In late May Seattle becomes a kaleidoscope of music, theater, and street celebrations: on May 28 the Moore Theatre hosts rock legend Joe Jackson; that same day you can hear Rick Springfield’s hits or see a large-scale production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the 5th Avenue Theatre. During the week the Seattle Cabaret Festival and the musical Grease in Everett kick off, and street festivals — HONK! Fest West and Renegade Craft Fair — fill the city with live music and crafts; schooner Bay Lady offers sail cruises from the waterfront, and baseball season continues with Mariners home games at T-Mobile Park. For food and local flavors — Taste of Seattle and numerous tastings and food events in the suburbs — while family and free activities (concerts at the locks, exhibitions and workshops) offer entertainment for every taste. Details and event schedules are on events12.com: https://www.events12.com/seattle/.
Best Seattle events in late May 2026
| Date(s) | Venue | Description | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 28 | Moore Theatre, Seattle | Joe Jackson concert – a performance by the legendary rock musician in the historic Moore Theatre. | Info |
| May 28 | Auburn, Seattle suburb | Rick Springfield concert in Auburn – 80s hits performed live. | Info |
| May 28 | Downtown, Seattle | Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the 5th Avenue Theatre: a powerful rock opera with striking choreography and a dramatic story. | Theatre site, Map, Tickets, Video |
| May 28 - June 6 | Ballard, Seattle | Seattle Cabaret Festival – a cabaret festival: rock, blues, opera, a cappella, French chanson and singer-songwriter sets at Egan’s Ballard Jam House. | Festival site, Map, Schedule |
| May 28 - June 7 | Everett (29 miles north) | Grease at Everett Performing Arts Center – a nostalgic trip to the 1950s with music, dance and a high‑school romance. | Info, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 28 - June 20 | Seattle and suburbs | Series of theater productions: “Barefoot in the Park” at Taproot Theatre (a rom‑com in a New York apartment), “We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up” about a fictional duo in Issaquah, “She Loves Me” about bickering coworkers who fall in love. | Info |
| May 28 - Oct. 31 | Waterfront, Seattle | Sail cruises on the schooner Bay Lady in Elliott Bay: daytime and evening 2‑hour sails with postcard views of the city, sunset and the Olympic Mountains. | Info, Map, Video |
| May 28 - Dec. 26 | Seattle | Taste of Seattle – paid food walking tours: Pike Place Market, downtown chocolate, Capitol Hill coffee, wine and artisan products. | Info & booking |
| May 28 - Dec. 31 | Seattle and surroundings | Free year‑round activities: tours of the Ballard locks, Bellevue Botanical Garden, museums, classical concerts, dance parties, parks and walking trails. | List & details |
| May 29 | Kirkland (9.4 miles northeast) | Rosé Revival & Cool Whites tasting – a wide selection of dry rosés and white wines at The Woodmark with views of Lake Washington, 21+ only. | Event site, Map, Photo |
| May 29 - 30 | Nordic Museum, Langston Hughes, Seattle | Candlelight Concerts – hour‑long string quartet concerts by candlelight: programs include Coldplay, hip‑hop arrangements, Hisaishi, Juan Gabriel and Adele. | Info & tickets, Video |
| May 29 - 30 | Georgetown, Seattle | “Revolt of the Tails” – free circus show by teen troupe Celestial Circus with acrobatics, aerials and family‑friendly dance at the Yaw Theater. | Info, Map |
| May 29 - 30 | Puyallup (37 miles south) | Stamp & Scrapbook Expo – fair and convention for scrapbooking enthusiasts with workshops, vendors and crop parties at the Washington State Fair Events Center. | Site, Map, Video |
| May 29 - 31 | Various Seattle neighborhoods | HONK! Fest West – a street festival of brass and marching bands from around the world: Friday in Georgetown, Saturday in Columbia City, Sunday in Pratt Park. | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 29 - 31 | Downtown, Seattle | Blue Man Group show at the Paramount Theatre – the signature mix of comedy, percussion music and spectacular effects. | Info, Map, Tickets, Video |
| May 29 - 31 | South Lake Union, Seattle | PhotoFest at Glazer’s Camera – free talks and workshops on photography, photo walks and meetings with camera brand reps. | Info, Map |
| May 29 - 31 | Seattle, multiple venues | Seattle Asian American Film Festival – screenings of films by Asian American filmmakers, Q&As and an opening reception. | Festival site, Wing Luke map, Broadway Performance Hall map, Video |
