Panicking because you don’t know what to do this weekend and you’re short on cash? Don’t worry—below, find all of your options for last-minute entertainment that won’t cost more than $10, ranging from the free music festival Wainestock MMXIX to a book signing with comic artist Simon Hanselmann, and from the Othello Park International Festival to the all-ages electronic dance party Chillography 12. For even more options, check out our complete Things To Do calendar and our list of cheap & easy things to do in Seattle all year long.
Found something you like and don’t want to forget about it later? Click “Save Event” on any of the linked events below to add it to your own private list.
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- Curb Your Expectations (A Comedy Show): Volume 4
Catch local comics Quinn Fitzgerald, Jaci Terjeson, Levi Manis, and Ariel Evans in the U-District.
(University District, free)FESTIVALS
- South Lake Union Block Party
Every year, South Lake Union throws itself a party featuring diverse musical pleasures from local bands (this year’s lineup includes the Dandy Warhols, Naked Giants, Whitney Mongé, Polyrhythmics, and Sisters). There will also be food trucks, a beer garden, a free print-your-own-poster station, a “letterpress steamroller smackdown,” and a “Community Village” featuring booths from local businesses. The event is co-sponsored by Amazon and will benefit FareStart, a James Beard Award-winning nonprofit that aims to empower people experiencing homelessness through job training and employment in the foodservice industry.
(South Lake Union, free)FILM
- Yesler Outdoor Summer Movie Nights
Revisit the award-winning film Hidden Figures—about a black mathematician, Katherine Johnson, who worked for NASA and participated in its key projects in the 1960s—in Yesler Terrace Park at dusk.
(Yesler, free)FOOD & DRINK
- Free Taco Friday!
The Qt Food Truck is feeling very generous—they’ll be giving away free beef, chicken, pork, and vegetarian tacos (two per person!) to celebrate their second anniversary. High On Tacos will also be selling swag and hosting a free raffle.
(West Seattle, free)MUSIC
- The Bellwether Syndicate, Autumn, Casual Hex
Chicago glam-rockers the Bellwether Syndicate will be welcomed with opening sets from Minneapolis’s Autumn and Seattle post-punks Casual Hex.
(Pioneer Square, $8/$10) - Bootie Seattle: Disney Mashed
Your favorite childhood tunes from Disney’s House of Mouse will be remixed and mashed up into freaky dance tracks, courtesy of resident Bootie DJs Freddy, King of Pants, and Skiddle. Wear your best Disney costume to fit in with special guest performers Adé and Strawberry Shartcake.
(Downtown, $5/$10) - Fraktured & Two Nice present – BRØKEN Showcase!
DJs Fraktured and Two Nice, along with DJs from the BRØKEN collective, will bring the breaks and bass to Monkey Loft.
(Downtown, $10) - Hummingbull, Madeleine Mayi, Rio Devore
Local folk singer Hummingbull will share a bill with LA R&B/pop artist Madeleine Mayi and Rio Devore.
(West Seattle, $8) - International Tiki Weekend Kick-Off
Transport yourself to a tropical location by dancing to live music by the Ukadelics and the Tikigraphs, plus more from DJ Vodka Twist, while you sip rum drinks.
(Georgetown, $10) - It’s Britney B*TCH
Enter a Britney Spears costume contest, enjoy drag performances dedicated to the pop queen and her contemporaries, and end the night with a dance party.
(Capitol Hill, $5) - Jerry Garcia Celebration Concert with DEAL
Deadheads can revel in ’60s psych at this tribute to Jerry Garcia.
(West Seattle, $7) - KEXP & Seattle Center Present: Concerts at the Mural
In true KEXP summertime fashion, the station will be partnering with Seattle Center to provide another enjoyable round of free family-friendly concerts this year at the Mural Amphitheater, located within the heart of Seattle Center. Local and touring artists are included in each year’s lineup, with sunny-fuzzy punks Cherry Glazerr, local rockers Red Ribbon, and dream-pop outfit Antonioni filling out this weekend’s bill.(Seattle Center, free)
- King Sheim, Garden Party, Anagram, Caspian Coberly
Seattle pop-punk King Sheim will headline in U-District with support from Garden Party, Anagram, and Caspian Coberly.
