Between Seattle Art Fair and Seafair Weekend, there are lots of big, ticketed events in Seattle this weekend. But just because you haven’t planned your weekend yet and/or don’t have lots of extra cash to spare doesn’t mean there aren’t still lots of excellent, cheap, and easy options for the weekend. We’ve got you covered, with $10-and-under events ranging from outdoor movies (like the Seattle Outdoor Cinema and The Fierce Awakens) to multiple Seattle Art Fair satellite events (like the huge Out of Sight exhibit) to Salmonfest and multiple chances to dance to guilty pleasure pop music (at Candi Pop—which will have free pizza!—and the TRL Total Request Live Night: “I Want It That Way” Edition). See all of your options below, and, if you have a slightly larger budget, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
ALL WEEKEND
1. Art Zone with Nancy Guppy: Live at King Street Station!
Happening during Seattle Art Fair, this event promises a variety of performance art (music, comedy, dance, and more) presented as a “pop-up talk show” with “worthless prize giveaways.” Guests include guitarist Bill Frisell, actress and singer Sarah Rudinoff, bandleader and bassist Evan Flory-Barnes, and producer Bill Stainton.
(Pioneer Square, free)
2. Does Live Art Have To Be Experienced Live: Performance Series
In conjunction with the gallery exhibit Does Live Art Have To Be Experienced Live? at SOIL, which deals with the issues of documenting/preserving/representing “live art,” this durational performance series offers the live art itself during the Seattle Art Fair.
(Pioneer Square, free)
3. Magnolia Summerfest
Enjoy a sampling of Seafair festivities with activities for everyone. Parades, live music, food vendors, crafts, outdoor movies, bouncy houses, and much more will all be within reach at the Magnolia SummerFest throughout Seafair weekend.
(Magnolia, free)
4. Out of Sight
While the Seattle Art Fair fills CenturyLink Field’s events center with more paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings than you thought possible, Out of Sight will occupy the nearby third floor of the historic King Street Station clocktower with more than 21,000 square feet of art by local artists. If you go to the fair, you must also go to Out of Sight. If you have to choose one, for heaven’s sake, go to Out of Sight and buy art magazines to see pictures of what was over at the Big Fair. JEN GRAVES
(Pioneer Square, $10)
5. Seafair Fleet Week & Boeing Maritime Celebration
Seafair Weekend, the culmination of the iconic Seattle summer festival at Genesee Park, may not be free, but public tours of US Navy, Coast Guard, and other ships are.
(Seattle Waterfront, free)
6. Salmonfest Seattle
Celebrate one of Seattle’s favorite foods at this three-day festival featuring the Lake City Salmon Bake on Friday, a street festival on Saturday and Sunday featuring live music, food, and beer gardens, and a car show on Sunday.
(Lake City, free)
7. Umoja Fest 2016
The Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival and Parade, which takes its name from the Swahili word for “unity,” has been a Seattle tradition since the 1940s that aims to highlight the history and regional culture of the African-American community. The festival starts with Children’s Day—which includes arts and crafts, dancing, and storytelling—and continues throughout the weekend with a heritage parade on Saturday, a basketball tournament, the Northwest Urban Hiphop Music Fest, and more.
(Mount Baker, free)
FRIDAY
8. Artist Panel Discussion: The State of Women in the Arts
Selected artists who contributed to the exhibit In Context will gather to discuss the state of women in the arts, as part of programming related to the Seattle Art Fair.
(Pioneer Square, free)
9. Bebe Miller and Darrell Jones: Duet Piece of String
Curated by Velocity Artistic Director Tonya Lockyer, this public performance (presented as part of Seattle Art Fair) brings together Bebe Miller and Darrell Jones to “highlight how choreography is everywhere, always in everything.”
(Pioneer Square, free)
10. Belltown Beats
Enjoy live free music performances in the heart of Belltown from a variety of musicians all summer every Friday night through August 26. Tonight, Star Anna will headline.
(Bell Street Park, free)
11. Candi Pop
If you own several glitter chokers and routinely take “Which Spice Are You” quizzes, the Candi Pop dance night at Neumos is for you. Free pizza from 9-10pm, and free entry before 10pm, with $10 entry after that. Feel free to embrace all your guilty pleasures and spread that unicorn rainbow boy band girl power magic around town.
