The first week of May in Seattle promises to be busy: from large festivals and street fairs to theater, opera, and sporting events — there’s something for every taste. Welcome May with concerts and karaoke in city venues, restaurant weeks and tastings, family festivals on the waterfront and in parks, street fairs, solo and chamber performances, as well as traditional parades and races on water and land. Highlights include Seattle Restaurant Week, the opening of the Mariners’ baseball season, the Seattle International Film Festival, and numerous neighborhood celebrations and walks — many starting May 1 and continuing on various dates through the first ten days of the month. This detailed events roundup and schedule is compiled from local listings and announcements; source: https://www.events12.com/seattle/.
Seattle and Nearby Events in the First Week of May
| Date(s) | Location | Description | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | Benaroya Hall, Seattle | LeAnn Rimes concert | |
| May 1 | Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave, Downtown | Teen Night Out — free teen party (ages 13–19) with a DJ, art activities, fashion show, bingo and a “parachute” in the museum halls | Event site, Map, Photo |
| May 1 | Husky Climbing Rock, parking E12, University of Washington | Party on the Cut — party with live music, food trucks, beer garden and outdoor games (21+) | Tickets, Map, Video |
| May 1 – 2 | Various neighborhoods in Seattle and the Eastside | Seattle Restaurant Week — special menus and deals at ~220 restaurants from Seattle to Issaquah | Site |
| May 1 – 2 | Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma | Tacoma Wayzgoose print festival — meetings with typographers, paper-making, printing art posters with road rollers | Site, Map |
| May 1 – 3 | Benaroya Hall, Neptune, Wamu, Showbox and others | Series of May concerts (Oh Wonder, Charlie Puth, Rick Ross, etc.) at various Seattle-area venues | |
| May 1 – 3 | Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and SIFF Film Center | Seattle Erotic Art Festival & Pan Eros Film Festival — explicit art, film and live performances (18+/21+) | Festival, Pan Eros Film Festival, Map, Photos |
| May 1 – 3 | Central District, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute | Seattle Black Film Festival — film screenings, workshops, discussions and filmmaker Q&As | Site, Map, Video |
| May 1 – 3 | Village Theatre, Issaquah | Musical “Grease” — a fun trip to the 1950s about school life and first love | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 1 – 3 | Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup | Puyallup RV Show — exhibition of RVs and campers, children under 17 free | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 1 – 9 | Sequim Civic Center and area, Sequim | Sequim Irrigation Festival — the state’s oldest festival with art walks, fairs, parades, car shows and tours | Site, Schedule, Map, Photos |
| May 1 – 10 | Various regional theaters | Selection of plays: “Appropriate”, “The Aves”, “Seussical”, “Sweet Charity”, “Walden”, “Robin Hood” and more | |
| May 1 – 21 | Various neighborhoods in Seattle and Edmonds | Seattle Art Walks — free evening art walks through galleries and storefronts in multiple neighborhoods | Site |
| May 1 – Sept. 27 | T-Mobile Park, SoDo | Seattle Mariners home game season (home games vs. Kansas City, Atlanta, etc.) | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 1 – Oct. 31 | Seattle's Tall Ship, waterfront | Two‑hour sailings on the schooner Bay Lady around Elliott Bay (daytime and sunset cruises) | Map, Video |
| May 1 – Dec. 26 | Seattle | Taste of Seattle walking food tours: Pike Place, chocolate, Capitol Hill coffee, wine and desserts | |
| May 1 – Dec. 31 | Various locations | Free activities: Bellevue botanical garden, museums, dance groups, gardens and urban trails | |
| May 1, 2026 – Apr. 30, 2027 | Memorial Park, Wenatchee | Washington State Apple Blossom Festival — year‑long festival of the apple region with parades, fairs, carnival and concerts | Site, Grand Parade, Schedule, Map, Video |
| May 2 | Pioneer Square, Elysian Fields | Beer Run — fun 5K run with a beer at the finish, music, food trucks and prizes | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 2 | Plaza Roberto Maestas, Beacon Hill | Cinco de Mayo celebration by El Centro de la Raza — Mexican food, music, kids’ activities and a fair | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 2 | Montlake Cut, University District | Opening Day boat parade — traditional opening of the boating season with a flotilla of yachts and racing boats | Site, Map, Venue map, Video |
| May 2 | Montlake Cut, University District | Windermere Cup rowing races — collegiate and club crews racing on the canal | Site, Map, Venue map, Video |
