This week Seattle becomes a playground of diverse experiences: from major festivals and street fairs to theatre premieres and sporting events — Seattle Beer Week and the Seattle International Film Festival sit alongside the U District Street Fair, Northwest Folklife, and a string of major productions at McCaw Hall and the Paramount Theatre. Active‑life options include the multi‑mile Seattle Super Saunter and live Mariners and Sounders matches; family plans can feature Rig‑A‑Palooza and Petpalooza; music and craft fans have Marymoor Live, GeekCraft Expo, and Candlelight Concerts. Plan your route by mood: food trucks and beer gardens, workshops, craft stalls, and outdoor shows are available across the metropolis and suburbs. This roundup is compiled from listings and schedules gathered at events12.com/seattle.
Current events in Seattle and nearby (May 16–23)
| Date(s) | Location | Description | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16 | Seattle, various venues | Seattle Beer Week – dozens of beer tastings and gastro‑events at bars and breweries across the city. | More |
| May 16 | Downtown, W Seattle Hotel | Tasting evening "The Ambrosia Sessions" with bourbon mini‑cocktails, small bites, and pop‑ups from local brands (21+). | Tickets, map |
| May 16 | Seattle Center, Armory | "Spirit of Africa" Festival – music and dance, fashion show, craft market, and African food. | Festival site, more, photos, video |
| May 16 | Seattle Center, Cornish Playhouse | Contemporary dance evening "Spring ‘26" by Whim W’Him with premieres from three choreographers. | Info, map, video |
| May 16 | Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center | "Revelry After Hours" party after dinner: cocktails, light bites, DJ sets, photo zones and special guests. | Info, map |
| May 16 | Polish Cultural Center, Capitol Hill | "Pierogi Fest" with pierogi (several fillings), Polish hot dogs, beer and a choir performance. | Info, map, photos |
| May 16 | Columbia City Night Market | Night street market with food trucks, artisans, live music and a beer garden on 37th Ave S. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 16 | Shoreline South/148th Station → across Seattle | 24‑mile walk "Seattle Super Saunter" through the city north to south – you can join for part of the route. | Site, route map, photos |
| May 16 | Lynnwood, Seaview Gym | Jet City Roller Derby women's league matches (two games in the evening, food and beer garden). | Event, map, tickets, photos, video |
| May 16 | Sammamish Commons Plaza | Family event "Rig‑A‑Palooza" – over 20 service vehicles, bounce houses, food trucks. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 16 | Federal Way, Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden | "Blue Poppy Day" – blooming blue poppies, art fair, live music, food trucks. | Info, map, photos |
| May 16 | Federal Way, Wild Waves | "Touch‑a‑Truck" – kids explore emergency vehicles, big trucks, tractors and more. | Info, map, video |
| May 16 | Auburn, Game Farm Park | "Petpalooza" – pet run, contests, adoptions, agility zone and flying dog shows. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 16 | Tacoma Armory | Geek market "GeekCraft Expo" – curated handmade goods themed on comics, games and fantasy. | Site, map |
| May 16 | Tacoma, Thea’s Park | "Rainier Dragon Boat Festival" – races, ceremonies, food and craft vendors. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 16 | Tacoma, Crescent Moon Gifts | Indoor and outdoor "Spring Fairy Festival" – about 100 artists, makers, musicians and costumed fairies and elves. | Info, map |
| May 16 | Gig Harbor, Uptown | "Gig Harbor Beer and Cider Festival" (10 tastings, live music, 21+). | Info, map, tickets, photos |
| May 16–17 | Various Seattle venues | Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) – the region's largest indie film festival, closing night ceremony on May 17 (21+). | Festival, closing party, video |
| May 16–17 | 5th Avenue Theatre, downtown | Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" – rock opera with energetic dance and dramatic storytelling. | Info, map, tickets, video |
| May 16–17 | McCaw Hall, Seattle Center | Bizet's opera "Carmen" in a Seattle Opera production, sung in French with English surtitles. | Info, map, video |
| May 16–17 | Lake Union Park, Westlake | "Classic Workboat Show" – tours of tugs, fishing and rescue boats, engine demonstrations. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 16–17 | U District, University Way NE | U District Street Fair – 250 craft booths, 50 food trucks, music stages, kids' area and beer gardens. | Info, map, fair map, photos, video |
| May 16–17 | Meany Center, U District | MFA Dance Concert – new works performed by 60 graduate student dancers. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 16–17 | Magnuson Park, Hangar 30 | "Seattle Mineral Market" – over 60 vendors of minerals, fossils, jewelry and mineral art. | Info, map, dealer map, photos |
| May 16–17 | Poulsbo, Liberty Bay Waterfront Park | Scandinavian "Viking Fest" with a carnival, street food, crafts, a run and Saturday parade. | Info, map, parade, photos, video |
| May 16–17 | Puyallup, state fairgrounds | "Dozer Day" – kids watch and try operating heavy construction equipment; police and fire vehicles also on display. | Info, map, program map, photos, video |
