When the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, suddenly there are a lot of things to do in Seattle in June. This is one of my favorite times of year because the sun doesn’t set until after 9 PM, and the days rarely get higher than 70°F. It’s also the time of year when the city comes alive with patio dining, live events, and outdoor activities.
With precious few weekends of perfect weather, finding the best things to do in June can be overwhelming. To make sense of your options, I’ve put together a list of my favorite June activities in Seattle, whether you’re a visitor or a local.
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Things to do in Seattle in June
Save this list to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it every year with all the best Seattle June activities! For a even more Seattle events happening in June, check out my Seattle events calendar.
Go on a food crawl
One of my favorite fun summer activities in Seattle is going on a food crawl. It’s a chance to walk around different parts of the city and visit multiple restaurants in a single day that you might not otherwise.
My self-guided Seattle food tours offer thoughtful itineraries for exploring my favorite foodie neighborhoods in Seattle. I also have a free self-guided walking food tour of Pike Place Market for those wanting to experience the underbelly of the city’s most famous tourist attraction like a local.
Or take advantage of in-person tours. Here are some options:
Celebrate Juneteenth
To commemorate the freeing of enslaved people in America, Seattle hosts a variety of celebratory events all weekend. They’re free and feature live music, vendors, and family-friendly activities. Here are some happening around Seattle this year:
- Eastside Honoring Juneteenth (June 14, Kirkland)
- Juneteenth Community Celebration (June 14, Bellevue)
- Kenmore Juneteenth Celebration (June 18)
- Rainier Beach Juneteenth Celebration (June 18, Rainier Valley)
- Juneteenth: A Movement of Joy (June 19, Mt. Baker)
- Summer of Soul Juneteenth Celebration (June 19, Mt Baker)
- Tukwila Juneteenth Commemoration (June 19)
- Tacoma Juneteenth Commemoration (June 19)
- Mercer Island Juneteenth Celebration (June 19)
- Othello Park Juneteenth Celebration (June 21, Rainier Valley)
- Kent Juneteenth Celebration (June 21)
- Auburn Juneteenth Celebration (June 22)
Art and music lovers should head to Songs of Black Folk on June 22 at McCaw Hall celebrates the music tradition that began in Africa and was brought over by slaves and celebrated in secrecy. There’s also a Juneteenth Pride & Burlesque Show happening June 19 in Bremerton if you want to take a scenic day trip from Seattle.
If shopping is more your thing, there’s a Black Night Market happening June 13 & 20 in downtown Seattle. Shoreline City Hall will also celebrate Black-owned small businesses by hosting a marketplace with local vendors. There will also be live music and performances.
If you can’t make it out to one of these events, you can still celebrate Black excellence by supporting Black-owned businesses. Check out my guide to the best Black-owned wineries and Black-owned restaurants in Seattle.
Visit a state or national park for free
In honor of Juneteenth, all national parks and state parks are free on June 19. It’s your perfect opportunity to explore a new park, be it Mt. Rainier, the Olympics, or the North Cascades. Or take one of these hikes near Seattle!
Perfect your shot at Glazer’s Photofest
website | South Lake Union (get directions) | date: May 30-June 1 | price: free | best for: photography convention
The popular camera store, Glazer’s, hosts their annual Photofest every spring featuring a variety of presentations and workshops from professional photographers. They have on-location shoots, photo walks, and great deals on camera essentials.
Be an ally at Seattle PrideFest
website | Downtown (get directions) | date: June 1-30, parade on June 29 | price: free | best for: LGBTQ+ parade
Celebrating Seattle PrideFest should be at the top of your Seattle bucket list if for no other reason than it’s a month long of parades, parties, and fun for the whole family. A lot of the events are held at the Seattle Center or in Capitol Hill, with the official parade happening on June 29. There’s also a bar crawl happening June 28 to celebrate Pride Weekend.
If you’re keen on exploring Capitol Hill, AKA Seattle’s most LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood, check out my guide to all the trendiest spots in Cap Hill.
Let loose at the Fremont Solstice Festival
website | Fremont (get directions) | date: June 21-22 | price: free | best for: summer solstice parade
The summer solstice kicks off in June and the funky Fremont neighborhood celebrates with 60 ensembles of stilt walkers, floats, and naked bikers parading the streets. There are also food trucks, craft markets, a beer and cocktail garden, live music, and a host of kid-friendly activities.