(University District, donation) - Montlake Music Festival & Family Night
Enjoy live music from School of Rock Seattle, Seattle JazzED, and Hyperion at this family-friendly festival, which will also have bouncy houses, face-painting, and balloon-twisting.
(Montlake, free) - Reverend Doctor, Rough Closeups
Acoustic R&B project Reverend Doctor will return to Seattle with their optimistic, soulful grooves.
(Eastlake, $6/$8)READINGS & TALKS
- Anna Holmes: Ember
Anna Holmes’ new young adult novel takes place on the fictional island of Elyssia, which has finally been freed from the rule of the tyrannical Rosalian Legion. But when Princess Caelin gets word of a camp enslaving her people, she goes undercover to save them.
(Mill Creek, free) - Garth Stein: The Art of Racing in the Rain
The author of the bestselling The Art of Racing in the Rain will hang out at the Queen Anne Book Company to celebrate the release of the movie version of his novel. Get a signed copy of the book.
(Queen Anne, free)VISUAL ART
- Art Up PhinneyWood
Walk around charming Greenwood/Phinney (just north of the zoo) and take in art from dozens of venues, from galleries to restaurants to bookshops, including Couth Buzzard Books, Greenwood Space Travel Company, and the Phinney Center Gallery.
(Phinney, free) - August Art Walk
Over 25 artists from local galleries will gather under one roof for an evening of music, food, and drinks.
(Greenwood, free) - Belltown Art Walk
On second Fridays, wander around Belltown and check out the local art scene amidst the waves of drinkers and clubbers. Follow the links to find out which businesses and galleries are hosting receptions.
(Belltown, free) - Martin Jarmick: The Final Image
Seattle artist Martin Jarmick’s virtual reality installation combines spherical images with interactive spaces, inviting visitors to move debris out of the way and wander through passages that lead to “narrative vignettes” about memory loss.
(University District, free)
Opening FridayFRIDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS
- AuburnFest
Auburn’s summer festival features two stages of live music, a beer garden, food and craft vendors, a car show, a small press book fair, and more outdoor activities.
(Auburn, $10) - Festival At Mount Si
This community festival has all of your typical activities, plus some not-so-typical ones, including a chili cook-off, a blueberry dessert contest, a cherry pie-eating contest, a wife-carrying race, and a pet contest.
(North Bend, free)FOOD & DRINK
- Theo S’mores Days
Theo Chocolate’s homemade s’mores put the “glam” in glamping. Gobble a freshly toasted campfire treat ($4 a pop) and stick around for games, music, a s’more-themed photo booth, and free samples of other confections.
(Fremont, free)PERFORMANCE
- GreenStage: Backyard Bard and Shakespeare in the Park
For even more outdoor Shakespeare (in addition to Wooden O productions), check out plein-air performances by GreenStage: full-length stagings of the history play Henry IV: Part 2 (directed by Chris Shea with gender-flexible casting) and the comedy Taming of the Shrew (directed with a feminist twist by Jennifer Crooks)—plus “Backyard Bard”‘s one-hour, four-player versions of Measure for Measure and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
(Various locations, free) - Wooden O Productions
Seattle Shakespeare Company will present two free, outdoor plays: an all-male Twelfth Night for the comedic half (directed by Mary Machala) and a no-male Romeo and Juliet (directed by Leah Adcock-Starr) for the tragic counterpart. Catch them in Seattle and all around the Sound.
(Various locations, free)VISUAL ART
- Bainbridge Island Summer Studio Tour
Enjoy the island air and buy paintings, jewelry, glass, pottery, and more at this free, self-guided tour.
(Bainbridge Island, free) - Inked
Columbia City Gallery members Tina Albro, Annie Lewis, Joan Mamelok, and Jueun Shin experiment with different types of printmaking, including 3D pieces.
(Columbia City, free)
Closing SundaySATURDAY
COMEDY
- Best of NW Peaks: Comedy Showcase
Shelby Dodson, Joseph Gilleran, Cavin Eggleston, and Quinton Jones—four local comics who have been well-received at previous NW Peaks nights—will take the stage.