| May 29 - 31 | Capitol Hill, Seattle | Bite of Greece Seattle – a small Greek festival with traditional food, wine and music at the Church of the Assumption. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 29 - Sept. 27 | SoDo, Seattle | Seattle Mariners home games at T‑Mobile Park (including games vs. Arizona Diamondbacks May 29–31). | Schedule & tickets, Map, Resale tickets |
| May 30 | Belltown, Seattle | Hot Stove Society cooking class at Hotel Andra: “Pizza from Scratch” masterclass with tastings from the chef. | School site, Map, Video |
| May 30 | Seattle | Seattle Architecture Foundation walking tours: guided neighborhood walks of Queen Anne or the renovated waterfront with a professional guide. | Info & tickets, FAQ, Video |
| May 30 | Hellbent Brewing, Seattle | Beer Run – a 5 km run from Brewery Running Series with a finishing beer, music, food trucks and local vendors. | Series site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Redmond (16 miles northeast) | Flying Wheels Summer Century bike ride – routes of 50, 70 or 100 miles with aid stations and a finish meal at Marymoor Park. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Issaquah (16 miles southeast) | Gilman Village Spring Fest – evening tasting of wine, beer and cider (12 tastings) with live music in historic shopping village, 21+ only. | Info, Map, Tickets |
| May 30 | Woodinville (20 miles northeast) | Pollinator Fest at 21 Acres – talks about bees and other pollinators, farm walks, kids’ workshops, live music and food trucks. | Site, Map, Site map, Photo |
| May 30 | Kent (20 miles southeast) | Kent International Festival – an international festival at ShoWare Center with world cuisines, concerts, dances, workshops and cultural pavilions. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Bothell (20 miles northeast) | Bothell Block Party and BrewFest – UW Bothell street party: beer, cider and wine tastings, food trucks and two stages of live music, 21+ only. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Federal Way (23 miles south) | Arts Explosion – one‑day art and music fair at Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center with artists, food trucks and kids’ activities. | Info, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 | Carnation (27 miles east) | Farmview Dinner – a refined farm‑to‑table three‑course dinner with wine pairings at scenic Carnation Farms. | Site, Map, FAQ, Photo |
| May 30 - 31 | Sand Point, Seattle | Renegade Craft Fair at Hangar 30, Magnuson Park – a large fair of independent makers (180+ vendors) with contemporary design and food. | Site, Map, Photo |
| May 30 - 31 | Everett (28 miles north) | Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – monster truck show with freestyle motorcycles, laser lights and stunt action at Angel of the Winds Arena. | Tour site, Map, Tickets, Photo, Video |
| May 30 - Aug. 30 | Seattle, Bellevue, North Bend | Trailhead Direct – seasonal bus service to mountain trailheads (Issaquah Alps and Mount Si) on weekends and holidays, convenient car‑free access to hiking. | Site, Photo, Video |
| May 30 - Sept. 7 | Ballard, Seattle | Free summer lawn concerts at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day; bring a blanket and a picnic. | Schedule, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 30 - Oct. 31 | Skykomish (66 miles northeast) | Ride the Great Northern & Cascade Railway miniature train: a 10‑minute trip over a bridge and through a tunnel, plus a gift shop. | Site, Map, Photo, Video |
| May 31 | First Hill, Seattle | A Celebration of Community – free concert by Orquesta Northwest featuring Latin music, classical pieces and mariachi at Town Hall Seattle. | Info, Map |
| May 31 | Queen Anne, Seattle | Orca Fest at KEXP – a celebration of orcas with live music, chalk art, face painting and eco‑education booths. | Event site, Map |
| May 31 - June 7 | Tukwila (12 miles south) | Seattle Seawolves home rugby matches at Starfire Sports (May 31 vs. New England Free Jacks, June 7 vs. California Legion). | Schedule, Map, Tickets, Video |
| May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027 | Wenatchee (148 miles east) | Washington State Apple Blossom Festival – an annual festival in the apple country: concerts, food, carnival, craft fair, car parade and a “major parade” at Memorial Park. | Festival site, Calendar, Map, Video |
| May 16, 2026 - April 16, 2027 | Pioneer Square, Seattle | Seattle Sounders home match season at Lumen Field; some matches fall within the period covered here. | Schedule, Map, Tickets |