| May 16–17 | Olympia, Saint Martin’s University | "Lacey Spring Fun Fair" – rides, slide, food trucks, stage, fire trucks, science fair and car show. | Info, map, photos |
| May 16–17 | Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College | "All My Relations Powwow" – traditional regalia, dances, food and native crafts; Grand Entry Sat 6:00 PM and Sun 12:00 PM. | Info, map, photos |
| May 16–17 | Camano Island, various studios | "Camano Island Studio Tour" – 24 studios and galleries, including Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Park. | Info, map, tour map, photos |
| May 16–17 | Chelan, wineries around the lake | "Lake Chelan Wine and Jazz Festival" – jazz performances at winery locations (by pass). | Site, map, photos, video 1, video 2 |
| May 16–24 | Paramount Theatre, downtown | "The Phantom of the Opera" – the legendary love story with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. | Info, map, tickets, video |
| May 16–30 | Various Seattle neighborhoods | Seattle Architecture Foundation walking tours – different routes and dates (downtown, waterfront, neighborhoods). | Tours, FAQ, video |
| May 16–June 6 | Ballard, Egan’s Jam House | "Seattle Cabaret Festival" – programs from rock and blues to opera and political satire. | Site, map, tickets |
| May 16–June 7 | Everett Performing Arts Center | Musical "Grease" – a retro 1950s high‑school romance with songs and dances. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 16–June 20 | Various theatres | Selection of plays: the comedy "Barefoot in the Park" in Seattle, the musical drama "We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up" in Issaquah, a mystical whodunit in Edmonds, and a rom‑com musical at Centerstage. | — |
| May 16–Sept. 27 | SoDo, T‑Mobile Park | Seattle Mariners home games; May 16–20 – series against the Padres and White Sox. | Schedule, map, tickets |
| May 16–Oct. 31 | Waterfront, Seattle’s Tall Ship | Sailing trips on the schooner "Bay Lady" on Elliott Bay (day and sunset cruises, bar on board). | Info, video |
| May 16–Oct. 31 | Skykomish, Great Northern & Cascade Railway | Mini train rides over a bridge and through a tunnel on Saturdays, plus a souvenir shop. | Site, map, photos, video |
| May 16–Nov. 7 | Lumen Field, Pioneer Square | Seattle Sounders home soccer matches; May 16 – match vs LA Galaxy. | Schedule, map, tickets |
| May 16–Dec. 26 | Seattle, various neighborhoods | A series of culinary walking tours: Pike Place Market, chocolate and coffee on Capitol Hill, wine and dessert tours. | — |
| May 16–Dec. 31 | Seattle and suburbs | Roundup of ongoing free activities: Bellevue Botanical Garden, museums, parks, classical concerts and more. | — |
| May 17 | Ballard | Norwegian Constitution Day – "17th of May Festival" with parade, music, beer hall and luncheon. | Info, events, parade route, photos, video |
| May 17 | Phinney Ridge, Phinney Center | PhinneyWood garage sale day – about 100 yard sales plus a flea market at the center. | Info, map |
| May 17 | Bellevue College | "Sawubona" Festival – African music, dance, poetry, kids' corner, market and a panel discussion. | Info, map, video |
| May 17–19 | Benaroya Hall, downtown | National Geographic Live lecture‑show – scientists and explorers share field research with photos and video. | Info, map |
| May 17–June 7 | Tukwila, Starfire Sports | Seattle Seawolves home rugby matches; May 17 – game vs Anthem Rugby Carolina. | Schedule, map, tickets, video |
| May 19 | Moore Theatre, downtown | Concert by the band American Football. | — |
| May 21 | Various venues, art markets | Evening art strolls "Seattle Art Walks", including the Edmonds Art Walk (5:00–8:00 PM). | Info |
| May 21 | SoDo, Emerald City Trapeze Arts | "Protégé Show" – advanced students perform trapeze, juggling and unicycle acts. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 21–30 | Various venues | Candlelight Concerts – hour‑long string quartet concerts under faux candlelight (various programs – ABBA, Queen, Pink Floyd, Hans Zimmer, etc.). | Info |
| May 22–25 | Seattle Center | Northwest Folklife Festival – the region's largest free folk festival: dances, music, workshops, food and beer gardens. | Site, booklet, schedule, map, photos, video |
| May 23 | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle Center | "Stars on Ice" figure skating show set to classic rock. | Info, map, video |
| May 23 | UW, Kane Hall | Gala concert of traditional Chinese dance by the UW student troupe. | Info, map, video |
| May 23 | Renton, Springbrook Church | "Children’s Business Fair" – dozens of mini‑businesses run by kids aged 5–17. | Info, map, photos, video |
| May 23 | Bothell City Hall | "Making Local Market" street market – about 100 local vendors selling gifts, food, clothing and more. | Info, map |
| May 23 | Various cities | Memorial Day remembrance ceremonies at cemeteries and monuments (SeaTac, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma, Kent). | — |
| May 23–30 | Belltown, Hotel Andra | Culinary classes "Hot Stove Society" – tasting dinner and chef demonstrations (Georgian cuisine, pork menu, pizza). | Info, map, video |
| May 23–Aug. 30 | Redmond, Marymoor Park | Outdoor concert series "Marymoor Live"; May 23 – Claypool Gold performs. | Shows, map, tickets, photos, video |
| May 23–Sept. 1 | Seattle / Bellevue / North Bend | Trailhead Direct bus to popular trailheads (Issaquah Alps, Mount Si) on weekends and holidays. | Site, photos, video |
