The longest day of the year falls on Friday, June 21, which calls for a weekend spent soaking up those extra moments of precious daylight that fade into jacket-less nights. We've rounded up all the summer solstice events to keep you busy, whether you want to dress up (or down) for the Fremont Solstice Parade, dance to all-ages live music at Soulstice: Summer Kick-Off at the Mural, or ring in the season Scandinavian-style at Midsommar Seattle. Find them all below or on our summer solstice calendar, and check out even more things to do on our outside calendar.
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WEDNESDAY
FOOD & DRINKScandinavian Drinking Songs
Pick up a couple Scandinavian drinking ditties (known as "snapsivor") from experts Kathi Ploeger and Don Meyers and learn how to skål (toast) like a pro at this pre-Midsommar celebration.
Skål Beer Hall, Ballard
THURSDAY
ARTSolstice Henna Party!
Get yourself a plate of Indian food and a henna tattoo (maybe of a sun?) to ring in the summer solstice.
Makeda & Mingus, Greenwood
Rosé Solstice Soirée
Spend the first day of summer sipping Pacific Northwest rosés chosen by regional winemakers.
Mr. West, Downtown
Solstice Party!
Bring your favorite dish to this pre-solstice potluck and tea-drinking hangout.
Friday Afternoon, Wallingford
Solstice Summer Kickoff!
Feast on a "smorgasbord of smoky offerings" from the Odin Star Food truck and sample some Norse-inspired summer beers.
Ounces, West Seattle
Justin Vivian Bond: Summer Solstice Benefit Performance
Justin Vivian Bond (who goes by the pronoun "V") is best known as the powerhouse singer and morbid humorist who brought Kiki and Herb to demented life in one of the most fabled queer punk/cabaret duos of all time. Kiki being long since dead (or maybe she’s just frozen in ice or something?), Bond is now regarded as one of the foremost trans artists in the United States. In the last few years, V has been recording music and performing in cabarets and writing books and wearing amazing fashion and just generally being an uncategorizable sorcerer of mystery and music. CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE
On the Boards, Queen Anne
Summer SOULstice
On the day before the longest day of the year, Tacoma's Poet Laureate, Kellie Richardson, will host a night of readings and performances highlighting artists from marginalized communities.
Tacoma Art Museum
FRIDAY
COMMUNITYMidsommar Seattle - Celebration of Musik
Celebrate the longest day of the year Scandinavian-style with three days of music, including an open mic hosted by Alie Byland, an Americana set from ALKi Jones, and a brunch with cellist Michelle Dodson.
The Dane, Ballard
Make Music Day Seattle
What began in France as the Fête 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
Little Neon Taco x Juice Club: FWB Summer Solstice Edition
Little Neon Taco chef and owner Monica Dimas will prepare a five-course menu inspired by and paired with natural wines from Juice Club, a "nomadic" (but Seattle-based) natural wine party.
Little Neon Taco, First Hill
Summer's Here, Let's Drink Beer
Sip "beer Tiki cocktails," sing karaoke, and enjoy progressive cocktail pop from local five-piece Lushy.
Hula Hula, Capitol Hill
LOST: Summer Solstice
Dance into the summer with DJs Eric Allen, Djay Sjay, Miss Min.D, MZ Artiz, Sean Majors, and Tony H.
Monkey Loft, Downtown
Summer Solstice Soundscapes with Gary Stroutsos
Gary Stroutsos will play flute music drawn from worldly influences during a casual reception with food and wine. Head to the lower garden for Native American songs and storytelling.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline
Soulstice: Summer Kick-Off at the Mural
Spend all evening basking in the new season with all-ages live music and activities, including sets from KEXP's DJ Riz Rollins, surf-pop band Skates!, neo-soul outfit i///u, and Earth, Wind & Fire tribute Kalimba, plus palm readings, letter-writing, juggling, food, and more.
Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle Center
Summer Solstice Party
If the summer solstice has you feeling creative, bring in a piece of art of your own creation for all to enjoy (and vote for!) at this community exhibition.
