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.
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:
- Ballard Seafood Fest (July 12-14, free) – Event with music, kids’ activities, and lots of seafood
- Kirkland Uncorked (July 12-14, ~$35pp) – 21+ wine festival with 75+ wineries and food vendors
- Sipfest (July 13, ~$21pp) – 21+ beer, cider, and wine tasting with live music
- Summer Beer Taste (July 13, ~$40pp) – 30+ breweries and cideries from WA
- Bite of Seattle (July 19-21, free) – Event with 250+ food stalls and 65+ performers
- Schoolhouse Brewfest (July 27, ~$30pp) – Beer and music festival at McMenamin’s
- Taste of the Valley (July 27, ~$30pp) – Maple Valley’s annual 21+ food event
- Vegan Street Fair (July 27-28, free) – All-ages event highlighting vegan eateries and $5 bites
Watch the 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 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:
- 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 (parking not until 5 PM)
- Sea-Tac – Events start at 12 PM, will also have drone show
- Federal Way – Events start at 4 PM
- Tacoma Summerblast – Events at 12 PM
- Mountlake Terrace – July 3 festivities starting at 6 PM
- Puyallup – Another July 3 option for a drive-in firework display
If you don’t care about the fireworks and just want to celebrate, Bainbridge Island is hosting a daytime Old 4th of July party and there’s a morning parade in Burien.
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 going on throughout the city.
For example, the Chinatown Parade on July 21 promises a 100-ft dragon, drill teams, and traditional Asian performances. There’s also the annual Indian Days Powwow from July 19-21, 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’ performance Aug 2-4.
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
Check out an art festival
Art festivals are your chance to meet some of 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:
- Redmond Arts Festival (July 12-14) – Bike races, live music, kids’ activities, and 60+ artists
- Wedgewood Art Festival (July 13-14) – Artists, kids’ activities, live music, and local food
- Alki Art Fair (July 19-21) – Rows of local vendors along Alki Beach and a kids zone
- Art on the Ave (July 21) – 175+ artists and vendors, performers, a kids’ zone, and beer garden
- Seattle Art Fair (July 25-28) – Ticketed event celebrating gallery-worthy contemporary art
- Bellevue Arts Fair (July 26-28) – The NW’s largest arts and crafts fest, with 300+ vendors
Attend a cultural event
Seattle hosts free cultural festivals year round o showcase the city’s uniqueness and diversity. In July, there’s the Polish Festival (July 13) and the Arab Festival (July 27-28).
Welcome the season at West Seattle Summer Fest
website | West Seattle (get directions) | dates: July 12-14 | 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.
Laugh it up at an improv comedy festival
When you need to beat the heat and enjoy air conditioning, you might as well experience a comedy show. The Seattle International Festival of Improv is hosting events through June and July. There are even workshops if you’ve always wanted to learn how to perform!
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.
For example, NW Tune-Up (July 12-14) is a Bellingham-based festival focused on music, bikes, and beer.
The most popular music festival is the Capitol Hill Block Party (July 19-21), which promises to be a boisterous weekend. While you’re there, you can participate in this tour of Seattle’s trendiest neighborhood.
See a band
If you prefer to focus your energy on a specific band, there are a ton of concert options around Seattle.
For outdoor shows, check out the Ballard Locks concert series, Woodinville’s Chateau Ste Michele summer concerts, and Woodland Park Zoo’s ZootTunes. There’s also free Music in the Park in Bellevue on July 13 and 20, so grab a lawn chair and a picnic lunch to enjoy performances on the main stage.
If you prefer a proper concert, here are some musicians coming to Seattle this July:
- ODESZA (July 4-6)
- Missy Elliott (July 7)
- Tate McRae (July 7)
- Ziggy Marley (July 11)
- Blink 182 (July 14)
- Ice Cube (July 18)
- Idina Menzel (July 19)
- Hootie & the Blowfish (July 20)
- John Legend (July 20-21)
- Ben Platt (July 27)
- The Decemberists (July 31)
Vibe at an orchestra concert by candlelight
Nothing is more romantic than surprising your significant other with a candlelight orchestra, especially if there’s a really good cover band in town. Whether you’re in the mood for Adele, Taylor Swift, or Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, it’s worth going simply for the experience.
Cheer at a sports game
Come summer, it’s practically mandatory to wade through the masses and head to the stadiums to catch a Mariner’s, Sounders, or Reign game. Or better yet, compete on the fields with local athletes and celebrities in the All-Star Classic on July 6 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.
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
These museums offer free 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. Marymoor Park hosts movie nights for $10 pp, and you can vote for the movies you want to see. There are also free Movies at the Mural held at the Seattle Center each summer.
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. July is when blueberries (sometimes raspberries) are in peak season, so stop by Blue Dog Farm, Blueberry Glenn, and Harvold Berry Farm for u-pick berries!
There’s also the Vashon Strawberry Festival on July 19-21, 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!
Go for 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 13-14. 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 12 | price: ~$650 pp | best for: up-close animal experiences
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. There’s the free self-guided Georgetown Garden Walk on July 9th or the Mukilteo Garden and Quilt Tour on July 20-21.
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. If you think you’ve got what it takes, sign up for the Seattle Metro Classic July 30 to August 4.
Attend a 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.
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 runs July 19-21 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: July 19-21, 26-28, August 2-4, 9-11, & 16-18 | price: ~$40 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!
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.
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.
Support makers at Urban Craft Uprising
website | Sand Point (get directions) | date: July 27-28 | price: free | best for: makers market
Twice a year, Urban Craft Uprising hosts a makers market highlighting independent crafters, artists, and designers. Their summer show will feature 130+ makers selling everything from toys to jewelry, clothing, and more alongside food trucks.
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 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
See Clue at the 5th Ave Theatre
website | Downtown (get directions) | dates: July 8-20 | price: ~$50-160 pp | best for: musical theater
Catching a show at 5th Avenue Theatre is one of my favorite romantic things to do in Seattle. I’m a member and go to every show they put on. Having grown up playing the board game Clue, you better believe I’m excited for this show!
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.
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. 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.
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.
