Seattle’s Best Summer Festivals and Events for 2025
Seattle’s Best Summer Festivals and Events for 2025
Seattle truly shines in the summer—long, sunny days, perfect temperatures, and a jam-packed calendar of festivals and events that bring the city to life. Whether you love music, food, art, or just want to soak in the energy of the season, there’s something for everyone. I always recommend taking full advantage of these events, whether you’re a longtime Seattleite or just visiting for the summer. Here are some of the top festivals and events happening in Seattle this year!
1. Northwest Folklife Festival
📅 May 23–26, 2025 | 📍 Seattle Center | 🎟️ Free (donations encouraged)
Kicking off summer in Seattle, the Northwest Folklife Festival is a Memorial Day weekend tradition that celebrates cultural diversity through music, dance, food, and crafts. This event has been a staple in the city for decades, bringing together hundreds of performers from around the world. It’s completely free (though donations are encouraged), and it’s one of my favorite family-friendly events to explore over the long weekend.
2. Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)
📅 May 8–June 1, 2025 | 📍 Various locations | 🎟️ Ticketed event
If you’re a movie buff, SIFF is a must. It’s one of the largest and longest-running film festivals in North America, featuring a huge selection of international, independent, and locally produced films. I love that SIFF often includes Q&A sessions with directors and actors, making it an interactive and engaging experience beyond just watching a movie.
3. Fremont Fair & Solstice Parade
📅 June 21–22, 2025 | 📍 Fremont | 🎟️ Free
Seattle’s quirkiest neighborhood comes alive with this festival, and it’s one of the most fun ways to welcome summer. The Fremont Fair features arts and crafts, live music, and great food, but let’s be real—the main event is the Solstice Parade, famous for its wild floats, whimsical costumes, and, of course, the legendary body-painted cyclists. If you’ve never experienced it, it’s a Seattle bucket-list event!
4. Seattle Pride Parade & PrideFest
📅 June 29, 2025 | 📍 Downtown Seattle & Seattle Center | 🎟️ Free
Seattle’s Pride Parade is one of the biggest and most joyful celebrations of the year, bringing together thousands of people to celebrate love, equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. The parade marches through downtown and ends at PrideFest at Seattle Center, where you’ll find live performances, vendors, and a huge crowd celebrating together. It’s an incredible, inclusive, and high-energy event that I highly recommend checking out.
5. Bite of Seattle
📅 July 19–21, 2025 | 📍 Seattle Center | 🎟️ Free entry, food for purchase
Food lovers, this one’s for you! Bite of Seattle is the city’s biggest food festival, bringing together some of the best restaurants and food trucks for a weekend of indulgence. There’s live entertainment, cooking demos, beer and wine gardens, and—most importantly—endless delicious food to sample. If you want to taste the best of Seattle’s culinary scene in one spot, this is the place to be.
6. Capitol Hill Block Party
📅 July 19–21, 2025 | 📍 Capitol Hill | 🎟️ Ticketed event
One of the best music festivals in Seattle, the Capitol Hill Block Party transforms the neighborhood into a massive three-day music event, featuring indie, hip-hop, rock, and electronic artists. The lineup always brings in both local and national acts, and the energy is unmatched. If you love live music, this festival is worth every penny.
7. Seafair Weekend Festival & Hydroplane Races
📅 August 2–4, 2025 | 📍 Lake Washington | 🎟️ Ticketed event
Seafair is a Seattle summer tradition, and if you’ve never been, it’s time to experience it. Between the hydroplane races on Lake Washington and the Blue Angels air show, there’s nothing quite like it. The best viewing spots are at Genesee Park, where you’ll get a front-row seat to all the action.
8. Washington State International Kite Festival
📅 August 19–25, 2025 | 📍 Long Beach, WA | 🎟️ Free
Okay, so this one’s not technically in Seattle, but it’s worth the drive! The Washington State International Kite Festivalis a weeklong event on the Washington coast featuring stunning kite displays, flying competitions, and activities for all ages. If you’re looking for a unique summer road trip, this is a fun and colorful event to check out.
9. Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival
📅 August 31–September 1, 2025 | 📍 Seattle Center | 🎟️ Ticketed event
Seattle’s most famous music and arts festival is back! Bumbershoot has been a Labor Day weekend tradition for decades, and it always delivers an exciting mix of live music, comedy, theater, and visual arts. If you’re looking for an epic end-of-summer celebration, this is the place to be.
10. South Lake Union Block Party
📅 August 9, 2025 | 📍 South Lake Union | 🎟️ Free
South Lake Union has grown so much over the years, and the SLU Block Party is a great way to explore this vibrant neighborhood. Expect food trucks, live music, beer gardens, and a lively crowd. It’s a fun, laid-back way to wrap up summer in the city.
Final Thoughts
From food festivals to music block parties and cultural celebrations, Seattle’s summer scene is absolutely packed with fun things to do. I always tell people—whether you’ve lived here for years or you’re just visiting—you should make time to experience at least a few of these events.
Which festival are you most excited about? Let me know! And if you’re thinking about making Seattle your home, I’d love to help you find the perfect place to enjoy all this city has to offer.
Joe Sheldon, Real Estate Broker
Designed Realty
Phone: (206) 751-2223
Email: [email protected]
