Find a complete list of festivals in Seattle this summer on our Things To Do calendar.
Through Sept 1
Marymoor Park Summer Concert Series
Marymoor Park is at it again with their summer concert series, one of the best (read: only) reasons to visit Redmond. June through August this year, pack your blankets and head out into a sonic woodland experience. Artists like Flight of the Conchords, Weezer, and Salt-N-Pepa will carry the torch all summer long.
Marymoor Park
Through Sept 16
Chateau Ste. Michelle Summer Concert Series
Every year, Chateau Ste. Michelle lays out a full summer season of music legends and cultural luminaries to grace their beautiful landscape of flowing wine and, who cares what else, there's wine there. From Paul Simon, to Mavis Staples with Bob Dylan, to Bonnie Raitt, this stacked lineup occurs in single shows every few days from May to September.
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Through Sept 17
2016 Chittenden Locks Summer Concert Series
Grab a blanket and head to the Ballard Locks for their annual free public summer concert series. May through September, enjoy live music performances from symphonic bands, show choirs, jazz trios, and more in the gardens by the Locks.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, free
June 9–12
Join a crowd of thousands at the Vashon Sheepdog Classic, where you'll have a chance to watch border collies herd sheep through courses, as their handlers compete for cash and prizes. The Sheepdog Classic also promises diverse offerings like a "Fiber Arts Village," sheep shearing and lamb butchery demonstrations, and an educational exhibit titled The Story of Wool.
Misty Isle Farms, Vashon Island, $10
June 11
Watch circus performers, acrobats, musicians, and artists of all kinds come together at this multidisciplinary festival that also promises games, food, and strange carnival fun.
Georgetown, free
Seattle Pride 2016 returns with a major celebration of LGBTQIA arts, live music, culture, and style in Volunteer Park. Enjoy food trucks, beer gardens, lawn games, artist booths, a full vintage and local crafts market curated by Indian Summer owner Adria Garcia, and sets from Hell's Belles, Selene Vigil et Amicis, Boyfriends, and Aeon Fux.
Volunteer Park, free, noon
Yes, technically, Vaisakhi is a Punjabi harvest festival celebrating preparation of the field for the wheat crop, but that doesn't mean it can't also be a massive live performance set and dance party. Vaisakhi 2016 at the Moore will have top Punjabi and Bollywood performers like Ammy Virk, Kulwinder Billa, Amrit Maan, Anmol Gagan Maan, and Baljit Kaur Johal.
Moore Theatre, $36.50-$97.50, 6:30 pm
June 11–12
Festival Sundiata Presents Black Arts Fest
The 36th annual celebration of African American heritage features live music from local and international acts, an exhibition of Black visual artists, dance performances, vendors, African dance and traditional drumming workshops, and more.
Seattle Center Armory, free
June 15–Aug 21
Every year, this iconic summer festival that started in 1950 puts on dozens of events throughout Seattle, starting with a kickoff ceremony featuring hydroplanes and a knighting ceremony, and continuing for 10 weeks with events including multiple parades, cultural celebrations, and Fourth of July fireworks. Other highlights include Fleet Week (August 3-7), during which naval ships are docked in Elliott Bay for tours; Seafair Pow Wow Days (July 15-17), which showcases traditional Native American culture; and the culminating Seafair Weekend (August 5-7), featuring a Boeing air show, a hydroplane race, wakeboarding, and live entertainment.
Various locations, free
June 16
Icicle Creek Cultural Festival
This cultural festival's central event is a naturalization ceremony with music, food, and drinks, which is followed by a concert featuring José Iñiguez and special guests including Opera & Bolero Tenor, the winners of the Wenatchee Multicultural contest, and Village Voices.
Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, Leavenworth, free, 5 pm
June 17–19
Celebrate summer at the Fremont Solstice Fair, an event known primarily for its elaborately painted (and sometimes just wild 'n' free) nude bicyclists—but also offering tons of food, crafts, activities, performances, great people-watching, and a beer garden. This year, they're promising the main Saturday parade, plus a "Dog Day" (with a second parade!) on Sunday. The Solstice Music Festival, with headliners Hey Marseilles and the Helio Sequence, will round out the weekend with local and international music acts.
Fremont, free
HONK! Fest West is the annual festival of 25+ street bands that migrate together around the city for a few days in a family-friendly manner. The whole fest is free, public, and volunteer-run.
Various locations, free
Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival
Bluegrass is still a thing and people seem to really get into it, so, every third weekend in June, the good people of the Wenatchee River Valley throw their annual Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival. What started as a local event is now a regional attraction, with some of the PNW's finest bluegrass musicians headlining, and a beautiful woodland campground to play around in for the weekend.
