Seattle Events Calendar
A Seattle events calendar of all the best food, drink, and craft events to get you out and exploring the Seattle area.
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Know of an event? Email details to adria (at) emeraldpalate (dot) com.
List of annual Washington events
Here are popular events that happen around Washington state annually. Use this as your guide for planning when to visit!
Jump to a month:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
January
Chelan Winterfest
Lake Chelan Winterfest happens over two weekends in mid to late January. The schedule of events includes a wine tasting tent, wine popups in local stores, ice sculpture contests, and events for kids.
Lake Chelan is about 4 hours east of Seattle, so it’s perfect for a weekend getaway. Check out my guide to visiting Lake Chelan in winter to learn more about the event and things to do in the area while you’re there. I also have guides about places to stay in Chelan, the best Chelan wineries, and not-to-miss Chelan restaurants.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil does a tour every year so people around the world can see their talented performers leap, tumble, and juggle among dazzling stage backdrops. The Seattle show usually runs from mid January through March.
I try to go every year they’re in town because I absolutely love the variety of talent they bring each year. For example, I’ll never forget that one year with the trampoline acrobats dressed as monkeys or the woman who did an aerial performance over a huge champagne flute tub. The show is good for all ages and you can see the stage from any seat, so I highly recommend attending!
February
Northwest Flower & Garden Show
Each year the Northwest Flower & Garden Show brings gardening inspiration through things like landscaping exhibits and demonstrations. You’ll also find a huge showroom of vendors offering garden supplies and consultations. It’s one of the perfect things to do during winter in Seattle when you need a glimmer of hope for warmer days to come!
Red Wine, Cider, & Chocolate Tour
Every year the Olympic Peninsula Wineries organization hosts the Red Wine, Cider, & Chocolate Tour. You can sample wine and cider with chocolate, plus visit the best Washington coast attractions between events. It’s definitely one of the most romantic things to do in Seattle!
March
Winthrop Balloon Roundup
The Winthrop Balloon Roundup is held the first full weekend of March each year in Twisp, Washington about 4.5 hours east of Seattle. It’s a truly magical bucket list experience watching the magnificent balloons blown up and sailing lazily among the snowy Methow Valley landscape.
I attended a few years ago and went on my first hot air balloon ride. I shared a detail account of what to expect at the Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival if you’re curious what it’s like. Winthrop is also home to some of the best cross-country skiing in Washington, so this event is the perfect excuse to visit Winthrop, Washington in winter. Winthrop is also a low-key foodie town, so check out some of the best Winthrop, WA restaurants while you’re there.
Taste Washington
Taste Washington is another annual food event typically spanning multiple days in late March. It’s at the Lumen Field event center in Seattle, so it’s a huge venue with aisles upon aisles of Washington wines and Washington state restaurants. It’s one of the most convenient ways to try the best Washington wines and Pacific Northwest wineries all under one roof!
Moisture Festival
Each March through April the Moisture Festival brings the best cabaret performances to the Pacific Northwest. You’ll find acrobats, signers, aerialists, comedians, and more at this fun variety show.
April
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Millions of people visit Skagit County about 1.5 hours north of Seattle for the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. You’ll find rows upon rows of colorful tulips and daffodils perfect for photographs. I wrote a details guide on how to visit the Seattle tulip festival and avoid crowds, which I recommend reading if you plan to go. Note, this year they are requiring online reservations to visit.
While you’re there, make sure to check out the other fun things to do in Skagit County. It’s one of my favorite areas in all of Washington state and is where I host a small group food retreat. It has an incredible food scene, so make sure to stop at the best Skagit Valley restaurants while you’re there.
You’ll also be near the fabulous town of Anacortes and Whidbey Island, so it’s the perfect jumping off point for a day trip to Whidbey Island to explore Whidbey Island wineries and Whidbey Island restaurants.
Washington State Spring Fair
The Washington State Spring Fair is held at the fair grounds in Puyallup, Washington each year. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample fair food, see farm animals, check out local vendors, and experience fair rides. It’s one of the most fun things to do during spring break in Seattle!
Seattle Restaurant Week
Seattle Restaurant Week runs twice a year in spring and fall (usually November). Over a two week period guests can dine at participating restaurants for less Sunday through Thursday. During lunch it’s about $25 and during dinner it’s $35 or $65 for a 3-course meal.
May
Seattle International Film Festival
The Seattle International Film Festival runs every May over the course of a few weeks. At that time you’ll find a ton of independent movies playing at theaters around town. You’ll often find Sundance winners and movies that go on to be huge box office hits.
June
Check out my guide of things to do in June in Seattle for even more ideas.
Fremont Fair
Each year during the summer solstice is the Fremont Fair. It’s a rite of passage to attend this event thanks to its famous nude bike parade, but you’ll also find a lot of craft vendors, food trucks, and events throughout the weekend. If you love exploring the best Seattle farmers markets, you’ll love this event.
Washington Brewers Festival
Beer lovers will want to attend the Washington Brewers Festival. You’ll find a ton of the best Washington breweries serving samplers, plus food trucks for when you need noshes.
July
Check out my guide of things to do in July in Seattle for even more ideas.
Kirkland Uncorked
Kirkland Uncorked is the perfect excuse for heading to the Eastside of Seattle to explore the Woodinville wineries. Each summer wineries take over local storefronts to offer a sip & shop event for attendees.
