Music Dancing Across Borders
Zimfest 2025 Location
Zimfest 2025 will take place August 7-10 at Central Washington University (CWU) in Ellensburg. Ellensburg is the geographic center of Washington state, located at the junction of Hwy 97 and Interstates 90 and 82. It’s convenient and accessible to all, year-round.
Just south of CWU is the Kittitas Valley Event Center – home of the famed Ellensburg Rodeo! A quiet spot when no events are scheduled, the KV Event Center is within easy walking distance of the CWU campus. Both are close to downtown Ellensburg, within short driving distance of over 700 motel rooms and 35 restaurants.
Zimfest Headquarters
The Zimfest Registration Desk and Housing Check-in will be located in the air-conditioned CWU Student Union & Recreation Center (SURC). Also in the SURC is the Holmes Dining Room for those purchasing Zimfest meal plans. Evening concerts will be held in the SURC Ballroom, while the outdoor stage and African Marketplace will be located in a grassy, shaded area outside the northeast corner of the SURC.
Accommodations
Zimfest has been allocated enough dorm space on the CWU campus to easily accommodate the number of beds we usually require. The dorm rooms, mostly singles and doubles, each have a microwave and mini-fridge. The dorms are not air-conditioned, so be prepared – bring a fan!
We have been fortunate to secure ample space for Zimfest campers at the KV Event Center. These inexpensive dry camping (tents only) sites are within easy walking distance of our CWU festival site. Campers will be able to register and pre-pay for space through Zimfest registration, scheduled to open in early May.
Neither venue allows for RV parking on the grounds or on campus parking lots. However, we have been informed that it is legal to park vehicles such as camper vans on public thoroughfares off-campus, and N. Adler Street which runs between the CWU campus and the KV Event Center is recommended. Parking here would be free, but at your own risk!
For non-camping Zimfest participants who prefer to stay off-campus, we are looking into securing discounted group rates at an Ellensburg motel or hotel. Stay tuned for more info on this option!