(Hillman City, $10)COMMUNITY
- Delridge Day
Delridge celebrates its community’s cultural diversity with special performances, live music, a community bike ride, and more.
(West Seattle, free) - Live in D5 with Councilmember Debora Juarez
Stranger-approved (and, according to the primary election results, Seattle-approved) District 5 councilmember Debora Juarez will host a celebration of North Seattle. All ages are invited to join her for local bands, free food, a petting zoo, a beer garden, and local community booths.
(North Seattle, free) - Rally to Save the Ave
Save the Ave will challenge more proposed upzones in the U District at this rally.
(University District, free) - Smokey Bear 75th Birthday
If it weren’t for Smokey Bear, how would you know that only you can prevent forest fires? In honor of SMokey’s birthday (and wildfire season), celebrate the furry symbol of forest protection by picking up limited-edition Smokey patches, bandanas, and koozies. Plus, snag free s’mores from Hot Cakes and free coffee while you browse for forest-themed prints. Proceeds will benefit the National Forest Foundation.
(Sodo, free)FESTIVALS
- Flavor of Federal Way
Celebrate the cultural diversity of Federal Way at this festival, which will have kids’ activities, food vendors, live entertainment, employment opportunity exhibitors, health care access, financial and educational service exhibitors, and more.
(Federal Way, free) - Soufend Art Show/Block Party
Rainier Avenue South will be filled with visual artists and performers, art activities, and a whole lot of vendors.
(Rainier Valley, free)FILM
- The Producers: Outdoor Movie & Beer Garden
Gene Wilder, Zero Mostel, and Mel Brooks will make you chuckle at this outdoor screening of The Producers. Bring your own picnic; they’ll provide the beer and wine.
(Mercer Island, $5 suggested donation) - Seattle Asian American Film Festival CID Summer Cinema
Watch the Cantonese film Iron Monkey as part of this summer film seires. Before the film starts at sundown, enjoy live performances and fun activities for kids.
(Chinatown-International District, free) - William McKeever: Emperors of the Deep
Ocean conservationist, filmmaker, and writer William McKeever will talk about the role that sharks play in maintaining balanced marine ecosystems. The evening will begin with a shortened screening of his documentary Emperors of the Deep, followed by a discussion of his companion book.
(Capitol Hill, free)FOOD & DRINK
- Afro Bite
Black chefs and bakers (including Sweet Momma Brown, Auntie Dessa’s, and Vego Eatz) will sell their delicious wares.
(Renton, free) - Elysian Tap Takeover at Henry’s Tavern
Seattle’s Elysian Brewing Company will take over the taps at the Henry’s Tavern for one night only. Drink some brews, enter raffles, snack on buffet bites, and enjoy live music. All proceeds will benefit Food Lifeline.
(South Lake Union, $5 entrance) - Food Truck Round-Up XXXI
Your favorite restaurants on wheels will settle curbside for your brunching pleasure.
(South Lake Union, free) - Rooftop Brewing Company Annual Summer Block Party
For one night only, Rooftop Brewing will expand their tasting room for a citrusy, boozy block party, featuring food from SoSo Good and Theo’s Gyros, ice cream and treats from Street Treats, cornhole, and live music.
(Interbay, free)MUSIC
- Amanda Winterhalter
Seattle alt-Americana singer Amanda Winterhalter will play a show in celebration of her new single.
(First Hill, free-$10) - Cozy Slippers, The Regrets, Loose Wing
Seattle indie pop-rock band Cozy Slippers snagged a headlining gig out on the Hill and will be joined by the Regrets and Loose Wing.
(Capitol Hill, $8/$10) - Death Disco: All Vinyl DJ Night
Munch on Twilight Exit’s excellent tater tots in between dance fits with DJs Sex Dwarf, Batlord, and Istar Review, who will be spinning “dark music” on vinyl all night long.
(Central District, free) - Dirty Cello
San Francisco’s Dirty Cello takes the classical instrument and places it in the realm of boot-stompin’ blues and bluegrass.
(Columbia City, $10) - Heat! Underwear Party
DJs Alfonso Tan and BenTraxx will lay down some sexy tracks for you to dance to in the company of hot go-go boys.