If you need a break from the festivities, it’s the perfect excuse to explore all the fun things to do in Fremont Seattle or grab a bite at my favorite Fremont restaurants.
Attend an arts fest
Art festivals are the perfect chance to meet local artists and get pieces you won’t find anywhere else. Here are some happening around Seattle in June, and all of them are free to enter:
- PhinneyWood Art Festival (June 8, Phinney Ridge)
- Edmonds Art Festival (June 13-15, Edmonds)
- Renegade Craft Fair (June 21-22, Sandpoint)
Snack at a food festival
The highlight of any event for me is always the food, and food festivals are even better. Here’s a list of some of my favorite food festivals happening in June:
- Taste of the NW (June 27-29, free entry) – 150+ food and craft vendors, music, chef cook-offs, and more
- Gobble Up Market (June 28, free entry) – 75+ vendors selling pantry items and ready-to-eat food
See a musical or theater performance
When you need a break from the heat, dip into a theater and savor the air conditioning. Seattle boasts a wide array of theaters with shows for every palate. Here are some of the best shows happening in June:
- Bye Bye Birdie at 5th Avenue Theater (June 10-29) – Tony Award-winning Broadway musical
- Seattle International Dance Festival (June 7-15) – 9-day festival celebrating contemporary dance
- Festival of Shorts (June 26-29) – Annual playwriting festival by the Edmonds Driftwood Players
- Flamenco (June 27-28) – Authentic Spanish flamenco from the Royal Opera of Madrid
Bond with fellow car heads at Wekfest
website | Downtown (get directions) | date: June 29 | price: ~$35pp | best for: custom-built car show
If you or someone you know loves car shows, you’ll want to check out this event. It’s essentially an exhibit highlighting the best custom-built cars from around the world.
Live the yacht life at Shilshole Boatfest
website | Ballard (get directions) | date: June 8 | price: free | best for: boating festival
The Shilshole Boatfest is a chance for current and wannabe mariners to immerse themselves in all things boating. Attendees can engage with maritime exhibits, go on a sailboat or powerboat ride, or take part in kids’ activities.
Partake in Seafair
website | various locations around Seattle | date: June 29-August 4 | price: mostly free | best for: seeing the Blue Angels
Seafair is one of the quintessential things to do in Seattle in June. This summer festival used to be only over a weekend, but it’s since expanded to include multiple air, land, and sea fairs all summer long. However, the most popular event is always when the Blue Angel military jets do their annual performance on Seafair Weekend. It’s Aug 2-4 this year, so you’ll have plenty of time to experience the events taking place in June and July to build the excitement!
Enjoy a beer tasting at a festival
Seattle’s craft beer scene really takes off in the warmer months, and a lot of events take place to showcase the local breweries. For example the Pacific Science Center host a beer tasting June 7 with some of Washington’s top brewers.
The Washington Beer Fest is June 20-21 at the Seattle Center. It’s the largest beer festival in the state, featuring dozens of breweries from across the state.
Can’t make it to one of these events? Check out my guide to doing your own self-guided tour of Ballard’s best breweries.
Prefer wine? Check out my guide to the best Seattle urban wineries or how to spend a day in Woodinville.
Gawk at classic rides at the Greenwood Car Show
website | Greenwood (get directions) | date: June 28 | price: free (donations accepted) | best for: classic car show
The Greenwood Car Show is one of the most popular Seafair kickoff events. The car show runs from 9 AM to 5 PM and features classic cars alongside food vendors and an evening parade.
Attend a flower and garden festival
website | Tacoma (get directions) | date: June 7-8 | price: varies (free & paid events) | best for: garden tours & family activities
If you’re a budding gardener (sorry, I had to!), you’ll love the Flower and Garden Festival. Hosted at Point Defiance Park between the Japanese Pagoda and Rose Garden, there are lectures from horticulturalists, guided garden tours, paint and sips, wine tasting, and kids’ craft activities. Since you’ll be in Tacoma, it’s the perfect time to explore the best things to do in Tacoma and eat at my favorite Tacoma restaurants.
