The Emerald Palate

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Seasonal Activities, Things to Do ·

25 Best Things to Do in Seattle in May 2026

Woman walking along the water, one of the best things to do in Seattle in May

Finding the best things to do in Seattle in May is a breeze because the city reaches its peak in terms of weather. The days are longer, with the sun setting after 8:30 PM, and the weather is a comfortable 50-65°F. All of this is to say, it’s a vibe because the rainy season is nearing a close and locals are eager to get outside.

With the warmer spring months in full effect, you can expect a range of springtime activities, be it outdoor festivals, Mother’s Day celebrations, or neighborhood fairs. Whether you’re visiting Seattle or you’re a longtime local, consider this your guide to finding the best things to do in May in Seattle!

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Best Things to Do in Seattle in May

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

Celebrate May Day

website | neighborhood: Fremont (get directions) | dates: May 2 | price: free | best for: family-friendly fun

May Day is celebrated as the official beginning of summer. To celebrate, the Fremont Arts Council will have a free all-ages event. There will be a potluck picnic, children’s crafts, live music, and dancing around the celebratory Maypole.

Pro tip: Star Wars fan should head to the Museum of Flight’s “May the Fourth be with you” event.

Experience the Bubble Planet Exhibit

website | neighborhood: Bellevue (get directions) | dates: May 1-31, except Tuesdays | price: ~$23-30pp | best for: immersive experience

huge pink room with a ball pit that has life-sized art sculptures of a head, balls, and rubber duck in it
Image courtesy of Fever

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, check out the Bubble Planet Exhibit. It’s interactive, immersive, and perfect for families and those looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon.

Celebrate the opening day of the Boat Parade

website | neighborhood: Montlake (get directions) | dates: May 2 | price: free | best for: maritime enthusiasts

Seattle locals and boat lovers consider opening day of the Boat Parade to be its own special tradition. You can expect to see families picnicking as colorful rowboats float down Portage Bay and large boats perform daring maneuvers to win boating competitions.

Sip a margarita on Cinco de Mayo

mural of skeletons in Dia de los Muertos style at one of the best Mexican restaurants in Seattle

Cinco de Mayo may be a strictly American holiday, but I’ll use any excuse for a margarita at one of the best Mexican restaurants in Seattle. Here are some Cinco de Mayo events happening in Seattle:

Enjoy the local farmers markets

person shopping at the farmers market

Nothing says springtime quite like a sunny farmers market. Here’s a rundown of some of the best Seattle farmers markets:

Have fun at the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede

website | neighborhood: Walla Walla (get directions) | dates: May 7-10 | price: free | best for: families & photographers

woman walking among hot air balloons being blown up
Photo courtesy of Ashley Cooke

One of the best things to do in Walla Walla in May is experience the balloon stampede. Hot air balloons take off from Howard Teitan Park each morning. Thursday is for kids only and offers tethered rides, while Friday is the Night Glow Spectacular.

While you’re there, check out my guide to the best Walla Walla wineries and restaurants so you can get the most out of your trip!

Get new plant babies at a plant sale

website | neighborhood: Bellevue (get directions) | dates: May 9 | price: free | best for: green thumbs

Whether you’re a professional gardener or just starting to plan your first garden, check out Bellevue Demonstration Garden’s annual plant sale. There will be warm season veggie starts, a flea market, and professionals on-site to answer your budding questions (get it?).

Treat your mom on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the perfect chance to treat mom (and yourself) to a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Here are some mom-friendly events happening in Seattle on Mother’s Day (May 10):

Does your mom prefer a day at one of the best spas in Seattle? Book one of these Groupon deals!

relaxation room at one of the best Seattle spas
Mother’s Day food options

Prefer dining in one of Seattle’s best restaurants? Check out my guide to the best brunch and breakfast spots in Seattle, or check out these restaurants offering Mother’s Day-specific brunch, pre-fixed menus, and take-home treats. Note, most offer cheaper options for kids!

  • Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi (Bellevue) – ~$145/adult, ~$40/kid Carts & Carousels table-side brunch 
  • Ben Paris (Downtown) – Pre-fix brunch menu and cocktails
  • Cafe Flora (Madrona) – Vegetarian 3-course Mother’s Day brunch
  • Cedar & Elm (Kenmore) – ~$90/adult brunch buffet or a la carte
  • Charlotte Restaurant and Lounge (Downtown) – ~$97/adult pre-fixed menu overlooking the city
  • Copperleaf (Tukwila) – ~$95/adult, ~$35/kid brunch buffet at Cedarbrook Lodge
  • Elliott’s Oyster House (Downtown) – A la carte brunch with water views
  • Ethan Stowell Restaurants (various locations) – ~$59+ 3-course brunch
  • Fairmont Olympic Hotel (Downtown) – Brunch or afternoon tea
  • Ramie (Capitol Hill) – A la carte Mother’s Day specials in addition to their typical brunch menu
  • Ray’s (Ballard) – Both pre-fixed and a la carte brunch and dinner options
  • Salty’s (West Seattle) – ~$125/adult seafood buffet brunch
  • Serafina (Eastlake) – ~$55pp 2-course brunch
  • Sparrow (Kirkland) – ~$65/adult AYCE brunch, bottomless mimosas, and live music
  • The Westin (Bellevue) – ~$140/adult, ~$40/kid brunch buffet
  • Willow’s Lodge (Woodinville) – ~$130/adult, ~$66/kid brunch buffet

Catch a flick at the Seattle International Film Festival

website | neighborhood: various | dates: May 17-17 | price: ~$22 per show | best for: movie buffs

The Seattle International Film Festival is one of the most highly attended film festivals in the country. It’s hosted in theaters around the city and includes acclaimed and emerging filmmakers from around the world across all genres of film. Note, they aren’t offering virtual screenings this year.

Attend a cultural festival or exhibit

Seattle is a culturally diverse city that loves to celebrate its many heritages, meaning there are cultural festivals almost every month. Since May is Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month, there is a lot happening in May. The best part? Most of them are free!

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

Peruse the local shopping fests & art exhibits

Learn about local and emerging Pacific Northwest artists at one of the city’s spring art shows. Who knows, you may even walk away with an original piece! Here are some happening in May:

Gorge at a food & drink festival

Every month I am delighted to share the city’s list of food and drink festivals, and May is no exception. Here are a few that caught my eye:

row of wine tasting flight glasses

Romp around the neighborhood fairs

There are a ton of cool neighborhoods in Seattle. Attending their annual fairs is the perfect excuse to explore them. Here are the neighborhood fairs in May:

Enjoy a dance performance

If you only have one day in Seattle, do yourself a favor and book a live show. Here are some of May’s can’t miss performances:

  • MFA Dance Concert (May 14-May 18, ~$24pp, U-District) – Student-led dance performances
  • Stars on Ice (May 23, ~$42+ pp, Queen Anne) – Watch elite figure skaters
  • Duel Reality (May 29-June 22, $25+ pp, Queen Anne) – Acrobatic spin on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
burlesque performance, one of the best Halloween fun in Seattle

Find a niche interest festival 

Where there’s a niche, there’s a festival, and it’s probably happening in Seattle. Here are the quirky hobby festivals happening in May:

  • Crypticon (May 1-3, ~$35pp, Tukwila) – Gather with other horror fans for exhibits, vendors, and seminars
  • Seattle Erotic Art Festival (May 1-3, ~$20+ pp, Queen Anne) – Erotic film and art installations (18-21+ depending on day)
  • Vintage Computer Festival (May 2-3, ~$10pp suggested donation, Tukwila) – Interact with vintage computer projects
  • Medieval May Faire (May 9-10, ~$10pp, Carnation) – Medieval living history museum with merchants and archery
  • WA State Toy Show (May 9, ~$5, Puyallup) – Vintage and modern toys and collectibles
  • Reptile Expo (May 9, ~$14pp, Monroe) – Reptile trade and educational displays
  • Art Book Fair (May 9-10, free, Central District) – Book fair for independent publishing and artist books
  • Bonsai Fest (May 9-10, free, Federal Way) – Bonsai exhibits and Bonsai making demos
  • Maritime Show (May 16-17, free, SLU) – Boat tours, engine demonstrations, and captain meet-and-greets
  • Spring Fairy Festival (May 16, free, Tacoma) – Fairy performances, vendors, and interactive workshops
  • Dozer Day (May 16-17, ~$12pp, Puyallup) – Kid-friendly bulldozer rides with professional operators
  • Blue Poppy Day (May 16, ~$10pp, Federal Way) – Annual flower celebration with food trucks and music
  • NW Astrology Conference (May 21-25, ~$130+ pp, Tukwila) – Connect with other astrology lovers of all levels
  • Stamp and Scrapbook Expo (May 29-30, ~$12pp, Puyallup) – Scrapbook vendors, stamp swaps, and crafts

