The week beginning May 12, 2026 promises a spectacle in Seattle and the surrounding area — from large concert halls and musicals to street festivals, wine walks, and family events. The program includes performances by global stars (Florence + The Machine, Demi Lovato, Baby Keem), major cultural events (SIFF, Seattle Beer Week, Seattle Cabaret Festival), musicals and opera at the city's leading theaters, and dozens of local festivals and markets: street fairs, food tours, sailing cruises, sporting events, and family celebrations across the region. The full list of events and up-to-date details were compiled from local listings and event calendars. Source: events12.com/seattle.
Events in Seattle and surrounding areas: mid‑May
| Date(s) | Location | Description | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12 | Seattle, Climate Pledge Arena | Florence + The Machine concert: indie rock with Florence Welch’s powerful vocals | Venue info |
| May 12 | Seattle, WaMu Theater | Baby Keem concert: contemporary hip‑hop and rap | Venue info |
| May 12 | Seattle, Climate Pledge Arena | Demi Lovato concert: pop‑rock and recent hits | Venue info |
| May 12–16 | Seattle (various venues) | Seattle Beer Week: dozens of craft beer tastings and food pairings at bars and breweries across the city | Seattle Beer Week |
| May 12–17 | Seattle (various venues) | Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF): one of the largest independent film festivals with screenings from around the world | SIFF, Video |
| May 12–Oct. 31 | Seattle Waterfront | Sailing cruises on the schooner Bay Lady in Elliott Bay: day and sunset cruises with snacks and drinks on board | Seattle's Tall Ship, Video |
| May 12–Dec. 26 | Seattle (various neighborhoods) | Taste of Seattle: walking food tours with tastings (Pike Place Market, chocolate, Capitol Hill coffee, wine and cheese) | Info & booking |
| May 12–Dec. 31 | Seattle & surrounding areas | Free activities: tour the Ballard Locks, Bellevue Botanical Garden, free museums, dance groups, parks and walking trails | Overview of free activities |
| May 13–17 | Downtown Seattle, The 5th Avenue Theatre | Musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera with powerful vocals and choreography (contains scenes of violence and suicide) | Show info, Map |
| May 13–17 | Seattle Center, McCaw Hall | Opera “Carmen”: Bizet’s classic opera about a passionate gypsy, with orchestra and English surtitles | Carmen, Map, Video |
| May 13–24 | Downtown Seattle, Paramount Theatre | “The Phantom of the Opera”: the legendary musical by A. L. Webber about the mysterious Phantom of the Opera and the singer Christine | Info, Tickets, Video |
| May 13–June 7 | Everett, Everett Performing Arts Center | Musical “Grease”: a nostalgic trip to the 1950s with rock’n’roll and high‑school romance | Grease, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 13 | Lumen Field, Pioneer Square | MLS Soccer: Seattle Sounders vs San Jose Earthquakes | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 14 | Central District, Central Cinema | “The Totally ‘90s Sing Along”: karaoke‑style evening with NSYNC, TLC, Nirvana, Alanis Morissette and Spice Girls videos on the big screen | Event, Video |
| May 14 | Bellevue, Old Bellevue | Old Bellevue Wine Walk: souvenir glass and 12 wine tastings at shops in the historic district (21+) | Info, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 14–17 | University District, Meany Center | MFA Dance Concert: new choreographies by graduate students performed by student dancers | Info, Map |
| May 14–17 | Lake Chelan, Chelan | Lake Chelan Wine and Jazz Festival: jazz concerts and wine tastings at wineries around the lake | Festival, Map, Photo, Video 1, Video 2 |
| May 14–21 | Various neighborhoods | Evening art walks Seattle Art Walks (Capitol Hill, West Seattle, University District, Edmonds) with galleries and installations | Seattle Art Walks |
| May 14–June 6 | Ballard, Egan’s Ballard Jam House | Seattle Cabaret Festival: intimate concerts — rock, blues, opera, chanson and singer‑songwriter programs in cabaret format | Festival, Map, Tickets |
| May 15 | Seattle Center, MoPOP | Opening of the “Rebels + Icons” exhibit: party with DJs, installations and a bar at the Museum of Pop Culture (21+) | Event, Map |
| May 15 | West Seattle Junction | West Seattle Wine Walk: 14 wine tastings at neighborhood shops, souvenir glass (21+) | Info, Map, Photo |
| May 15–16 | Seattle Center, Cornish Playhouse | Whim W’Him “Spring ‘26”: contemporary dance from three choreographers performed by a leading Seattle company | Show, Map, Video |
| May 15–16 | Tacoma, Tacoma Armory | GeekCraft Expo: market of geeky handmade goods — from fandom accessories to decor | GeekCraft Expo, Map |
