There are so many things to do in Seattle in July, likely because it’s the start of Seattle’s brief season of zero rain. With temperatures in the mid-70s and sunset well past 9 PM, it’s the time of year when everyone seeks to soak up the heat and make the most of the long days.
Whether you’re a local looking for the best Seattle July activities or a visitor making the most of a weekend away, here are all the best things to do in July in Seattle.
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Things to do in Seattle in July
Save this list to Pinterest for later, as I’ll keep it updated every year! You can also check out my Seattle events calendar for a constantly-updated list of events.
Celebrate the 4th of July
Fireworks
No July 4th would be complete without catching a fireworks show. The largest is the Seafair show at Gas Works Park on Lake Union. You can show up at the park early to snag a spot or book a fireworks cruise (or even a 21+ pirate-themed fireworks cruise) and watch the show from the middle of the lake.
If you’d prefer less crowded neighborhood firework displays, here are your options starting ~10 PM (most free):
- Mountlake Terrace – July 3 festivities starting at 6 PM
- Puyallup – Another July 3 ticketed option for a drive-in firework display. Starts 5:30.
- Bellevue – Activities start at 5 PM
- Everett – Hosting just a firework show
- Marysville – Food trucks open at 7 PM
- Kenmore – Kicks off at 7:30 PM
- Kent – Park gates open at 3 PM (event starts 5 PM)
- Federal Way – Events start at 4 PM
- Tacoma Summerblast – Events at 12 PM
- Des Moines – Drone show and festival starting at 5 PM
Festivals & parades
If you don’t care about the fireworks and just want to celebrate, here are some options:
- Old 4th of July (Bainbridge Island)
- 4th of July Parade (Burien)
- Kids 4th of July Parade (West Seattle)
- 4th of July Festival (Auburn)
- Hotel Indigo 4th of July Party (Everett)
Food
A few restaurants are also offering take-home meals for you to celebrate at home. For example, The Herbfarm is offering a multi-course meal, Copine fried chicken takeaway, and Beast & Cleaver a 4th of July BBQ box.
Revel at Seafair
Seafair doesn’t just put on a firework show. It’s the biggest summer celebration in the PNW! Spanning 10 weeks, you’ll find numerous events in Seattle.
For example, the Chinatown Parade on July 20 promises a 100-ft dragon, drill teams, and traditional Asian performances. There’s also the annual Indian Days Powwow from July 18-20, a free event dedicated to sharing Indigenous food, art, and culture.
If you can only make one event, don’t miss the Blue Angel fighter jets’ Flight Show Aug 1-3.
Go on a food crawl
Going on a food crawl is one of my favorite summer activities in Seattle because the warm weather makes it easy to walk the streets and experience new neighborhoods.
My self-guided Seattle food tours have itineraries for exploring my favorite foodie areas sans the crowds. Or, if you prefer an in-person tour, check out one of these unique food & wine tours:
- Pike Place Market Tasting Tour
- Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle Winery Tour
- Seattle Coffee Crawl & Bakery Tour
- Seattle Delicious Donut Adventure
Attend a food & wine event
It seems like all of Seattle’s food and wine events cram together over a few weekends in summer. Here’s the shortlist of the best ones to check out:
- Sun Chasers Social (July 10 & 24, free) – Head to the W Seattle downtown for cocktails and music
- Ballard Seafood Fest (July 11-13, free) – Event with music, kids’ activities, and lots of seafood
- Sipfest (July 12, ~$25pp) – 21+ beer, cider, and wine tasting with live music
- Summer Beer Taste (July 12, ~$45pp) – 30+ breweries and cideries from WA
- Kirkland Uncorked (July 18-20, ~$35pp) – 21+ wine festival with 75+ wineries and food vendors
- Tasting Notes II (July 25, ~$65+ pp) – Food and music demo with Kenji López-Alt and James Ehnes
- Bite of Seattle (July 25-27, free) – Event with 250+ food stalls and 65+ performers
- Taste of the Valley (July 26, ~$130) – Farm-to-table dinner right on a farm
- Summer School Brewfest (July 26, ~$33pp) – Head to McMenamin’s annual beer fest with live music
Check out an art festival
One of my favorite things to do in Seattle in July is scour the multiple art fests for the best PNW artists. They’re often free to the public, great for families, and have food trucks and live music. Here are some happening this month:
- Pioneer Square Fest (July 5-6) – Enjoy music, art, and food at this community festival
- Redmond Arts Festival (July 11-13) – Bike races, live music, kids’ activities, and 60+ artists