Try dining in the dark

website | neighborhood: South Lake Union (get directions) | dates: May 29 | price: ~$64 pp | best for: unique dining experience

Before you ask, yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. You and your partner are blindfolded and then given a 3-course mystery menu in accordance with your dietary preferences. The idea is that this heightens your other senses, though it also makes for a unique Seattle date night idea!

People enjoying a fancy meal blindfolded
Image courtesy of Fever

Enjoy a theatrical performance

There’s no shortage of can’t-miss theater shows in May in Seattle, so treat yourself to some pre-theater dining, then catch one of these performances:

Attend an orchestra concert by candlelight

Celebrate a special occasion and get tickets to a candlelight cover band of the greats. In May, there will be iconic shows of Vilvaldi’s Four Seasons (May 22), Pink Floyd (May 23), and 90s Hip Hop on Strings (May 29).

Prefer a concert under the stars? On May 13, catch a Motown cover band at the Olympic Rooftop Pavilion.

pianist surrounded by candles on a stage
Image courtesy of Fever

Catch some music

Seattle has tons of outdoor music options, and most kick off their summer series around May. Woodinville’s Chateau Ste. Michelle winery kicks off their summer concert series with Yellowcard (May 24), or catch one of these performances:

Cheer at a sports game

If you’re into sports, you’ll be pleased to know most Seattle teams are playing come May. There’s the Mariners (pro baseball), Sounders (men’s soccer), Reign (women’s soccer), Jet City Roller Derby, and the Seawolves (rugby).

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

Go on a food crawl 

Deciding which Seattle restaurant to visit can be overwhelming because there are so many to choose from. To make things easier, I create self-guided food tours of my favorite foodie neighborhoods. Each one is curated with a list of must-visit restaurants, plus alternates, and I include tips on what to order and when to visit.

Prefer an in-person experience? Here are some to consider:

Sip on a wine or brewery crawl

May is the ideal time of year to discover a new neighborhood brewery or urban winery in Seattle. Most Seattle breweries have outdoor seating and food truck options for you and the family to relax and soak up the sun.

If you’re into wine, consider taking a day trip to discover nearby Woodinville’s best wineries.

a modern tasting room, one of the best Woodinville wineries

Visit a museum on their free days

Many Seattle museums offer free days, usually on the first Thursday of the month (May 7). Here are the museums that participate:

These are the free admission Seattle museums every day:

inside an exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, one of the best free museums in Seattle

Bike around the city

It’s the season when Seattle cyclists dust off their bikes and start hitting the streets. May 13 is Bike Everywhere Day, where cyclists are encouraged to bike and take advantage of “celebration stations” around town that include snacks, photo backdrops, and fun games.

person biking in Seattle, one of the US most bike friendly cities, a fun fact about Seattle

Celebrate your four-legged family members

I love attending pet festivals because they’re so carefree and fun. Here are the pet fests happening in May in Seattle:

  • Wag Love Life (May 3) – Redmond fundraiser for dog cancer research
  • Petpalooza (May 16) – Auburn’s free family-friendly pet fair
Small dogs sleeping on a hotel bed in one of the pet friendly hotels in Washington

More to do in Seattle

After you check out all the things to do in Seattle in May, peruse my other guides for more ideas!

 

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