The Emerald Palate

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Seasonal Activities, Things to Do ·

29 Best Things to Do in Seattle in May

Woman walking along the water, one of the best things to do in Seattle in May

Finding the best things to do in Seattle in May is a breeze because the city reaches its peak in terms of weather. The days are longer, with the sun setting after 8:30 PM, and the weather is a comfortable 50-65°F. All of this is to say, it’s a vibe because the rainy season is nearing a close and locals are eager to get outside.

With the warmer spring months in full effect, you can expect a range of springtime activities, be it outdoor festivals, Mother’s Day celebrations, or neighborhood fairs. Whether you’re visiting Seattle or you’re a longtime local, consider this your guide to finding the best things to do in May in Seattle!

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Best Things to Do in Seattle in May

Save this list to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it every year with all the best activities in Seattle in May! For more events, check out my Seattle events calendar.

Tour a glassblowing campus

website | neighborhood: Stanwood (get directions) | dates: April 30-May 4 | price: varies | best for: glassblowing

Each May, the Pilchuck Glass School opens their campus to the public for tours and educational talks. The campus is located on 54 acres of lush farm. You’ll have the chance to tour the campus, go on guided hikes, and meet world-renowned educators.

Experience the Bubble Planet Exhibit

website | neighborhood: Bellevue (get directions) | dates: May 1-31 | price: ~$15-26pp | best for: immersive experience

huge pink room with a ball pit that has life-sized art sculptures of a head, balls, and rubber duck in it
Image courtesy of Fever

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, check out the Bubble Planet Exhibit. It’s interactive, immersive, and perfect for families and those looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon.

Celebrate May Day

website | neighborhood: Fremont (get directions) | dates: May 3 | price: free | best for: family-friendly fun

May Day is celebrated as the official beginning of summer. To celebrate, the Fremont Arts Council will have a free all-ages event. There will be a potluck picnic, children’s crafts, live music, and dancing around the celebratory Maypole.

Experience the opening day of the Boat Parade

website | neighborhood: Montlake (get directions) | dates: May 3 | price: free | best for: maritime enthusiasts

Seattle locals and boat lovers consider opening day of the Boat Parade to be its own special tradition. You can expect to see families picnicking as colorful rowboats float down Portage Bay and large boats perform daring maneuvers to win boating competitions.

Learn the basics of activism

website | neighborhood: Captiol Hill (get directions) | dates: May 4 | price: free | best for: those not sure where to start

Feel like you should be more civically engaged, but overwhelmed thinking about where to start? Head to this meetup that will take you through the basics and give you lightweight ways to give back to your community.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

mural of skeletons in Dia de los Muertos style at one of the best Mexican restaurants in Seattle

Cinco de Mayo may be a strictly American holiday, but I’ll use any excuse for a margarita at one of the best Mexican restaurants in Seattle. Here are some Cinco de Mayo events happening in Seattle:

Enjoy the local farmers markets

person shopping at the farmers market

Nothing says springtime quite like a sunny farmers market. Here’s a rundown of some of the best Seattle farmers markets:

Have fun at the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede

website | neighborhood: Walla Walla (get directions) | dates: May 8-11 | price: free | best for: families & photographers

woman walking among hot air balloons being blown up
Photo courtesy of Ashley Cooke

One of the best things to do in Walla Walla in May is to experience the balloon stampede. Hot air balloons take off from Howard Teitan Park each morning. Thursday is for kids only and offers tethered rides, while Friday is the Night Glow Spectacular.

While you’re there, check out my guide to the best Walla Walla wineries and restaurants so you can get the most out of your trip!

Get new plant babies at a plant sale

website | neighborhood: Bellevue (get directions) | dates: May 10 | price: free | best for: green thumbs

Whether you’re a professional gardener or just starting to plan your first garden, check out Bellevue Demonstration Garden’s annual plant sale. There will be warm season veggie starts, a flea market, and professionals on-site to answer your budding questions (get it?).

Treat your mom on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the perfect chance to treat mom (and yourself) to a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Here are some mom-friendly events happening in Seattle on Mother’s Day (May 11):

Does your mom prefer a day at one of the best spas in Seattle? Book one of these Groupon deals!

relaxation room at one of the best Seattle spas
Mother’s Day food options

Prefer dining in one of Seattle’s best restaurants? Check out my guide to the best brunch and breakfast spots in Seattle, or check out these restaurants offering Mother’s Day-specific brunch, pre-fixed menus, and take-home treats. Note, most offer cheaper options for kids!