(Downtown, $7) - HYPHY – Bay Area Hip Hop Dance Party
Oh boy—Neumos is doing a hyphy night? “Tell Me When to Go,” sort of the mainstream-hit-that-was-the-death-knell of what is commonly thought of as the hyphy movement, did come out over a decade ago. It used to be 20 years before the generational nostalgia cash-in started, but seeing as we passed the event horizon of this black-hole-to-hell-itself some time ago, everything is strictly get-it-while-you-can. Now, I tend to think of hyphy less as a particular slice of time and set of songs than an evolving dimension of the Bay Area rap scene, one known for fierce innovation and trendsetting originality. Something tells me that this is going to be more of a Bay Area rap night rather than an exclusively stunna-shaded, cereal-mascot-tee’d-up hyphy night. Which is great, because the Yay has created one of the world’s all-time greatest musical subcultures, from Short to HBK. (Play some fucking Turf Talk!) Just, please, no G-Eazy. Have some fuckin’ respect. LARRY MIZELL JR.
(Capitol Hill, $5) - Ivouries, Darksoft, SWYM
Salt Lake City artist Jaxon Garrick fronts the indie-pop project Ivouries. Catch them in Seattle after opening sets from Darksoft and SWYM.
(Capitol Hill, $8/$10) - Jim O’Halloran Sextet with Special Guests
Pack a picnic and allow expert jazz flutist Jim O’Halloran and his sextet to whisk you away at this outdoor concert.
(Beacon Hill, free) - Joe T. Cook Blues Band
Minneapolis blues artist and “harmonica wizard” Joe T. Cook will blend old-school Chicago blues and West Coast swing.
(Shoreline, $7) - Life’s Torment, Tithe, Turian, Florida Man
Grimy Vegas punks Life’s Torment will shred up, down, and all around in Eastlake. They’ll be joined by Northwest metal grinders Tithe, Turian, and Florida Man.
(Eastlake, $5) - Noah Byrd, Anthony Lee Phillips, Porterhaus, El Dub
Singer-songwriter and Elliott Smith stan Noah Byrd will headline with an acoustic set after openers Anthony Lee Phillips, Porterhaus, and El Dub.
(Greenwood, $8/$10) - Palatine Trio, Watership, Modern Daze, Lucee
Alt-rock trio Palatine will take the stage right after psych-pop outfit Lucee, who come after Tacoma’s Modern Daze and Seattle’s Watership.
(Belltown, $10) - Seattle Celebrates Duran Duran Appreciation Day
Join a street-side display of Duran Duran appreciation after a tribute performance by Tiger Tiger.
(Belltown, free) - Swiggle Mandela
Celebrated Portland MC Swiggle Mandela will come to town to perform with Teddy Lokc, Kidd fresh, PriCee, and Avery of La Familia Gang Music in tow.
(University District, free) - Wainestock MMXIX
What is better than grass, trees, sunshine, a brick amphitheater, and some local bands playing the night away? Maybe love. But that’s a tall order. For the second year, musician Joe Waine is hosting Wainestock, an evening of rad local music at the Volunteer Park Amphitheater. Groovy lo-fi yacht rock will be adequately represented in Pleasures. The Berries will bring their infectious brand of West Coast country rock to the party. And if you want to unfurl to some bedroom pop, Bread Pilot is here to guide you down that road. Chanel Beads, somesurprises, Olivia White, Joe Waine & Band, Lydia Brambila, and Flying Fish Cove will also be performing. Bring the kids—this is a free, all-ages affair. JASMYNE KEIMIG
(Capitol Hill, free)PARTIES & NIGHTLIFE
- Fatcat Snapchat Party
DJ WaCko will keep things moving at this dance party, where you can win a pair of “snapchat glasses.”
(Burien, $10) - Fursona
Furries, puppies, anthromorphs, and their admirers are welcome at this kinky party with DJs King of Pants and Sling Dion manning the decks.
(Capitol Hill, $10)PERFORMANCE
- Trailer Park Drag Strip
Bacon Strip will break out their trailer park looks. Don’t forget to tip!
