Photo: David Newman

What’s New

Story Suggestions and Travel Guidelines for Seattle and Washington State

2024

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

HAPPENING NOW

Indigenous-owned Gallery and Creative Space Opens Downtown

Tidelands, a new Indigenous-owned art gallery and creative space focused on Native scholarship, storytelling, and art, is welcoming visitors to its debut season this fall. The gallery was opened in downtown Seattle in September by Matika Wilbur, a visual storyteller from the Swinomish and Tulalip peoples of Washington. Wilbur aims to create a physical space for Indigenous creatives to showcase their work, foster community, and provide educational opportunities for future generations. Wilbur is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America,” which documents the experiences of Native people from more than 500 sovereign tribal nations and seeks to challenge stereotypes surrounding Native Americans. Artwork from “Project 562” is featured in Tidelands’ inaugural exhibition.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

Central District Welcomes Its Own Art Walk Program This Fall

Central District’s new art walk, now held every first Friday of the month, invites pedestrians to explore the neighborhood’s vibrant art scene for free. Kicking off in Midtown Square at 6 p.m., the CD Art Walk leads visitors through local art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. Launched on Sept. 6, the program joined a growing list of other Seattle neighborhoods highlighting the city’s arts community.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

Frye Art Museum Announces Winter/Spring Exhibition Program

For its winter/spring exhibition program, the Frye Art Museum showcases two solo exhibitions: Alex Katz: Theater and Dance (Jan. 24 – June 22, 2025) and Dawn Cerny: Portmeirion (Jan. 25 – June 22, 2025).

New York painter Alex Katz presents “Alex Katz: Theater and Dance” as the artist’s first comprehensive exploration of playful and inventive collaborations with choreographers, dancers, and members of avant-garde theater ensembles. In “Dawn Cerny: Portmeirion,” Seattle sculptor Dawn Cerny presents a body of interactive sculptures newly created for the Frye presentation.

Other exhibitions include “Mary Ann Peters: the edge becomes the center,” where Seattle artist Mary Ann Peters receives her first solo museum exhibition. The show brings together, for the first time, the 10 abstract drawings of the series “this trembling turf.” The exhibition runs until Jan. 5, 2025.

“Hayv Kahraman: Look Me in the Eyes” interrogates conditions of migration and immigration in the West. In her largest museum solo presentation to date, Kahraman (born 1981, Baghdad) draws upon her longstanding motif of heavily browed, lidded eyes to expose the simultaneous surveillance and erasure of othered bodies. The exhibition features all-new work encompassing paintings, large-scale sculptures, and a deeply personal audio installation. The exhibit runs until Feb. 2, 2025.

Frye Salon features more than 100 paintings from the Frye Art Museum’s Founding Collection hung floor to ceiling—a display mode referred to as a salon-style hang. The installation approximates the dramatic viewing experience enjoyed by visitors to Charles and Emma Frye’s Seattle home in the first decades of the 20th century. The exhibition runs from March 28, 2024 – July 25, 2025.

Media Contact: [email protected] 

Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Asian Art Museum Announce Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Building on the success of Calder in Motion, Seattle Art Museum announced its second exhibition in the multiyear Calder in SAM initiative. The exhibition Following Space; Thaddeus Mosley & Alexander Calder runs through June 1, 2025. The exhibit features 17 large-scale wood sculptures of contemporary artist Thaddeus Mosely, as well as Calder’s iconic hanging mobiles, a standing mobile, and a wall sculpture.

Another current exhibit at Seattle Art Museum is Jacob Lawrence: American Storyteller, which brings together works by one of the 20th century’s most impactful visual storytellers. It will run until January 5, 2025.

Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams is currently on view at Seattle Art Museum. A prolific and boundary-breaking artist, Joyce J. Scott is known for her virtuosic use of beads and glass. She upends hierarchies of art and craft, captivating audiences with beauty, humor, and a fearless exploration of pressing issues like racism, sexism, environmentalism, and complex family dynamics. Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams features over 150 works from the 1970s to the present. The exhibit will run until January 19, 2025.