Catch a flick at the Seattle International Film Festival

website | neighborhood: various | dates: May 15-25 | price: ~$15-20 per show | best for: movie buffs

The Seattle International Film Festival is one of the most highly attended film festivals in the country. It’s hosted in theaters around the city and includes acclaimed and emerging filmmakers from around the world across all genres of film. Can’t make it to an in-person showing? SIFF is held virtually from May 26 to June 1!

Attend a cultural festival or exhibit

Seattle is a culturally diverse city that loves to celebrate its many heritages, meaning there are cultural festivals almost every month. And May is Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month, there are a lot happening in May. The best part? Most of them are free!

Cultural street performance, one of the best things to do in Seattle in August
Image courtesy of Alabastro Photography

Peruse the local art fests & exhibits

Learn about local and emerging Pacific Northwest artists at one of the city’s spring art shows. Who knows, you may even walk away with an original piece! Here are some happening in May:

  • Princess Diana Fashion Pop-Up (May 1-13, Downtown) – Rare glimpse of her fashion collection at MoPOP
  • Sip, Suds, & Si (May 10, ~$35, North Bend) – Art walk with craft beverages and live music
  • Earth After Dark (May 11-13, ~$27+pp, Downtown) – National Geographic night photography exhibit
  • Arts Explosion (May 30-June 1, $25pp, Federal Way) – Adult and youth artist competition across all media

Gorge at a food & drink festival

Every month I am delighted to share the city’s list of food and drink festivals, and May is no exception. Here are a few that caught my eye:

row of wine tasting flight glasses

Romp around the neighborhood fairs

There are a ton of cool neighborhoods in Seattle. Attending their annual fairs is the perfect excuse to explore them. Here are the neighborhood fairs in May:

Enjoy a live performance

If you only have one day in Seattle, do yourself a favor and book a live show. Here are some of May’s can’t miss performances:

  • The Shape of the Night (May 1-4, ~$54+pp, Georgetown) – Interactive theater exploring the illogical mind
  • MFA Dance Concert (May 14-May 18, $10-20pp, U-District) – Student-led dance performances 
  • Amazing Bubble Man (May 17, ~$34pp, Kirkland) – Awe-inspiring bubble performance (perfect for kids)
  • Champions of Magic (May 23-24, $40pp, Downtown) – Mind-bending allusions and magical performances
  • Duel Reality (May 29-June 22, $25-85pp, Queen Anne) – Acrobatic spin on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
burlesque performance, one of the best Halloween fun in Seattle

Find a niche interest festival 

Where there’s a niche, there’s a festival, and it’s probably happening in Seattle. Here are the quirky hobby festivals happening in May:

  • Seattle Erotic Art Festival (May 2-4, price varies, Queen Anne) – Erotic film and art installations (21+ only)
  • Medieval Festival (May 4-5, $15pp, Carnation) – Medieval celebrations with merchants and archery
  • WA State Toy Show (May 10, $5, Puyallup) – Vintage and modern toys and collectibles
  • Reptile Expo (May 10, $12pp, Monroe) – Reptile trade and educational displays
  • Art Book Fair (May 10-11, free, Central District) – Book fair for independent publishing and artist books
  • Bonsai Fest (May 10-11, free, Federal Way) – Bonsai exhibits and Bonsai making demos
  • Maritime Show (May 17-18, free, SLU) – Boat tours, engine demonstrations, and captain meet-and-greets
  • Spring Fairy Festival (May 17, free, Tacoma) – Fairy performances, vendors, and interactive workshops
  • Dozer Day (May 17-18, $12pp, Puyallup) – Kid-friendly bulldozer rides with professional operators
  • Rigapalooza (May 17, free, Sammamish) – Service vehicle rides, face painting, and bouncy houses for kids
  • Blue Poppy Day (May 17, $10pp, Federal Way) – Annual flower celebration with food trucks and music
  • Stamp and Scrapbook Expo (May 30-31, $12pp, Puyallup) – Scrapbook vendors, stamp swaps, and crafts
  • Robothon (May 31, free, Kent) – Robot making seminars and competitions
  • Bird Fest (May 31-June 1, price varies, Edmonds) – Guided bird walks and guest speakers

Try dining in the dark

website | neighborhood: South Lake Union (get directions) | dates: May 23 | price: ~$64 pp | best for: unique dining experience

Before you ask, yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. You and your partner are blindfolded and then given a 3-course mystery menu in accordance with your dietary preferences. The idea is that this heightens your other senses, though it also makes for a unique Seattle date night idea!