(Georgetown, free)READINGS & TALKS
- Literaoke Book Launch: Michelle Peñaloza’s ‘Former Possessions of the Spanish Empire’
Michelle Peñaloza, a former local literary mainstay, has returned home with a debut full-length collection of poetry in tow. The book’s called Former Possessions of the Spanish Empire, and in a series of powerful, straightforward, narrative lyrics, Peñaloza reflects on the loss of a father, a relationship, and the legacy of colonialism. Rather than merely read at us for 45 minutes, Peñaloza is throwing a big-ass karaoke launch party. Seattle greats such as Anastacia-Reneé, Troy Osaki, Quenton Baker, Jane Wong, and a few others will accompany her on stage, and if there is a god in heaven, they will sing as well. There is perhaps a surprising overlap between people who love karaoke and people who love poetry, though not so surprising when you consider that they’re the two funniest things in the entire world so long as you don’t think too hard about them. RICH SMITH
(Beacon Hill, free) - ‘Simon Hanselmann: Bad Gateway’ Signing
Seen the Bellevue Arts Museum exhibition on comic artist Simon Hanselmann and need more? Visit Hanselmann’s publisher to hear from the artist, buy his books (starring the stoner witch Megg and her kitty boyfriend Mogg), and get his signature. Here’s Jasmyne Keimig on Hanselmann’s latest, Bad Gateway: “You know that moment when you’re in the middle of a hangout with your friends—slamming beers, intermittently hitting a bong, shoving chips into your mouth, binging old episodes of Project Runway—and suddenly a drunk-stoned realization overtakes you. Maybe all this eagerness to get and stay intoxicated comes from a place of deep unhappiness and frustration with a perceived lack of control over your life. The characters in Simon Hanselmann’s comics constantly wrestle with this moment. Instead of letting the smoke clear, going to bed, and shaking off this momentary recognition of existential anguish—they lean into it. With drugs, with drink, with darkness, with weird sex, with selfishness, with addiction, with a lack of empathy.”
(Georgetown, free) - V M Karren: The Deceit of Riches
Seattle’s V M Karren uses her own experiences as a student in post-Soviet Russia as fodder for her new spy novel, The Deceit of Riches.
(Bothell, free)SHOPPING
- Chicas Roadshow Pop-Up Shop
Shop for soy candles from Oh Comadre Candles and clothes from Candy’s Kloset and Nalgona Positivity Pride—all based in Califonia—at this pop-up market.
(Wallingford, free) - On the Vine Pop-Up
Shop handcrafted goods from over 12 PNW makers while you sip Washington wine.
(Queen Anne, free) - Pop-up Market
Stroll through the beer garden and shop for wares from local makers. Kiddos and doggos are welcome.
(Ballard, free)SPORTS & RECREATION
- Jockstraps & Glitter
Seattle’s queerest, least clothed, and most fun sports teams, Quake Rugby and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, will go head to head in this annual kickball match.
(Capitol Hill, free) - Mutt Strut 2019
Bring Fido to run along the river in the Mutt Strut, shop from dog-friendly vendors, see demonstrations, and more at this 18th annual event.
(Everett, free)VISUAL ART
- Ballard Art Walk
For more than 20 years, the Ballard Art Walk has encouraged community members to discover work of local makers in the area while enjoying food, music, and more. Venues include the Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop, Secret Garden Books, and other pleasant spots.
(Ballard, free) - ‘Between Venus and Mars’ with Burgandy Viscosi
Meet artist Burgandy Viscosi and chat with her about her psychedelic paintings over snacks.
(Mount Baker, free) - Georgetown Art Attack
Once a month, the art scene of the tiny airport hamlet of Georgetown ATTACKS all passersby. In more literal terms, it’s the day of art openings and street wonderment. If the westerly locations are too far, there’s a free Art Ride! Check out our critics’ picks for this month—like The Eyes Have It at studio e and Seattle Grunge Retrospective: Nostalgia is for Losers—here.
(Georgetown, free) - Figure Drawing for All Ages
Get better at drawing people, robots, aliens, and other characters at this all-ages, clothed figure-sketching session.