Also currently showing at Seattle Art Museum is Bethany Collins: At Sea. Collins’ conceptually driven work uses language as both subject and medium to explore the nuances and intersections of language, racial identity, and American history. Collins is the recipient of the 2023 Gwendolyn Knight and Jacob Lawrence Prize, awarded biennially by Seattle Art Museum since 2009 to an early to mid-career Black artist. Collins’ exhibition will run until May 4, 2025.

Media Contact: Rachel Eggers, rachele@seattleartmuseum.org

The Henry Art Gallery Showcases 2024 Exhibitions

For 2024, The Henry presents an impressive collection of exhibitions, including “Lucy Kim: Mutant Optics” by Korean American artist Lucy Kim. In this collection, Kim created an installation of new melanin works made from images of genetically modified vanilla plants, extending her broader investigations into the entangled relationship between bioengineering, visual appearance, and the social and cultural construction of race and perception. “Lucy Kim: Mutant Optics” will be on display until February 2025.

Media Contact: Tanja Baumann, [email protected]  

The Museum of Flight Opened New Space Station Exhibit

On June 8, The Museum of Flight premiered Home Beyond Earth, an immersive exhibition that goes to the heart of the human experience of living in space. With a focus on space stations past, present, and future, Home Beyond Earth features over fifty artifacts, models, space-flow objects, and uniforms. Digital tokens allow visitors to make their own journey through the exhibit and personalize their imagined life in the space station of their choice. The exhibit’s digital projections and interactive elements help visitors enjoy both the dreams and realities of living and working in space. Home Beyond Earth will run through early 2025.

Media Contact: Ted Huetter, [email protected]

Seattle Opera Presents World Premiere Opera and Announces 2024/25 Season

Five mainstage operas and a year-round schedule of additional performances, events, and classes offer countless ways for audiences to immerse themselves in opera’s unique and powerful musical storytelling. With a slate packed with blockbusters, international stars, and important new stories, the 2024/25 season at Seattle Opera promises riveting, enriching experiences across the spectrum of opera.

Performances include “A Very Drunken Christmas Carol” (December 2024), “Les Troyens in Concert” (January 2025), “The Magic Flute” (February–March 2025), and more.

Media Contact: Joshua Gailey, [email protected]

New Bruce Lee Murals Unveiled in Chinatown-International District

Two new 10-by-10-foot murals of Bruce Lee, produced by artist Louie Gong after community input, were installed at the Rex Apartments and the New Central Building in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District on Nov. 14, 2024. The murals, “The Journey Begins Here” and “One with Water,” are part of The Office of Arts & Culture’s Hope Corps Downtown Seattle Mural Project. Gong is a member of the Nooksack Indian Tribe and is an award-winning visual artist, activist, public speaker, and founder of Eighth Generation.

Media Contact: Steve McLean, [email protected] 

The Paramount Brings Broadway Shows to Seattle

Seattle’s theater scene is one of the most renowned in the U.S. To close out 2024, The Paramount will be showing “Back to the Future” (December). In 2025, Broadway at The Paramount will welcome “Kimberly Akimbo” (January), “Hamilton” (February), “Life of Pi” (April), “Six” (May), “Riverdance” (May–June), “Mamma Mia!” (June), and “& Juliet” (July–August).

Media Contact: Rachel Liuzzi, [email protected]

The 5th Avenue Theater Announces 2024 Programming

The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of America’s leading musical theater companies. In 2024, travelers can check out “Mary Poppins”, which will run from Nov. 22 to Dec. 22. In 2025, “The Last Five Years” will run from Feb. 8 to March 16, and “Waitress” will run from March 11 to 30.

Media Contact: Ann Reynolds, [email protected]

COMING SOON

Seattle Museum Month Returns February 2025

For the entire month of February, visitors to the Emerald City can receive half-price admission to the region’s top museums as part of Seattle Museum Month. Each pass is good for 50% off admission for up to four guests, with no limit to the number of museums guests can visit. To snag a pass, visitors can book a room at over 70 participating hotels in Seattle from February 1-28, 2025.

Media Contact: Sydney Martinez, smartinez@visitseattle.org.

Cannonball Music and Arts Venue Set to Open in Downtown Seattle

The producers of Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival, New Rising Sun, are partnering with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to create a new arts venue that is expected to open to the public in spring of 2025. Formerly a Bed Bath & Beyond location, Cannonball Arts will offer two stories of contemporary and performing arts space spanning two city blocks (Third and Fourth Avenues).

