Fantastic Festivals

CHATEAU ST. MICHELLE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

One of the region’s most iconic outdoor music experiences, this series pairs live performances with the scenic backdrop of wine country. Sip local wines, enjoy a variety of food vendors, and watch crowd-pleasing headliners across multiple genres from the expansive lawn. May-Sept; ste-michelle.com/concerts/summer-concerts.

NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL 

Powered by donations, this annual event at Seattle Center celebrates the stories, music, dance, crafts, and traditions of the people who call the Pacific Northwest home. Memorial Day Weekend; nwfolklife.org

PRIDEFEST & PRIDE PARADE

Celebrate Pride with food trucks, beer gardens, vendors, performances, and a colorful parade through Downtown. June; seattlepridefest.org, seattlepridel.org.

ZOOTUNES

Catch buzzy new bands and classic favorites at this beloved outdoor concert series set inside Woodland Park Zoo. Bring a picnic blanket and snacks, arrive early, and settle in for a relaxed evening of live music under the trees. June-Sept; zoo.org/zootunes.

SEAFAIR 

It’s not summer without Seafair, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Over several weeks, experience the Torchlight Parade, 4th of July fireworks at both Gasworks Park and Lake Union Park, and Seafair Weekend featuring the US Navy Blue Angels and hydroplane races on Lake Washington. Seafair includes a wide array of smaller community events too, such as Greenwood Car Show and the Alki Art Show. June–Aug; seafair.org

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST 

Live music, food vendors, arts and crafts, activities for kids, and a beer garden are some of the ingredients that make this community fest in the West Seattle Junction a fan favorite. July; westseattlesummerfest.com

SEATTLE ART FAIR 

Art lovers rejoice: every July, Lumen Field Event Center transforms into a giant gallery of contemporary and modern art, complemented by installations, events, and performances. July; seattleartfair.com

Capitol Hill Block Party photo credit Sunny Martini

CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY 

A high-energy, three-day music festival featuring more than 100 artists across multiple stages. Known for its mix of local and national acts, it’s one of Seattle’s most popular summer music events. August; capitolhillblockparty.com

MOVIES AT THE MURAL

Enjoy free outdoor movie nights on a 40-foot screen beneath the Space Needle. Bring a blanket or low-back chair and take in a mix of classic films and crowd favorites in one of the city’s most iconic gathering spaces. July-August; seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/movies-at-the-mural

DOWNTOWN SUMMER SOUNDS

This free concert series brings diverse performances to outdoor venues across downtown Seattle. Pop-up stages transform plazas and public spaces into lively music destinations throughout the summer. July-August; downtownseattle.org/events/downtown-summer-sounds/

GREENSTAGE: SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

Seattle’s longest-running outdoor theater company presents free Shakespeare performances in the park. Mainstage productions include The Winter’s Tale and Coriolanus, performed in a classic open-air setting. July-August;greenstage.org/shakespeare-in-the-park/

BACKYARD BARD

A more intimate, traveling version of Shakespeare in the Park, Backyard Bard brings shorter, streamlined productions like The Tempest and The Two Noble Kinsmen to parks throughout Seattle. July-August; greenstage.org/backyard-bard-2026/

Courtesy Jim Bennett

BUMBERSHOOT

Seattle’s premier arts and music festival features a vibrant mix of live music, visual arts, and cultural performances. Multiple outdoor stages host a wide variety of artists, making it one of the city’s most dynamic end-of-summer events. Labor Day Weekend; bumbershoot.com

REFRACT 

Glass art shines at this festival held in locations across the region. Enjoy live demos, gallery events, private tours, art parties, museum exhibitions, and more, all showcasing creative uses of glass. October; refractseattle.org

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL

This annual festival offers a bevy of diverse jazz concerts—including some genre-blurring evenings—across the city for more than a month. October/November; earshot.org

PIER 62

Set against sweeping views of Elliott Bay, this summer series features live dance, music, and cultural performances on the waterfront. It’s an ideal way to experience Seattle’s arts scene in a scenic outdoor setting. Ongoing; waterfrontparkseattle.org

FESTÁL

This series of more than 25 free festivals celebrates the diverse cultures that make up Seattle. Events feature traditional music, dance, food, and art from communities around the world—many taking place on outdoor stages throughout the year. Ongoing; seattlecenter.com/events.