The week of May 25–31 promises a packed program in Seattle for every taste: from solemn Memorial Day ceremonies and free admission to national parks to large street festivals and intimate concerts. Northwest Folklife will unfold at the city’s center with music, dance, workshops and beer gardens; across the city there will be food tours, wine and oyster events, and the streets will be filled with HONK! Fest West, Bite of Greece and the Renegade Craft Fair. Music fans can see Blue Man Group, Joe Jackson, Rick Springfield, Brandi Carlile and jazz programs at Benaroya Hall; family and entertainment shows include circus, a Hot Wheels monster‑truck show and children’s festivals; and athletes and active residents can take trail shuttles via Trailhead Direct, join bike centuries and catch Mariners home games at T-Mobile Park. This is a week to combine cultural discoveries, culinary pleasures and outdoor walks — the selection includes both free activities and ticketed events for those planning a full weekend. Source: https://www.events12.com/seattle/
Notable Seattle events in late May
| Date(s) | Location | Description | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | various locations | Memorial Day ceremonies – events honoring veterans at cemeteries and memorials in Kent, Lakewood, Lynwood, Mill Creek, Olympia, Seattle and Tacoma. | |
| May 25 | Seattle Center, Lower Queen Anne | Northwest Folklife Festival – a large folk arts festival with music and dance performances, workshops, panels, a food court and two beer gardens. | Festival site, Schedule, Map, Photos, Video |
| May 25 | U.S. national parks | Free entrance to national parks (Memorial Day) – free admission to national parks for U.S. citizens and residents; higher visitor volumes expected. | NPS info |
| May 25–Oct. 31 | waterfront, Elliott Bay | Sail aboard the schooner Bay Lady – two‑hour daytime or sunset cruises on Elliott Bay with scenic views; departs from Seattle's Tall Ship; snacks and drinks available. | Cruise site / map, Video |
| May 25–Dec. 26 | Seattle | Taste of Seattle walking food tours – paid guided walks with tastings: Pike Place Market, downtown chocolate, Capitol Hill coffee, wine, bread, cheese and chocolate tours. | |
| May 25–Dec. 31 | various locations | Free things to do in Seattle – daily and weekly free activities: Ballard Locks tours, Bellevue Botanical Garden, museums and galleries, dance nights, parks and walking trails. | |
| May 26–June 20 | various theaters | Live theater: She Loves Me, Barefoot in the Park, We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up – a series of comedies and musicals on small regional stages (including Issaquah). | |
| May 26–Aug. 30 | Seattle, Bellevue, North Bend | Trailhead Direct – weekend bus routes to popular mountain trailheads (Issaquah Alps, Mount Si) for a flat fare; children under 18 ride free. | Service site, Photo, Video |
| May 27–June 7 | Everett | Grease (musical) – an energetic old‑school musical about 1950s high school life and romance at the Everett Performing Arts Center. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 28 | Moore Theatre, downtown | Joe Jackson concert – performance by the iconic British musician at Moore Theatre. | |
| May 28 | Auburn | Rick Springfield concert – show by the rock musician and actor in Auburn. | |
| May 28–June 6 | Ballard | Seattle Cabaret Festival – evenings of intimate cabaret: rock, blues, opera, a cappella, political satire, chanson and original shows at Egan's Ballard Jam House. | Site, Schedule, Map |
| May 29 | Kirkland | Rosé Revival & Cool Whites – rosé and white wine tasting with views of Lake Washington at The Woodmark Hotel; 21+ only. | Info & tickets, Map, Photo |
| May 29–30 | Remlinger | The Black Keys concert – two‑night performance by the rock duo at Remlinger. | |
| May 29–30 | various venues | Candlelight Concerts – hour‑long string quartet concerts by LED candlelight with programs from Coldplay, hip‑hop on strings, music by Hisaishi, Hans Zimmer and more. | Info, Video |
| May 29–30 | Georgetown | Revolt of the Tails – family circus show by youth troupe Celestial Circus with acrobatics and aerials at Yaw Theater. | Site, Map |
| May 29–30 | Puyallup | Stamp & Scrapbook Expo – exhibition and workshops for scrapbooking and stamping enthusiasts at the Washington State Fair Events Center. | Site, Map, Video |
| May 29–30 | various arenas | Brandi Carlile concerts – shows at the Gorge Amphitheatre. | |
| May 29–30 | Benaroya Hall, downtown | Jazz orchestra concert – a program of big‑band jazz at Benaroya Hall. | |