Media Contact: May Sakai Wildman, [email protected]

Northwest Native Canoe Center to Open Carving House in 2026

The United Indians of All Tribes Foundation is developing a Carving House on South Lake Union to revitalize and educate people about Pacific Northwest canoe culture. According to the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s website, “For thousands of years, the Coast Salish people were stewards of the land and water. The waterways were the highways between all. This led to a vibrant and extensive canoe culture for the first peoples of this land. The Carving House will provide insight into distinctive varieties of Native American culture and be a place where Native carvers are safe, and the public is welcome. The facility will provide space for an ongoing Native American canoe carving program, and storage for canoes. Docents will also explain the Northwest Native American skills and beliefs used over generations in building canoes.” The Canoe Center is expected to open in early 2026.

Media Contact: Trae Yang, [email protected]

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Seattle Art Museum Received $500,000 in New Funding to Support Downtown Seattle Arts and Culture Sector

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced on September 24 that the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) has received a suite of eight grants to support the museum in energizing downtown Seattle’s arts and culture sector. The $9 million investment will support SAM in increasing its programming and access, starting with extending the hours of its Free First Thursday program into the evening.

Media Contact: Rachel Eggers, [email protected]

Seattle Aquarium Opened New Ocean Pavilion

Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion opened August 29, 2024. The Ocean Pavilion focuses on tropical species from the Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific. In tandem with the ongoing Waterfront redevelopment, the Ocean Pavilion connects Pike Place Market with the Waterfront promenade via publicly accessible observation decks, stairways, and an oculus window that allows passersby to observe sea life from below. With a next-generation sustainable design, the Ocean Pavilion is a national model for regenerative construction standards in climate impact, energy, and water use. The Ocean Pavilion is the first step in the transformation of the beloved Seattle Aquarium. The Ocean Pavilion enables people of all abilities and backgrounds to discover new corners of our one-world ocean. Visitors can witness the exquisite biodiversity of a reef ecosystem in the Coral Triangle – coming face-to-face with sharks, rays, schooling fish, mangroves, seagrasses and nearly 30 species of coral.

Media Contact: Tim Kuniholm, [email protected]

Seattle Unveiled New Murals Downtown August 2024

In August, over 30 murals were unveiled across Seattle, spanning from SODO to Belltown. The murals were added as part of the Office of Arts & Culture’s Hope Corps Downtown Seattle Mural Project, a key initiative of Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan. This collaborative effort aims to revitalize the heart of Seattle with murals, planned and produced by a diverse group of local artists.

The Seattle Mural Project is a collaborative effort between Visit Seattle, Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), Belltown United, CID Business Relief Team, SODO Business Improvement Area (SODO BIA), and Wing Luke Museum.

Media Contact: Sydney Martinez, [email protected]

Museum of Illusions Opened in Downtown Seattle June 2024

The Museum of Illusions – a new interactive museum known for its unique approach to “edutainment” – opened on June 28, 2024, in the former Ben Bridge space in downtown Seattle’s historic Skinner Building. The museum is designed to captivate senses, challenge perceptions, and ignite imagination.

Media Contact: [email protected] 

 

HOTELS

HAPPENING NOW

Fairmont Olympic Hotel Celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle recently underwent $25 million in renovations just in time to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024, with celebratory programming throughout the year. This staple of the Emerald City, which first opened in December 1924, has revamped its social spaces, including a redesign of its lobby, bar, restaurant, and meeting spaces under the vision of Spanish design studio Lázaro Rosa-Violán (LRV). The new restaurant, American brasserie The George, is known for its standout lavish design and locally sourced dishes.