- Seattle Disability Arts Fest (July 12) – Music and local artists celebrating Disability Pride Month
- Wild in Wallingford Art Parade (July 12) – Parade celebrating Ron Petty’s Animal Storm sculpture
- Wedgwood Art Festival (July 12-13) – Artists, kids’ activities, live music, and local food
- Seattle Art Fair (July 17-20) – Ticketed event celebrating gallery-worthy contemporary art
- Alki Art Fair (July 18-20) – Rows of local vendors along Alki Beach and a kids zone
- Sketcher Fest (July 19-20) – Hundreds of artists visit Edmonds to sketch the beautiful scenery
- Art on the Ave (July 20) – 175+ artists and vendors, performers, a kids’ zone, and beer garden
- Bellevue Arts Fair (July 25-27) – The NW’s largest arts and crafts fest, with 300+ vendors
- Urban Craft Uprising (July 26-27) – One of my favorite Seattle craft fairs
Attend a cultural event
Seattle hosts free cultural festivals year round to showcase the city’s uniqueness and diversity. Here are ones happening in July:
- Culture Festival (July 5 Rainier Valley)
- Polish Festival (July 12 Downtown)
- CID Celebration (July 12 Chinatown-International District)
- Arab Festival (July 19-20 Downtown)
- Seattle Bon Odori Japanese Festival (July 19-20 Central District)
- Africatown Reunion on Union (July 20 Central District)
- Pista sa Nayon Filipino Festival (July 27 Seward Park)
Have fun at Redmond’s Derby Days
website | Redmond (get directions) | dates: July 11-12 | price: ~$20+ pp | best for: carnival vibes
Enjoy two days of carnival rides, games, local vendors, and fair food at this annual summer event. Check out the calendar for the parade and music line up. If you stay until the end, you’ll be greeted with a drone light show.
Welcome the season at West Seattle Summer Fest
website | West Seattle (get directions) | dates: July 10-13 | price: free | best for: outdoor music festival
If you’re looking for a classic outdoor festival that’s simply about being outside listening to good music, the West Seattle Summer Fest is one of the best things to do in Seattle in July. With multiple stages, food vendors, a beer garden, and a kids’ zone, it’s an easy way to spend a sunny weekend.
Jam at a music festival
Music festivals are among the best things to do in Seattle in July thanks to the abundance of cool neighborhoods and the city’s infamous music scene. There are also quite a few worth the day trip from the city. For exmple:
- NW Tune-Up (July 11-13) – Bellingham-based festival focused on music, bikes, and beer
- Edmonds Porchfest (July 13) – Music set up on residential and business porches
- Blastfest (July 19) – Hip hop and R&B music festival at Seattle Center
- Capitol Hill Block Party (July 19-20) – Weekend of indie music in Seattle’s trendiest neighborhood
Rock out to a band
If you prefer to focus your energy on a specific concert, there are a ton of options around Seattle. One option is checking out the many outdoor concert series that happen around the city all summer long. For example:
- Ballard Locks (Ballard)
- Chateau Ste Michele (Woodinville)
- ZooTunes (Phinney Ridge)
- Marymoor Live (Redmond)
- Music in the Park (Bellevue July 12 & 19 only)
If you prefer national touring concert, here are some musicians coming to Seattle this July that caught my eye:
- The Weeknd (July 12)
- Barry Manilow (July 12)
- Incubus (July 15)
- Katy Perry (July 21)
- Morgan Wallen (July 26)
- Iggy Pop (July 28)
- Melissa Etheridge & Indigo Girls (July 29-30)
- Deathcab for Cutie (July 31)
Vibe at an orchestra concert by candlelight
Nothing is more romantic than surprising your significant other with a candlelight orchestra concert, especially if there’s a really good cover band in town. Whether you’re in the mood for The Beatles, Queen vs. ABBA, or Bad Bunny, it’s worth going simply for the experience.
I went to a 90s Unplugged show and was stunned at how talented the musicians were. Somehow they mimicked the shrill of The Cranberries’ voice in “Zombie” and the aggression of the electric guitar in Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”. Highly recommend, especially because it’s a cool way to experience random venues around the city.
Catch a flick at a film festival
The Queer & Trans Film Festival happening July 10-12 features short and feature-length films from queer and trans filmmakers. The theme is 90s this year, so don your best look!
The Children’s Film Festival is happening July 23-27. Don’t let the name fool you: It’s for all ages. The festival showcases a diverse range of films created by and for young audiences.