| May 2 | Meridian Playground, Wallingford | May Day celebration and potluck — games, live music, maypole dancing and a picnic | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 2 | Mountlake Terrace City Hall | Making Local fair — about 50 local makers with goods, food, plants and decor | Site, Map |
| May 2 | Mill Creek Town Center | Beer & Wine Walk — tasting stroll with a glass and 8 samples of beer/wine at participating shops (21+) | Site, Map |
| May 2 – 3 | Meadow Wood Equestrian Center, Snohomish | Seattle North Spartan 5K/10K with 20 obstacles over cross‑country terrain | Site |
| May 2 – 3 | Point Defiance Park, Tacoma | Tacoma City Marathon — series of races (5K–marathon) finishing at Dune Peninsula with views of the strait | Site, Map, Photos |
| May 2 – 10 (weekend) | Artists’ studios, Vashon Island | Vashon Island Visual Artists Studio Tour — open studios of 140 artists | Site |
| May 2 – 17 | The 5th Avenue Theatre, Downtown | Rock musical Andrew Lloyd Webber “Jesus Christ Superstar” about the last days of Jesus | Site, Map |
| May 2 – 17 | McCaw Hall, Seattle Center | Bizet’s opera “Carmen” — classic drama about a Spanish gypsy with orchestra and surtitles | Site, Map, Video |
| May 2 – 30 | Various Seattle neighborhoods | Seattle Architecture Foundation walking tours (Volunteer Park, downtown, waterfront, etc.) | Site, FAQ, Video |
| May 2 – Oct. 31 (Sat) | Great Northern & Cascade Railway, Skykomish | Free 10‑minute rides on a mini‑train through a bridge and tunnel, plus a gift shop | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 3 | First Hill, Seattle First Baptist | Free concert by the Jake Bergevin Quintet as part of Seattle Jazz Vespers | Site, Parking, Map |
| May 3 | Japanese Cultural & Community Center, Central District | Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) — martial arts demonstrations, taiko, tea ceremonies and a food court | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 3 | Snoqualmie Casino | “Machos, Tacos & Tequila” evening — 4 tacos, signature cocktail and Mexican wrestling (21+) | Tickets, Map, Photo |
| May 3 – 30 | Various venues (Nordic Museum, Seattle Library, etc.) | Candlelight Concerts — hour‑long chamber concerts (instrumental, pop‑rock, classical) by candlelight at different venues | Video |
| May 5 – 30 | Hot Stove Society, Hotel Andra, Belltown | Culinary masterclasses with professional chefs and tastings of themed menus | Site, Map, Video |
| May 6 | Pickering Barn, Issaquah | Grape Escape tasting evening — appetizers, silent auction and samples from 20 producers (21+) | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 6 | Federal Way PAEC | Step Afrika show — energetic African American step with music, stories and audience participation | Site, Map, Video |
| May 7 | Various Seattle and Tacoma museums | Free Thursday at major museums (Burke, MOHAI, Museum of Flight, Nordic Museum, SAM, etc.) | |
| May 7 – 9 | Meany Center, UW | Mark Morris Dance Group — program “Dances to American Music: Soul of America” with live music | Site, Map, Video |
| May 7 – 16 | Bars and breweries across Seattle | Seattle Beer Week — dozens of tastings and food‑pairing events in the city’s craft bars and breweries | Site |
| May 7 – 17 | SIFF theaters and venues, Seattle | Seattle International Film Festival — the region’s major indie film festival with premieres from around the world | Site, Brochure, Programs, Video |
| May 8 | Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie | Wine Train Excursion — wine tour on a train with views, snacks and 8 tastings (21+) | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 8 | Urban Grace, Tacoma | The 253 Short Film Party — screening of short films made in 3 days, with voting and a party | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 8 – 9 | Marymoor Park, Redmond | DroneArt Show: Space Chase — nighttime show of 1,200 drones with music and aerial light narratives | Site, Map, Video |
| May 8 – 10 | Helen McCabe State Park area, Ellensburg | “Get Intimate with the Shrub‑Steppe” — nature tours, birdwatching, hikes and river trips | Site, Map, Sites map |
| May 8 – 16 | Cornish Playhouse, Seattle Center | Whim W’Him “Spring ‘26” — contemporary dance by three choreographers | Site, Map, Video |
| May 8 – 17 | Studios and galleries, Camano Island | Camano Island Studio Tour — self‑guided tour of 24 studios and the Matzke sculpture park | Site, Tour map, Map, Photo |
| May 8 – June 6 | Egan's Ballard Jam House and others, Ballard | Seattle Cabaret Festival — cabaret festival with rock, blues, opera, satire and original songs | Site, Map, Tickets |
| May 9 | Hyatt Regency Seattle, Downtown | Charity gala Northern Lights Auction supporting the Nordic National Museum | Site, Map, Photos |