(Capitol Hill, free)
12. Concerts at the Mural
In true KEXP fashion, another enjoyable round of free family-friendly concerts this year are up at the Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center. Tonight’s show will feature The Thermals, Acapulco Lips, and Mommy Long Legs.
(Downtown, free)
13. DUG: Rare Funk Dance Party
With its funk, hiphop, uh… kids’ records, and boogie, DUG is one of my fave DJ nights in town and an all-around kickass night of dancing. But when the DUG collective also chooses to feature a live act, you can guarantee the action will be dialed in tight. MIKE NIPPER
(Eastlake, $7)
14. The Fierce Awakens
Three Dollar Bill Cinema presents this series of free outer-space-themed movies in Cal Anderson Park, where there will be a DJ starting at 7 pm, and concessions including popcorn and candy on sale, proceeds from which will benefit Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s year-round efforts to provide voices for the LGBTQ community through film. Tonight, watch Madeleine Olnek’s comedy/romance film Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same.
(Capitol Hill, free)
15. Grand Opening: K-Love 4 Art
Celebrate a new studio gallery space (#EquityStudio302) with a two-day grand opening, full of art and music.
(Pioneer Square, free)
16. House Party Fridays Field Trip: Birthday Edition
House Party Fridays brings their trademark high energy dance party vibes to Timbre Room for resident DJ Chris Tower’s birthday, with Finn and Justin Earl Troeppl at the helm, and drink specials and house music all night long.
(Downtown, free)
17. Movies at the Marina
The Ballard marina will have free, family-friendly movies at dusk in August (starting tonight with The Lego Movie), with seating available on the garden lawn and in the parking lot and free popcorn (on a first-come, first-served basis).
(Ballard, free)
18. Movies in the Park
Head to Westlake Park for family-friendly movies at dusk that adults can enjoy too—tonight, catch last year’s blockbuster hit Jurassic World.
(Downtown, free)
19. On the Edge: Latinx Performance Art
This evening of experimental performance art by contemporary Latino/a/x artists, featuring Xavier Lopez, Jr. and Vicente Montanez, will coincide with the Seattle Art Fair and is part of the programming for the exhibit La Sala presents La Cocina.
(Pioneer Square, free)
20. Outdoor Movies in Jefferson Park
Beacon Hill’s outdoor movie nights start at 7 pm with an open mic, followed by family-friendly movies at dusk—tonight, catch the Muppet Movie.
(Beacon Hill, free)
21. Paul Lynde Fan Club, the Maywood Mailmen
Paul Lynde Fan Club joins forces with John Prine cover band The Maywood Mailmen for a night of appreciating the greats.
(University District, $5)
22. The Phantom Four, The Boss Martians, Marieke & The Go Get ‘Em Boys
Finks and femmes, the time has come; for the first time EVER, the famed Dutch surf/instrumental group the Phantom Four are touring the US. They’re a big deal, as they have conjured some of the most inventive and rather mental instrumental jams of the past decade. MIKE NIPPER
(Shoreline, $10)
23. Raghu Karnad
Award-winning Indian journalist Raghu Karnad will read from Farthest Field: An Indian Story of the Second World War, a book that merges family stories with capital-h History.
(Capitol Hill, free)
24. Sect, Wake of Humanity, Climate, Trust Issues
New hardcore supergroup Sect, comprised of Earth Crisis, Cursed, Catharsis, and Fall Out Boy members, debut at Black Lodge with their new album, with bill support from Wake of Humanity, Climate, and Trust Issues.
(Eastlake, $5)
25. Say La Vie
Artist Mary Welch presents this live performance tableau, happening every night at 7 pm during the Seattle Art Fair, as part of the exhibit In Context.
(Pioneer Square, free)
26. Summer Nights in the North Plaza
On Fridays throughout the summer, CenturyLink Field has games, food trucks, and drink specials, and, tonight, there will be a dance party with Sean Cee.
(Pioneer Square, $1)
27. TRL Total Request Live Night: “I Want It That Way” Edition
Seattle’s “only tribute boy band” #ALL4DORAS will perform, and DJs Indica Jones and Pryme will spin TRL tunes in the vein of Backstreet Boys’ arguably greatest hit, “I Want It That Way.” There will also be a Top 10 countdown from audience votes, so make sure to pack your best rhinestoned bandana for whipping out the moves.