Chelan County Expo Center, Cashmere, $10-$30
June 18
Block Party at The Station is a relatively new concept at a long-beloved Beacon Hill joint that deserves as much credit as possible for standing strong as a fount of creativity, neighborhood involvement, and damn good coffee. This festival focuses on showcasing hiphop and art that may have been missed by larger, more corporate events (or perhaps other block parties). This year, featured artists and musicians include Stasia Mehschel (of recently and tragically defunct THEESatisfaction), JusMoni, Draze, DoNormaal, Otieno Terry, Rogue Pinay, and many more, with local legends Nikkita Oliver, Brett Hamil, and Kirby Teuila Grey as hosts.
The Station, free
June 24–25
Paradiso is the PNW's premier festival of WUB-WUB-WUB, colloquially known as brostep, also called EDM, which is short for "electronic dance music" (you're welcome, grandpa). Basssnectar, Dillon Francis, and the Chainsmokers will be there. Glow sticks will be wielded. Hearts broken. Vape pens smoked.
Gorge Amphitheatre, George, $85-$185
June 24–26
22nd Annual Olympia Experimental Music Festival
Obviously, Olympia is already the center for fringe candidates of music creation, but they are also 22 years into their annual Experimental Music Festival. This year's celebration of out-there audio performances includes three days of sets at the Obsidian, LeVoyeur, Brotherhood Lounge, and Artesian Well Commons, with artists like Liquid Letters, Mac Dawg, Four Dimensional Nightmare, and Serena Tideman.
Various locations (around Olympia), $22
June 25
“Never Forget” 1969 Stonewall civic march begins at 10am on Saturday from the Seattle Central Community College campus to Harrison Street. The festival follows, from 11am to 11pm, and includes live entertainment such as a Michael Jackson tribute show, a Doggie Drag Costume Contest, Rainbow Light Art Walk, and more.
Capitol Hill, free
Presented in partnership with the Seattle Indian Health Board, Seattle Center Festal hosts Spirit of Indigenous People, a chance to celebrate the varied cultures of the First Peoples of North America with music, food, dance and activities. This year's festivities include a Native Art Mart, full powwow, community dance groups, and a family-friendly canoe exhibit.
Seattle Center, free
June 25–26
This free, two-day festival in Shoreline will have an artist marketplace, regional dance and music performers, youth art, performances, a juried art exhibit, hands-on art for both adults and kids, cultural rooms, and (of course) food trucks.
Shoreline Center, free
JunE 26
42nd Annual Seattle Pride Parade
This year's Pride Parade turns an eye forward, asking what the future of Pride might be while celebrating the strides made in the past year. The beer gardens open at 9:30 am, so start your celebration early.
Various locations (downtown Seattle), free, 11 am
PrideFest is the largest free Pride festival in North America, now in its 10th year. Featuring performances from local and international touring acts, this year's fest also has family-friendly activities as well as identity-specific marches and parties for many tastes (not all of them, but a lot of them).
Seattle Center, free, noon
June 30–Aug 24
ZooTunes, presented by BECU and Carter Subaru, is back again with more music and family fun all summer long. Enjoy live performances from case/lang/veira, Ziggy Marley, the B-52s, and more on the north meadow of Woodland Park Zoo.
Woodland Park Zoo, $32.50-$269
July 7
Fresh off their successful Transience event weekend at King Street Station this spring, Lion's Main Art Collective's South Seattle community-centric Othello Quartz Festival will feature QTPOC artists, bands, and more.
John C. Little Sr. Park, free
July 7–Sept 2
Out to Lunch's concert series features a diverse lineup of local talent playing free, all-ages, lunchtime shows at a variety of plazas and parks around downtown.
Various locations, free, noon
July 8–10
Enjoy three days of live music from artists like Whitney Monge, the Fame Riot, and Magic Giant nestled within the setting of what Chinook Fest describes as "the Great Outdoors," whatever that is.
Summit at Snoqualmie, $50-$450
Because we live in the wet, green darkness for so much of the year, Seattle goes a little crazy every summer. Our collective sun-worshiping and irrepressible impulse to spend every possible second outdoors lead us to create as many street fairs, block parties, and outdoor festivals as we can. This newish street festival, held in the West Seattle Junction, is like a wee baby Bumbershoot—a kinder, gentler Capitol Hill Block Party for people over 25. There's live music, shopping, a kids' play area, and, of course, an adults' play area, aka a beer garden. KELLY O
West Seattle Junction, free
July 9
The fifth annual festival honors the Polish Highlands with food and drink, music and dance, exhibits and workshops, and more. Treat your taste buds to smoked sheep's milk cheese (oscypek), tap your toes to Polish folk songs, and take on activities including cabbage roll (golumpki) cooking classes and paper cutout art (wycinanki) workshops.
