The Emerald Palate

Seattle food tours & retreats

Seasonal Activities, Things to Do ·

All the Best Things to Do in Seattle in June 2026

people kayaking along the Fremont Chanel, one of the best things to do in Seattle in June

When the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, suddenly there are a lot of things to do in Seattle in June. This is one of my favorite times of year because the sun doesn’t set until after 9 PM, and the days rarely get higher than 70°F. It’s also the time of year when the city comes alive with patio dining, live events, and outdoor activities.

With precious few weekends of perfect weather, finding the best things to do in June can be overwhelming. To make sense of your options, I’ve put together a list of my favorite June activities in Seattle, whether you’re a visitor or a local.

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Things to do in Seattle in June

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

Go on a food crawl

One of my favorite fun summer activities in Seattle is going on a food crawl. It’s a chance to walk around different parts of the city and visit multiple restaurants in a single day that you might not otherwise.

My self-guided Seattle food tours offer thoughtful itineraries for exploring my favorite foodie neighborhoods in Seattle. I also have a free self-guided walking food tour of Pike Place Market for those wanting to experience the underbelly of the city’s most famous tourist attraction like a local.

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

Or take advantage of in-person tours. Here are some options:

Celebrate Juneteenth

To commemorate the freeing of enslaved people in America, Seattle hosts a variety of celebratory events all weekend. They’re free and feature live music, vendors, and family-friendly activities. Here are some happening around Seattle this year:

Those willing to take a scenic day trip from Seattle should head to Juneteenth WA on June 19, the state’s largest Juneteenth celebration in Tacoma. There’s also a Juneteenth Comedy Show happening June 18 in Bremerton and the Kitsap Freedom Festival on June 13.

If you can’t make it out to one of these events, you can still celebrate Black excellence by supporting Black-owned businesses. Check out my guide to the best Black-owned wineries and Black-owned restaurants in Seattle.

Mount Rainier National Park

Be an ally at Seattle PrideFest 

website | Downtown (get directions) | date: June 1-30, parade on June 28 | price: free | best for: LGBTQ+ parade

Celebrating Seattle PrideFest should be at the top of your Seattle bucket list if for no other reason than it’s a month long of parades, parties, and fun for the whole family. A lot of the events are held at Seattle Center or in Capitol Hill, with the official parade happening on June 28.

New this year is a Lifelong Pride Gala on June 13. It’ll feature performances, cocktail hour, a chef‑crafted dinner, and exclusive luxury items available through live auction. They’re also offering 20% off tickets with the code PRIDE20.

Here are other Pride events happening around Seattle in June:

If you’re keen on exploring Capitol Hill, a.k.a. Seattle’s most LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood, check out my guide to all the trendiest spots in Cap Hill.

Seattle Pridefest, one of the best things to do in Seattle in June
Photo courtesy of David Newman via Visit Seattle

Let loose at the Fremont Solstice Festival

website | Fremont (get directions) | date: June 20-21 | price: free | best for: summer solstice parade

The summer solstice kicks off in June and the funky Fremont neighborhood celebrates with 60 ensembles of stilt walkers, floats, and naked bikers parading the streets. There are also food trucks, craft markets, a beer and cocktail garden, live music, and a host of kid-friendly activities.

If you need a break from the festivities, it’s the perfect excuse to explore all the fun things to do in Fremont Seattle or grab a bite at my favorite Fremont restaurants.

Fremont Solstice Parade, one of the best things to do in Seattle in June
Photo courtesy of Alabastro Photography via Visit Seattle

Attend a craft market or art festival 

Art festivals are the perfect chance to meet local artists and get pieces you won’t find anywhere else. Here are some happening around Seattle in June, and all of them are free to enter:

Snack at a food & drink event

The highlight of any event for me is always the food, and food events are even better. Here’s a list of some happening in June:

Food focused (some also have drinks!):
  • Sabine Lamb Roast (June 3 & 17, ~$65pp, Ballard) – Slow-roasted lamb alongside an assortment of mezze
  • Splash! Dinner Gala (June 5, ~$250pp, Downtown) – Support the Seattle Aquarium at their annual fundraiser
  • Willy Wonka Supper Fan Club (June 8, ~$150pp) – Delight in a feast of decadent sweets inspired by the movie
  • Bite of the Block (June 9, free, Downtown) – Sights, sounds, and tastes of the Central District
  • A Night in Madrid (June 13, ~$85pp, Beacon Hill) – Fundraiser at Homer featuring a Spanish spread
  • Off the Rail (June 19-20, free, Mt. Baker) – Enjoy late night eats and beats near the Mt. Baker Light Rail Station
  • Columbia City Night Market (June 20, free) – Enjoy local food stalls and artisans at this monthly event
  • Vegetarian & Vegan Fest (June 20, free, Redmond) – Enjoy the best vegetarian and vegan in Seattle
  • Jazz Brunch in the Forest (June 20, ~$220pp, Carnation) – Enjoy a curated dinner with music at Carnation Farms
  • Seasonal Table Dinner (June 24, ~$175pp, Rainier Beach) – Enjoy a coursed dinner from Surrell at Tilth Alliance’s dinner series
  • Dine We Must (June 26, ~$105pp, Tacoma) – Feast on a coursed meal at the Nisqually Heritage Museum
  • Taste of the NW (June 26-28, free entry, Puyallup) – 150+ food and craft vendors, music, cook-offs, and more
  • Gobble Up Market (June 27, free entry, SLU) – 75+ vendors selling pantry items and ready-to-eat food
Drink focused (some also have food!):

