Ever dreamed of being a mermaid? Come discover the mysteries of these mystical creatures at the International Mermaid Museum’s annual Mermaid Festival from April 6 through April 14, 2024. Kids and adults alike will have an incredible time with performers, artists, authors and crafters, activities, photo opportunities and more, happening each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum admission is free during this week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mermaid Festival in Aberdeen Boasts 9 Days of Fun (and Learning)
Splash around with mermaids, Bigfoot, pirates, and unicorns at the 2024 Mermaid Festival! Bigger than ever, you’ll want to come for a couple of days to see and do everything! Whether you are on a date with your significant other or with the whole family, all ages will have a great time.
Adults can taste Westport Winery and Ocean’s Daughter Distillery wine and spirits while enjoying performances from top-rated talent. Kids will love the activities and meet-and-greets with mermaids and real-life unicorns! Get your face painted by artists Breeyn and Travis or a balloon made into your favorite animal. All will enjoy treats from Smitty’s Mini Donuts and Ryan’s Nice Nuts.
2024 Mermaid Festival Schedule at a Glance
Daily, April 6-14
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Una the Mermaid, founder of the Portland Mermaid Parade, will perform underwater in her tank for all to enjoy. You won’t want to miss this hour-long performance! Una has been performing as a mermaid since 2012. She built her tank and started performing in it in 2019. She looks forward to the Mermaid Festival every year. “I very much love the ambient space of the property gardens, the mermaid museum, and the intentional shellabration of all things mermaid!” Una says. “I find that everyone in attendance is excited to be there, which makes for a joyful and magical event!”
Una’s Portland Mermaid Cove will have storytelling and photography opportunities daily.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Olive the Alchemist, founder of the Seattle Mermaid School, will sit on her throne, ready to answer questions and take photos. For those interested in becoming mermaids, Olive’s pod will share the opportunities available through their school.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Pacific Northwest Unicorns will make your wishes come true with photo opportunities. The rescued mustangs travel the Pacific Northwest, sharing their magic. “I love the Mermaid Festival for the joy families experience, watching kids create lasting memories,” shares Crystal Steagall, owner of Blue and Sky, the unicorns. “Families can experience the magic of Blue and Sky, offering opportunities for petting and capturing precious moments through photos. These unicorns love attention and are sure to strike adorable poses for everyone’s camera.”
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visitors get to experience a“Head Over Tails” book signing with author Brianna Tibbets. Her story is a retelling of the classic “Little Mermaid” with a modern twist for a young adult audience that teaches lessons on life, love and learning to grow into who you are meant to be.
12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. Rachel the Sailing Siren and Fawn Destiny will wow the crowd with their fire dancing show! Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Rachel Novak is a fire entertainer who also does freedive and mermaid instruction and trades her fire for fins as a professional mermaid. She is a member of the US Freediving Team and a former contestant on American Ninja Warrior.
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Vertical Axis will perform incredible feats of dance suspended from a 20-foot tower. Amanda Thornton and Nick Perry are aerial acrobats who will leave you breathless. Amanda loves to hear what kind of fish you would be as a mermaid and what water you would inhabit! Between shows, they will wander around the festival to help you navigate to the many features throughout.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Captain’s Daughter will perform high-energy Celtic music all ages will enjoy. Jenny and Randi meld traditional with modern to produce a unique sound you won’t soon forget!
Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, April 7
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. “Mermaid: A Dream Made Real” author meet and signing. Written by Mermaid Aura and Merman Mike, the book weaves poetry, prose, and incredible photography into a lovely collection for anyone who appreciates art and photography.
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Bad Little Mermaids – Mermaid Aura and Merman Mike – will perform Celtic-themed folk music, poetry and mythology inside the museum.
Weekends: April 6-7, 13-14
The South Sound Pearl Mermaid Pod and Whidbey Island will offer fun giveaways and a mermaid throne for photos, along with mermaid arts and crafts.
Activities, Vendors and More at the Mermaid Festival
In between catching performances, there are plenty of activities and vendors to meander through each day of the Mermaid Festival.
The International Mermaid Muesum’s board of directors will host two free activities for all ages. Everyone will enjoy the Gyotaku fish printing station from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese art form that was originally a way for fishermen to record the fish they caught. This is a unique opportunity to learn all about the method and try it yourself.
From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., the hands-on craft area pivots to decorating sand dollars to make tree ornaments.
Kids can participate in the Treasure Hunt inside the museum’s exhibition hall, with prizes for each child who completes the puzzle and finds the treasure. Other activities inside the museum are for all ages and include mining fossils, shells, or gems, a mermaid fortune teller, and a penny press for additional fees.
There are two event tents with arts and craft vendors. There, you meet the creators, learn about their crafts, and support them by taking home treasures for yourself or as gifts. There will be everything from woodworking and knotwork to jewelry and soaps. Don’t miss Siren Cerulia and Pirate Athena of The Mystik Menagerie’s rock and pearl jewelry. Their Mystic Oysters – containing colored pearls – are opened right before your eyes and make for an incredible gift. They also have custom airbrush sweaters to design and purchase. A mermaid throne allows attendees to take pictures with the Mystic mermaid.
The International Mermaid Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching ocean ecology from seashore to sea floor immersed in mermaid mythology, uniting world oceanic cultures.
Guests are welcome to wear their finest fish finery to join in the fun when they bring family and friends to the International Mermaid Museum Festival. The museum is located at Westport Winery Garden Resort, halfway between Westport and Aberdeen, on the Washington Coast in Unforgettable Grays Harbor County. The resort, including the museum, winery, distillery, restaurant and gardens are open daily year around from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit the International Mermaid Museum’s website or follow them on Facebook.
International Mermaid Museum’s Mermaid Festival
April 6 – 14, 2024
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (free admission to the Museum until 6 p.m.)
1 S Arbor Road, Aberdeen
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