The Explore Kirkland Tourism Program grants marketing and operations funds to programs like special events and festivals that demonstrate the ability to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays. The program supports and promotes events that showcase the city’s best assets while fostering a love of Kirkland, inspiring guests to come back multiple times. This funding seeks to support events that create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community, and gives serious consideration to programs that are likely to or have proven track records of bringing visitors to the City. The program is funded by the lodging tax collected by Kirkland hotels, motels, and short-term rentals.
The 2026 Tourism Grant Program application period is now CLOSED. If you have any questions about this application process, please contact Tourism Program staff at: tourism@kirklandwa.gov.
History of City of Kirkland's Tourism Funding
Where does our tourism funding come from? The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 67.28.180 provides authority for cities to adopt a lodging tax. The City of Kirkland has adopted a 1 percent lodging tax rate and may invest these revenues into events or programs that attract visitors to Kirkland. The City’s Tourism Program has awarded funds to special events, festivals and programs that have demonstrated the ability to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays, fulfilling the primary goal of the Tourism Program to support events and activities that showcase the City’s best assets while fostering a love of Kirkland that inspires our guests to come back time and time again. These overnight stays not only improve the tourist environment of Kirkland, they also contribute to the revenues sustaining the tourism program budget.
Kirkland’s Tourism Program has been in operation since 2002. During that time, over $1.2 million has been granted to tourism events and programs with $60,000 as the proposed annual funding to the program. These funds are awarded for the marketing or operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists to Kirkland. The TDC looks supportively at new events, events that promote diversity and inclusivity, while also giving serious consideration to events with proven track records for bringing visitors to the City. For questions, please contact the Tourism Program at tourism@kirklandwa.gov.
Questions: For questions or additional information, please contact Tourism Program staff at: tourism@kirklandwa.gov.
Do you have questions about Tourism funding? Contact us at:
tourism@kirklandwa.gov
Did you hold a grant-funded tourism event in Kirkland in 2026? In order to get reimbursed, you'll need to fill out our 2026 Tourism Funding Reimbursement Form. Click on the link below to complete the form and submit. You can attach your receipts and invoices right to the form! Once your reimbursement form is submitted, there is a two-week turn-around for processing. Please submit by December 15, 2026.
2026 Tourism Funding Reimbursement Form
Additionally, you need to submit your Tourism Funding Expenditure Report that shows your after-event attendance estimates and demonstrates your event's positive impact on Kirkland. This is critical data for Tourism staff who use this information to complete our state reporting to the Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. Click on the link below to complete the form and submit. This expenditure report is due by December 15, 2025.
2025 Tourism Funding Expenditure Report
Jr Softball World Series $15,000
ARTful Summer & Fringe Festival $17,500
Kirkland Uncorked $19,500
Nowruz Celebration $2,500
12Ks of Christmas $1,000
King County Lake Swimming Beach Data Program
Cross Kirkland Corridor Closures