| May 9 | Seattle Center Armory | A Glimpse of China Festival — Chinese food, music, art, calligraphy and traditional costume displays | Site, Map |
| May 9 | Pacific Science Center, Seattle Center | Science After Dark: STEM Art Walk — an adults‑only night of science and art with installations, music and bars | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 9 | Queen Anne, Bethany Presbyterian Church | Queen Anne Spring Wine Walk — wine‑tasting stroll through neighborhood shops (21+) | Site, Map |
| May 9 | Emerald City Trapeze Arts, SoDo | “Silver Foxes: The Eras Tour” — aerial acrobatics by performers 45+ with decade‑themed numbers | Site, Map, Tickets |
| May 9 | El Centro de la Raza, Beacon Hill | Beacon Arts Street Fair — outdoor art fair with music, food and family activities | Site, Map, Plan, Photo |
| May 9 | Husky Stadium, UW | Beat the Bridge — charity runs and walks that cross bridges and finish at the stadium | Site, Map, Video |
| May 9 | West Seattle | West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day — hundreds of yard sales across the neighborhood | Interactive map, PDF map, Photo |
| May 9 | Seward Park Audubon Center | World Migratory Bird Day event — interactive booths, shows and activities about migratory birds | Site, Map |
| May 9 | Bellevue Demonstration Garden | Spring Plant Sale — vegetable and ornamental seedlings, flea market | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 9 | Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah | Walk n Wag — 3K dog walk, pet shows and fair to raise funds for the park | Site, Map |
| May 9 | Frances Anderson Center, Edmonds | Edmonds Spring Fest — fair with 100 local artists and food trucks on the center lawn | Site, Map, Video |
| May 9 | Various venues, Edmonds | Edmonds Jazz Connection Festival — free student concerts (big bands, ensembles, choirs) | Site, Map, Video |
| May 9 | Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley | Mom and Me Wonderland Tea — themed tea for moms and kids with workshops and games | Event, Map, Photo |
| May 9 | North Bend downtown | Sip, Suds & Si — evening wine and beer stroll with music and tastings (21+) | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 9 | Puyallup downtown | Sip Puyallup — tasting tour of 20 downtown shops with wine, cider and music (21+) | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 9 | Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe | Seattle Metro Reptile Expo — reptile and amphibian expo with educational booths and vendors | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 9 | Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup | Washington State Toy Show — large toy, comic and collectibles fair, children under 12 free | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 9 | Coupeville, Whidbey Island | Penn Cove Water Festival — traditional canoe races, stories, crafts and Indigenous music | Site, Schedule, Map, Directions, Photo, Video |
| May 9 | Lumen Field, Pioneer Square | Home match: Seattle Sounders vs. San Diego FC (MLS) | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 9 – 10 | Pike Place Market, Downtown | Flower Festival — Mother’s Day flower festival with 35 farmers’ stalls and market musicians | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 9 – 10 | Lake Union, Eastlake | Mother’s Day Cruise — special brunch and dinner cruises on Lake Union for Mother’s Day | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 9 – 10 | Washington Hall, Central District | Seattle Art Book Fair — fair of art books and independent publishing with talks and installations | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 9 – 10 | Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue | Ballet “Alice in Wonderland” for children ages 3–10 by International Ballet Theatre | Site, Map |
| May 9 – 10 | Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way | BonsaiFest — hundreds of bonsai, master demonstrations, tours and food trucks; donations welcome | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 9 – 10 | Front Street Park, Leavenworth | Maifest — Bavarian spring festival with folk music, dancing, parades and a fun run | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 10 | Lumen Field, Pioneer Square | Home match: Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit (women’s professional soccer) | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 10 | Unexpected Productions, Post Alley, Downtown | Mother’s Day Improv Show — one‑hour improv comedy show about motherhood | Tickets, Map, Photo |
| May 10 | Various restaurants | Mother’s Day restaurant picks — curated lists of top brunches and dinners from local media |
