If you live in the Puget Sound region, you have easy access to a wealth of events in Seattle year-round. For those searching for a fun day trip, weekend outing, or longer, perhaps consider planning a trip around one of the many options in 2025.
Our team of Pacific Northwest travel experts at FRS Clipper has narrowed down our favorite festivals, cultural events, and pro sports games worth traveling for to help narrow down the many options. Enjoy everything from holiday celebrations to pro football and live concerts. When combined with visits to iconic attractions like Pike Place Market and The Seattle Great Wheel, it makes for the ultimate getaway.
Coming from Vancouver Island? You can hop on our high-speed Victoria Clipper catamaran, making it part of the fun adventure!
For those interested in happenings later in the year with details yet to be released, be sure to save the link to our guide to events in Seattle. We’ll keep it regularly updated, adding information (and new events) as they become available.
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Ongoing events
Woodinville Winery Concerts through late September
The Woodinville Winery concert series is now in full swing and continues through late September!
Seattle offers lots for wine lovers but it’s worth heading across Lake Washington to Woodinville to attend the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery Summer Concerts series. Home of the best rock, blues, jazz, and contemporary
August
Washington State Fair: August 29 – September 21
If you don’t make it to the Evergreen State Fair, perhaps you can head to the country’s largest, the Washington State Fair. Held in Puyallup at the Washington State Fairground, it’s less than an hour from Seattle and offers everything from live concerts and rodeo action to over 75 rides, games, and endless fair foods.
Check out the concert schedule and plan a day or more of fun around one or more of your favorites!
Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival: August 30 – 31
Held at Seattle Center, Bumbershoot is the city’s biggest music and arts festival. It includes visual and performance artists, culinary arts, pole dancing, wrestling, roller skating, drag queens, karaoke, and much more.
September
The Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival: September 4 – 7
The Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival is hosted just a 35-minute drive north in the picturesque town of Mukilteo. It includes a themed parade celebrating the community, a marketplace, a beer garden, food vendors, a children’s area, and more.
Arts-A-Glow: September 6
The Arts-A-Glow is a free annual art festival that can be enjoyed a short distance south of Seattle in Burien, just north of SeaTac Airport. A great way to spend a Saturday evening, it features light installations, live performances, delicious local eats, and a night market with unique crafts and other items. To add to the fun, you’re encouraged to don your most colorful attire, perhaps even LED-lined apparel, with accents like boas, outlandish hats, cat ears, and the like. Bring your own lantern or a glow stick too!
The event takes place in and around Town Square Park from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Jackson Street Jazz Walk: September 6
Taking place at Jackson Street businesses, restaurants, and the rooftops of apartment buildings in the Central District, the Jackson Street Jazz Walk honors the area’s African American music legacy. The schedule features a diverse array of emerging to renowned jazz, soul, blues, and Latin artists from 4:30 to 11 p.m.
Plus, right next door, the Pratt Fine Arts Open House and Pratt Park will offer entertainment, artistic, and educational activities from blocks of live music to pop-up displays featuring historic African American musicians, live art demonstrations, food trucks, a beer garden, Ethiopian cuisine restaurants, gourmet pizza, and more.
Live Aloha: September 7
If you’re dreaming of Hawaii but a flight across the Pacific isn’t in the cards, attend Live Aloha! Part of the Seattle Center Festál series, it’s the perfect way to indulge your passion for paradise. Delve into Hawaiian culture with island music and dance, poke, BBQ, and a marketplace.
Ice Cube at Climate Pledge Arena: September 19
Learn more about the Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude Tour.
Fremont Oktoberfest: September 18 – 20
Fremont Oktoberfest offers a weekend jam-packed with live music, games, delicious cuisine, and seasonal beers, including local favorites and unique brews from across the globe. The 21+ event craft beers, delicious food, and lively entertainment. This iconic event returns with seasonal brews to sample, featuring local favorites and unique flavors from around the globe. Wear your best lederhosen for an authentic Bavarian-style celebration!