Cheer at a sports game
Come summer, it’s practically mandatory to wade through the masses past downtown Seattle and head to the stadiums to catch a Mariners, Sounders, Reign, or Storm game. Or better yet, compete on the fields with local athletes and celebrities in the All-Star Classic on July 12 while raising money for charity.
Take a day trip on the ferry
When thinking of fun things to do in Seattle in July, ferry hopping should be at the top of your bucket list. There are tons of scenic day trips you can take from Seattle by ferry, though I’m partial to Vashon, Bainbridge, Whidbey, and Port Townsend because they’re the closest.
Another option is to hop on the FRS Clipper and take a day or overnight trip to Vancouver Island. It’s the perfect excuse for exploring all the unique restaurants and things to do in Victoria BC. You can also check out Cowichan Valley a short drive from Victoria, which is known for farms, wineries, and hiking.
Visit a museum on one of their free days
There are over 25 museums in Seattle, and most offer free days once a month, making it the perfect no-cost way to spend a day in Seattle and escape the summer heat.
These museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month (July 4), but because it’s a holiday, double-check before you go to make sure they’re open regular hours.
- Seattle Art Museum
- Seattle Asian Art Museum
- National Nordic Museum – Must be reserved in advance
- Museum of History and Industry – 5-8 PM
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
- Henry Art Gallery
- Museum of Flight – All day for 4th of July
- Volunteer Park Conservatory – Also on the first Saturday for youth
- Washington Park Arboretum Walking Tour – 11:30 AM-1 PM
- Seattle Japanese Garden – 12-5 PM
Here are the free museums in Seattle with no admission every day:
- Frye Art Museum
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- Center for Wooden Boats
- The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
- Klondike Gold Rush Museum
- Center on Contemporary Art
See an outdoor movie
With only a few months’ worth of warm evenings in Seattle, you might as well take advantage of an outdoor movie. Here are some options:
Go berry picking
Berry picking is a quintessential Seattle summer activity, and I don’t let the season pass by without stopping at my favorite u-pick farms near Seattle. July is when blueberries (sometimes raspberries) are in peak season, so stop by Blueberry Glenn and Harvold Berry Farm for u-pick berries!
There’s also the Vashon Strawberry Festival on July 18-20, which features local vendors, live music, and family-friendly fun. It’s the perfect excuse to check out Vashon Island’s best restaurants while you’re there!
Cruise on a bike ride
July is peak bike riding season. If you really want to jump in the saddle, sign up for the 200-mile Seattle to Portland bike ride July 12-13. Or, if you’re more of a casual rider, take an easy stroll along the Burke-Gilman or Elliott Bay Trail.
Support the zoo’s annual fundraiser
website | Phinney Ridge (get directions) | date: July 11 | price: ~$150+ pp | best for: up-close animal experiences, food, and auction
Each year, the Woodland Zoo hosts a summer fundraiser where guests can get up close and personal with the animals, indulge in a four-course dinner, sip cocktails, and bid on exciting excursions. I was a photo intern at the zoo in college and got to photograph this event. It’s swank and a fun excuse to dress up!
Enjoy a garden walk
There are so many beautiful gardens in Seattle, and most neighborhoods offer garden tours to highlight the best-kept ornate gardens. For example:
- Mount Baker Garden Tour (July 12)
- Georgetown Garden Walk (July 13)
- Rainier Beach Garden Stroll (July 13)
- Mill Creek Garden Tour (July 19)
If you’re hoping to forage on some edible garden items, stop by the Beacon Hill Food Forest for their free monthly guided tours and classes.
Attend a pickleball tournament
I had no idea how into pickleball some people can be until I saw my first game. I’m not a player myself, but I respect the ambition and love that it was started on Bainbridge Island. If you think you’ve got what it takes, sign up for the Seattle Metro Classic July 15-20.
Enjoy Shakespeare in the Park
I love living in a theater city. Come the summer season, there are quite a few park performances, including not one but two Shakespeare in the Park festivals. Make it a picnic and it’ll become one of the most romantic things to do in Seattle!
Don’t want to experience Shakespeare in a park setting? The Paramount Theater is showing the Broadway musical, & Juliet, July 29 – Aug 3. Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this comedy flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?
Visit a lavender farm
Few things are as wholesome as walking through a lavender field and listening to the bees buzzing in unison. The Sequim Lavender Festival starts July 18 and offers live music, food, farm tours, and u-pick lavender. It’s on the peninsula, so it’s the perfect excuse to explore Port Townsend too.
