The weeklong Seattle lineup promises a busy schedule: already on Wednesday, May 13 — major concerts and premieres on the city's main stages, including pop‑rock and rap, as well as several musicals and opera productions for theater lovers. Over the weekend, the University District will turn into a street festival with hundreds of craft booths and food trucks at the U District Street Fair, while festivals take place at Lake Chelan, Viking Fest in Poulsbo, and large gatherings in parks and on waterfronts — from dragon boat regattas to mineral shows and classic workboat fairs. The sports calendar includes home matches for the Seattle Sounders and Seattle Reign, and family activities include Dozer Day, Rig‑A‑Palooza and Petpalooza; nightlife fans will find exhibition opening parties, cabaret and karaoke screenings. A detailed event list and links to venues are available in the compiled lineup; source — events12.com/seattle.
Notable events in Seattle and nearby (May 13–19)
| Date(s) | Venue | Description | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13 | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle | Demi Lovato concert | Arena site (schedule) |
| May 13 | WaMu Theater, Seattle | Rapper Baby Keem concert | |
| May 13–17 | 5th Avenue Theatre, Downtown Seattle | Musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” — Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera with powerful vocal parts and energetic choreography | Info & tickets, Map |
| May 13–17 | McCaw Hall, Seattle Center | Opera “Carmen” (Bizet) — the classic tale of a passionate gypsy and a soldier, a Seattle Opera production with English surtitles | Info, Video, Map |
| May 13–24 | Paramount Theatre, Downtown Seattle | Musical “The Phantom of the Opera” — the legendary romantic story about a mysterious masked genius and a young singer | Info, Tickets, Video, Map |
| May 13–June 7 | Everett Performing Arts Center, Everett | Musical “Grease” — a fun return to the 1950s: school romance, dance and iconic music | Info, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 13–Nov. 7 | Lumen Field, Pioneer Square, Seattle | Soccer: Seattle Sounders home matches. In the week covered — vs. San Jose Earthquakes (May 13, 6:30 PM) and LA Galaxy (May 16, 6:00 PM) | Schedule & tickets, Map, Tickets (StubHub) |
| May 13–Dec. 26 | Various locations, Seattle | “Taste of Seattle” — culinary walking tours: Pike Place market, chocolate, Capitol Hill coffee, wine and cheese | Info & booking |
| May 14 | Central Cinema, Central District | “The Totally ’90s Sing Along” karaoke screening — 30 '90s music videos on the big screen (NSYNC, Nirvana, Spice Girls, etc.) with captions for communal singing | Info & tickets, Video, Map |
| May 14 | Old Bellevue, Bellevue | Old Bellevue Wine Walk — a commemorative glass and 12 tastings at local shops (21+) | Info & tickets, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 14–17 | Meany Center, University District | MFA Dance Concert — new choreography by graduating dancers in contemporary dance, performed by 60 students | Info, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 14–17 | Lake Chelan, Chelan | Lake Chelan Wine and Jazz Festival — jazz concerts at wineries around the lake (festival pass required) | Info, Photo, Video 1, Video 2, Map |
| May 14–21 | Various Seattle neighborhoods and Edmonds | Evening art walks — Seattle Art Walks (Capitol Hill, West Seattle, University District, Edmonds) | Info |
| May 14–June 6 | Egan’s Ballard Jam House, Ballard | Seattle Cabaret Festival — intimate shows from rock and blues to opera and satire, a different program each night | Festival site, Tickets, Map |
| May 15 | Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle Center | Opening party for the “Rebels + Icons” exhibition at MoPop (21+): DJs, photo installations, live graffiti, bar | Info, Map |
| May 15 | West Seattle Junction, West Seattle | West Seattle Wine Walk — 14 tastings at neighborhood shops (21+) | Info, Photo, Map |
| May 15–16 | Cornish Playhouse, Seattle Center | Contemporary dance Whim W’Him — Spring ’26 program: three new choreographies by guest creators | Info, Video, Map |
| May 15–16 | Tacoma Armory, Tacoma | GeekCraft Expo — handmade market with “geeky” jewelry, toys and decor | Info, Map |
| May 15–17 | Poulsbo Town Center, Poulsbo | Viking Fest — Scandinavian festival with carnival, parade, street food and music at Liberty Bay Waterfront Park | Site, Parade, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 15–Nov. 1 | Lumen Field, Pioneer Square | Seattle Reign (NWSL) home matches. In the week of May 13–19 — vs. NJ/NY Gotham on May 15 (7:00 PM) | Schedule, Map, Tickets (StubHub) |
| May 16 | W Seattle Hotel, Downtown | The Ambrosia Sessions tasting evening — bourbon mini‑cocktails and snacks (21+) | Info & tickets, Map |
| May 16 | Seattle Center Armory, Seattle | Spirit of Africa Festival — African music and dance, fashion show, craft market and food | Info, More, Gallery, Video, Map |
