo > Bremerton > Poulsbo
1-5:00pm (one sailing only)
A 4-hour guided storytelling adventure tour, curators from Poulsbo Historical Society will share stories and history while sailing back and forth to Bremerton. This sailing includes 1 hour to explore the Bremerton waterfront on foot before sailing back to Poulsbo.
Meet the Curators:
Judy Driscoll, Curator of the Poulsbo Historical Society, will share maritime tales, local legends, and fascinating historical insights.
Lifetime Residents Patty & Tom Henderson bring additional stories and rich regional history to the journey.
Cost: by donation on board only
**Walk‑on only; capacity is limited**
This vessel is not ADA-compliant
Valkyrie
Visit the Valkyrie, a true replica based on the ancient recovered ship ‘Skuldelev 6’, a Norwegian-built Viking ship unearthed after one thousand years from the waters at Roskilde, Denmark.
This 56′ beauty was hand-made by brothers here in Washington as a tribute to their father. With touches of Northwest Native traditions done by local indigenous carvers, the Valkyrie is one of a kind – and now homeported here in Poulsbo. Ride along, and maybe even pick up an oar!
Sailings
This vessel is not ADA-compliant
Dryft concerts
Intimate concerts in historic spaces
In Partnership with the Virginia V Foundation as part of the America 250 celebrations, DRYFT Music is producing two intimate concerts in Kitsap, featuring some of the region's most talented singer-songwriters.
Concerts will take place on board the Virginia V steamship, which will remain docked during the concert.
Additional ticket sales will be available at the door if space allows.
Port Orchard Waterfront
Friday, May 22nd
Poulsbo Waterfront
Thursday, May 28th
Sons of Norway Vikings
Enjoy the Vikings of Poulsbo as they visit the Liberty Bay Festival. Whether they’re roaming the waterfront, sharing stories, or posing for photos, their presence brings an extra spark of adventure to the weekend.
Vessel Tours
Location: Port of Poulsbo Marina, 18809 Front Street
The Liberty Bay Festival brings more historic ships to Poulsbo than ever before—and many of them will be open for special vessel tours throughout the weekend. Guests can step aboard a variety of unique boats, each hosted by the organizations that care for them.
Visitors can explore:
Historic wooden vessels with deep Northwest stories
Working boats that showcase maritime craft and seamanship
Community‑supported ships offering educational insight into life on the water
Each vessel’s tour schedule and ticket pricing are set by the organization hosting that boat. Some tours are free, while others require a paid ticket to support preservation and programming. It’s a wonderful chance for festival‑goers to get up close to the maritime heritage that makes Liberty Bay so special.
Kids Activities
Location: Heritage Museum Lawn, 19020 Front Street
Cost: Free
Saturday | 10am-5pm
Sunday | 10am-4pm
Bring the whole family to enjoy a lively mix of kid‑friendly fun on the Heritage Museum Lawn. The space will be full of energy, creativity, and hands‑on excitement designed to keep young festival‑goers smiling all day.
Gyotaku Painting
Location: Sea Discovery Center Classroom, 18743 Front Street
Cost: $3-10 per project
Friday | 12-4pm
Saturday | 11am-4pm
Poulsbo Historical Society is teaming up with the Sea Discovery Center to bring a hands‑on, traditional Japanese art experience to young festival‑goers.
**Prints made with silicone fish, so kids can enjoy all the creativity without the fish smell. It’s colorful, educational, and a perfect way to spark curiosity about the sea.
Visit Poulsbo and stay awhile
Great places to eat & drink in Downtown
There are too many amazing places to eat in and near downtown Poulsbo to list, but here are a few favorites we’re sure you’ll love!
The Sip
Self-serve local wines, brews, kid-friendly spaces, shareable small plates, and a pinball room.
Cafe Cocina
Amazing coffees, salads, wraps, sandwiches & pastries, and ambience make Cafe Cocina a local favorite.
Valhöll Brewing
Just up the hill from Viking Fest activities, Valhöll is an oasis of quality craft brew
The Brass Kraken Pub
The Brass Kraken is well known for yummy pub food in a casual nautical atmosphere right over the waters of Liberty Bay.
The Loft at Latitude Forty Seven Seven
Located above The Brass Kraken Pub, the Loft is known for amazing elevated food, excellent service, and beautiful views.
Juicy J’s Smoked Burgers 100% Plant Based!
Juicy J’s specializes in uniquely seasoned and in-house smoked patties with an abundance of high-quality toppings and ingredients.
sluy’s poulsbo bakery
A Poulsbo LEGEND, Sluys usually has a line out the door…get in line!
Sogno di Vino
Wood-fired pizzas & Italian fare with a huge wine selection are served amid brick walls, a fireplace & a patio. Amazing ambiance inside and outside.
Green Light Diner
A classic American diner, you can’t go wrong if you crave diner or breakfast food.
Casa Luna
Casas Luna offers chile relleno, chicken mole, pollo asado, fajita burrito, and other Latin American favorites!
JJ's Fish House
A Poulsbo staple for fish ‘n chips and delicious seafood.
Tizley's EuroPub
Get your schnitzel itch scratched at this amazing chalet-like Bavarian restaurant!
Poulsbo Woodfired Pizza
Overlooking the waterfront, in the heart of Viking Fest, you can’t go wrong with wood-fired pizza!
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Waterfront bliss and views for days…perfectly nestled on the waterfront between Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island.