For a farm visit that doesn’t require a ferry, stop by Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm and find out why Olympia’s worth a visit.
Go back in time at the Renaissance Faire
website | Snohomish (get directions) | dates: weekends July 19 – August 17 | price: ~$20+ pp | best for: medieval merriment
If you’ve always wanted to watch a joust or munch on a massive turkey leg, now’s your chance. The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is an immersive experience, offering visitors a weekend filled with battles, improv, dancing, markets, and local ales and mead samples. You can even camp on-site to be closer to the action. I used to go to the Renaissance Faire growing up on the east coast and always had a great time!
Marvel at the Exotic Car Show
website | Redmond (get directions) | dates: July 5, 19, & 26 | price: free | best for: car buffs
A bunch of beautiful and rare cars descend on Redmond Town Center almost every Saturday from April through September. There are often themes for the different days, such as Italian cars on July 19 and PACCAR trucks on July 26.
Spend the day beer or wine tasting
Seattle’s craft beer scene grows every year, and most breweries offer ample outdoor seating in the summer. Every neighborhood has a cluster of breweries and tap houses, but Ballard is my favorite because a bunch of tasting rooms are within walking distance from each other. I wrote a whole guide on my favorite Ballard breweries, so check it out if you want to explore some of Seattle’s best breweries.
If you’re more into wine, you’ll find that Seattle is also budding with urban wineries. Or, if you’re up for a short drive, you can check out the cluster of Washington wineries in Woodinville.
Learn about a rare shark at Shark in the Park
website | Des Moines (get directions) | dates: July 6 | price: free | best for: shark enthusiasts
Did you know Redondo Beach in Des Moines is one of the best places in the world to see the near-threatened and rarely-seen sixgill shark? Learn more about them at this event featuring live science demos, hands-on ocean activities, shark-themed exhibits, and local vendors.
Get on the water
One of the best parts about living in Seattle is getting out on the water the second it warms up. The first weekend in July, you can usually find Dan and me giddily renting a kayak and getting out on Lake Union, or paddle boarding Green Lake. If you’re on the Eastside, you can rent kayaks or take a tour with Best Kayak Rentals.
If you’re more of a boat-tour person, you can rent an electric boat on your own or take advantage of one of these boat tours:
- Seattle Harbor Cruise
- Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle
- Same Day Round Trip from Seattle to Victoria
Lounge on the beach
What is a summer vacation without spending a day lazily relaxing on the beach? Seattle has quite a few beaches nearby, namely, Golden Gardens in Ballard and Alki Beach in West Seattle.
If you’re craving a coastal beach, you can easily take a day trip to explore Long Beach, Seabrook, or Ocean Shores. For more things to do on the Washington Coast, check out my guide to best Washington coast attractions and dreamy Washington coast cabins.
Check out the International Sea Glass Festival
website | Lower Queen Anne (get directions) | dates: July 26 | price: ~$22pp | best for: sea glass
The International Sea Glass Festival celebrates the history and beauty of sea and beach glass. There will be expert speakers, a sea glass contest, a collectors showcase, and local sea glass jewelers.
Go on an adult field trip
The more I research, the more I’m blown away by how many farmsteads and food expedition trips exist near Seattle. This 4-day field trip puts you to work on the Quillisascut Farm Camp from July 24-27. You’ll be milking goats, making cheese, and foraging. In exchange, you’ll be rewarded with wood-fired sourdough, pizza, jams, yogurt, and more.
Alternatively, you can go on this 3-day food-focused kayak trip, where you’ll indulge in hyper-local dishes paired alongside Washington wines in elusive spots you can only reach by kayak.
The Lodge at St. Edward State Park in Kenmore is one of my favorite staycations in Seattle. They’re offering an adult summer camp weekends through July. You’ll bike, play yoga and games, and of course enjoy s’mores.
Attend a murder mystery fan club conference
website | Downtown (get directions) | dates: July 24-27 | price: ~$250+ pp | best for: fans of Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher books
Miss Fisher Con brings together fans of the Miss Fisher murder mystery book series. There will be seminars, workshops, parlor games and more. On Friday July 25, there’s a Night Circus with performances, tarot readings, and shadow puppetry.
Raid the farmers markets
Washington is a major agricultural hub, and our commitment to sustainability means many small farms can find success at the local farmers markets. Seattle alone is home to over 15 markets, so check out my guide to the best Seattle farmers markets to find one in your neighborhood!
More things to do in Seattle
After you experience these things to do in Seattle in July, check out my other guides for your next adventure.
