For a city that rains nine months out of the year, Seattle sure knows how to turn things around come June. Summer officially arrives on Thursday, June 21, and there are so many ways to celebrate it. Whether you're looking for solstice-specific events like the city-wide Make Music Day or a Rosé Solstice Soirée, or you just want to spend time in the sun at Freeway Park in Bloom or Camlann Medieval Village's Midsomer Festival, we've got you covered. See all the options below, and find even more options on our outdoor events calendar or our outdoor seating locations directory.
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WEDNESDAY
Solstice n Chill
Sip happy-hour-priced drinks like JellyFish Brews beer and bubbly to ring in the sunniest season.
Cafe Solstice
Tangelic Halo IPA Release Party
The fruit and veggie purveyors at Imperfect Produce helped make a summery, tangerine-infused Helles. Be the first to try it (at happy hour pricing) and meet the team who made it.
Redhook Brewlab
THURSDAY
Dog Days of Summer Muttmixer
Mingle with fellow dog enthusiasts over cocktails, take home swag bags, and welcome summer at CityDog Magazine's social event for pups and the humans who love them.
W Seattle
Gemini Summer Solstice Celebration
Geminis can gather to celebrate their birthdays and the coming of a new season. DJs Expert System, Tsairen, John F, and Levi Clark will spin vinyl.
The Hideout
Lit Fix 22: Summer Solstice
Lit Fix is Seattle's "dive-friendliest" reading and music series, which brings together books, bars, and bands all in one place. At this edition, you'll hear from writers Kristen Millares Young, Benjamin Schmitt, Garth Stein, the fantastic magical realist Anca SzilĂĄgyi, and musician J.R. Rhodes. Proceeds will benefit the Bureau of Greater Ideas.
Vermillion
Make Music Day
What began in France as the FĂȘte de la Musique in 1982 is now a worldwide Summer Solstice tradition that spans 120 countries and 800 cities. In Seattle, participating local venues will host music lessons, drum circles, jam sessions, and more music-related activities for all ages and experience levels (not to mention tons of live performances).
Various locations
Molly Moon's Summer Seasonal Tasting
Forgo the gargantuan, block-wrapping lines and be the among the first to preview the upcoming summer flavors from the local ice cream chain, including strawberry shortcake, cherry chunk, s'mores, blackberry sorbet and vegan coconut raspberry, and sip sorbet cocktails in the Molly Moon's Studios space. Plus, meet the Molly Moon's team, chefs, and local farm partners.
Molly Moon's Ice Cream
Rosé Solstice Soirée
On the longest day of the year, use that extra sunlight to your advantage with tastings of rosé from Tranche Cellars, Upsidedown Wine, aMaurice Cellars, Latta Wines, Ancestry Cellars, COR Cellars, Betz Family Winery, Cedergreen Cellars, Isenhower Cellars, and more. There'll also be food specials, raffles, and a live DJ.
Mr. West
Solstice Dance Night
Learn some new salsa, bachata, and other Latin moves to store in your summer dance arsenal.
Latin Rhythm Dance
Solstice Henna Party
If you don't know how to express your excitement for summer in words, perhaps an intricate henna tattoo will do the trick. They'll also have a spread of Indian food.
Makeda & Mingus
Summer Pilsner Fest
Welcome summer the German way by sipping a refreshing Pilsner, eating German fare, and enjoying live music.
Hopvine Pub
Summer Rosé Party
Fremont's Red Door will greet the first day of summer with $5 glasses of rosé on their patio.
The Red Door
Summer Sip-off with Schilling Cider
Revel in summer cider flavors like grapefruit and pineapple-passionfruit from Schilling on an outdoor patio.
The Growler Guys
Summer Solstice Despacho Ceremony with Marin Casassa
Join a Peruvian Despacho ceremony celebrating summer solstice with guide Marin Casassa. The practice is meant to "allow us to focus our highest intentions," "transform feelings of lack, confusion, and disconnection," and bring a "renewed sense of strength and hope into all of our lives."
East West Bookshop
Summer Solstice Farmer's Market Dinner
Chef Ellie will craft a summer menu made entirely from Wallingford Farmer's Market bounties, served with plenty of rosé.
Cantinetta
Summer Solstice FĂȘte
Join Foundation for "general merriment and frivolity" on the longest day of the year. Activities include beach ball volleyball (in the parking lot) and live DJs, plus BBQ and s'mores for snacking.
415 Westlake
Summer's Here, Let's Drink Beer
Celebrate the first day of summer by grooving to "progressive cocktail pop" from Lushy, sipping tiki cocktails, and singing karaoke.
Hula Hula
Swimming Holes of Washington: Perfect Places to Play
Get the lowdown from writer Anna Katz and ski guide Shane Robinson on the best natural waters in which to take a summer dip in the Pacific Northwest, from the San Juan Islands to the Washington-Oregon border and beyond.
REI
FRIDAY
Beers, Friends, and Food - On a Boat!
Board the Trek - The Adventure Ferry with a pal or two to relish in summery food and drink pairings concocted by Bread and Cicuses chef Syd Suntha (like Cambodian pork-stuffed chicken wings paired with the Out of Office hoppy pilsner, scallop ceviche paired with the Cucumber Crush sour ale, and prawns and grits paired with the Sinistor black ale). DJ Indica will spin.
Fisherman's Terminal
For the Love of Plants
Nothing like flowers in spring to make creativity bloom after a dull winter. Buy prints and original works by Seattle artists that celebrate nature, flora, and the season. Your dollars will support both the art community and environmental education. Enjoy music and drinks in the Park's palace of plants.
(Volunteer Park Conservatory)
Kirkland Summer Solstice Wine Walk
Kick off your weekend by meandering through downtown Kirkland in pursuit of wine, cider, and beer from local businesses.
The Heathman Hotel
Pig and Pink 2018
The bright, airy Fremont cafe will greet summer with their annual pig roast and some picnic-perfect side dishes, accompanied by a selection of rosé available by the glass or bottle (including several from Magnum).
Vif
SATURDAY
5th Annual Sunride Hillclimb
This summer solstice version of the Willy Nilly bicycle ride very casually invites you to peddle at your leisure up to Mount Rainier's Sunrise Visitor Center, no registration required.
SR 410 & Crystal Mtn. Blvd.
CID Summer Jamboree
The youth-led Wilderness Inner-City Leadership Development Program will host a summer celebration filled with food, educational activities, and performances for the Chinatown-International District community.
Summit Sierra Charter School
Freeway Park in Bloom
Gather at the park to appreciate its summer bounties and revel in free treats (like iced coffee, popsicles, and BBQ). They also promise "interactive botanical art," live bluegrass music by the Neighborhood Boys, outdoor games, and a tree tour.
Freeway Park
Summer Solstice with the Profess-ers
Seattle's the Profess-ers will play alternative country-rock to ring in the new season.
Peddler Brewing Company
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Midsomer Festival
Visit Chaucer's England of 1376 (or the Camlann Medieval Village) for this summer festival, featuring summer games, singing and harping, games, puppets, magic, archery, sheep petting, minstrels, and more.
Camlann Medieval Village