The Emerald Palate

Seattle food tours & retreats

Seasonal Activities, Things to Do ·

All the Best Things to Do in Seattle in August 2025

woman on a swing in a sunflower field, one of the best things to do in Seattle in August

There are a lot of things to do in Seattle in August because that’s the final month of the year when you can (almost) guarantee no rain. Plus, the sun doesn’t set until nearly 9 PM and the weather sits comfortably around 60-80°F. This leaves the city invigorated, with patio dining, events, and outdoor activities still the norm.

With fall around the corner, having as much fun outside as possible is imperative. So, I’ve compiled a roundup of my favorite things to do in August in Seattle, regardless if you’re a visitor or a local.

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Things to Do in Seattle in August

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

Gape at the Blue Angels during Seafair

website | Columbia City (get directions) | dates: Aug 1-3 | price: ~$20+ pp (free on Friday) | best for: air show

Seafair is Seattle’s largest summer festival, and it all culminates on the first weekend of August when expert aviators perform with the Blue Angel military jets. It’s a visually stunning (and loud) experience and it all happens over the backdrop of Lake Washington, making for a spectacular show.

You can enjoy the festival from a public park or watch it from the Museum of Flight at their Jet Blast Bash event.

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

Attend Bumbershoot

website | Lower Queen Anne (get directions) | dates: Aug 30-31 | price: ~$142 pp per day | best for: music festival

Bumbershoot is a major music and arts festival happening over Labor Day weekend. Expect a concert series featuring local and big-name performers, comedic performances, craft vendors, a beer garden, food trucks, and a local art show.

person filming a musician at Bumbershoot, one of the best things to do in Seattle in September
Image courtesy of ChetStThomas

Visit the state fairs

State fairs are a must come summer, and three are happening near Seattle in August.

The WA State Fair, which I eagerly await every year, runs from August 29 – September 21 and features a concert series with top-name performers like Steve Miller Band, Foreigner, and Wiz Khalifa. Ticket prices vary depending on the performer, but you can get GA tickets for entry into the rides and activities for ~$12-18pp.

If you’re jonesing for a fair earlier in the season, the Southwest Washington Fair in Centralia is happening August 12-17 for ~$10-40pp. The Evergreen State Fair happens Aug 21-26 and Aug 28 – Sept 1.

swings at the Washington State Fair, one of the most fun summer activities

Get inspired at an arts fest

Arts festivals are one of the quintessential fun things to do during summer in Seattle. They’re often free, have food vendors, and are a great way to connect with local artists. These are the ones happening in August:

Indulge at a food & drink festival

If your favorite part of a festival is the food and beer garden, it only makes sense that a food festival would be even better. Here are some of my favorite food festivals happening in August:

  • Edmonds Wine Walk (Aug 2, ~$32.50pp) – Shop local boutiques and sample wine
  • Vegan Street Fair (Aug 10, free, Cap Hill) – All-ages event highlighting vegan eateries
  • Auction of WA Wines (Aug 14-16, ~$175-250pp, Woodinville) – Benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital
  • Pike Place Sunset Supper (Aug 15, ~$225pp) – 100 of the region’s best food & drink producers
  • Chomp (Aug 16, free, Redmond) – Highlighting local farms and sustainable restaurants
  • C-ID Food Walk (Aug 16, free) – Walk around Chinatown-ID and sample food from local restaurants
  • Sun Chasers Social (Aug 21, free) – Head to the W Seattle downtown for cocktails and music
  • Garlic Fest (Aug 22-24, Centralia) – Garlic growers, vendors, and garlicky bites
  • Blues & Brews Fest (Aug 23, Des Moines) – Enjoy Blues music while sampling from local breweries

Go on a food crawl

One of my favorite activities is going on a food crawl, especially when the weather is nice and every patio is open for lounging. My self-guided Seattle food tours feature curated itineraries that highlight foodie neighborhoods. Each tour is regularly updated and includes insights, like when to go, what to order, and some honorable mentions to help you customize your tour.

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

I also have a free self-guided food tour of Pike Place Market for those looking to escape the masses and find the hidden gems. Or, take advantage of in-person guided tours with these options:

Frolic at a sunflower festival

Sunflower season peaks in late summer to early fall, which is also when the farms that offer pumpkin patches and corn mazes first kick-off. It’s one of the things to do in Seattle in August that I try to attend every year. Here are some happening at the farms near Seattle:

woman on a swing at a sunflower farm, one of the best things to do in Olympia, WA

Celebrate Black Pride

website | Downtown (get directions) | dates: Aug 22-24 | price: free | best for: celebrating Black pride

Pacific Northwest Black Pride will be hosting a weekend celebration of Black queer liberation, community empowerment, and cultural pride. It’ll start with an opening reception on Friday. Then all weekend there will be various events, including a wellness event and marketplace featuring Black vendors.

