Arts-A-Glow Festival: Nighttime family fun at the park

Bright summer evenings are waning, and dusk is coming a little earlier now. Your family can celebrate the changing seasons and welcome the night with a magical festival of light in the forest this Saturday, September 7.

Arts-A-Glow is a free, visually stunning, family-friendly nighttime event at the Burien Community Center and adjacent Dottie Harper Park. My family went last year and it was amazing; we're planning to go this year as well.

The grounds become the temporary home to vividly lit art installations tucked among (and in) the trees, music and dancing, bubble machines, face painting, and food trucks. Festival-goers are encouraged to come in costumes and bring items to light up the night: glow sticks, lanterns, LED-lined apparel (but no candles).

Arts-A-Glow lanterns at the 2018 festival. Photo: Joanne Canfield.

If you don't bring lights from home, you can make lanterns at the park and vendors sell wearable lights onsite. (Think colorful cat ears, glasses, wild wigs, hats and boas!) You could also attend the free lantern-making workshop at the Burien Library on Friday, Sept. 6.

Check out the Arts-A-Glow Facebook page for ideas on what to bring and wear. The City of Burien website has the event timeline and procession route, which has changed from prior years.

If you go

Where: Burien Community Center Annex Park (14700 6th Ave. SW) and Dottie Harper Park (421 SW 146th St.)

When: Saturday, September 7, 2019. 5 to 10 p.m. Procession begins at 8 p.m.

Cost: Free

What to bring: Bring a water bottle for thirsty kids and an extra layer of clothes in case the temperature dips. No candles allowed.

Accessibility: There are sidewalks around the community center and a paved trail through the park so it is generally accessible, but it is hilly in spots and some of the art installations are off the path.

More things to do: In addition to all the magical lights and music, kids love the novelty of playing on the playground after dark, so you may stay longer than planned (festivities go until 10 p.m.).

Joanne Canfield is a Human Resources professional, travel enthusiast, and photographer. According to her daughter, she's sometimes also the world's best and/or meanest mom.