Momentum Indoor Climbing, Sodo
W Bellevue Summer Solstice Party
Sip drink specials from CIROC Vodka, pick up some fitness tips from Trufusion, make your own tie-dye, and get your hair braided by Seven Salon at this summer solstice gathering.
W Bellevue
SATURDAY
COMMUNITY2019 Fremont Solstice Parade
No one nails the spectacle of stilt-walking, nude bicycle-riding, giant-puppet-operating, and twirling around in circles quite like the denizens of Fremont, which is why the Fremont Arts Council hosts a giant costume-filled parade during the Fremont Fair. The procession weaves through the self-proclaimed Center of the Universe all the way to Gas Works Park for even more summer merriment.
Fremont Arts Council
Summer Solstice Sound Gong Explosion
Enter the new season in your most tranquil state with a night of meditation, yoga, and guided breathing.
OmCulture, Wallingford
Solstice 2019
After the Fremont Solstice Parade, head to the bar for food, a beer garden, and live music from DJ Rootsonic, Onion the Man, Casting Shadows, and Keith Wright.
Outlander Brewery and Pub, Fremont
Tea-Infused Ice Cream Pop Up at Friday Afternoon Tea
Get scoops of tea-infused ice cream from the Milk and Leaf Collective in solstice-appropriate flavors like Strawberry Butterfly (a blend of black tea, lemongrass, and strawberries).
Friday Afternoon
Fremont Solstice Celebration
Sway all day and night to dance tracks by the Cumbieros at this summer solstice party, which will also feature live sets by World's Finest, Cytrus, and Ayo Dot & the Uppercuts. When they're not on stage, DJ Indica Jones will spin '80s and '90s dance party jams and KEXP's DJ Chilly will spin a Latin mix, as y'all help yourselves to the Bloody Mary bar and full views of the Solstice Parade.
Nectar
Summer Solstice Music Fest
Roam around a beer garden and take in live music from Anacortes artists Pearl Tottenham, Ristfut, and Kalopsia, plus Wren & Della, Milo Matthews, Bunion Sisters, Bob Fossil, Smokey Brights, and the Cave Singers.
Guemes Island General Store, Anacortes
Solstice Party "Welcome to Summer!"
Hang out on the patio with Seattle blues-rockers Little Hero and other bands at this all-ages solstice party.
The Ice Box, Ballard
Seattle Plant Swap, Cakes & Seconds Sale
Celebrate summer by hitting up a seconds sale from EUNI + CO. and Hemleva, snacking on cakes and cupcakes from Cake Life Everyday, and swapping your (living) plants for ones you want more.
Chophouse Row, Capitol Hill
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALSFremont Fair
Fremont loves its weird celebrations, and this two-day outdoor urban festival following the Summer Solstice is arguably its biggest event of the year. From its gigantic parade composed of elaborately painted (and sometimes just wild and free) nude bicyclists and inventive costumes (Sat) to its parade for dogs (Sun) to its craft market and live music events (the lineup this year includes acts like the Black Tones and DJ Indica Jones), the tradition has something for hippies, families, foodies, and artists alike. Be sure to pick up a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich while you’re there.
Fremont
Solstice Goddess Show
Multiple quirky local artists, including Heidi Estey and Braden Duncan, will pay tribute to the Sacred Feminine. At around 8 or 8:30, join a Summer Solstice Magick circle with Loness Valenna.
Opening Saturday
Gargoyles Statuary, University District
SUNDAY
FOOD & DRINKSão João at Alcove
Revel in the Brazilian midsummer celebration São João with Alcove's dinner menu, live forró music, and some special dishes representative of the festival.
Alcove Dining Room, University District
The Tea, Ep1 - An Afternoon Tea Dance Presented by Loosely Based
Get down while the sun's still out at this rooftop dance party and Pride celebration with the Loosely Based DJ crew.
Monkey Loft, Downtown