(Fremont, $7/$10)
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
28. Bibliophilia
The Pocket Theater hosts this weekend storytelling festival, with shows and performances all focused on the magic of “page to stage.”
(Greenwood, $10)
29. Hamlet: A New Production
This production of Hamlet, with an all-female cast and original music by Alyssa Taubin, is presented by Seattle’s Young Theater Makers.
(Seattle Center, $10)
SATURDAY
30. ‘80s Invasion!
Take off your Clubmasters and get a good look at the biggest ’80s music fanatics in town: ’80s Invasion. They’re an ’80s cover band, and they’re not afraid to tell you all about it, or sing a few songs to describe their constant nostalgia.
(Fremont, $10/$15)
31. Ballard Elks Summer Artist & Flea Market
Support the first ever Ballard Elks Summer Artist & Flea Market, with 28 vendors and an all-afternoon spread of arts and crafts, vintage clothing, eccentric oddities, and more. Admission is free, but donations of non-perishable food items is requested.
(Ballard, free)
32. Brent Hartinger
Celebrate the release of Brent Hartinger’s new YA thriller Three Truths and a Lie with this launch party featuring a reading and author signing.
(University District, free)
33. The Cookie Counter Grand Opening!
Seattle’s newest sweets haven welcomes sugar lovers from near and far to celebrate their grand opening. The Cookie Counter offers up a fully vegan menu of delights from ice cream treats (cones, floats, shakes, etc.) to baked goods (cookies, brownies, pies, etc.) And, finally, nothing says “Grand Opening” better than free sprinkles.
(Greenwood, free entry)
34. Dead Baby Downhill XX
On Saturday, all of Georgetown will be blocked off for the twentieth annual Dead Baby Downhill, Seattle’s punk-colored Mad Max bike race. Some pretty fun-forward activities await you at Dead Baby Downhill, including the crown jewel event: BIKE JOUSTING. You can also nosh on barbecue, drink from one of the nearly 100 kegs of beer, and watch bikers swirl around a mini Velodrome. OH YEAH. And Seattle glitterati Gazebos will play their very fine rock music, as will Sashay, Coke Nails, and several others. Jackie Hell will do some kind of hilariously unhinged act that you won’t want to miss. RICH SMITH
(Georgetown, free)
35. Demolition Kings, Piston Ready, Ghost Train Trio
Steel yourself for a night of good old rock and roll from Piston Ready, Demolition Kings, and Ghost Train Trio, who are rumored to be playing out back on Slim’s flatbed truck.
(Georgetown, $5)
36. Dreamsalon, Numbered, Figures
Post-punk post-garage post-reality local thrillers Dreamsalon headline a set at Office Space — a DIY recording zone and show venue — with Numbered and Figures.
(International District, $5-$10)
37. From Hiroshima to Hope
Since 1984, local peace, faith, and community organizations have gathered in Green Lake on August 6 for a lantern floating ceremony to honor the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing victims, specifically, and all victims of war, generally. This year is no different.
(Green Lake, donation)
38. Harvest Fair
At this community festival presented by Seattle Tilth and PCC Natural Markets, you’ll have the chance to eat fresh and organic food, attend workshops, check out cooking demonstrations, try your hand at cider pressing, listen to live music, and participate in urban farm activities. There will also be a children’s garden with farm animals, and a kids’ parade.
(Wallingford, free)
39. Hyphens: A Chapbook Release Show
Nic Masangkay and Erika Hatanaka present this chapbook release show for Hyphens, featuring performances by Nikkita Oliver, Shelby Handler and DJ Phenohype. A quote from their page: “In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.” – Toni Morrison
(Capitol Hill, free)
40. K-Pop Now!
Get ready for public group karaoke with this chance to join up with other K-Pop enthusiasts and sing K-Pop songs of your choosing at a music and dance contest and party on the waterfront.
(Downtown, free)
41. Lake City Pioneer Days Parade
Celebrate Seafair and Seattle’s Pioneer Days at the Pioneer Days parade along Lake City Way NE. There will be a special “kiddies” parade before the grand parade. Both parades will be lively with marching bands, antique cars, dance troupes, drill units, and ornate floats.
