Seattle/King County Clinic to Close After 2027 Event

Free healthcare events in Seattle face an end after more than a decade of operation.

Seattle’s Child reported that the Seattle/King County Clinic will close permanently following its April 29–May 2, 2027, event at Seattle Center. Operating across four days each year since its 2014 inception, the clinic has delivered complimentary dental, vision, medical, and social assistance to approximately 3,000 people annually.

On November 12, representatives from Seattle Center made the shutdown public, pointing to escalating expenses, personnel adjustments, dwindling financial resources, and the disappearance of vital services and gear. Organizers said that these combined challenges make it impossible to maintain the clinic’s standards beyond 2027.

Seattle-King County Clinic to end free services — KING 5 Seattle

“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make,” Julia Colson, Seattle Center project executive, told Seattle’s Child. “We understand this news is hard and impactful for many in our community, particularly at a time when there are increasing challenges to healthcare access.”

While the majority of patients are adults, entire families have relied on the care, with children making up 2.1% of clinic patients in 2026. Clinic operators assume that many patients are parents and grandparents, though they do not track that demographic detail.

Seattle King County Clinic to End Due to Resource and Staffing Issues — KING 5 Seattle

“In the early days of the Clinic, it was widely assumed that the demand for this event would be temporary,” Christine Lindquist, executive director of the Washington Healthcare Access Alliance, said in comments reported by Seattle’s Child. “Today, deep cuts to the healthcare safety net threaten even those who are stably housed and employed. We expect a dramatic increase in the need for free healthcare in 2026.”

During the final session in 2027, services will remain available on a first-come, first-served basis, with admission tickets distributed each morning regardless of income, insurance coverage, or immigration status. Organizers plan to release additional information about the 2027 clinic in January, while directing families to search for providers through the Washington Healthcare Access Alliance’s clinic directory ahead of the final event.