Things to Do in Seattle

A golden ticket to MOPOP’s next immersive Supper Club dinner unlocks a whimsical menu where Violet’s salad features chocolate balsamic, fiddleheads are an Oompa Loompa’s favorite treat, and a veritable candy bar serves as dessert. 

Stand face to face dozens of chameleons, compare wingspans with a Japanese spider crab, and peer at mandala-like compositions of everything from butterflies to birds. Using immaculately preserved specimens, artist Christopher Marley hosts a gallery show just across from the Seattle Ferry Terminal where creepy crawlies turn into works of art. 

Monochromatic paintings by Samantha Yun Wall are both haunting and captivating; their inspiration draws from a Korean folk tale of loss and familial ties, a flower motif weaving together the pieces that speak to stigmatization and taboo. 

Four fresh collections arrive at the free First Hill art museum ahead of summer. It includes a new dance-centric banner on the exterior and flashy light sculptures from Tom Lloyd and ethereal installations from Lotus L. Kang, a seasonal refresh brings new perspectives. The celebration caps with a multidisciplinary performance from Joseph Hernandez.

Nothing screams summer quite like a lawn concert; add Woodinville-crafted wine and you have the ever-popular Chateau Ste. Michelle summer concert series. A slew of artist come to the lawn this summer, from Boyz II Men to Sarah McLachlan.  

Nineties alt-rock band Toadies bring their Fort Worth-infused sound to KEXP’s cozy studio for a live radio set; fans can score a spot to watch the band play on the local station or catch the four piece at the Showbox later in the evening.

Imagine an ice cream truck, but replace the looping jingle with intimate concerts from world-class pianists, violinists, and cellists. Chamber music comes to parks (Gasworks, Seward, Hing Hay) and outdoor venues (Seattle Chinese Garden, the Salish Steps, Washington Park Arboretum) with four engaging, family-friendly programs.

Set against the rural backdrop of 1917 Texas, Bessie Coleman wants to fly. With no flight schools admitting women, the Black and Native protagonist must find another way to rise to her wildest dreams.

The Pacific Northwest Ballet caps their regular season with a triple bill of works by celebrated resident choreographer Jessica Lang. The final piece of the trio comes as a jazzy, joy-filled premiere set largely to the tunes of Tony Bennett—with one Lady Gaga addition. Longtime audience favorites Her Door to the Sky and Ghost Variations round out the show with engaging variety.

An enthralling one-woman show, writer and performer Vanessa Severo draws parallels between Frida Kahlo’s life and her own, crafting an emotional storyline paired with engaging character swaps and artistic movement.

Back for another summer at Seattle Rep, the endlessly popular meta play filled with physical comedy returns. Yes, everything goes hilariously wrong, right on schedule.

Comedian, longtime Chelsea Lately host, and New York Times best-selling author Chelsea Handler brings sharp wit and unapologetic humor to Seattle’s historic downtown theater. 

Want to lean into despair? Aiming to feel worse about humankind? Central District cinema the Beacon has the lineup of nihilism and tragedy, confronting audiences with raw empathy and hard-to-stomach truths with films like In a Glass Cage, Funny Games, and Elephant.

Intimate documentary Sally dives into astronaut Sally Ride’s life outside of the Challenger space shuttle, largely told by her life partner of 27 years Tam O’Shaughnessy. The Museum of Flight screens the story of her boundary breaking career and out-of-the-spotlight love life after a beer and wine social hour. 

Sprawling Volunteer Park celebrates Pride with almost 100 local vendors, dozens of food trucks, a beer garden, all-day dance floor, and local performers. 

The city’s most science-forward happy hour is back with craft beer, cider, wine, and kombucha tastings. In addition to adults-only access to the cerebral exhibits, expert brewers lend beverage-making know-how and deep dives on the science that keeps things bubbly.

The Central District Northwest African American Museum celebrates Juneteenth with art installations, a Skate to Freedom party, community conversations, live performances, a FIFA World Cup watch party, and local vendors. Spread across their campus and nearby Judkins Park, this year’s “the sound of connection” theme brings creativity, joy, and community together. 

Class is in session among the newest SAM gallery, a gentle trek through the Pacific Northwest art and artists of the 20th century. Guided tours on Thursdays and weekends offer behind-the-scenes trivia and deeper dives into artwork crafted in our backyard.

Kicking off Pride Month, Fremont’s Charlie’s Queer Books hosts a weekend-long book fair with author signings, flash tattoos, zines, art vendors, and a beer garden hosted by local speakeasy Botanicale.

Chris Smalls, co-founder and former president of the Amazon Labor Union, talks about his experience organizing for dignity and security among the giant’s wage workers in his recent release, When the Revolution Comes: A Fight for the Future of the Working Class. At Third Place Books, Smalls will chat with Ijeoma Oluo about winning the improbable fight against Amazon to successfully create the company’s first union in the United States. 

Each World Cup introduces a new ball for players to take to the field; sports physics expert John Goff explains why this matters and lends nerdy trivia points. How does surface texture and construction affect gameplay? What are the aerodynamics of a soccer ball? Which World Cup balls have faced controversy over the years? Goff has all the answers.  

KUOW’s investigative documentary podcast channel just wrapped up a series on the 1999 allegations of abuse against a popular Garfield High teacher. Looking back into history and bringing the findings into contemporary classrooms, the journalistic team behind the podcast forms a panel discussion about their reporting and its impact.

The Seattle Symphony’s film lineup pairs Indiana Jones’ tale of adventure with a live score. Nothing adds to anxiety-producing, dramatic chase scenes quite like a full orchestra augmenting emotional suspense.