All Month:
- August is Washington State Wine Month–the perfect time to explore the over 900 wineries and more than 300 vineyards all over the state. Pick a date (literally) and see what our own wine country has to offer.
Tuesday, August 1
- Drink Pink at Bar Melusine: Author Victoria James and sommelier Lyle Railsback will be at Bar Melusine from 5PM-8PM to quaff and talk about the drink of the summer—ROSÉ! Reservations encouraged.
Wednesday, August 2
- U Village Sounds of Summer Concert Series Featuring: The Paperboys: Free concerts with live music from local favorites from 7:00-8:30pm, gourmet bites from U Village restaurants, the RAM beer garden, and fun activities in the kid’s area. Concerts will be held in the parking area in front of Veggie Grill and Aritzia, below Room & Board.
Thursday, August 3
- The Hendrick’s Grand Garnisher: From Atlas Obscura, fill yourself with summer spirit from head to toe with live performances, general levities, games and the extraordinary Hendrick’s Grand Garnisher (a vehicle of sorts that will serve you alcohol) at your service. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
- Pioneer Square First Thursday Art Walk: Enjoy the US’s first art walk! From 6 pm to 8 pm, leading art galleries throw open their doors to introduce their new exhibitions and artists. Visit the site for free parking info.
Friday, August 4
- Seafair: Seattle’s historic non-profit festival starts today! Seafair Weekend offers a multitude of activities, sights, sounds, tastes and action so you’ll want to check out their site for a detailed schedule of events. From boat racing on the water, to aerobatic performers in the sky, to live music and delicious food on land, the best place to experience Seafair Weekend is at Genesee Park on Lake Washington. Friday is FREE admission, but you have to nab your tickets ahead of time at a participating local business (you can find a list of them here.)
Saturday August 5
- Seafair: Hydroplane races occur all day today, along with a variety of aerobatic performances in the sky. General admission tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door ($10 for seniors/kids). You can get your tickets here.
- Fantagraphics Yard Sale: Fan of comics, graphic novels, or even just weird art? You won’t want to miss Fantagraphics’ rare, out of print, and just plain odd selection of goodies at their yard sale. $1 and $5 books plus $25 “you-fill-em bags.” Take note this will be at their publishing house up near Green Lake, not at their storefront in Georgetown, from noon-5pm.
Sunday August 6
- Seafair: The moment you’ve all been waiting for–the hydroplane finals are today!
- From Hiroshima to Hope: Every year on this day since 1984, folks have been gathering at Green Lake to honor the victims of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a lantern floating ceremony. The event starts at 6pm near the Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse on the northwest shore of Green Lake.
Tuesday, August 8
- Harry Potter Trivia: Because Harry Potter is apparently still a thing, head over to Neumos to show off your impressive knowledge of wizardry and butterbeer. Gotta have at least a team of two to play. Outside food is okay, but buy your drinks at the bar.
Wednesday August 9
- U Village Sounds of Summer Concert Series Featuring: Kalimba: Free concerts with live music from local favorites from 7:00-8:30 pm, gourmet bites from U Village restaurants, the RAM beer garden, and fun activities in the kid’s area. Concerts will be held in the parking area in front of Veggie Grill and Aritzia, below Room & Board.
- Pundamonium: Pun Slam Competition: Head on over to Peddler Brewing Company in Ballard for a competition like no other. Should you want to compete, contestants are chosen from the audience on a first-come, first-served basis. Puns start slinging at 7:30pm.
Thursday August 10
- SIFF-sational Celluloid Summer: Catch an epic double-feature of some of Steven Spielberg’s finest work–Jurassic Park followed by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Tickets are $14 for non-members; Jurassic Park starts at 7pm at SIFF Cinema Uptown.
Friday August 11
- South Lake Union Block Party: This all-ages event runs from noon-11pm and will feature delicious food trucks, a refreshing beer garden, awesome art, and a slew of community booths featuring local businesses and organizations doing great work in our fair city. While admission is free, proceeds from this year’s Block Party will benefit Mary’s Place.
- 5th Annual Columbia City Blues Festival: Hear some great blues at the Royal Room in Columbia City. This year’s festival will feature “Moanin’ in the Moonlight” by Howlin’ Wolf plus two other sets, including music by Thelonious Monk (& The Blues), Tom Waits (& The Blues) and June Carter (& The Blues). Doors at 7pm, tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. (Seating isn’t guaranteed, but if you can make reservations for dinner to ensure you nab a table.)