Media Contact: Jen Sorlie, [email protected]

Marriott Opens AC Hotel Seattle Downtown in Fall 2024

AC Hotel Seattle Downtown, Marriott’s new property in South Lake Union, opened in November 2024. Located off Stewart Street and Yale Avenue, this 200-room hotel is conveniently near Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, Climate Pledge Arena, and Pier 42. The hotel is also strategically situated for tech and business travelers, central to Amazon, Meta, Google, and the Seattle Convention Center. AC Hotel Seattle Downtown will feature an on-site bar and lounge.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

Downtown Seattle’s Hotel 1000 and Lotte Hotel and Kenmore’s Lodge at St. Edward Park Earn MICHELIN Keys

On Sept. 12, 2024, Hotel 1000 and Lotte Hotel in downtown Seattle earned MICHELIN Key distinctions, joining the prestigious list of the most outstanding hotels in the United States. Recognized for excellence in design, service, character, value, and guest experience, the hotels highlight Seattle as a premier destination for travelers seeking exceptional stays.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

COMING SOON

RailSpur Announces 2025 Hotel Westland Opening

Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood will welcome a new hotel in early 2025: Hotel Westland. Located in RailSpur, a sustainable micro-district that includes three historic warehouse buildings, the hotel will feature 120 guestrooms and suites, a signature indoor and outdoor restaurant on activated Railspur Alley, and a rooftop bar.

Media Contact: Caroline Orlowitz, (617) 957-6154, [email protected]

The Somm. Hotel & Spa to Open in Woodinville Summer 2025

Woodinville Hotel Partners, LLC has broken ground on The Somm. Hotel & Spa, a luxury Marriott Autograph Collection property set to open in summer 2025 in Woodinville wine country. The 164-room hotel will blend exceptional design, impeccable service, and a deep connection to the Pacific Northwest. Highlights include Bin 47, a restaurant showcasing local ingredients; Vin de Spa, with rooftop treatment tents and hot tubs open to non-hotel guests; and The Shed, a rooftop bar with stunning views. The property will also feature event spaces, including a grand ballroom, for weddings and gatherings.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

APA Group Acquired Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel in Summer 2024

Japan’s largest hotel group, APA Group, officially launched its first directly owned U.S. property in June 2024, rebranding the former Hilton in downtown Seattle as the Coast Seattle Downtown by APA. Acquired in June for $68.8 million, the 256-room hotel represents APA’s expansion into the U.S. market under the Coast Hotels banner. Founded in 1988, APA operates 800 hotels worldwide and plans to further expand its presence on the West Coast through ownership and franchising opportunities.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

FOOD & BEVERAGE

HAPPENING NOW

Coffee-to-Cocktails Experience and Community Space Opens in Pike Place Market

Karoo Café, Seattle’s newest coffee-to-cocktails experience and community space, opened Oct. 24 in Pike Place Market. Founded by South African native Olivia Vermaak, Karoo Café offers a unique blend of South African-inspired hospitality with a tapas-style menu and handcrafted cocktails. The café will host a variety of community-focused events, such as yoga sessions and sound baths.

Media Contact: Jillian Napolitano, [email protected]

Chef Kristi Brown of COMMUNION and That Brown Girl Cooks! Launches Lil’ Brown Girl

Lil’ Brown Girl opened Oct. 16, 2024, at Métier Brewing Company’s Cherry Street taproom in Seattle’s Central District. Created by James Beard-nominated chef Kristi Brown, the quick-service restaurant pairs MBC’s award-winning beers with favorites from That Brown Girl Cooks! (TBGC!) and COMMUNION. The menu, inspired by family traditions and the Central District’s diverse heritage, features dishes like a golden chicken sandwich and TBGC!’s black-eyed pea hummus, celebrating community and flavor.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

New Filipino Pop-Up Restaurant to Launches at Astra Hotel

On Sept. 30, chef Gerald Gutierrez launched SALO SALO, a Filipino pop-up restaurant at the Astra Hotel in South Lake Union. Inspired by his childhood memories and a family tradition of using food to express love and unity, Gutierrez brings the vibrant flavors of the Philippines to Seattle.

Media Contact: Joleen Zanuzoski, [email protected]

ShoMon Kappo Sushi Opens in Belltown

ShoMon Kappo Sushi opened in Belltown this September, launched by the owners of the legendary Shiro’s — executive chef Masaki Nishioka, but not namesake Shiro Kashiba, who sold the restaurant a decade ago. The restaurant offers a hyper-intimate dining experience, with a 14-seat L-shaped chef’s counter as the focal point. A side dining room will accommodate 12 additional guests and feature a washi paper lantern installation and Sekishu tiles. The concept is designed to evoke the ambiance of an authentic kappo restaurant in Japan.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

COMING SOON

Taste Washington Returns in March 2025

Taste Washington, the nation’s largest single-region wine and food festival, will return to Seattle in March 2025. Events are still to be announced but will be held throughout the region during the month of March. Visit tastewashington.org for more information.