Check out a theater or dance performance

When you need a break from the heat, dip into a theater and savor the air conditioning. Seattle boasts a wide array of theaters with shows for every palate. Here are some of the best shows happening in June:

Want to try your hand at dance and other acrobatic pursuits? Flow Fest is a free event with a calendar full of workshops June 12-14. Think juggling, yoga, hula hoop, and more!

burlesque performance, one of the best Halloween fun in Seattle

See hot air balloons aglow

website | Queen Anne (get directions) | date: June 21 | price: free | best for: beautiful photo opportunities

Head to Seattle Center to hear a DJ mixing tunes while they blow up hot air balloons. Since it’ll be night, the fire will make the colorful orbs glow. It’s truly humbling standing next to a hot air balloon, so get your camera ready! I had the chance to see them at the Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival pictured below and it was truly magical.

Want an excuse to check out all the things to do in Skagit County? Burlington is hosting Berry Days June 19-21 and will have a hot air balloon glow as well.

Hot air balloon glowing at night

Kickoff Seafair

website | various locations around Seattle | date: June 1 | price: free | best for: seeing the Blue Angels

Seafair is one of the quintessential things to do in Seattle in June. This summer festival used to be only over a weekend, but it’s since expanded to include multiple air, land, and sea fairs all summer long. While the most popular event is always when the Blue Angel military jets do their annual performance on Seafair Weekend in July, the festival kicks off June 1 with a free event full of performances, food, and vendors.

One June 27, head to Alki Beach for Pirates Landing. As it sounds, dozens of pirates will come ashore from the water to steal the key.

Blue Angels at Seafair, one of the best things to do in Seattle in June
Photo courtesy of the US Navy

Go wine or beer tasting

Seattle’s craft beer scene really takes off in the warmer months. One of the best ways to soak up the vibes is to go on a self-guided walking tour of the best Ballard’s best breweries. Or, if a full-day crawl isn’t in the car, check out one of my other favorite Seattle breweries.

Prefer wine? Check out my guide to the best Seattle urban wineries or how to spend a day in Woodinville.

person holding cup of beer

Attend a flower and garden festival

website | Tacoma (get directions) | date: June 6-7 | price: varies (free & paid events) | best for: garden tours & family activities

If you’re a budding gardener (sorry, I had to!), you’ll love the Flower and Garden Festival. Hosted at Point Defiance Park between the Japanese Pagoda and Rose Garden, there are lectures from horticulturalists, guided garden tours, paint and sips, wine tasting, and kids’ craft activities. Since you’ll be in Tacoma, it’s the perfect time to explore the best things to do in Tacoma and eat at my favorite Tacoma restaurants.

Prefer to head north? Sorticulture is Everett’s June 5-7 garden and arts festival. There will be over 140 garden enthusiasts and nurseries with stalls, plus food trucks, a wine garden, and more family-friendly activities.

Take a garden walking tour

One of the best things to do in June in Seattle is get inspired for your summer garden. A ton of neighborhoods host garden walks to help you get inspired by your community:

Can’t make it on these specific dates? You can also visit the Beacon Hill Food Forest, which hosts free monthly tours and classes on planting a food garden. Both of these activities are a must-do on your Seattle foodie bucket list!

closeup of flowers at Butchart Gardens

Go swimming

Public pools usually start opening around June, and with eight indoor and two outdoor pools, there’s one for whatever amenities you’re looking for. For a complete list, you can find that here.

Looking for another excuse to get on the water? One of my favorite Seattle water activities is paddling Lake Union, and there’s no better excuse to do it than at one of the Lake Union Concerts that start in June and run through September. Anyone on a kayak or paddle board is encourage to gather around and build community while enjoying music.

Connect with neighbors at a community festival

A bunch of local neighborhoods around Seattle host fun, often free events. Here are some happening in June in Seattle:

Experience something new at a cultural festival 

Every year the city hosts a collection of cultural festivals from around the world. Each is free to the public and offers a range of activities that highlight each country’s heritage. Here’s what’s happening in June:

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

Gawk at classic rides at the Greenwood Car Show

website | Greenwood (get directions) | date: June 27 | price: free (donations accepted) | best for: classic car show

The Greenwood Car Show is one of the most popular Seafair events. The car show features classic cars alongside food vendors and an evening parade.

