The region’s largest cider celebration returns
Cider season is back! Cider Summit Seattle is returning for another round of the region’s biggest hard cider tasting festival, packed with great food and even better drinks. Head to the Cider Summit Seattle website for all the details. Or just check out the info we share below.
Mark your calendars for Friday, September 11 (3–8 p.m., with a VIP head start at 2 p.m.) and Saturday, September 12 (noon–5 p.m.). The festival is coming home to the Lawn at Discovery Center in the heart of South Lake Union — 101 Westlake Ave. N — so you know exactly where to point your rideshare.
Want to level up your cider game? Grab a spot at the exclusive four-course pairing session Saturday morning (11 a.m.–noon), where Slightly Furry Cider teams up with Dahlia Bakery for a lineup of cider-and-cupcake pairings that sound almost too good to be legal. Come thirsty, leave happy. And you can feel good about the whole thing: Cider Summit benefits some truly worthy causes, as explained below.
“We’re very excited to celebrate this benchmark,” said Alan Shapiro, Cider Summit co-founder and producer. “Each year we’re excited to introduce a range of new vendors and new products to even our most loyal festival attendees.”
Cider Summit Seattle is presented by Amazon and Slightly Furry’s Southend Public House. At the event, more than 40 producers come together to share more than 125 ciders, meads, cider cocktails, and fruit spirits, sourced both from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. But that ain’t all; festivalgoers can talk with cidermakers who offer firsthand guidance on tasting and pairings.
“Each year our members and cider fans throughout the region look forward to Cider Summit Seattle,” said Emily Ritchie, Executive Director of NW Cider Association. “Since 2010, it has been the area’s signature cider event. We’re excited to see its momentum continue in the PNW.”
Tickets are on sale now
General admission and VIP tickets are now available online for purchase until 11:59 am on September 11, 2026.
- VIP tickets –$50+. The VIP tickets include early entry into the festival on Sept.11, as well as 16 tasting tickets and a festival tasting glass.
- General admission tickets –$40+ through Sept. 11 and $55/$56 at the gate (includes all taxes/fees). General admission tickets include 12 tasting tickets and a festival tasting glass.
- Cider & Cupcake paired tasting – available for $30+ as an add-on to any ticket purchase. Includes access to a hosted, four-course tasting event on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Space is limited to 60 participants and will feature a surprise bonus tasting.
- Designated driver tickets – available for $10/$11 at the gate only and include a complimentary bottle of water. Minors are not allowed at the festival.
Taxes and fees are not included except as noted. Advance-sale tickets will be available exclusively online. Additional tasting tickets are available onsite at $2 per ticket.
Food and More Fun
- Eats are available for purchase from Kathmandu MoMoCha and Hawk Dogs along with additional onsite snacks from KaffeeKlatsch, Little Jamie’s Mini Donuts, Don & Joe’s Meats and Salt Blade Handcrafted Meats.
- Oregon Fruit Co. Fruit Cider Challenge, with voting via QR code to determine winner.
- Heritage Cider Pavilion featuring farm-based regional artisanal cider producers.
- Stop by the Dog Lounge, hosted by and benefiting Seattle Humane Society, for shade, water, and treats. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome at the festival!
- Event store featuring to-go bottles and cans, festival merch, and extra tasting tickets.
- Cider Summit Rewards featuring post-event bonus offers and discounts from event sponsors and local vendors.
About Cider Summit
Founded over a dozen years ago, Cider Summit produces cider tasting festivals in Seattle and Chicago. Cider Summit Seattle is sponsored by Amazon, Southend Public House, BevMo!, Oregon Fruit Co., and Odom Corp. Media partners include The Stranger, Sip Magazine, and Pommes & Pints Podcast. Our event beneficiaries include the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research, Seattle Humane Society, and NW Cider Association. Learn more at CiderSummit.com and follow @CiderSummit on social media and join the conversation with #CiderSummitSEA.
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