Bloomsday & Hoopfest

Two events pull the whole city downtown each year. Bloomsday is a 12-kilometer run and walk, usually on the first Sunday in May. Hoopfest is a street basketball tournament that takes over downtown in late June.

Both are big, friendly and open to ordinary people, not just athletes. You can run, walk, play, or just watch. If your trip lines up with either, you will notice them everywhere, so plan ahead for hotels, parking and road closures.

Neither is an event to stumble into at the last minute. Book lodging early and read the official schedule.

What to see and do

Local tips

• Book hotels early. Both weekends are among the busiest of the year downtown.
• Expect road closures. Read the official course map and street-closure notices before you drive.
• Park outside the core and walk in, or use ride share. Downtown lots and garages fill quickly.
• For Bloomsday, you can walk the whole 12K. Plenty of people do, and some wear costumes.
• For Hoopfest, dress for sun. Courts are on pavement, with limited shade.
• Bring water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes whether you are playing or watching.
• Check official sites for 2027 and later dates. The dates listed here are from the organizers; confirm before booking.
• If you are in town on a different weekend, the Centennial Trail and Don Kardong bridge give a quieter feel for the same streets.

A little history

Bloomsday began in 1977 and is run by the Lilac Bloomsday Association. The 12K (about 7.46 miles) winds through Spokane streets, and the race welcomes walkers and joggers as well as serious runners. Don Kardong, the Olympic marathoner who started the race, is honored with a pedestrian bridge over the Spokane River.

Spokane Hoopfest is run by the Spokane Hoopfest Association and bills itself as the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world. It shuts down multiple downtown blocks for courts, and relies on a large volunteer crew.