(Lake City, free)
42. Movies at the Mural
Bring your lawn chairs and watch free, family-friendly movies on Seattle Center’s 40-foot-screen on the Mural Amphitheater lawn—tonight, watch Mad Max: Fury Road.
(Downtown, free)
43. Music in the American Wild
In active celebration of the 2016 US National Park Service centennial, Music in the American Wild pairs together eleven composers and seven performers, all affiliated with the Eastman School of Music, to collaborate in creating new works inspired by the United States National Parks network.
(Wallingford, $5-$15)
44. Nick Superchi, Novemthree, Sermons On A Moonless Night
Neo-classical ambient synth-worker Nick Superchi brings the earthen nature of Battle Ground to his electronic and piano compositions. With him is Novemthree, a crafted effort that gently folds dark and dreamy tunes of psychedelic-fringed folk music together, and Sermons on a Moonless Night.
(Capitol Hill, $10)
45. Night Shift
Night Shift is a recurring nomadic dance party with rotating special guest DJs as well as rotating locations. Tonight’s event happens at Neumos, with featured DJs R3ll, Tony Goods, Chocolate Chuck, Drunkunkle, and R-Pal.
(Downtown, free/$10)
46. Poetry and Music with Seattle Civic Poet, Claudia Castro Luna
Catalina Cantu and Wendy Call curated this evening of poetry and music, featuring beloved Seattle Civic Poet Claudia Castro Luna, alongside music curated by Antonio Gómez and Trio Guadalevín. This event will coincide with the Seattle Art Fair and is part of the programming for the exhibit La Sala presents La Cocina.
(Pioneer Square, free)
47. Pop. 1280, Vice Device, Ian Hicks
Although still one of the most chilling acts around, New York–based synth punks Pop. 1280 took a slight departure from their ghoulishly postapocalyptic cyberpunk, embracing a subtler creepiness on the recently released Paradise (Sacred Bones). Now more evil than confrontational, Pop. 1280 write songs like “Pyramids on Mars” that stealthily insinuate themselves, rather than their “two dogs fucking” bludgeoning approach on 2012’s aptly titled The Horror. BRITTNIE FULLER
(Capitol Hill, $10)
48. Roq la Rue Final Show and Afterparty
Celebrate Roq La Rue’s final two exhibits (Femke Hiemstra’s The Sand Castle Battle and Other Tales and group show Death and the Maiden 2) with an exhibit showing and afterparty at the Pharmacy Bar starting at 9 pm.
(Downtown, free)
49. Seattle Outdoor Cinema
The Seattle Outdoor Cinema (formerly Fremont Outdoor Movies) is celebrating its 24th season with a venue upgrade to South Lake Union Discovery Center. All screenings are 21+, there will be a beer garden (proceeds from which will benefit various rotating non-profits), and other pre-screening entertainment. Tonight, watch the 2014 Wes Anderson film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
(Downtown, $5/$10)
50. Summer at SAM
This day-long arts celebration, set against a gorgeous natural backdrop, offers activities including outdoor yoga and zumba, an interactive open studio session focused on creating an illustrated, nature-inspired story, and a public tour of the Olympic Sculpture Park.
(Belltown, free)
51. Tribute to The Who: Live at Leeds
Join a cavalcade of talented session musicians as they take it all the way back to May 1970 in loving homage of classic rock kings The Who, with their recreation of the seminal album, Live at Leeds.
(Columbia City, $10)
52. Walter Etc., Blowout, Tangler
The guy (Walter) from Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra, and Making New Enemies, is back with new material and a nation-wide tour, with bill support at Black Lodge from Blowout and Tangler.
(Eastlake, $5-$10)
53. West Seattle Outdoor Movies
The 13th annual season of the West Seattle Outdoor Movie theater will have family-friendly movies at dusk, with pre-movie music and trivia, raffles, and concessions for sale. Tonight, watch Skyfall, with pre-show James Bond trivia from the West Seattle Blog.
(West Seattle, free)
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
54. Brendan Fowler
In addition to his new sound installation (“ever-evolving, self-improvising musical composition”) inside the Seattle Art Fair, Brendan Fowler presents these two performances with a chorus of local artists that utilize “both Fowler’s previous history of deconstructed pop vocal performance (Barr), as well as this new sound work.”