Media Contact: Averyl D. Mooney, [email protected]

Cocktail Bar Death & Co Scheduled to Open in Pioneer Square

Popular cocktail bar Death & Co will open its fifth U.S. location in Pioneer Square in summer 2025. The bar will be located on the ground floor of Railspur at 419 Occidental Ave., alongside three new Sea Creatures restaurants by James Beard Award-winning chef Renee Erickson. Death & Co founder and co-owner David Kaplan is excited to honor the rich history and culture of Seattle with the bar’s menu and design.

Media Contact: Elizabeth Dewey, elizabeth@jwadepr.com

Three New Sea Creatures Restaurants to Open in Pioneer Square

The Seattle restaurant group Sea Creatures is opening three new restaurants in Pioneer Square in early 2025. The trio of restaurants — Lowlander Brewery, Un Po Tipsy Pizzeria, and a to-be-named European restaurant concept with sustainably sourced seafood — will be located at Railspur, 419 Occidental Ave. The restaurants are led by James Beard Award-winning chef Renee Erickson.

Media Contact: Elizabeth Dewey, [email protected]

New Washington State Wine Tasting Room to Open in University Village in Summer 2025

Delille Cellars, a pioneer in Washington state’s wine industry, announced it will open a Bordeaux-inspired restaurant and tasting room concept in Seattle’s University Village in summer 2025. This will mark Delille’s first expansion into Seattle after more than 30 years of success crafting acclaimed wines and hospitality experiences in Woodinville. The 6,700-square-foot space will be located in the prominent southwest corner of the complex. Delille’s new location will offer a concept that integrates fine dining, wine tasting, crafted beverages, retail, culinary experiences, private dining options, and event space, catering to both casual visitors and wine aficionados.

Media Contact: Heidi Witherspoon, [email protected]

Voodoo Doughnuts Coming Soon to Capitol Hill

Voodoo Doughnuts is bringing its iconic, quirky doughnut creations to the Booker Building at Pine Street and Minor Avenue. Known for its playful approach to flavors, Voodoo offers combinations like bacon-topped doughnuts and cereal-coated treats. The Portland-based brand has earned a loyal following with its inventive take on the classic doughnut, blending unexpected ingredients to create fun, one-of-a-kind options that appeal to adventurous sweet tooths everywhere.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

New Brewery with Dock Access Opened on Shores of Lake Union July 2024

A new lakeside brewery, Gasworks Brewing, opened in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood on July 3. Located on the shores of Lake Union, the brewery has dock access, allowing customers to boat or paddleboard up to its patio. Gasworks Brewing features an expansive beer garden with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs. The space is dog-friendly, and food is available at Westward, the restaurant next door.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

Musang Reopened on Beacon Hill in June 2024

Musang, the acclaimed Filipino restaurant in Beacon Hill, reopened in June 2024 after a five-month break. A community-driven space in Seattle, Musang is dedicated to educating diners about Filipino cuisine while celebrating its roots in Beacon Hill. The restaurant offers a seasonal beverage program and serves intimate, personal Filipino dishes inspired by childhood memories, bringing a taste of heritage to every plate.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

New Vietnamese Restaurant Ramie Opened in Capitol Hill May 2024

Trinh and Thai Nguyen, the sibling chefs behind Ba Sa on Bainbridge Island, opened their new Vietnamese restaurant, Ramie, in Capitol Hill on May 22. Inspired by the Nguyens’ recent trip to Vietnam, Ramie showcases nhau culture, a Vietnamese tradition of gathering with friends and family to feast for no particular reason. Ramie serves contemporary Vietnamese food that incorporates simple, old-school cooking techniques, as well as offering a robust cocktail program.

Media Contact: Kirsten Graham, kirsten@kirstengrahampr.com

Washington State Wine Commission Announced Sustainable WA, the first statewide certified sustainability program

Sustainable WA is the first certified program specifically for Washington vineyards. Growers who choose to participate commit to sustainable viticultural practices and are audited by a third party to ensure operations meet established standards. Sustainable WA is rooted in the educational sustainability programs Vinewise® and Winerywise™, created over two decades ago and intentionally scalable for certification. The program was propelled forward in recent years by an industry group made up of more than 40 vintners and growers from across the state. To learn more, visit Washingtonwine.org.