Watch a performance

In between the outdoor festivities, dip into the AC and experience one of the many theatrical experiences. Here are some of the shows happening in August:

  • Shakespeare (Aug 1-17, free) – Performances of As You Like It in parks around greater Seattle
  • Levity Arts (Aug 15, free, Wallingford) – Cirque performances, acro yoga, dance, and visual art
  • & Juliet (July 29 – Aug 3, Downtown) – Broadway musical directed by an Emmy award winner
burlesque performance, one of the best Halloween fun in Seattle

Go back in time at the Renaissance Faire

website | Snohomish (get directions) | dates: weekends July 19 – Aug 17 | price: ~$20+ pp | best for: medieval revelry

If you’ve ever wanted to experience an authentic Renaissance fair, this one holds no punches. There are medieval vendors, stockades, live entertainment, beer gardens, a fairy court for kids, and even camping spots so you can be closer to the festivities. It’s one of the best things to do in Seattle in August for the history buffs and whimsical lovers!

Attend a cultural festival

Each year the Seattle Center hosts festivals to highlight different cultures. Each is free to the public and offers a unique glimpse into each culture via live entertainment. In August, there’s the Tibet Fest (Aug 9-10), Brasilfest (Aug 17), and the Festival Sundiata presenting the Black Arts Fest (Aug 23-24).

Outside of Seattle Center, there’s also:

  • Umoja Fest (Aug 2-3) – Dedicated to celebrating African American culture
  • Lantern Fest (Aug 6) – Commemorates the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • WABA Korean Expo (Aug 15-17) – Korean food, vendors, and performances
  • Cajun & Creole Fest (Aug 16) – Cajun and Zydeco bands, music, vendors, and activities
  • Lynnwood Luau (Aug 16) – Celebrate Hawaiian culture with performances and food
  • Muz Fest (Aug 23) – Celebration of Muslim culture with music, food, and vendors
Cultural street performance, one of the best things to do in Seattle in August
Photo by Alabastro Photography

Get your game on at PAX

website | Downtown (get directions) | dates: Aug 29 – Sep 1 | price: ~$65pp per day | best for: gaming convention

PAX West is a celebration of games and gaming culture. There will be professional panels, a massive expo, new game demos, tournaments, and musical performances.

Go to the My Little Pony Fest

website | Bellevue (get directions) | dates: Aug 22-24 | price: ~$75+pp for 3 days, free for kids under 3 | best for: My Little Pony collectors

Alright, this is for you, brony and My Little Pony enthusiasts. Expect a weekend filled with cosplay competitions, panel discussions, kids’ craft activities, and an evening gala.

Have fun at Summer at SAM

website | Belltown (get directions) | dates: every Thurs & Sat thru Aug 10 | price: free | best for: outdoor community event

Every summer on Thursdays and Saturdays the Seattle Art Museum hosts a range of free events at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Expect a range of activities that combine visual art, music, and community.

woman walking in the Olympic Sculpture Park, a great way to spend 24 hours in Seattle

Get inspired at the Seattle Tattoo Expo

website | Uptown (get directions) | dates: Aug 15-17 | price: ~$30pp per day | best for: tattoo convention

With live tattooing, tattoo contests, DJs, and burlesque performances, the Seattle tattoo expo is a fun, enthralling way to spend a weekend and maybe get some new ink!

Small clap at the Boeing Classic Golf Tourney

website | Snoqualmie (get directions) | dates: Aug 4-10 | price: ~$20+ pp | best for: golf tournament

If you or someone you know loves golf, you’ll want a front-row seat at this event. It’s the Pacific Northwest’s only premier PGA tour event and is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.

Let loose at a neighborhood block party

Neighborhood block parties are one of the quintessential things to do in Seattle in August. Plus, they offer the perfect excuse to explore and experience Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods because they’re free, family-friendly, and highlight the local vendors specific to each neighborhood. Here are some happening in August:

View of Seattle skyline and Lake Union at Gas Works Park

Go on a jazz walk

website | Shoreline (get directions) | date: Aug 12 | price: free (donations suggested) | best for: jazz music

Few moments quite encapsulate summertime like spending an evening listening to the Pacific Northwest’s finest live jazz bands and singers. The event is free, however they’re trying to raise enough money to close down the street for the performances, so consider donating!

Celebrate Summer Nights at MOHAI

website | South Lake Union (get directions) | dates: Aug 14, 21, 28 | price: ~$16pp | best for: Lake Union views and exhibits

Did you know the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) has a rooftop terrace? Yeah, me neither. But you can enjoy the views of Lake Union from it during their Summer Nights on the Terrace series. There will be live music and refreshments for purchase from 5-7:30 PM. You can also access the museum’s award-winning exhibits after hours. All ages are welcome.

Rock out to a band

Seattle is where many big-name bands got their start, and it remains a major music hub with numerous venues. There are also a ton of outdoor concert series in August, such as:

If you’re looking to see a certain performer, here are a few that caught my eye:

Attend an orchestra concert by candlelight

The good news is that even if your favorite singers aren’t coming to Seattle, you might be able to catch a killer cover band by candlelight. Whether you’re in the mood for Queen vs ABBA (Aug 9), The Beatles (Aug 15), Hans Zimmer (Aug 14), or Adele (Aug 22), it’s sure to be a romantic evening.

pianist surrounded by candles on a stage
Image courtesy of Fever

Peruse the Cap Hill Garage Sale Day

website | Capitol Hill (get directions) | date: Aug 17 | price: free | best for: thrifting

This is Seattle’s longest-running community-wide garage sale and expects to feature 100+ people selling their treasures alongside independent garage sales at homes across Capitol Hill. It’s also the perfect excuse to check out all the trendy spots in Capitol Hill and some of my favorite clothing thrift shops in Seattle.

