Community Communing
Tivoli/Viking Days Experience Nordic culture of past and present at the 25th Annual Tivoli/Viking Days Festival. Try food from all five Nordic countries. Meet the Ravenstead Vikings, who will display all aspects of Viking life in their encampment, including arts and crafts, flatbread baking, and storytelling; the Vikings will be clad in authentic costumes, of course. Multiple stages will feature traditional folk music and dancing. Look online for details about the delicious—and popular—Swedish pancake breakfast and salmon dinner. www.nordicmuseum.org

When: Sat., July 12, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sun., July 13, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St. (Ballard)

Cost: FREE

Community Communing
Wallingford Kiddie Parade and Street Fair Calling all kiddos! Dress up and join clowns, drill teams, and bands in a fun-filled parade. After you march (or just watch), check out the street fair.. There's yummy food, big rides, and lots of activities. www.wallingford.org PS-- Stop by Molly Moon's for a cool treat and snag a free RT balloon.

Festivus for the Rest of US
Chinatown/International District Festival Gather round for two days of top-notch entertainment! We're especially looking forward to Karaoke Idol, going on from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday. Not to mention the lion and dragon dances, taiko drumming, drill teams, food, arts and crafts, and more! The stage schedule is full of variety, from Chinese drill teams to Kung Fu demos to a Cantonese opera and a jazz ensemble. Soak up the culture. www.cidbia.org

Eastside

Reading Railroad
Fancy Nancy Dress Up Tea Party at Parkplace Books Let her dress in her tea-party finest and gather round to listen to Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor. She'll make a story-themed craft, and enjoy goodies with her tea (which is actually juice). This event will be a fabulous fete for four-to-eight year olds. Practice pinkie raising! www.kirklandparksplace.com

When: Fri., July 11, 11 a.m.

Where: Parkplace Books, 348 Parkplace Center (Kirkland)

Cost: Free. Pre-registration requested; call 425.828.6546

Festivus for the Rest of Us
Redmond Derby Days Aside from being the northwest's longest-running bicycle race (sixty-eight years!), Redmond Derby Days is a jam-packed day of family fun. The kids' parade kicks off the event at 10 a.m. Visit the Field of Fun for hoola hooping, rope jumping, beach ball bouncing, inflatables, a climbing wall, and a sprinkler garden. Check out the Entertainment Stage for comedy, juggling, a jump rope display, and a variety of music beginning at noon. The evening closes with blasting fireworks at 10 p.m. Don't forget to visit the Funtastic Carnival at Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (corner of NE 80th St & 165th Ave NE), from Thurs., July 10 (discount day) – Sun, July 13 www.redmond.gov

When: Sat., July 12, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Where: Redmond City Hall Campus, 15670 NE 85th St. (Redmond)

Cost: FREE

Music to Our Ears
Lisa & Linda Present Singin' Safari The Eastside's Little Maestros classical music series for ages zero to six continues this weekend with Singin'Safari. Don't miss this impressive, fun, and educational concert. What instrument sounds like an elephant? A lion? A snake? Listen and learn! The show goes on at Kirkland Performance Center next weekend, and Mercer Island Presbyterian the following weekend; details and tickets online. www.bellevuephil.org

Community Communing
Mercer Island Summer Celebration There's so much planned for this year's Mercer Island Summer Celebration that just one location can't hold it all! Visit Luther Burbank Park and Mercerdale Park for tons of fun. The old west will be conjured up, complete with horses and cowboys. Pirates will invade the festivities, with games and shows.. Kiddos will love the inflatable rides and the exciting parade. Plus: Lake Washington boat rides, a classic car show, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, and fireworks! Don't miss a minute. www.misummercelebration.com.