Media Contact: Heather Bradshaw, [email protected]

CRUISE

COMING SOON

Luxury British Cruise Line Announces 11 Seattle to Alaska Voyages in 2025

In 2025, Cunard’s luxury Queen Elizabeth will offer 11 roundtrip voyages from Seattle to Alaska. The voyage itineraries will range from seven to 11 nights, taking place between June 12 and September 25, 2025.

Media Contact: Cindy Adams, [email protected]

Oceania Cruises to Debut Riviera in Alaska in 2025 with Seattle Itineraries

Oceania Cruises will debut the Riviera in Alaska for its 2025 season, featuring five itineraries that include Seattle, with four round-trip options and one one-way voyage from Vancouver to Seattle.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

Holland America Offers New Seattle Roundtrip Voyage in 2025

Holland America Line’s “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise is a new offering for 2025. It combines visits to Alaska and Hawaii, a rare pairing in the cruise industry. This new itinerary is part of Holland America’s “Legendary Voyages” series, designed to offer extended journeys to sought-after destinations. The cruise will depart roundtrip from Seattle on Aug. 31, 2025, aboard the Westerdam.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

Princess Cruises Launches Star Princess Summer 2026 in Seattle

Princess Cruises will introduce its largest-ever Alaska cruise ship, the 4,300-passenger Star Princess, in the summer of 2026.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

Virgin Voyages’ New Ship Brilliant Lady Offers Seattle to Alaska Itineraries in 2026

Virgin Voyages’ newest vessel, Brilliant Lady, will set sail from Seattle to Alaska starting summer 2026. A variety of itineraries from Seattle to Alaska will be available from May through September.

Media Contact: Michelle Estevam, [email protected]

Carnival Announces 16-day Cruise from Mobile to Seattle in 2026

Carnival Cruise Line will launch a new route connecting Mobile, Alabama, and Seattle, Washington, starting in April 2026. The 16-day Carnival Journeys cruise will transit the Panama Canal, with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), and Cartagena (Colombia). This marks the first time the ship will connect its seasonal homeports before beginning its summer Alaska sailings. The Carnival Spirit will return to Mobile in the fall for cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

MSC Cruises to Debut in Alaska in 2026

MSC Cruises will make its Alaska debut in 2026, with the MSC Poesia offering a series of seven-night cruises departing from Seattle.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

2024 Marks Seattle’s Greenest Cruise Season

The 2024 cruise season marks a key step in Seattle’s effort to make the Port of Seattle the greenest port in North America. The port now has three shore power-connected berths—two at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 and, starting summer 2024, one at the Pier 66 cruise berth. By using clean electricity and landside power, at-berth emissions are reduced by 80% and CO2 emissions by 66% per ship, on average. Agreements with cruise lines now require shore power-capable ships to connect when facilities are available, supporting the port’s goal of 100% shore power usage by homeport cruise ships on every call by 2030 or sooner.

Media Contact: Kathy Roeder, [email protected]

SPORTS

HAPPENING NOW

Climate Pledge Arena Welcomes an Incredible Lineup of Artists and Sporting Events

Climate Pledge Arena, the world’s first net-zero carbon arena, hosts a steady lineup of critically acclaimed performers and world-class events, including music, comedy, and sports. The arena is also home to Seattle’s NHL team, the Kraken, and the WNBA’s Storm. See here for a full lineup of events.

Media Contact: De’Aira Anderson, [email protected]

COMING SOON

Seattle to Host 2026 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field

FIFA’s new premier club competition, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, will take place in June and July 2025, with 32 top teams from around the world competing in the inaugural edition. The event will feature the most successful clubs from each of the six international confederations: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA, including the Seattle Sounders. Seattle’s Lumen Field is one of 12 venues selected to host six of the 63 matches across the U.S.