The Luminada Lantern Parade: September 20
The Luminada, or Lantern Parade, celebrates the autumnal equinox, when both day and night are 12 hours long. It will be filled with lanterns, musicians, and lots of glowing costumes. Traveling around Green Lake, it starts from the community center on the east side at 7:30 p.m. and concludes on the west at the Seattle Public Theater.
Farm Fest: September 20
Held at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, Farm Fest offers meet-and-greets with farmers, farm animals, food trucks, a farm stand, plant-based crafts, cooking demonstrations, live performances, and natural walks. Held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., it’s the perfect way to kick off fall in Seattle!
Billy Idol and Joan Jett at Climate Pledge Arena: September 20
Learn more about It’s a Nice Day to Tour Again.
Pre-Season: Seattle Kraken vs Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena: September 21
Learn more about this match-up.
The Jonas Brothers at Climate Pledge Arena: September 22
October
Tate McRae at Climate Pledge Arena: October 2 – 3
Canadian singer Tate McRae who got her start on the reality show So You Think You Can Dance comes to Climate Pledge Arena in early October.
Northwest Chocolate Festival: October 4 – 5
Calling all chocolate lovers! Just across Lake Washington you can enjoy mouthwatering tastings with craft chocolate makers. There will be over 100 exhibitors on the main floor at the Meydenbauer Center to taste your way through. An educational program with informative talks and chef performances are included too.
Halloween Pet Parade: October 5
Halloween pet parades have become all the rage – you can come up with something creative and enter your pet, or just check out at all the cute costumes! In the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Volunteer Park will be hosting its Halloween Pet Parade that includes the parade led by a brass band, prizes in four categories, food trucks, vendor booths, and live music.
Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series: October 8 – 12
Yet another reason to head across Lake Washington is the Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series. Held at various venues, including Lincoln Square South, it offers free jazz and blues concerts. All performances other than those held at Meydenbauer Center won’t cost you a thing!
Earshot Jazz Festival: October 10 – November 2
Experience Seattle’s jazz scene with performances, premieres, and special projects by esteemed resident artists alongside international masters at the Earshot Jazz Festival. Christian McBride, Makaya McCraven, Brandee Younger, and Brad Mehldau are just a few of the artists who will perform.
Dua Lipa at Climate Pledge Arena: October 15 – 16
Catch Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour on one of two nights in mid-October at Climate Pledge Arena.
This is Halloween at the Triple Door: October 16 – November 1
This is Halloween is a “dark fantasy burlesque musical” that will feature Can Can’s signature cabaret and burlesque with live orchestral music, video productions, and plenty of song. The original adaptation parody is focused on the misadventures of the pumpkin king, Jack Skellington, and is sure to provide a thrilling evening with a dash of decadence.
Harvest Fest: October 26
West Seattle hosts the Harvest Fest bringing lots of old fashioned Halloween fun, complete with trick-or-treating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along California Avenue. There will be a costume parade and marching band to kick off the festivities along with a performance by the Seattle Thrillers, a pie eating contest for kids and adults, and a chili cook-off.
Boo Seattle: October 31 – November 1
Boo! Seattle is a unique Halloween party with live heart-pumping music, indoor rides, and even a quirky cast of spooky characters. Held at the WAMU Theater in the Lumen Field Event Center, the artist lineup for 2025 has yet to be announced but you can be sure it will be impressive!
Halloween Bar Crawl: October 31 – November 1
The two-day Seattle Halloween Bar Crawl offers the chance to show off your most creative costume while competing for the whopping $1,000 prize, enjoy music, and plenty of “creepy” cocktails.
November
Dia de Muertos Festival: November 1 – 2
While it may not be as elaborate as the festivals in Mexico, Seattle’s Dia de Muertos Festival provides a great way to honor the departed here in the PNW, with processions, festive music, sugar skull making, and community altars at the Armory Food & Event Hall.
Freakout Festival: November 6 – 9
Held at various venues throughout Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, Freakout is an underground festival featuring a mix of mainstream and independent performers. Tickets are available now with 2025 highlights including The Black Angels, Shabazz Palaces, and Flamin’ Groovies.
