Area Events
Seattle has so many resources, natural and man-made, it takes every opportunity to celebrate them! Seattle events bring year round excitement to locals and visitors alike, with concerts, festivals, fairs, sporting events, seasonal and holiday celebrations, historical and cultural festivities, recreational activities, and much, much more! Don’t miss any of the Seattle Mariners, Seahawks, or Supersonics games at the Safeco Center. The Seattle Film Festival and Share our Strengths Taste of the Nation Festival are both the biggest of their kind in the Pacific Northwest. And of special excitement are the Fourth of July and Christmas festivities. Every section of the city has events and activities planned for each month of the year, so anytime you’re planning to come is the best time to be there! Seattle events will put the “Wow!” in your vacation! Here’s our list of just a few of our favorites, but check with your hotel for full listings.
Festivals & Fairs
Ballard SeafoodFest
2208 NW Market St. #100
www.ballardchamber.com
The SeafoodFest is a rollicking two day block party, so show up with at BIG appetite.
Fleet Arrival
2200 Sixth Ave., Suite 400
www.seafair.com
a maritime festival that takes place each summer, a parade of ships and thousands of sailors join in the celebration and invite the public to tour the ships.
Seattle International Film Festival
400 9th Avenue North
www.seattlefilm.com
The largest and most highly attended film festival in the country gives you a chance to see sneak previews of films. Each year directors, actors, and critics from all over the world participate in special events, post-film Q&A sessions, and provocative forums.
Winterfest at Seattle Center
305 Harrison Street
The five-week festival offers a variety of activities for all ages including ice skating, concerts, dances, cultural performances, special events, exhibits, plenty of holiday fun for all. Celebrate a world of traditions from Seattle’s Best Jazz to an afternoon with Clifford & Friends and of course New Year’s Eve.
Recreational
Bark in the Park
7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 138
www.barkinthepark.com
A festival for dogs and the people who love them! Featuring live music, special guests, arts and crafts, delicious food and drink, animal-friendly vendors, and plenty of surprises.
Chevrolet Cup Unlimited Hydroplane Race at SEAFAIR
2200 Sixth Ave., Suite 400
www.seafair.com
SEAFAIR is celebrating 52 years of hydroplane racing on Lake Washington, and this has been some of the best racing in history. Water craft skim the surface of the water leaving only their trail in their wake as they tear around the course.
Air Show
5898 Lake Washington Blvd
www.seafair.com
The Air Show brings the most fascinating and exciting high-flying acts to the skies of Seattle. Crowds will be dazzled by aerobatic planes, helicopters and biplanes. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are the highlight and cornerstone of a program that has several military demonstrations.
Milk Carton Derby
2200 Sixth Ave., Suite 400
www.seafair.com
Milk Carton Derby is a Seattle summer tradition. Every year, hundreds of kids, teens, parents and corporations put their imaginations to work and build milk carton boats to compete in this event. A fun-filled day of excitement for the whole family is located on the southwest portion of Green Lake.
Pratt’s Annual Holiday Art Sale
1902 South Main Street
www.pratt.org
The Holiday Art Sale offers the region’s largest and best selection of art and handcrafted gift items for sale during the holiday season.
Cultural Events
Chinatown Parade
409 Maynard Ave S, #P1
www.seafair.com
Multi-cultural event features colorful Chinese Girls Drill Team, fabulous 100-foot Chinese Dragon twisting and waving through the street, along with many other entertaining groups
Family Fourth of July - Community Celebration
9404 E Marginal Way South
www.museumofflight.org
A red, white and blue family extravaganza, outside, enjoy the visiting aircraft fly-in and a picnic in the grass. Inside, check out a special Family Fun Workshop, a kids’ aircraft stamping contest and more.
Seattle Scottish Highland Games
860 Terry Avenue North
www.museumofflight.org
Don your Clan tartan and plan to attend an evening of Dancing, Scottish entertainment with pipe bands and Scottish country dancing.
The Italian Festival
305 Harrison Street
www.seattlecenter.com
Celebrity chefs, mouth-watering aromas and a delightful array of Italian food along with A film festival, exhibits, performances, enticing not-for-children-only activities and the fabulously infamous “Bolla Grape Stomp” contest.
Washington Brewers Guild Annual Cask Beer Festival
305 Harrison Street
www.seattlecenter.com
This year 30+ breweries will pour their finest cask-conditioned beers at this unique event. Tickets will be available at local outlets September 1st. Admission includes a commemorative glass and all beer tastes.
Family 4th
PO Box 9750
At noon on the Fourth of July, the gates open to the beautiful Gas Works Park on the north end of Lake Union. The park offers one of the best places to watch the show, with fireworks lighting the skies at 10 pm. Bring your blankets and picnic baskets for a day of fun.