31. Fremont Outdoor Movies
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 352-8291
Address: 3501 Phinney Ave. North (North)
Description: What started out as a few Fremont residents getting together on summer nights to watch campy B movies outside has turned into a full-fledged weekly event. Every Sat night from June through Aug, a couple hundred people gather to watch cult classics such as Raising Arizona, Thelma & Louise, and Pulp Fiction. You can bring your leashed pets, food and beverages, and lawn chairs (or other seating—you’ll see everything from bean bag chairs to couches). Feel free to dress in costume as well; many people do, either whatever random costumes they wish to wear, or something in keeping with the film being shown that night. There’s also a fun photo booth, with a winning photograph announced in Seattle magazine. It’s a fun and funky summer night in Fremont. Suggested donation of $5.
32. Fremont Solstice Parade
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 547-7440
Description: Held in conjunction with and on the same day as the Fremont Fair, the free-spirited Solstice Parade is produced by the Fremont Arts Council to celebrate the arrival of the summer solstice. The Solstice Parade is family-friendly and there are always lots of kids, but be aware that the majority of the parade participants—marchers, dancers, bicyclists, and performers—are fully or partially nude, covered only with highly artistic body paint. The parade begins at noon, at the intersection of N. 36th Street and Leary Way, and winds through downtown Fremont, ending at Gasworks Park. Free.
33. Iranian Festival
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 652-4222
Description: The region’s premier Iranian cultural event celebrates one of the most hospitable cultures in the world. The festival offers a melting pot of new experiences as it unites a multifaceted community—young and old from all walks of life. Music and dance performances, Rumi poetry, food and libations, puppet shows, and face painting provide a glimpse into this rich and diverse culture. Presented by the Iranian American Community Alliance. Free.
34. Nw New Works Festival
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 217-9886
Address: 100 W. Roy St. (Central)
Description: Produced by On the Boards performance center, the New Works Festival commissions, produces, and presents evening-length performances by the most innovative artists in the region. Over two weekends in two different theaters, several dance, music, and theater performances are offered.
35. Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 527-8605
Description: Celebrate Philippine Independence at Pagdiriwang, the annual celebration of arts and culture of the Philippines at the Seattle Center. The festival commemorates the end of Spanish rule in 1898 with pageantry, music, dance, food, children’s activities, drill teams, rock bands, art and photo exhibits, and martial arts. It also features contemporary Filipino literature, performance, and thought.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
39. Ballard Seafood Fest
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 784-9705
Address: 2208 NW Market St. (North)
Description: Sponsored by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, the Seafood Fest started in 1974 as a one-day community salmon barbecue and has evolved into a weekend-long event in July in the middle of historic Ballard. Two entertainment stages, a beer garden, vendors, a salmon barbecue, and, of course, food vendors each offering a unique seafood item attract people to celebrate this maritime tradition in Ballard. Free.
40. Bastille Day
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 443-4703
Description: Commemorate France’s democratic beginnings at this annual celebration of French culture and presence in the Puget Sound area. The festival marks the French national holiday in memory of the liberation of the infamous Bastille prison and the start of the French Revolution. This two-day festival kicks off with the Bal des Pompiers dinner and dance (21 and over), followed by a full day of French wine and pastries, cooking demonstrations, children’s games, music, and more. The trade and economic section features booths representing French companies in the area. Entry to the event is free, although the restaurant booths do charge for food (most are under $5), and the Bal des Pompiers dinner and concert is $45–$65, with alcohol sold separately.
41. Best Of Magnuson Park
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 525-5926
Description: Held over a weekend in July, this Best of the Northwest arts and crafts show takes place in Magnuson Park. About 150 local and regional artists display their work in the park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
43. Capitol Hill Block Party
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 388-1440
Description: This Capitol Hill party is about independent music and culture, thought, and progressive politics. Over two days, on three stages, more than 50 bands—both Northwest and national independent bands—play live music. A number of craft booths, food vendors, and local nonprofits also set up in the area. The event raises money for the Vera Project and Home Alive. This great music event is also very affordable, for so many bands—$23 for a single-day ticket and $42 for a two-day pass (advance-sales prices). Children all ages are welcome at the Vera Stage and Mainstage, and under 10 are free with paying adult. The Neumos Stage is 21 and over.
44. Chinatown–International District Summerfest
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 382-1197
Description: Come enjoy lively lion and dragon dances, rhythmic taiko drumming, and award-winning drill teams. This annual two-day event includes kids’ and family activities, cultural dances, musical performance, karaoke contest, and more than 100 booths featuring arts and crafts, local business, community organizations, and much more. Don’t miss out on the largest pan-Asian street festival in the Pacific Northwest, with some of the best arts, entertainment, and food. Always held on the second weekend of July, Sat 11 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free.
45. Family 4Th At Lake Union
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (206) 281-7788
Description: This annual Independence Day celebration almost died, and the story of its saving is a true Seattle grassroots saga. Without a corporate sponsor after the 2009 event, the nonprofit production company One Reel announced that the 2010 celebration would be canceled. Local radio host Dave Ross announced the predicament, and within 24 hours individual citizens and local businesses had pledged to contribute the entire cost of the iconic 4th of July event. Crowds gather on the grassy hill of Gasworks Park and in boats on the waters of Lake Union to watch one of the most spectacular fireworks displays to celebrate the country’s independence. Free.