Eric Church at Climate Pledge Arena: November 8
CMA 2020 Entertainer of the Year Eric Church will bring his “Free The Machine Tour” to Climate Pledge Arena on November 8, with special guest Charles Wesley Godwin.
Damiano David at Paramount Theatre: November 21
Damiano David, lead singer of Maneskin known for hits like Beggin’ and I Wanna Be Your Slave, comes to the Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle as part of his new solo venture.
The Nutcracker at McCaw Hall, Seattle Center: November 28 – December 28
The Nutcracker has long been a popular way to start the holiday season. Pacific Northwest Ballet will present George Balachine’s The Nutcracker, bringing all the usual magic and sparkle, music and dancing to McCaw Hall. As shows tend to sell out quickly, purchase your tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Seattle Christmas Market: November 24 – December 24
Often ranked among the country’s best Christmas markets, Seattle’s month-long market is a yuletide celebration that takes place outdoors at Seattle Center. Shop for unique gifts created by local artisans, enjoy the holiday decor, tasty food and drink (including mulled wine!), and family-friendly entertainment.
December
Christmas Ship Festival & Boat Parade
While the dates for this year’s Christmas Ship Festival hosted by Argosy Cruises have yet to be released they typically take place through around December 23rd. The Spirit of Seattle sails to various communities along the Puget Sound waterfront with choir performances onboard broadcast to those onshore. Keep an eye on our events page for more details!
There’s also an annual boat parade, with the dates for 2025 soon to be announced. The Christmas Ship Parade of Boats sails from South Lake Union to the Fremont Bridge and back. You can ride in one of the 65+ boats, or watch from shore along the route.
Seattle Christmas Market: December 1 – 24
While Europe’s Christmas markets are world-renowned, you can enjoy a bit of it right here in Seattle. The European Seattle Christmas Market hosted on the lawn and in Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center will feature family-friendly entertainment, food and drink (including mulled wine and beer), some 80 artisans offering unique gifts, and lots of holiday decor.
New Year’s Eve at the Needle: December 31
There will be events celebrating the New Year across Seattle but there is none bigger than NYE at the Needle, often listed among the country’s best. Last year, it include North America’s largest structurally launched pyrotechnic display and an astounding 500 drones. The fireworks burst from roughly 60 locations across three levels of the iconic Space Needle.
Before the clock strikes midnight, the rotating restaurant at the Needle typically offers multi-course dinners and a dance party.
Pro Sports Events
There’s nothing like cheering on the home team while in Seattle. But if you’re a big fan of your local team from another area you might be able to catch them while you’re here. The city is home to the NFL Seahawks, the MLB Mariners, the MLS Sounders FC, the NHL Kraken, and the WNBA Storm.
August
Seattle Sounders
Catch the Sounders in August on the 24th and 30th.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners will be playing at home on August 1-3, 5-10, and 22-27.
Seattle Storm
The Storm pick things up back at home on August 1, 3, 5, 13, 17, and 30.
September
Seattle Sounders
As they near the end of their season, the Sounders will be playing at home on September 13 and 27.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners return home on September 8, with home games through the 14th. They’ll pick things back up again on the 23, playing at T-Mobile Park through September 28.
Seattle Storm
The final three home games for the Storm are on September 1, 5, and 9.
Seattle Seahawks
The NFL returns with the Seahawks playing at Lumen Field.
Catch the team’s season opener is against the San Francisco 49ers on September 7 and you can also catch a game against the New Orleans Saints on September 21.
October
Seattle Sounders
The last regular season home game for the Sounders is on October 10.
Seattle Mariners
If the Mariners make it to the playoffs, you’ll find the details here. The regular season ends on September 28 in 2025.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have two games scheduled at Lumen Field in October:
- October 5 against the Tampa Bay Bucs
- October 20 against the Houston Texans
Seattle Kraken
The NHL season begins! The dates are typically announced in late spring or early summer for the following season, which means details are coming soon.
November
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have two games scheduled at Lumen Field in November:
- November 9 against the Arizona Cardinals
- November 30 against the Minnesota Vikings
December
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have two games scheduled at Lumen Field in December:
- December 14 against the Indianapolis Colts
- December 18 against the Los Angeles Rams