Saturday August 12
- We are Pussy Riot: Or Everything is P.R: Playwright Barbara Hammond uses actual language from Anna Politkovskaya, Vladimir Putin, Patriarch Kirill, and even Madonna to create this punk musical (with symphonic inflections!) about the show trial and imprisonment of the neon-balaklava-clad feminist art collective Pussy Riot. Tickets are free!
Sunday August 13
- Monsters and Music on Lady Washington: Enjoy a night of sailing, music, and nautical lore aboard the historical tall ship, Lady Washington. You’ll spend two hours helping the crew set sail while listening to the tales of mythical creatures lurking in the Sound.
Wednesday August 16
- U Village Sounds of Summer Concert Series: Featuring: BowieVision:Free concerts with live music from local favorites from 7:00-8:30 pm, gourmet bites from U Village restaurants, the RAM beer garden, and fun activities in the kid’s area. Concerts will be held in the parking area in front of Veggie Grill and Aritzia, below Room & Board.
Friday August 18
- Gigantic Bicycle Festival–The PacNWs annual summer celebration of bicycle culture starts today! This three day festival out near Snoqualmie features live music, hand-built bicycles, visual & performance art, film, comedy, guest speakers, workshops, sculpture, and interactive installation pieces. And if you love to ride? It also features Century & 50 mile road rides, cyclocross, a 12 mile family ride, and guided Sunday cycling tours of the Snoqualmie Valley. Day-only passes are $35.
- The Moth: True Stories Told Live–Theme: Deadlines: Ever want to tell your story on stage? Now’s your chance! The Moth is a live amateur storytelling competition in which audience members who put their names in a hat are randomly chosen to tell stories on a common theme. No need to speak to enjoy the event, but if you’re got a story to tell, now is your chance!
Saturday August 19
- Viking Days: This all-ages festival featuring all-things Nordic starts today and runs through Sunday, August 20. This two-day event offers food from all over Scandanavia, music and entertainment, and even a Viking Encampment with weavings, weapon forging, and ‘war.’ Admission is free both days, and the festival runs from 10am-5pm at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard.
- Mercer x Summit Block Party: This is the first year of the Mercer x Summit Block Party, to be held at–you guessed it–the intersection of Mercer St and Summit Ave on Capitol Hill. Admission is free and is an all-ages event.
Sunday, August 20
- Hempfest: Billed as Seattle’s largest “Protestival,” Seattle Hempfest is celebrating it’s 26th year and is considered to be the largest annual cannabis policy reform event in the world. The event runs all weekend (August 18-20) and admission is free (though donations are highly encouraged, no pun intended). They will have a new “no wait” entrance at the W Thomas St pedestrian overpass, accessible at 3rd Ave W and W Harris St (just north of the Seattle Center).
Wednesday August 23
- U Village Sounds of Summer Concert Series: Featuring: Hit Explosion: Free concerts with live music from local favorites from 7:00-8:30 pm, gourmet bites from U Village restaurants, the RAM beer garden, and fun activities in the kid’s area. Concerts will be held in the parking area in front of Veggie Grill and Aritzia, below Room & Board.
Thursday August 24
- Summer at SAM–Bike Night: Bike on down to the Olympic Sculpture Park for some awesome music, a chance to decorate your bike, meet some emerging artists, and enjoy delicious food and beverages, from 6-8pm.
Friday, August 25
- Beck at Marymoor Park: Tickets are still available for what promises to be an incredible show in a spectacular venue. Doors open at 6pm, the show starts at 7:30pm.
Saturday August 26
- Ice Cream Brunch Show at the Can Can: The historic Pike Place Seattle venue transforms into a doo-wop ice cream shop inspired by all-time-favorite summer cult-classics like “Grease,” “Cry Baby,” “Hairspray,” and “Beach Party.” ICE CREAM celebrates revelry with the finest in Market fresh food, craft cocktails, and Can Can’s own unique brand of playfully bawdy entertainment intended for audiences of all ages. Matinee shows are at 12:30pm and 2:30pm, with tickets starting at $19.
Sunday August 27
- Capitol Hill Garage Sale: The goal of Capitol Hill Community Garage Sale Day is to give Hill citizens a day to rally around to get rid of some junk, do some recycling and meet neighbors. With many folks selling stuff at Cal Anderson Park, the event technically takes place all over the Hill, from 10am-3pm.