Seattle in Summer 2016 - what's a don't-miss?

January 6, 2016 10:53 AM

FamilyLucinda is planning a vacation to Seattle this summer. We have no real time constraints, so I'm wondering what sort of big events are coming to the city during July and August that we should factor into our decisions? Figure we'll hit all the big tourist attractions and museums already. Things involving the Arts & Crafts movement (particularly woodworking), bowling and roller derby are a definite plus.
posted by Lucinda to Travel & Transportation around Seattle, WA (10 answers total)

The Seattle Center Calendar might have some stuff you'd be interested in. The Bite of Seattle is in mid-July, for example. And SeaFair is end-of-July-to-early-August.
posted by kindall at 11:00 AM on January 6, 2016

The Fremont Fair is June 17-19. Don't miss the parade for some fantastic creative floats (though depending on your family, you should be aware of the hundreds of "nude not lewd" bicyclists who open the parade); the dog parade is a good time too. Outside of the parades, the festival features many local vendors, food stalls, music, etc.
posted by R a c h e l at 11:09 AM on January 6, 2016

Ooops, you said July. I'm sorry!
posted by R a c h e l at 11:10 AM on January 6, 2016

There is a fabulous woodworking shop in Pioneer Square I think you'll want to see for sure. This is a good website for all the area festivals by month. And FYI there are also nice crafts to be seen if you get out of Seattle to some of our arty local communities like Port Townsend (on the peninsula), La Conner (in the Skagit) and Fairhaven (Bellingham area.) Also, there are a LOT of good museums in Seattle, so besides the Seattle Art Museum don't forget Wing Luke, the Burke Museum, the Asian Art Museum, the Henry, and History and Industry. Also there is a wonderful row of museums, including a great Chihuly museum, in downtown Tacoma.
posted by bearwife at 11:15 AM on January 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

There is a fabulous woodworking shop in Pioneer Square I think you'll want to see for sure.

Actually, it's not near Pioneer Square any longer (as I found out when I went to try and visit it the last time I went down to Seattle.) It's now up in Belltown, which is the opposite direction from Downtown. I agree, however, that it's worth a visit if the poster likes woodworking. It's always been on my "should I ever win the lottery" fantasy list to go in there and practically buy out the store -- when I have visited in the past they've had such beatiful work (though I have not been there since they relocated.)
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:47 AM on January 6, 2016

Don't forget Experience Music Project. Very fun for both kids and grown-ups. Their special event calendar only goes out to May right now, though.
posted by mysterious_stranger at 11:48 AM on January 6, 2016

Unless you live in the region already, save some of your time to get out of the city, too. Seattle is a nice town blessed with one of the most beautiful settings any North American city can claim, but part of the magic is that it's not far from Seattle to so many spectacular outdoor opportunities. Visit the Olympic Peninsula (bonus: ferry trip across Puget Sound!) or spend a day in the North Cascades or visit Mt. Rainier.
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:52 AM on January 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

How about the link here Wooden boat festival?
posted by bq at 11:56 AM on January 6, 2016

And if you like Japanese Gardens, I think the Kubota Garden is a hidden gem of the Seattle park system. Be careful about leaving valuables in your car -- the surrounding neighborhood is not the worst but not the greatest, either -- but the garden itself is wonderful and tranquil and has an interesting history.
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:57 AM on January 6, 2016 [3 favorites]

It looks like the Rat City Rollergirls (flat track derby) schedule ends in April, but there are often exhibition games or other things going on during the summer. The Tilted Thunder Rail Birds (banked track) doesn't have anything on the calendar yet for those dates but it's worth keeping an eye on. West Seattle Bowl is one of the last remaining old-style bowling alleys, although if you like the more modern corporate places, there's a few of those around.
posted by matildaben at 12:21 PM on January 6, 2016