Experience something new at a cultural festival
Every year the city hosts a collection of cultural festivals from around the world. Each is free to the public and offers a range of activities that highlight each country’s heritage. In June, there’s the Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival (May 31 – June 1), the Indigenous People Festival (June 7), and the Seattle Iranian Festival (June 28).
Attend an orchestra concert by candlelight
If your favorite performers aren’t coming to Seattle, you can catch a cover band by candlelight. Whether you’re in the mood for classical music like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, alt rock like Nirvana, or pop like Taylor Swift, this is one of the best date nights in Seattle.
See a band
Washington is the birthplace of grunge, and Seattle has some excellent music venues to show for it. Not to mention many outdoor concert series and festivals usually get going in June, like the Chateau Ste. Michelle concert series and Beyond Wonderland at the Gorge (June 21-22).
If you want to see a specific band instead of partake in the music festival scene, here are a few concerts that caught my eye:
- Blind Melon (June 10)
- Vampire Weekend (June 20)
- Post Malone (June 26)
- Barenaked Ladies (June 27)
- Wu-Tang Forever (June 28)
If your favorite band is coming in June, you can see a cover band performing Billy Joel and Elton John (June 25) at a concert under the stars.
Catch a game
No summer in Seattle is complete without joining the masses and heading to the stadiums to catch a Mariners baseball game, Sounder, or OL Reign soccer match. Or better yet, support charity and watch the Champions of Change All-Stars basketball game on June 28.
Go swimming
Public pools usually start opening around June, and with eight indoor and two outdoor pools, there’s one for whatever amenities you’re looking for. For a complete list, you can find that here.
Take a day trip on the ferry
One of the most fun things to do in Seattle is hop on a ferry for a romantic and fun-filled day trip. Some of the closest islands are Vashon, Bainbridge, and Whidbey. If you go to Whidbey, you can even take a second ferry to Port Townsend to experience one of the best Washington coast attractions.
Visit a museum on one of their free days
Most museums offer free admission days during their off-season, giving you and your family a perfect chance to check out a new museum without breaking the bank. These museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month (June 6):
- 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 – Also has free admission every Sunday
- Museum of Flight – 5-9 PM, plus all day for dads on Father’s Day (June 16)
- Volunteer Park Conservatory – Also on the first Saturday
- Washington Park Arboretum free walking tour – 11:30 AM-1 PM
- Seattle Japanese Garden
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
Get your geek on at the NW Pinball and Arcade Show
website | Tacoma (get directions) | date: June 6-8 | price: ~$50+ pp, kids under 12 free | best for: pinball & arcade aficionados
With 400+ pinball and arcade machines on free play, guest speakers, adults’ and kids’ tournaments, and a dedicated kid’s zone, this is the perfect family-friendly activity for gamers and families.
Visit a park on National Get Outdoors Day
June 14 is National Get Outdoors Day, so celebrate with one of Seattle’s best activities and explore a new park. My favorites are Discovery Park, Gas Works, Magnuson, and Seward. Check out the best hiking spots in Seattle for even more ideas.
Cast a line on Free Fishing Day
On June 7-8, fishing licenses and Discover Passes aren’t required to fish, so if you’re looking to catch rainbow trout, lingcod, or rockfish, now’s your chance!
Go crabbing
You can technically crab fish year-round in Washington, but most spots close through the winter and start opening up in mid-June. Here’s a breakdown of when and where crabbing is permitted.
Go strawberry picking
The second berry season starts, you better believe I’m beelining to my nearest u-pick farm. Here’s a list of u-pick farms by county, but some of my favorite u-pick farms near Seattle are Blueberry Glenn and Harvold Berry Farm.
The Marysville Strawberry Festival is June 18-23 and features a carnival, grand parade, adult trike races, a beer and wine garden, and a host of kid-friendly fun.
Check out an edible garden tour
website | Ballard (get directions) | date: June 28 | price: ~$15pp | best for: getting inspo for your own garden
Each year, Sustainable Ballard hosts an edible garden tour where Ballard locals can highlight their edible gardens and teach strategies for growing a sustainable home garden. I usually go every year as a fun way to get some exercise and ideas for my own backyard.
You can also visit the Beacon Hill Food Forest, which hosts free monthly tours and classes on planting a food garden.
More things to do in Seattle
After you make it through this list of fun things to do in Seattle in June, check out my guides for other ideas of how to spend summer in our beautiful city.