Media Contact: Kauilani Robinson, (206) 461-5839, [email protected]

Seattle to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup at Lumen Field

Seattle’s Lumen Field will host six matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a U.S. Men’s National Team match on Juneteenth. The city, home to passionate soccer fans who support the Seattle Sounders and Seattle Reign FC, is set to welcome teams from across the globe. The 2026 World Cup will be the first co-hosted by three nations—the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—and the first to feature an expanded field of 48 teams playing 60 matches across North America. Sea2026.com

Media Contact: Kau’ilani Robinson, [email protected]

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

OL Reign Unveils Official Name and Brand Transformation

Ahead of the 2024 season, Seattle’s women’s soccer team returned to its roots, rebranding as Seattle Reign FC. The club’s iconic 2013 crest has been reimagined for a new era, featuring a queen emblem that symbolizes the growth of professional women’s sports. The refreshed crest incorporates the team’s original colors—Seattle Reign Blackened Blue and Seattle Reign Blue—paying tribute to the club’s history while reflecting the deep hues of the Seattle environment.

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

 

TRANSIT 

COMING SOON

Seattle’s Light Rail System to Expand Further in Coming Years

Seattle’s Light Rail system will expand with new extensions to downtown Redmond, Everett, the Tacoma Dome, Federal Way, and the Ballard and West Seattle neighborhoods.

The remaining portion of the East Link, connecting the east side to the 1 Line in Seattle, is scheduled to open in 2025, extending from the International District/Chinatown station to South Bellevue station.

Learn more about the expansions and projected timelines at Sound Transit

Media Contact: Bruce Gray, Sound Transit, (206) 398-5069, [email protected]

Sound Transit Board Selects Final West Seattle Link Extension Route and Stations

On October 24, the Sound Transit Board selected the route and station locations for the West Seattle Link Extension, authorizing the project to move into the final design phase. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. The project will extend light rail 4.1 miles and add four new stations at SODO, Delridge, Avalon, and Alaska Junction, providing fast, reliable connections to the SODO, Delridge, and West Seattle neighborhoods. Trips between Alaska Junction and Westlake stations will take just 16 minutes during peak hours, a 50% reduction from current travel times.

Media Contact: Bruce Gray, [email protected]

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Seattle’s Light Rail System Expanded

In April 2024, Sound Transit opened the East Link Starter Line, also known as the 2 Line, connecting South Bellevue to Redmond Technology Center. This line is set to be connected to Seattle in 2025.

On August 30, 2024, Seattle’s light rail system was extended by 8.5 miles, adding four new stations to the 1 Line. The extension includes stops at South Shoreline, North Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood City Center.

Media Contact: Bruce Gray, [email protected]

CONVENTION NEWS

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Seattle Convention Center Secures Multiple Awards in 2024

The Seattle Convention Center has continued to secure major industry accolades, earning best convention center awards from the World Travel Awards, World MICE Awards, Meetings Today, BizBash, Smart Meetings, and more this year. See the full list of accolades here, including 2023 awards.

 

The Seattle Convention Center’s newest addition, The Summit, opened and welcomed its first groups in January 2023. The Summit added approximately 250,000 square feet of exhibition space, 160,000 square feet of meeting room space, including a 60,000-square-foot ballroom. In January 2024, the Summit building became one of the few U.S. convention centers to achieve LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Summit occupies a pinnacle design position in the next evolution of convention centers rooted in the urban core context and supported by a vertically organized flow. The stacked configuration maximizes the efficiency of the urban site, effectively bringing interior and exterior spaces together. Skylights bringing daylight deep into the event spaces, the layering of soft and hard landscape elements, and expansive views of the city in all directions enhance the urban nature of the facility. Air handling units are equipped with economizer functionality, meaning they can run at 100 percent outside air, not recycled air, under moderate temperature conditions. Storm water treatment in outdoor planting areas will feature innovative sustainable strategies. The design pays homage to Seattle with The Hillclimb: The Pine Street facade features a suspended stair and escalator system that provides event attendee access from street level to the ballroom level on top. The Hillclimb is an iconic design element authentic to the Pacific Northwest made of wood with seating elements for guests. It enlivens the convention experience while providing respite from activities. Learn more at visitseattle.org/meeting-professionals/convention-center/summit-overview.