People enjoying a fancy meal blindfolded
Image courtesy of Fever

Enjoy a theatrical performance

There’s no shortage of can’t-miss theater shows in May in Seattle, so treat yourself to some pre-theater dining, then catch one of these performances:

Attend an orchestra concert by candlelight

Celebrate a special occasion and get tickets to a candlelight cover band of the greats. In May, there’s Vilvaldi’s Four Seasons (May 6), Adele (May 22), and the Best of Britpop (May 28).

Prefer a concert under the stars? On May 7, catch an ABBA cover band at the Olympic Rooftop Pavilion.

pianist surrounded by candles on a stage
Image courtesy of Fever

Catch some music

Seattle has tons of outdoor music options, and most kick off their summer series around May. Woodinville’s Chateau Ste Michelle winery kicks off their summer concert series with Rilo Kiley (May 24) and James Taylor (May 24-26), or catch one of these performances:

Cheer at a sports game

If you’re into sports, you’ll be pleased to know most Seattle teams are playing come May. There’s the Mariners (pro baseball), Sounders (men’s soccer), Reign (women’s soccer), Jet City Roller Derby, and the Seawolves (rugby).

view of the Mariners baseball stadium with Seattle skyline in the background

Go on a food crawl 

Deciding which Seattle restaurant to visit can be overwhelming because there are so many to choose from. To make things easier, I create self-guided food tours of my favorite foodie neighborhoods. Each one is curated with a list of must-visit restaurants, plus alternates, and I include tips on what to order and when to visit.

Self-guided Seattle food tour of the Ballard neighborhood
Ballard Tour
Fremont Seattle Food Tour
FREMONT TOUR
person diving fork into colorful layered cake from a restaurant on The Emerald Palate's self-guided Seattle food tour of the Georgetown neighborhood
Georgetown Tour

Prefer an in-person experience? Here are some to consider:

Sip on a wine or brewery crawl

May is the ideal time of year to discover a new neighborhood brewery or urban winery in Seattle. Most Seattle breweries have outdoor seating and food truck options for you and the family to relax and soak up the sun.

If you’re into wine, consider taking a day trip to discover nearby Woodinville’s best wineries.

a modern tasting room, one of the best Woodinville wineries

Visit a museum on their free days

Many Seattle museums offer free days, usually on the first Thursday of the month (May 1). Here are the museums that participate:

These are the free admission Seattle museums every day:

inside an exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, one of the best free museums in Seattle

Find deals at a garage sale

I’ve found many of my most prized possessions at local garage sales, and May in Seattle is when they start to kick off. On May 10, there’s West Seattle’s Community Garage Sale, and on May 17 there’s PhinneyWood’s Garage Sale and Flea Market.

Bike around the city

It’s the season when Seattle cyclists dust off their bikes and start hitting the streets. May 10 is Seattle Bike-n-Brews, a coordinated ride where cyclists stop and taste at the local breweries.

May 14 is Bike Everywhere Day, where cyclists are encouraged to bike and take advantage of “celebration stations” around town that include snacks, photo backdrops, and fun games.

person biking in Seattle, one of the US most bike friendly cities, a fun fact about Seattle

Seek professional inspiration at business events

If you have a passion you’re dying to talk about, or you just want to gain a new perspective on life, check out Ignite Seattle, the largest open submission public speaking event in the Pacific Northwest. Or experience the Cascade Idea Festival on May 31 and hear live recordings of famous podcasts like NPR, CNN, and PBS.

Celebrate your four-legged family members

I love attending pet festivals because they’re so carefree and fun. Here are the pet fests happening in May in Seattle:

  • Wag Love Life (May 4) – Redmond fundraiser for dog cancer research
  • Stunt Experience (May 17) – Master dog trainers showcasing their incredible stunt dogs in Tacoma
  • Petpalooza (May 17) – Auburn’s free family-friendly pet fair
  • Paws & Pride Dog Walk (May 31) – Kickoff Bellevue’s pride month 
Small dogs sleeping on a hotel bed in one of the pet friendly hotels in Washington

More to do in Seattle

After you check out all the things to do in Seattle in May, peruse my other guides for more ideas!

Join the club

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