| May 15–17 | Poulsbo | Viking Fest: Scandinavian festival with carnival, market, music and parade in the town center | Viking Fest, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 15–Sept. 27 | SoDo, T-Mobile Park | MLB Baseball: Seattle Mariners home games at T‑Mobile Park | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 15–Nov. 1 | Lumen Field, Pioneer Square | Seattle Reign home matches (women’s soccer) at Lumen Field | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
| May 16 | W Seattle Hotel, downtown | The Ambrosia Sessions: tasting of mini bourbon cocktails, snacks and pop‑up installations by local brands (21+) | Tickets, Map |
| May 16 | Seattle Center, Armory | Spirit of Africa Festival: African music and dance, fashion show, craft market and food court | Info, Photo, Video |
| May 16 | Seattle Rep, Seattle Center | Revelry After Hours: cocktails, snacks, DJ and photo zones supporting Seattle Rep | Event, Map |
| May 16 | Capitol Hill, Polish Cultural Center | Pierogi Fest: Polish food festival with dumplings (pierogi), sausages, desserts and a choir performance | Info, Map, Photo |
| May 16 | Columbia City | Columbia City Night Market: food trucks, local makers, live music and beer garden (night market) | Info, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 16 | Shoreline → across Seattle | Seattle Super Saunter: informal 24‑mile walk north to south across the city — participants can join for part of the route | Route, Site, Photo |
| May 16 | Lynnwood, Edmonds College | Roller derby: dynamic Jet City Roller Derby matches, food court and beer garden | Info, Tickets, Photo, Video |
| May 16 | Sammamish, Sammamish Commons | Rig‑A‑Palooza: big rigs expo — fire trucks, patrol cars, excavators, bounce houses and food trucks for families | Info, Map |
| May 16 | Federal Way, Rhododendron Garden | Blue Poppy Day: garden celebration with a field of blue poppies in bloom, music, artists and a food truck | Info, Map, Photo |
| May 16 | Federal Way, Wild Waves | Touch‑a‑Truck: kids can climb into fire trucks, tractors and other equipment, all inside the theme park | Info, Map, Video |
| May 16 | Auburn, Game Farm Park | Petpalooza: dog run, contests, demonstrations and a pet goods fair | Info, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 16 | Tacoma, Thea’s Park | Rainier Dragon Boat Festival: dragon boat races, food court and craft stalls on the waterfront | Festival, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 16 | Tacoma, Crescent Moon Gifts | Spring Fairy Festival: fantasy arts fair with 100 artists, musicians, magicians and costumed fairies | Info, Map |
| May 16 | Gig Harbor, Uptown | Gig Harbor Beer and Cider Festival: beer and cider tastings, live music, 21+ area | Info, Map, Tickets, Photo |
| May 16–17 | Westlake, Lake Union Park | Classic Workboat Show: tours of tugs, fishing and rescue vessels, meet captains and engine demonstrations | Info, Map |
| May 16–17 | University District | U District Street Fair: large street festival with 250 craft booths, music, food trucks and a kids’ zone | Site, Map, Event map, Photo |
| May 16–17 | Sand Point, Magnuson Park | Seattle Mineral Market: 60 sellers of minerals, fossils, jewelry and mineral art | Info, Map |
| May 16–17 | Puyallup, Fair Events Center | Dozer Day: kids watch and even operate heavy construction equipment, plus fire and police vehicles | Site, Map |
| May 16–17 | Olympia, Saint Martin’s University | Lacey Spring Fun Fair: family festival with free rides, a giant slide, shows and a car parade | Info, Map |
| May 16–17 | Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College | All My Relations Powwow: traditional Indigenous powwow with dances, regalia, music and food | Info, Map |
| May 16–17 | Camano Island (self‑drive) | Camano Island Studio Tour: self‑drive tour of 24 studios and galleries showcasing contemporary art and sculpture | Tour, Tour map, Photo |
| May 16–30 | Seattle & neighborhoods | Architectural walking tours by the Seattle Architecture Foundation: downtown, waterfront, Mount Baker, Queen Anne | Tours, FAQ, Video |
| May 16–Oct. 31 | Skykomish | Great Northern & Cascade Railway (mini railroad): 10‑minute ride across a bridge and through a tunnel, plus a gift shop | Site, Map |
| May 17 | Ballard | 17th of May Festival: celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day with parades, costumes, music and a food court | Festival, Parade route, Photos |
| May 17 | Phinney Ridge | PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day: over 100 garage sales and a flea market at the Phinney Center | Info, Map |
| May 17 | Bellevue, Bellevue College | Sawubona Festival: East African festival with music, dance, poetry and a kids’ area | Info, Map |
| May 17–19 | Downtown, Benaroya Hall | National Geographic Live: talks with scientists, photographers and explorers sharing unique stories and images | Lecture series, Map |
| May 17–June 7 | Tukwila, Starfire Sports | Seattle Seawolves rugby matches (MLR), including home games | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
