The week of May 23–30 in Seattle promises to be busy: from the large Northwest Folklife Festival and the street parades of HONK! Fest West to intimate concerts at Jazz Alley and Benaroya Hall, big shows at Gorge Amphitheatre, and family fairs in Renton and Bothell. Music lovers will find something for every taste — from tributes and jazz to rock nights and multi‑day performance series — and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy bike and hiking routes, tasting runs, and schooner sails on the bay. Plan ahead: the lineup also includes musicals, circus programs, food festivals, and wine tastings — the perfect mix for the long May weekend. Source: events12.com/seattle.
Notable events in and around Seattle at the end of May
| Date(s) | Venue | Description | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23 | Jazz Alley, Seattle | Blood, Sweat & Tears concert at the intimate Jazz Alley club | |
| May 23–25 | Seattle Center, Seattle | Folklife Festival with concerts, dances, and folk crafts | |
| May 24 | Royal Room, Seattle | Bob Dylan tribute concert | |
| May 24 | Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville | Yellowcard concert at the winery’s outdoor venue | |
| May 28 | Moore Theatre, Seattle | Joe Jackson concert | |
| May 28 | Auburn, WA | Rick Springfield concert | |
| May 29–30 | Remlinger, WA | The Black Keys concerts | |
| May 29–31 | Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA | Series of concerts by Brandi Carlile at the scenic Gorge Amphitheatre | |
| May 30 | Neptune Theatre, Seattle | Andrés Cepeda concert | |
| May 30–31 | Benaroya Hall, Seattle | Jazz orchestra at Benaroya Hall | |
| May 23 | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle | Stars on Ice: a show featuring top figure skaters set to rock‑classical music | Tickets, Video |
| May 23 | Kane Hall, University of Washington, Seattle | Annual showcase of traditional Chinese dance by UW students | Info, Video |
| May 23 | Springbrook Church, Renton | Children’s Business Fair with goods from young entrepreneurs aged 5–17 | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 23 | Bothell City Hall, Bothell | Outdoor market Making Local Market with ~100 makers and food vendors | Site |
| May 23–24 | The Paramount Theatre, Seattle | Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “The Phantom of the Opera” | Site, Tickets, Video |
| May 23 & 25 | Various cities in the region | Memorial ceremonies honoring veterans (SeaTac, Kent, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma) | |
| May 23–25 | Seattle Center, Seattle | Northwest Folklife Festival: music and dances of world cultures, food court and beer gardens | Site, Schedule, Photo, Video |
| May 23 & 30 | Seattle and neighborhoods | Seattle Architecture Foundation walking tours (waterfront, Queen Anne neighborhood) | Site, FAQ, Video |
| May 23 – Jun 6 | Egan’s Ballard Jam House, Seattle | Seattle Cabaret Festival: evening cabaret shows featuring rock, blues, opera and satire | Site, Schedule |
| May 23 – Jun 7 | Everett Performing Arts Center, Everett | Musical “Grease” about high school life and love in the 1950s | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 23 – Jun 20 | Various regional theaters | Series of plays: the comedy “Barefoot in the Park,” the musical “She Loves Me,” and more | |
| May 23 – Aug. 30 | Seattle, Bellevue, North Bend | Trailhead Direct bus to mountain trailheads (Issaquah Alps, Mount Si) on weekends | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 23 – Aug. 30 | Marymoor Park, Redmond | Marymoor Live summer series: outdoor concerts (including Claypool Gold on May 23) | Site, Tickets, Photo, Video |
| May 23 – Oct. 31 | Waterfront, Seattle | Two‑masted schooner Bay Lady sails on Elliott Bay (daytime and sunset cruises) | Video |
| May 23 – Oct. 31 | Skykomish, WA | Free rides on the Great Northern & Cascade Railway mini‑train on Saturdays | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 23 – Dec. 26 | Seattle (various locations) | Walking food tours: Pike Place Market, chocolate, Capitol Hill coffee, wine and cheese | |
| May 23 – Dec. 31 | Seattle and surrounding areas | Free activities: Ballard Locks tour, botanical gardens, museums, walking trails | |
| May 24 | Dragonfly Sculpture Bridge, Woodinville | Run or Wine 5K/10K run/walk with wine or cider tasting | Site, Photo |