Seattle Center Armory, free, 11 am
TUF, a Seattle-based intersectional female/nonbinary/trans collective whose name is not actually an acronym, is throwing their first ever multimedia summer festival. Filling Judkins Park with visual art installations, workshops, artist talks, and live music performances, TUF aims to spotlight female and nonbinary electronic music artists who may not receive attention, space, or funding for their work elsewhere.
Judkins Park, free, noon
July 14–16
Timber! Outdoor Music Festival
Timber! Outdoor Music Festival returns to Carnation for another year of diverse music and small-town fun. The all-star lineup includes Langhorne Slim & the Law, Telekinesis, Deep Sea Diver, Chastity Belt, and many more.
Tolt-MacDonald Park, Carnation, $30-$55, 8 pm
July 15–16
Basin Summer Sounds Music Festival
Basin Summer Sounds is the largest free contemporary music and arts festival in the Northwest, featuring live music performances, kid-focused events, visual arts, and a charity basketball tournament. The two-day festival showcases both local and international acts, including the Country Lips, the Nick Drummond Band, Barrett Baber, and the Railers, on the lawn of the historic Grant County Courthouse.
Grant County Courthouse Grounds, Ephrata, free
July 15–17
For 40 years running, the Darrington Bluegrass Festival has been going strong, with a stacked lineup of live bluegrass jams, food, booze, and vendor booths, all set against the natural backdrop of beautiful Darrington. This year's headliners include North Country Bluegrass, Lonesome Ridge, Mountain Faith, and many others.
Darrington Bluegrass Music Park, $25-$60
Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival
For the 29th year running, Winthrop's the place to be for all your rhythm & blues needs this summer: a full three days of music with on-site camping, beer gardens, food, and actual showers so you can hold onto some semblance of your humanity.
Blues Ranch, Winthrop, $90
July 16–17
Channel Fest is slated to happen in two shifts. The day segment (12 pm-7 pm, free, all ages) offers people a chance to get to know the labels' output and obtain their rare releases while several Seattle DJs spin records. The organizers also promise zine creators, radio hosts, projected visuals, a photo booth, a raffle giveaway, and outdoor food trucks. The night segment (8 pm-2 am, 21+, $12 DOS) presents live sets by some of the Pacific Northwest's best bands—Gaytheist [Good to Die Records], SSDD (Steal Shit Do Drugs) [Help Yourself Records], and Roladex [Medical Records]—plus more DJs and projections, and other elements—including the headlining act. DAVE SEGAL
Fred Wildlife Refuge, free/$12
Chinatown-International District's Dragon Fest will bring together dragon and lion dances, taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, and other groups for "non-stop cultural performances" and "the largest pan-Asian celebration in the Northwest—on the weekend of July 16-17." Plus, don't miss the food walk, during which more than 40 restaurants will offer $3 bites.
Chinatown-International District, free
July 21–24
Cascadia NW Arts & Music Festival
Starborne presents Cascadia NW Arts & Music Festival at the Masonic Family Campgrounds in Granite Falls, an entire weekend to camp out and enjoy live music, interactive art, workshops, performances, and artisan vending. Masonic Family Campground, Granite Falls, $180-$215
July 21 & Aug 18
Expect live music sets, cabaret performances, art, and food in Seattle's historic International District. The cover charge gets you into all involved music venues, as well as admission for Wing Luke's exhibits.
Wing Luke Museum, $5-$8, 5:30 pm
July 22–24
It's often overcrowded and hot, but Capitol Hill Block Party always sprouts enough sonic goodies to compensate for the occasional drawbacks. This year's lineup leans heavily on crowd-pleasing electronic music (Odesza, Crystal Castles, STRFKR, Mø, Nao, etc.), but die-hard indie rockers who like it idiosyncratically tuneful can tap their toes and stroke their chins to Dilly Dally, Car Seat Headrest, Ultimate Painting, Cave Singers, etc. Hiphop fans should nod in approval to local star-in-the-making Porter Ray and Goldlink while psych-rock heads will flip to Wand and Mild High Club. And then there's the metal-disco tornado Thunderpussy, who'll leave you dazed and confused. DAVE SEGAL
Capitol Hill, $135-$300 for 3-Day Pass
July 23–24
The Arab Center of Washington presents its annual celebration of Arab culture. Music, dance, and food (including an Arabic coffee shop) will all be featured, along with a traditional bazaar, children's activities, and cultural information booths providing a larger picture of the 22 Arab countries.
Seattle Center, free
A large community fair offering juried art, three stages of music, and lots of food on scenic Alki Beach.
Alki Beach, 10 am
July 29–31, Aug 5–7
Watershed Country Music Festival returns to the Gorge for two weekends of twangin' goodness. Put on your "Shedder gear" (trucker hats?) and get ready for three whole days of down-home studs like Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Travis Tritt, and NBC's The Voice favorite Raelynn.
Gorge Amphitheatre, George, $199
July 31
A whole day of blues greats at the Chateau's summer festival, featuring Shemekia Copeland, the James Hunter Six, Mavis Staples, and the Robert Cray Band.