Ballard Seafoodfest
Ballard Seafoodfest shuts down the streets in Ballard for a gathering of some of the best seafood restaurants in Seattle serving yummy bites. There are also a ton of makers and entertainment happening throughout the event. It’s one of the quintessential summer activities in Seattle.
Crave! Northwest
Crave! Northwest is an annual event that got started on the other side of Washington state in Spokane. It features multiple days of different themed events to help you sample eastern Washington restaurants and producers. There are so many things to do in Spokane, so if you haven’t been this food festival is the perfect excuse to visit.
If you can’t make it to Spokane though, there is also a Crave! Lynnwood event just a 30 minutes north of Seattle.
Capitol Hill Block Party
The Capitol Hill Block Party is an annual event for music lovers. It rounds up top talent, from local bands to top 40 headliners. They shut down the streets of Capitol Hill and make you feel transported to a music festival.
August
Check out my guide on things to do in Seattle in August for even more ideas.
Seattle Art Fair
The Seattle Art Fair is the place to go if you love contemporary art and want ideas for your home. It’s a huge gallery event featuring Pacific Northwest artists and international talent from around the world. Some of the artists are quite pricey, but you can find a bunch of affordable pieces for your home.
Auction of Washington Wines
The Auction of Washington Wines is typically held each August at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Washington. It’s a wine event geared toward wine collectors and features both a tasting event and live wine auction.
Bumbershoot
Bumbershoot is one of the biggest music and arts festival on this Seattle events calendar. Over Labor Day Weekend you’ll find a concert series featuring both local and internationally-recognized acts, performances from comedians, craft vendors, food trucks, and a huge art show.
Craft Beer & Wine Fest
The Craft Beer & Wine Fest is hosted each summer in Vancouver, Washington. You’ll find a bunch of local breweries and wineries all in one spot for a day of tasting from lesser-known producers in southern Washington and Oregon. Vancouver is perfectly situated for a Portland day trip or Columbia River Gorge itinerary, so plan to stay overnight.
September
Check out my guide on all the best things to do in Seattle in September for more ideas!
Washington State Fair
As soon as the Washington State Fair hits my Seattle events calendar, I request time off work. One of the best things to do in fall in Seattle is go on a weekday with my nieces so we get get wristbands for unlimited rides without the crowds (wristbands aren’t available on weekends). You can expect to find a ton of rides, fair food, music, and events throughout the month.
Central Washington State Fair
There’s also a Central Washington State Fair in the Yakima Valley. You can expect a similar experience as the fair in Puyallup, with fair food, events, rides, and carnival games.
Prosser Balloon Roundup
If you prefer going on a hot air balloon in warmer weather, the Prosser Balloon Roundup is for you. It’s perfectly situated in wine country so you can sample area wineries while getting incredible photos of hot air balloons floating over vineyards. It’s also a great excuse for hitting the road to see some of the best fall foliage in Seattle and the surrounding areas.
Fremont Oktoberfest
Fremont Oktoberfest is my favorite beer festival on this Seattle events calendar. They close down some of the streets and set up tents for sampling some of the best Seattle breweries. I love the focus on sample tasters instead of having to commit to full-sized cups or steins. Go on Friday evenings for less crowds so you can really enjoy this Halloween fun in Seattle.
October
Check out my guide on all the best things to do in Seattle in October for more ideas!
Leavenworth Oktoberfest
Leavenworth Oktoberfest is a must-visit event in Washington state. The Bavarian town about 2.5 hours east of Seattle hosts an authentic German beer festival over 3 weekends. you’ll find big tents, beer steins, lots of pretzels and brats, and live music. This can get crowded, but it’s a ton of fun to make new friends after a beer or four. While you’re there, make sure to eat at the best restaurants in Leavenworth, drink at the best Leavenworth tasting rooms, and explore nature on one of these Leavenworth hikes. There’s so much to do, you may want to rent a Leavenworth cabin!
Savor the San Juans
Each October Visit San Juans tourism board hosts Savor the San Juans, a month-long event with opportunities to tour area farms, sample food from island restaurants, and try wines from small wineries on the islands. I love visiting San Juan Island, one of the best islands near Seattle, so this is the perfect excuse to go! If you can fit in a day trip to Orcas Island or Lopez Island as well, even better!
November
Check out my guide on all the best things to do in Seattle in November for more ideas!
Gobble Up
Gobble Up Northwest is one of my favorite Seattle Christmas markets. It’s hosted by Urban Craft Uprising and brings food vendors together to sell the best Pacific Northwest food gifts just in time for the holidays.
December
Urban Craft Uprising
Urban Craft Uprising is my favorite winter holiday craft market on this Seattle events calendar. It features stylish makers selling their wares just in time for holiday gifting. It’s one of my favorite Seattle Christmas activities, so don’t miss it!
PNA Winterfest
The PNA Winterfest is another great annual craft fair for picking up Pacific Northwest gifts. It’s hosted each year by the Phinney Neighborhood Association and curates local vendors with goods perfect for all ages.
St. Nick’s Holiday Wine Tasting
Every year Woodinville Wine hosts the St. Nick’s holiday wine tasting event. It brings a bunch of the best Woodinville wineries together under one roof so you can sample wine and pick up bottles in time for holiday parties. The area wineries also offer events in their tasting room if you can’t make the main event.
More things to do in Seattle
Once you’re done adding these Seattle events calendar activities to your personal calendar, check out these other fun ideas for exploring the Seattle area.