| May 24–30 | Various venues, Seattle | Candlelight Concerts: string quartet performs hits by Fleetwood Mac, Coldplay, Hans Zimmer and more by candlelight | Info, Video |
| May 24 – Sept. 27 | Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville | Summer Concerts series in the winery courtyard (May 24 — Yellowcard) | Site, Tickets, Video |
| May 25 | U.S. National Parks | Free admission to national parks for Memorial Day (Mount Rainier, Olympic, etc.) | Info |
| May 29 | The Collective Seattle, Seattle | Dining in the Dark: a multi‑course meal served blindfolded | Info, Video |
| May 29 | The Woodmark Hotel, Kirkland | Rosé Revival & Cool Whites tasting with views of Lake Washington | Site, Photo |
| May 29–30 | Hotel Andra, Seattle | Hot Stove Society cooking classes (pork and dairy dinner, pizza from scratch) | Site, Video |
| May 29–30 | Yaw Theater, Seattle | Family circus show “Revolt of the Tails” by teen troupe Celestial Circus | Info |
| May 29–30 | Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup | Stamp & Scrapbook Expo for scrapbooking enthusiasts | Site, Video |
| May 29–31 | Georgetown, Columbia City, Pratt Park, Seattle | HONK! Fest West — street brass bands from around the world, parades and concerts | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 29–31 | Paramount Theatre, Seattle | Blue Man Group: a show blending music, comedy and special effects | Site, Tickets, Video |
| May 29–31 | Glazer’s Camera, Seattle | PhotoFest: free talks and workshops on photography, photo walks and demo zones | Site, Map |
| May 29–31 | Various venues, Seattle | Seattle Asian American Film Festival with screenings and opening‑night reception | Site, Wing Luke map, B.P.H. map, Video |
| May 29–31 | Church of the Assumption, Seattle | Bite of Greece Seattle: festival of Greek food and music | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 29 – Jun 14 | 12th Avenue Arts, Seattle | “The Circus of Second Chances” — Acrobatic Conundrum’s circus show with aerials and juggling | Site, Tickets, Photo |
| May 29 – Sept. 27 | T-Mobile Park, Seattle | Seattle Mariners home baseball games | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 30 | Hellbent Brewing, Seattle | Brewery Running Series 5K with a finishing pint and music | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Marymoor Park, Redmond | Flying Wheels Summer Century bike ride (routes 50/70/100 miles) | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | 21 Acres, Woodinville | Pollinator Fest: talks, farm activities, kids’ workshops and music | Site, Site map, Photo |
| May 30 | ShoWare Center, Kent | Kent International Festival: world food, dances, songs and cultural booths | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Bothell Furniture, Bothell | Bothell Block Party and BrewFest: beer, cider, wine and concerts on two stages (21+) | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, Federal Way | Arts Explosion: art fair with voting, music, food trucks and kids’ activities | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Carnation Farms, Carnation | Farmview Dinner: three‑course farm dinner with wine pairings | Site, FAQ, Photo |
| May 30 | Shelton, WA | Forest Festival: run, parade, lumberjack show, carnival, concerts and fireworks | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30–31 | Hangar 30, Magnuson Park, Seattle | Renegade Craft Fair with 180 indie makers and food trucks | Site, Photo |
| May 30–31 | Patterson Cellars, Woodinville | Wine & Oysters: a set of 6 Hama Hama oysters paired with three wines | Site, Photo |
| May 30–31 | Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett | Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: giant truck show with stunts and special effects | Site, Tickets, Photo, Video |
| May 30 – Sept. 7 | Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle | Free summer concerts on the Ballard Locks lawn on weekends and Labor Day | Lineup, Photo, Video |
| May 31 | Town Hall Seattle, Seattle | Concert “A Celebration of Community” featuring Latin American classics and mariachi | Site |
| May 31 | KEXP, Seattle | Orca Fest: music, chalk art, face painting and orca conservation education | Site |
| May 31 – Jun 7 | Starfire Sports, Tukwila | Seattle Seawolves home rugby matches | Site, Map, Tickets, Video |
| May 31 – Dec. 27 | Waterways Cruises, Seattle | Brunch or dinner cruises on Union and Lake Washington with a guide | Video |