| May 16 | Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center | Revelry After Hours — cocktails, bites, a DJ and surprises in the theater lobby (after‑party tickets only) | Info & tickets, Map |
| May 16 | Polish Cultural Center, Capitol Hill | Pierogi Fest — Polish dumplings with various fillings, desserts, beer and a choir concert | Info, Photo, Map |
| May 16 | Columbia City, Seattle | Columbia City Night Market — food trucks, craft stalls, live music and a beer garden | Info, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16 | Shoreline South/148th Station → across Seattle | Seattle Super Saunter — an informal 24‑mile walk from north to south of the city (you can join for part of the route) | Site, Route, Photo, Start map |
| May 16 | Edmonds College, Lynnwood | Jet City Roller Derby bouts — roller derby, food court and a beer garden | Info, Tickets, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16 | Sammamish Commons Plaza, Sammamish | Rig‑A‑Palooza — over 20 service vehicles and specialty rigs for kids, bounce houses and food trucks | Info, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16 | Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Federal Way | Blue Poppy Day — blooming of the blue poppies (Meconopsis), artists, music and a food truck | Info, Photo, Map |
| May 16 | Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, Federal Way | Touch‑a‑Truck — kids can view and touch various heavy equipment, trucks and municipal vehicles | Info, Video, Map |
| May 16 | Game Farm Park, Auburn | Petpalooza — family festival for pet owners: races, contests, flying‑dog shows and an adoption area | Info, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16 | Thea’s Park, Tacoma | Rainier Dragon Boat Festival — dragon boat races with dozens of teams, food court and craft booths | Info, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16 | Crescent Moon Gifts, Tacoma | Spring Fairy Festival — street fantasy festival with fairies, elves, musicians, dancers and 100 artists | Info, Map |
| May 16 | Uptown Gig Harbor Pavilion, Gig Harbor | Gig Harbor Beer and Cider Festival — 10 beer/cider tastings and live music (21+) | Info, Tickets, Photo, Map |
| May 16–17 | Lake Union Park, Westlake | Classic Workboat Show — tours of workboats (tugs, fishing and rescue vessels), engine demonstrations | Info, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16–17 | U District, Seattle | U District Street Fair — a major street festival: 250 craft booths, music stages, 50 food trucks, kids’ zones and beer gardens | Site, Event map, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16–17 | Hangar 30, Magnuson Park, Seattle | Seattle Mineral Market — minerals, fossils, jewelry and lapidary art from ~60 vendors | Info, Dealer map, Photo, Map |
| May 16–17 | Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup | Dozer Day — kids can watch and, under supervision, operate heavy construction equipment, plus fire and police vehicles | Info, Fair map, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 16–17 | Saint Martin’s University, Olympia | Lacey Spring Fun Fair — free family festival with rides, a large slide, shows, kids’ activities and a car show | Info, Photo, Map |
| May 16–17 | Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon | All My Relations Powwow — a traditional Indigenous powwow with dances, regalia, music and food | Info, Photo, Map |
| May 16–17 | Camano Island | Camano Island Studio Tour — self‑drive tour of 24 artist studios and galleries on the island, no ferry required | Info, Tour map, Photo, Map |
| May 16–30 | Various Seattle neighborhoods | Seattle Architecture Foundation walking tours — overview of downtown, waterfront, Mount Baker and Queen Anne styles | Info & tickets, FAQ, Video |
| May 16–Oct. 31 | Skykomish, northeast of Seattle | Great Northern & Cascade Railway miniature railroad — a free 10‑minute mini‑train ride on Saturdays | Site, Photo, Video, Map |
| May 17 | Ballard neighborhood, Seattle | Norwegian 17th of May Festival — celebration of Norway's Constitution with a parade, music, lunches and a beer hall | Site, Events, Parade route, Photo, Video |
| May 17 | Phinney Center, Phinney Ridge | PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day — about 100 garage sales plus a flea market in the center parking lot | Info, Map |
| May 17 | Bellevue College, Bellevue | Sawubona Festival — African music, dance, poetry, a kids’ area and a panel discussion | Info, Video, Map |
| May 17–19 | Benaroya Hall, Downtown | National Geographic Live — lectures by researchers, photographers and filmmakers with striking photo and video presentations | Info, Map |
| May 17–June 7 | Starfire Sports, Tukwila | Seattle Seawolves rugby club home matches. In the week covered — vs. Anthem Rugby Carolina on May 17 (1:00 PM) | Schedule, Map, Tickets (StubHub), Video |