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, $45-$65, 3 pm
Aug 4–6
Returning for another year of greasy chaos, Pizza Fest reigns supreme as one of the rowdiest, most ridiculous events to attend in Seattle. Grab a slice, throw some bows, and make friendships that'll last a lifetime, or whatever the punk kids are doing these days.
El Corazon and The Funhouse
Aug 4–8
For the ninth year running, Doe Bay Fest does what it knows best, secluding all the people who like camping in a charmingly exclusive cove for several days of music, food, and dancing. This year's lineup includes regional notables like The Flavr Blue, Kris Orlowski, Thunderpussy, and many, many more.
Doe Bay Resort, Orcas Island, $150
Aug 5–26
In true KEXP fashion, another enjoyable round of free family-friendly concerts this year are up at the Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center.
Mural Amphitheatre, free, 5:30 pm
Aug 11–14
Nestled in the mountains of Central Washington, Summer Meltdown aims to provide a weekend of high energy live music performances in a lush woodland setting. Featured artists include Blue Scholars, Griz, STS9, and many more.
Darrington Bluegrass Music Park, $75-$195
Aug 12
Art, music, booze, and food, all for the price of $Free. Every year, South Lake Union throws itself a party, featuring diverse musical pleasures from local band talents, as well as food trucks and other things that crowds like.
South Lake Union Discovery Center, free, 11 am
Aug 13
Presented by the Iranian American Community Alliance, the Iranian Festival is now in its 10th year. Learn about the cultural roots and contemporary influences of Iran through live performances, visual arts, a Rumi poetry showcase, hands-on activities, an Iranian tea house, a variety of foods, children's games, and a marketplace.
Seattle Center, free
Aug 13–14
Summer Camp is 107.7 The End's version of Warped Tour: all the bands you hear on your favorite Seattle rock station, but actually in the flesh on stage at Marymoor Park, playing all the hits. This year's lineup features The Dandy Warhols, AWOL Nation, Young The Giant, and many more.
Marymoor Park, Redmond, $84-$199.50
Aug 18–21
Expect vendors, musical guests, weed in every form, and a whole lot of social activism at this year's Hempfest. Heralded as "the premier flagship event of global cannabis culture," Hempfest brings people together to trumpet cannabis policy reform and support of a more lenient mainstream attitude toward all things hemp-adjacent.
Myrtle Edwards Park, $10 Suggested Donation
Aug 20–21
The Arts in Nature Festival presents a series of acoustic, unplugged performances by musicians, dancers, actors, and other performers, set against the most beautiful backdrop: real nature.
Camp Long, $10-$16
Aug 21
This festival of all things Brazilian celebrates 18 years of going strong. The annual party throws out drumming, dancing, music of every regional genre, and so much food, drink, and general merriment, along with workshops and exhibits.
Seattle Center, free, noon
Aug 27–28
Experience the ancient and modern histories of Tibet through live performances, group dances, visual arts, hands-on activities like sand mandala creation, games, and a lively marketplace full of diverse foods and herbal medicines.
Seattle Center, free
Sept 2–4
Bumbershoot, Seattle's biggest music, comedy, and arts festival, once again (like every year until the end of time) takes over Seattle Center for Labor Day weekend. Hot tips: wear comfortable shoes, stay 'drated, and lower your standards for group-think. This year's lineup includes Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Death Cab for Cutie, and Tame Impala.
Seattle Center, $180-$2999
Sept 2–25
In addition to more fried food than you can handle, there will also be rides, farm animals, rodeo shows, the "world's largest mobile bar" serving local craft beers, free cultural shows, and the Columbia Bank Concert Series, headlined by artists including Kid Rock, Smash Mouth, and Flo Rida. There's also a fair share of art, including a "Celebrate Life in Washington" fine arts show, an International Photo Salon exhibit, agricultural art displays, and demonstrations by regional artisans.
Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup, $12.50
Sept 9–11
Chinook Fest can't get enough of themselves, so they throw another free-for-all in September called Chinook Fest Central with music, food, and some of the finest roots rock, blues, Americana, country, and folk artists out there. This year spotlights Naomi Wachira, Country Lips, Broken Lights, and many more.
Jim Sprick Community Park, Naches, $85-$200
Sept 10–23
The annual Seattle Design Festival is a two-week-long event that brings together architects and designers from around the city to celebrate "the ways design makes life better." Last year's festival featured more than 40 workshops, performances, talks, parties, and more events, and this year's festival—with a theme of "Design Change"—is expected to be even bigger.
Various locations
Sept 11
Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival
Experience what it means to "live aloha" with hula and mele performances, Hawaiian music, ono food, and lei-making workshops with members of the 50,000-person- strong Pacific Northwest Hawaiian Islander community.
Seattle Center, free