Does your dad love cars? Fenders on Front Street in Central District is another car show happening on Father’s Day, June 21.

Attend an orchestra concert by candlelight 

If your favorite performers aren’t coming to Seattle, you can catch a cover band by candlelight. Whether you’re in the mood for classic music like The Beatles (June 28) or modern music like Taylor Swift (June 14) and 90s Hip Hop on String (June 5), this is one of the best date nights in Seattle.

pianist surrounded by candles on a stage as one of the best things to do in Seattle in June
Photo courtesy of Fever

See a band

Washington is the birthplace of grunge, and Seattle has some excellent music venues to show for it. Not to mention many outdoor concert series and festivals usually get going in June. Some of the most popular include:

If you want to see a specific band instead of partake in the music festival scene, here are a few concerts that caught my eye:

If your favorite band is coming in June, you can see a cover band performing Billy Joel and Elton John (June 10) at a concert under the stars.

Catch a sports game

No summer in Seattle is complete without joining the masses and heading to the stadiums to catch a Mariners baseball, Storm women’s basketball, or Sounder and OL Reign soccer match. You can also catch the last Seawolves Rugby game of the season on June 7.

If you’re down to spend at least $500 per ticket, head to a FIFA World Cup game in Seattle on June 15 and 19. 

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

Nerd out at a geeky festival

There are festivals for seemingly any interest around Seattle. Here are some unique ones happening in June:

Learn all about aviary marvels at a bird festival

website | Edmonds (get directions) | date: June 6-7 | price: mostly free with some paid events | best for: birth enthusiasts

Learn about the wonderful world of birds at this festival put on by the Pilchuck Audubon Society. There will be multiple days of seminars, workshops, vendors, and guided tours. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a bite at one of the best Edmonds restaurants between festivities.

Take a day trip on the ferry

One of the most fun things to do in Seattle is hop on a ferry for a romantic and fun-filled day trip. Some of the closest islands are Vashon, Bainbridge, and Whidbey. If you go to Whidbey, you can even take a second ferry to Port Townsend to experience one of the best Washington coast attractions.

woman looking out from ferry boat

Visit a museum on one of their free days

Most museums offer free admission days during their off-season, giving you and your family a perfect chance to check out a new museum without breaking the bank. These museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month (June 4):

These are free museums in Seattle every day:

a bunch of planes hanging in the Museum of Flight
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Flight

Check out a state or national park for free

In honor of Juneteenth, all state parks are free on June 19. National parks are free June 14 (it used to be for Juneteenth, but now it’s for Flag Day 🙄). It’s your perfect opportunity to explore a new park, be it Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, or the North Cascades, 3 of the best Pacific Northwest national parks. Or take one of these hikes near Seattle!

Visit a park during National Get Outdoors Month

June is National Get Outdoors Month, kicking off with National Trails Day on June 1 and National Get Outdoors Day on June 8. It’s the perfect excuse to explore a new-to-you park. My favorites are Discovery Park, Gas Works, Magnuson, and Seward, but there are so many amazing parks in Seattle.

Gas Works machinery in Gas Works Park on Lake Union in Seattle

Cast a line on Free Fishing Day

On June 6-7, fishing licenses and Discover Passes aren’t required to fish, so if you’re looking to catch rainbow trout, lingcod, or rockfish, now’s your chance!

Go crabbing

You can technically crab fish year-round in Washington, but most spots close through the winter and start opening up in mid-June. Here’s a breakdown of when and where crabbing is permitted.

Enjoy strawberry picking

The second berry season starts, you better believe I’m beelining to my nearest u-pick farms near Seattle. Some of my favorite u-pick strawberry farms near Seattle are Harvold Berry Farm in Carnation, Schuh Farms in Mt. Vernon, Biringer Farms in Arlington, and Bailey Farm in Snohomish.

 The Marysville Strawberry Festival is June 18-21 and features a carnival, grand parade, adult trike races, a beer and wine garden, and a host of kid-friendly fun. The Burien Strawberry Festival is June 20-21 and includes box car races, a car show, and plenty of activities perfect for kids in Seattle. In Sumner on the same weekend you can head to Rhubarb Days for a festival dedicated to this tart fruit.

best Seattle farmers markets

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 on June 9, the largest open submission public speaking event in the Pacific Northwest. Or experience the Cascade Idea Festival on June 6 and hear live recordings of famous podcasts like NPR, CNN, and PBS.

More things to do in Seattle

After you make it through this list of fun things to do in Seattle in June, check out my guides for other ideas of how to spend summer in our beautiful city.

Join the club

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