Things to Do in Seattle

Seattle’s renowned chefs rotate through guest spots at nonprofit FareStart, each bringing a tailored three-course menu. The dinners, from cooked by folks like José Garzón of Bad Chancla and Nathan Lockwood of Carrello and Altura, routinely sell out weeks before the tasting menus make it to the table. 

Need an excuse to ride the Link 2 Line? Just beyond Lake Washington, the annual Redmond Wine Walk celebrates local wine with 12 tasting tokens and sip-n-stroll shopping all around. Before the event fully kicks off, an add-on experience brings an intimate tasting session with the Alliance of Women in Washington Wine.

It is the month of Washington wine, and Pioneer Square won’t be left out. Saturday afternoon’s Sips In The Square brings pop-up tastings to the historic neighborhood’s shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Winemakers pour sips—tickets score 12 tastes—and chat all things vinting.

Fandom meets dinner party in MoPop’s highly creative supper club: Star Trek’s 60th birthday dinner boasts dishes inspired by aliens and Federation favorites, an intimate walk-throughs of the Infinite Worlds installation, and a highly-anticipated appearance from Wesley Crusher actor Wil Wheaton.

Ethereal installations from Lotus L. Kang land at the free First Hill museum this summer. Poetic reflections on memory, translation, and inheritance take the form of huge floor-to-ceiling photography film sheets intentionally exposed to light. 

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. 

The 16th iteration of the annual design festival brings pop-up interactive art installations, speakers, and mixers to outposts around the city. An opening weekend block party kicks things off at Lake Union Park with a talk on birding, meals around an active composting unit, a slimy interactive art piece, and more. 

The University District art house celebrates the homecoming of four new installations with music, drinks, and creative community. Many—Joiri Minaya’s photography and textiles, experimental printmaking techniques from Helen Frankenthaler, and a collaborative collection of everyday items-turned-artwork—are already on display for the art aficionados who can’t wait.

Nothing screams summer quite like a concert under PNW skies; from season-long series on the Chateau Ste. Michelle lawn and Woodland Park’s ZooTunes to September’s Bumbershoot, the Seattle area takes tunes outside, and our outdoor concert guide chronicles every date. Next up, The Breeders and Team Dresch play for the party animals on Woodland Park Zoo’s lawn. 

Seattle’s musical offspring gets a night of its own at the Showbox, thanks to tribute performances from Outshined, Negative Creep, and more. The musicians will play the songs that defined Seattle grunge and honor hometown artists like Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, Mike Starr, Shawn Smith, and Mia Zapata. 

Started by members of Seattle’s alt-rock King Youngblood, the PNW-born festival puts Black-fronted bands on the bill. Singer-songwriter Iniko headlines this year, and over a dozen other bands and DJs fill the evening. 

A world premiere musical lands in the Seattle Rep theater, heralded by a duo of friends who don’t quite fit in anywhere else. The coming of age tale—set in the ’90s—boasts a charmingly funny story from the Tony Award-winning producers of Come From Away. 

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree in the Broadway story of Harry Potter’s son. Spellbinding magic, epic battle scenes, and fantastical time travel bring the Tony Award-winning play to life in Seattle’s historic Paramount Theatre.

Game night at West of Lenin comes in the form of short, high-energy improv games—largely suggested by audience members. The family-friendly take on comedy could go anywhere: musical numbers, made-up competitions, and giggle-worthy scenes. 

Ballard’s independent theater is a master of the throwback; a weekly series brings nostalgic favorites back to the big screen. Next up, comedy drama Cinema Paradiso and thriller Snakes on a Plane make their theater comebacks.

SIFF’s National Theatre Live series is back with another play brought from opera house to film theater. Filmed live on stage, the two-hour screening features the classic tale of love, lies, and rivalry.

Music and dance star in the weekend-long celebration of Black art, but spoken word, food vendors, and an art exhibition add to the long list of creative showcases.

The quirky Seattle summer tradition is back: it’s time to dress up a zucchini, pop some wheels on the vessel, and send it careening down a special-built track. The farmers market in West Seattle will partake—with supplies provided—this weekend. 

Live music and food trucks celebrate the expanded 20-acre Waterfront Park with Elliott Bay views. The fifth iteration of the downtown block party boasts STEM activities for curious kids, artist-led creative activities, and high-energy dance performances in the sprawling park. 

Part fundraiser, part mischievous rooftop party, the Capitol Hill creative writer’s haven hosts short readings from local voices alongside tea and canapés. 

Local legend Matt Broussard’s debut cookbook is a marriage of his South Texas roots and adult years spent in Seattle’s restaurant scene. The result? Dozens of laid-back, actually doable-on-a-weeknight recipes from spicy Korean noodles to biscuits with honey butter. At Fremont’s Book Larder, Matt will intro the book, demo a recipe from its pages, and field audience questions. 

The “Love Shack” party band joins forces with “Whip It” masterminds in a new wave party tour straight from the 1980s. Expect to dance, to sing along to nostalgic hits, and to stay enthralled with Devo’s artistic antics.