| May 29–31 | various Seattle neighborhoods | HONK! Fest West – street festival of brass and marching bands from different places (Georgetown, Columbia City, Pratt Park). | Site, Photos, Video |
| May 29–31 | downtown | Blue Man Group – a spectacular show combining comedy, music and visual effects at the Paramount Theatre. | Site, Map, Tickets, Video |
| May 29–31 | South Lake Union | PhotoFest – free talks, workshops, photo walks and brand meetups at Glazer’s Camera. | Info & registration, Map |
| May 29–31 | various venues | Seattle Asian American Film Festival – screenings of Asian‑American filmmakers’ work, opening at the Wing Luke Museum, then screenings at Langston Hughes and Broadway Performance Hall. | Site, Wing Luke map, BPH map, Video |
| May 29–31 | Capitol Hill | Bite of Greece Seattle – Greek food, wine and music on the grounds of the Church of the Assumption. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 29–June 14 | Capitol Hill | The Circus of Second Chances – a new show from Acrobatic Conundrum featuring aerial acrobatics, juggling and live music at 12th Avenue Arts. | Site, Map, Tickets, Photos |
| May 29–Sept. 27 | SoDo | Seattle Mariners – home MLB games at T‑Mobile Park; in late May they host the Arizona Diamondbacks. | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 30 | Belltown | Pizza from Scratch culinary class – demo class with tasting from a chef at Hot Stove Society (Hotel Andra). | Classes, Map, Video |
| May 30 | Seattle and environs | Architectural walking tour – Seattle Architecture Foundation tour of Queen Anne and/or the waterfront, with stories of the city’s built history. | Tours, FAQ, Video |
| May 30 | Lake City, north Seattle | Beer Run – a fun 5K by Brewery Running Series with a beer at the finish, music and food trucks at Hellbent Brewing. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Redmond | Flying Wheels Summer Century – bike century with 50/70/100‑mile routes, aid stations and a post‑ride meal in Marymoor Park. | Info & registration, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Woodinville | Pollinator Fest – family festival about bees and pollinators at 21 Acres: talks, insects, kids’ crafts, music and food. | Site, Map, Campus map, Photo |
| May 30 | Kent | Kent International Festival – international culture festival with food, dance, music and workshops at ShoWare Center. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Bothell | Bothell Block Party and BrewFest – beer, cider and wine tastings, food trucks and concerts on two stages for guests 21+ in downtown Bothell. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Federal Way | Arts Explosion – art fair with juried works, people’s choice voting, music, food trucks and kids’ art at Federal Way PAEC. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Carnation | Farmview Dinner – a refined three‑course farm dinner with wine pairings at Carnation Farms. | Site, FAQ, Map, Photo |
| May 30 | Shelton | Forest Festival – the main day of the forest festival with a run, parade, logging shows, carnival, concerts and fireworks. | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30–31 | Sand Point, Seattle | Renegade Craft Fair – large indie‑maker market (180 vendors) and food trucks in Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park. | Site, Map, Photos |
| May 30–31 | Woodinville | Wine & Oysters – a set of six Hama Hama oysters and a tasting flight of wines at Patterson Cellars Tasting Room. | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 30–31 | Everett | Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – a loud monster‑truck show with stunts, jumps and special effects at Angel of the Winds Arena. | Site, Map, Tickets, Photo, Video |
| May 30–Oct. 31 | Skykomish | Mini train rides – free 10‑minute rides on the Great Northern & Cascade Railway miniature railroad on Saturdays. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30–Oct. 31 | Ballard | Free summer concerts at the Locks – bands performing on the lawn at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks on weekends and Labor Day. | Schedule image, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 31 | First Hill | A Celebration of Community – free Latin music concert by Orquesta Northwest with traditional, classical and mariachi music at Town Hall Seattle. | Site, Map |
| May 31 | Queen Anne / Seattle Center | Orca Fest – family festival celebrating orcas: live music, chalk art, face painting, info booths and a shoreline cleanup near KEXP. | Site, Map |
| May 31–June 7 | Tukwila | Seattle Seawolves home matches – Major League Rugby home games at Starfire Sports, including the May 31 match vs. New England Free Jacks. | Schedule, Map, Tickets, Video |