(Hillman City, free)SATURDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS
- Seattle Arab Festival
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)MUSIC
- 2019 Chittenden Locks Summer Concert Series
Enjoy live music performances from Batucada (Sat) and Mach One Jazz Orchestra (Sun) in the gardens by the Ballard Locks.
(Ballard, free)PERFORMANCE
- In Our Wake: A Site Specific Dance
Led by choreographer Melissa Riker, Seattle’s Kinesis Project Dance Theatre will perform a dance about “time, memory, perspective, and connection” on Pier 58.
(Downtown, free)VISUAL ART
- Justin Hillgrove: Imps & Monsters
Get acquainted with Hillgrove’s cute robots, cats, aliens, Miyazaki-esque sprites, and monsters.
(Ballard, free)
Opening Saturday - Summer Selections
See work by Patricia Rovzar Gallery artists like Karen Hackenberg, Lynda Lowe, Kathy Jones, Scott Yeskel, Marianne Kolb, Suzy Barnard, and Richard Royal.
(Downtown, free)
Opening SaturdaySUNDAY
COMEDY
- Vonnegut Unexpected: Kurt Vonnegut Improvised
The improvisers of Unexpected Productions will take some instinctual liberties (paired with audience suggestions) with Slaughterhouse-Five, Breakfast of Champions, and other works by the late writer Kurt Vonnegut.
(Downtown, $10) - Spring/Summer Comedy Series
Munch on a vegan hot dog from Cycle Dogs (or save some money and bring your own food) as you laugh along to local comedy.
(Ballard, $10)COMMUNITY
- Ethnic Heritage Council Fifth Annual Ethnic Potluck Picnic
Win prizes for your best ethnic potluck dish, check out educational displays, dance to live world folk music by the Lonely Coast, and play games.
(Magnolia, free) - Othello Park International Festival
Did you know that Rainier Valley is home to speakers of over 59 different languages? This annual festival celebrates the neighborhood’s diversity with a day of multi-cultural dance performances, food vendors, live music, and art in Othello Park.
(Beacon Hill, free)FOOD & DRINK
- Sol Connection: Optimism’s Summer Shindig
Optimism will offer up food trucks, soft serve, live music, and pours of a special new beer to benefit Planned Parenthood.
(Capitol Hill, $5)MUSIC
- Buckets of Rain, Surf The Pines, The Close Seconds
Seattle’s Buckets of Rain “make [their] own little stew” out of their favorite artists: Allman Brothers, SRV, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, and Pearl Jam. They’ll headline with support from indie-rockers Surf the Pines and the Close Seconds.
(Ballard, $10) - Chillography 12 – A Free All Ages Day Party in the Park
For those who appreciate daytime dance parties and the “mellower side of electronic music,” this waterfront festival offers live DJs from Seattle and beyond.
(Downtown, free) - Leif Totusek – Candela
Jazz mainstay Leif Totusek will play world fusion compositions on Soukous guitar and Cuban Rumba-inspired percussion.
(Green Lake, free) - Rain City Rewind, The Industrials, False Sense of Security
Rain City Rewind will take you back with a night of alt-rock from the ’80s and ’90s.
(Fremont, $5/$8) - Rizal Park Jazz Festival
On the 40th birthday of the Beacon Hill park named after Filipino engineer, doctor, and activist Dr. Jose Rizal, gaze out onto Elliott Bay and enjoy live jazz from the Rizal Park Jazz Band, Roger Rigor and the Barriotiques, and other local musicians, plus a special menu created by Henry Pacheco.
(Beacon Hill, free) - Upstate, Lana McMullen
Acoustic septet Upstate makes use of a bass, a mandolin, a cajón, a flute, a saxophone, and lots of vocal harmonies to play old and contemporary American songs. They’ll be joined by solo indie folk artist Lana McMullen.
(Ballard, $10)PERFORMANCE
- The Breakfast Club
If the recurring TUSH! is too shocking (or too age-inappropriate) for you, but you still want to see some quality drag, see the lovely Betty Wetter and friends (Beau Degas, Dion Dior Black, Vincent Milay, and Cranberry) perform a kid-friendly brunch show.
(Beacon Hill, $10)
FRIDAY
COMEDY