Media Contact: Jared Dionne, [email protected]

AIR TRAVEL

COMING SOON

Alaska Airlines Adds Three New Direct Flights from SEA Airport

Alaska Airlines expands their winter travel options with 18 new nonstop routes starting December 2024. Three of these routes are new direct flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). A nonstop service between SEA and Liberia, Costa Rica will run once a week from December 21, 2024, to May 11, 2025. Additionally, direct service between SEA and Nassau, Bahamas, will also be available. Direct service between SEA and Vail, Colorado will be offered three times a week from December 20, 2024, to March 16, 2025.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Philippine Airlines Introduces Non-Stop Service to Manila at SEA Airport

In October, Philippine Airlines launched three flights per week between SEA Airport and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippines. This route is Philippine Airlines’ sixth U.S. destination and the Pacific Northwest’s first direct link to Manila. 

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

WestJet to Launch New Kelowna-Seattle Route

WestJet will launch new daily flights between Kelowna, B.C., and Seattle starting in January 2025. The new route will connect the Okanagan region to the Pacific Northwest and beyond, operating five times a week.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Alaska Airlines Adds Service to the Bahamas from SEA Airport

Travelers can now to fly to the Bahamas straight from Seattle with the addition of a new seasonal route by Alaska Airlines from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Flights to the Bahamas capital city of Nassau departs three times a week. news.alaskaair.com

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Scandinavian Airlines to Introduce Direct Flights to Copenhagen from SEA Airport

Starting in May 2025, Scandinavian Airlines will offer five weekly nonstop flights to Copenhagen, Denmark, from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). With these additional services, travelers departing from SEA will have nonstop access to three Nordic capitals: Reykjavik, Iceland; Helsinki, Finland; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Edelweiss Launched Direct Flight to Zurich from SEA Airport

On June 2, 2025, Switzerland’s leisure airline Edelweiss, along with its parent company Swiss International Air Lines, will begin offering two weekly nonstop flights between Seattle and Zurich, Switzerland. This service will be the first direct connection between Seattle and Zurich.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Hainan Airlines Resumed Service to China from SEA Airport

In April 2024, Hainan Airlines resumed its direct flights to Beijing (PEK) from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with three weekly departures. In May, Hainan Airlines launched SEA’s first nonstop service to Chongqing, Seattle’s sister city.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Alaska Airlines Added New Nonstop Flight Between Seattle and Toronto

Launched May 2024, Alaska Airlines operates a nonstop service between Seattle and Toronto.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Lufthansa Added Service to Munich at SEA Airport

German carrier Lufthansa expanded its service to Seattle with the addition of a nonstop route from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Munich in May. The flight operates daily through the fall, then goes to three times a week during the winter months. The flight was the 13th new international route SEA Airport had added since 2020, including new service to tropical locales like the Bahamas and Tahiti. The service to Munich came in addition to Lufthansa’s direct flights to Frankfurt.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Delta Launched First-Ever U.S. to Taiwan Direct Route from SEA Airport

Delta launched daily nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei on June 6, 2024. This route marks Delta’s first flight to Taiwan since 2017. Delta also offers nonstop service from Seattle to Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

STARLUX Airlines Added Non-Stop Service to Taipei from SEA Airport

STARLUX Airlines, an Alaska Airlines partner, introduced nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei on August 16, 2024. The new route operates three times weekly and is STARLUX’s third U.S. destination.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Philippine Airlines Introduced Non-Stop Service to Manila at SEA Airport

In October 2024, Philippine Airlines launched three weekly flights between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippines. The route is Philippine Airlines’ sixth U.S. destination and the first direct link between the Pacific Northwest and Manila.

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

ONGOING DEVELOPMENTS

Seattle Waterfront Redevelopment Targeting October 2025 Completion

Seattle continues to improve its already impressive downtown walkability and attractions with its ongoing Waterfront redevelopment project. The project includes the relocation of the Alaskan Way viaduct underground in favor of a scenic bayside promenade featuring shops, bike lanes, and the Washington State Ferries terminal. Residents and visitors are now able to enjoy direct pathways from downtown and Pike Place Market to the Waterfront promenade. Waterfront improvements are on track to open as completed with all projects scheduled for completion by October 2025.

Media Contact: Kau’ilani Robinson, (206) 461-5839, [email protected]

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