Cruise through a car show

website | Kent (get directions) | date: Aug 17 | price: free | best for: car show

Any car buffs out there are sure to have a blast checking out the best Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles in the region. There will also be food trucks, music, awards, raffles, and even vintage firetrucks on display.

Go to a national park

We’re very fortunate here to be surrounded by three of the most beautiful national parks in the country: Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park. In honor of the Great American Outdoors Act, all national parks are free to enter on August 4th. Well, except for the North Cascades NP because that’s free year-round!

woman walking on the beach on the Washington coast

Kick off football season

What summer is complete without catching a football game? August is peak season for the University of Washington Huskies and Seattle Seahawks pre-season games start. Seahawks’ tickets sell out quickly, so grab them early!

Catch a game

If you’re not a huge football fan, fear not. Seattle is home to multiple world-renowned leagues, including Mariners baseball, Seattle Storm WNBA, and Sounders or Reign soccer. All of them have games in August so you can get your fill of sports the whole month!

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

Head to the beach

August is the perfect time of year to go to the beach. There are a number of parks in Seattle with beaches, like Alki Beach in West Seattle and Golden Gardens in Sunset Hill/Ballard.

That said, it’s worth taking a weekend to explore the Washington coast and check out Seabrook or Long Beach. If you visit the latter, go between August 18-25 to experience Kite Fest!

Visit the San Juan Islands

One of the best activities you can do in August is to hop on a ferry and explore the San Juan Islands. Whether you’re hoping to scratch whale watching off your bucket list, go on an island hike, or sample Puget Sound wineries, there are no wrong answers. Here are my guides to how to best explore each island:

woman overlooking ocean on a cliff, one of the best things to do on Lopez Island

Watch an outdoor movie

There are precious few months when it’s nice enough to watch a movie outdoors in Seattle, so grab a blanket and catch a movie at the Murals, Marymoor Park, or any of the city parks on this list.

Get on the water

One of the best things to do in Seattle in August is to get on the water and soak up the sun. I prefer to rent a kayak or SUP and paddle around Lake Union. If you want a more relaxing experience, rent an electric boat or check out one of these tours:

If you’re on the Eastside, you can also rent kayaks in Bellevue!

woman enjoying a drink and views on an Argosy Cruise, a must do during a 2 days in Seattle itinerary

Explore Whidbey and the Coupeville Arts Fest

website | Whidbey Island (get directions) | dates: Aug 9-10 | price: free | best for: art festival

I’ll use any excuse to visit Whidbey Island, whether it’s to check out the local wineries, eat at the island’s best restaurants, or come August, visit the Coupeville Arts Fest. Set against the Puget Sound, it’s a weekend celebrating local vendors, artists, and family-friendly fun.

older men canoeing on the water near a dock in the mist on Whidbey

Find inspiration at the Seattle Design Fest

website | South Lake Union (get directions) | dates: Aug 16-21 | price: free | best for: street fair

Each year the city joins designers, planners, and locals to consider how the city’s design influences how we live in it. The SDF Block Party is a family-friendly street fair with large-scale installations, performances, and design activities centered around this year’s theme: What If?

Participate in a big day of play

website | Mt. Baker (get directions) | dates: Aug 16 | price: free | best for: performances

Seattle Parks and Rec puts together an annual event to encourage the city’s diverse communities to have fun, build relationships, and stay active together. This year’s event will have live performances, market vendors, food trucks, music, and plenty of activities for all ages.

Go camping in the Triangle of Fire

Admiralty Inlet was once considered so strategic to the defense of the Puget Sound that three forts were built with massive guns, creating a “Triangle of Fire” that could theoretically thwart an invasion. Those forts are Fort Flager on Marrowstone Island, Fort Casey on Whidbey Island, and Fort Worden in Port Townsend.

Fort Worden historic battery

Visit a museum on their free days

Most museums offer free days in off-season, allowing you to bask in the AC and experience a museum you might never have otherwise. These museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month (Aug 1):

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

These free Seattle museums have no admission free every day:

Go on a beer or wine crawl

Seattle’s craft beer and wine scene has always been thriving, but it really comes alive in the summer months. I’ve created a few self-guided tours, whether you’re looking for the best Ballard breweries, Seattle’s urban wineries, or looking to spend the day wine tasting in Woodinville.

white wine being poured at one of the Black-owned wineries in the US

Bask in the sun on a rooftop bar

One of the most fun activities you can do in August in Seattle is to spend an afternoon sipping on cocktails at one of the city’s countless patios or rooftop bars. I rattled off tons of patio options in this reel, but here’s a shortlist of my favorites:

person holding a cocktail over the ledge of a Seattle rooftop bar with the Seattle waterfront in the background

More things to do in summer

After you explore all of these things to do in Seattle in August, check out my other guides for more fun in the sun.

Join the club

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