(Pioneer Square, free)
55. A Steady Rain
A Steady Rain by Keith Huff, directed by Jen Tidwell, is a two-man play about the unraveling careers of a couple of Chicago policemen.
(Greenwood, $10/$14)
SUNDAY
56. Dillon Warnek, Nick Foster, Matthew Rieger
Seattle singer-songwriter Dillon Warnek has been touring all over the western United States, and has finally gigged his way to a headlining spot at the Sunset, with Nick Foster, and Matthew Rieger.
(Ballard, $8)
57. FitFest
Spice up your fitness regime by taking free outdoor gym classes. Donations go to benefit the Community for Youth, which works towards community engagement with “underserved” teens. Four different classes, Fit4Mom, Orangetheory Fitness, The Bar Method, and 24 Hour Fitness, will be offered. Register for any/all classes that interest you. Bring your yoga mat, water bottle, and towel and be prepared to sweat!
(Redmond, $10 suggested donation)
58. Flora Wiegmann: Halo of Consciousness
Part of the Seattle Art Fair, this performance by LA-based choreographer Flora Wiegmann (and featuring Wiegmann and dancer Rebecca Bruno) was inspired by research on Culte Antoiniste, a European religion founded in 1910.
(Pioneer Square, free)
59. Free Blues and Cool Jazz in Freeway Park 2016
KPLU and NPR bring you Free Blues and Cool Jazz, a recurring summer event series featuring different artists each week playing free live sets in Freeway Park, on 6th and Seneca.
(Downtown, free)
60. James Wolfglen
Townes Van Zandt acolyte James Wolfglen lays his country-strong inspiration thick within his layered songwriting, replete with references to all the greats and Portland-tinged harmonies throughout.
(Columbia City, free)
61. Loudmouth Cunts
This monthly comedy showcase of all-female identifying performers will feature Kristin Ryan, Kelly Hannah, Dewa Dorje, L Henderson, and headliner Kayla Ruth.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
62. Lucy Dacus, Valley Maker, Guests
Charming in her disarming nature, Lucy Dacus writes songs that treat each feeling like a reason to speak, with an open and honest indie rock style and a true knack for stark acoustic directness cushioned by soft dream pop notions.
(Ballard, $10)
63. Nathan Fox
Berklee College of Music graduate Nathan Fox takes his singer-songwriter stylings to the Skylark.
(West Seattle, $5)
64. Patrick Galactic, Willow Steps, Gregg Curry, The Ragged Glory
Universe-plumbing indie psych-pop rocker Patrick Galactic joins forces with Willow Steps, Gregg Curry, and The Ragged Glory for a sonically reflective night out at Lo-Fi.
(Eastlake, $8)
65. The Pizza Pulpit: Ben Zaidi and Attic Empire
This edition of The Pizza Pulpit (always free, all ages, and at the Back Bar of the Croc) features native son songwriter Ben Zaidi, and 8-piece jazz-funk-who-knows-what outfit Attic Empire.
(Belltown, free)
66. Stasis Horrors, The Sky Giants, Sunken Rocketship
Substation hosts a night of dark electronic groove-rock from Stasis Horrors, The Sky Giants, and Sunken Rocketship.
(Ballard, $6)
67. Sunday Patio Party Series
Experience the new Timbre Room (adjacent to Kremwerk) at their new summer-exclusive Sunday afternoon dance party series with $1 beer specials, and sets by some of Seattle’s favorites, like De La Creme, Lady Miss Kier, and TUF.
(Downtown, free)
68. Swedish Pancake Breakfast
Live music, dancing, and Swedish pancakes (with ham, lingonberries, juice and coffee) are promised at this breakfast, with a genealogy event afterwards in the lobby.
(Queen Anne, $9)
69. Weekend Walks
No registration necessary for these free weekend walks through the arboretum—just show up to look at and learn about plants from hydrangeas to mopheads and climbing vines.
(Madison Park, free)
70. Weird and Awesome with Emmett Montgomery
On the first Sunday of each month, comedy, variety, and “a parade of wonder and awkward sharing” are hosted by the self-proclaimed “mustache wizard” Emmett Montgomery.
(Capitol Hill, $5-$10)
