Seattle Events Calendar: Annual Events in Seattle Southside

There’s fun to be had any time of the year.

Find the best annual events in the Seattle area below, and check our Events Calendar to find many more things to do around the region.

Winter Events
Spring Events
Summer Events
Fall Events
Featured Events

Seattle Winter Events

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: If you’re brave enough, take part in the annual New Year’s Day tradition of jumping into a local lake or Puget Sound! Details are usually available closer to January 1.

LUNAR NEW YEAR: Each year, sometime between January and February, celebrations throughout the region commemorate the Lunar New Year. Westfield Southcenter in Tukwila has a big, family-friendly event that attracts people from near and far. The date and details are unique each year; in the past, it has included dazzling lion dances, traditional music, and storytelling. Check our Event Calendar and the Westfield Southcenter website for details closer to February. There are also festivities in Seattle's Chinatown-International District, Tacoma, and Bellevue. See our Lunar New Year blog for more ideas.

Pictured: Lunar New Year at Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Washington.

HOPS & PROPS: The Museum of Flight's annual Hops and Props event is a celebration of the best craft brews from around the Northwest. Tickets are often available in November, and they sell out fast, so sign up for the event's mailing list to be notified when tickets go on sale.

Pictured: The Museum of Flight in Tukwila, Washington

Seattle Spring Events

TASTE WASHINGTON: The nation's largest single-region wine and food festival takes place in Seattle each year. More than 200 wineries and 75 restaurants converge to showcase their finest vintages, share samples, and do demonstrations. It's a whirlwind of tastes and pairings.

EMERALD CITY COMICON: Seattle’s one-of-a-kind Comicon is getting bigger by the year. With celebrity guests, panels, gaming, exhibits and more, this is one awesomely nerdy event that must be seen to be believed. Take the light rail from Seattle Southside to the Washington State Convention Center to partake in the festivities.

YURI'S NIGHT: For one night each year, the Museum of Flight turns into a 21+ intergalactic nightclub, celebrating "real and imagined spaceflight with music, dancing, cosplay, art, and astrotalk."

TULIP FESTIVAL: The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which runs all April, makes for a wonderful day trip.

NATIONAL PARK WEEK: Each year, a week in April is devoted to celebrating National Parks! Join in by taking a day trip to Mt. Rainier, the North Cascades, or Olympic National Park.

MOTHER'S DAY: There are many Mother's Day events, such as an annual weekend-long festival at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, the world's most extensive collection of rhododendrons. Admire hundreds of flowers in full bloom, grab lunch at a food truck, and shop for plants. Right next door, the Pacific Bonsai Museum typically hosts its annual BonsaiFEST! on the same weekend. Many restaurants also host special events. Check our blog for updates.

NORWESCON: The Northwest's premier science fiction and fantasy convention is a hit for writers and lovers of genre fiction. It takes place in SeaTac each spring.

CRYPTICON: The region's largest horror festival takes place at the beginning of May each year. Historically held in SeaTac, it brings together hundreds of fans, artists, celebrities, and local vendors for a weekend of frightfully fun festivities.

RUGBY SEASON: Major League Rugby (MLR) season kicks off in the spring. Catch a match at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila and cheer on the Seattle Seawolves.

Pictured: The Ghostbusters NW crew are regulars at Crypticon.

Seattle Summer Events

FARMERS MARKETS: With June comes the opening of many local farmers markets in SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines. Enjoy global bites, locally made wares, fresh flowers and produce, and live music on select dates. Read our blog for details.

THE MEN IN BLACK BIRTHDAY BASH: This week-long festival celebrates the anniversary of a famed UFO sighting in Seattle Southside. Join the fun at one of many events (browse the ticket page for times and details).

PRIDE EVENTS: Pride events occur throughout the region in June, including Waterland Pride in Des Moines - a welcoming, all-day event with both family-friendly events and a 21+ party at a local bar.

BURIEN STRAWBERRY AND ARTS FESTIVAL: This community celebration brings out the best in Burien, with a carnival, world music, and lots of food to try.

Pictured: Fresh produce at the Des Moines Farmers Market

4TH OF JULY: Ring in Independence Day with a festive celebration at the Des Moines Marina, which includes food trucks, live music, and a spectacular drone show.

WATERLAND PARADE: Enjoy vibrant floats, lively bands, Seafair Pirates, clowns, boats, and an array of exciting entries at this annual tradition held in mid-July.

DES MOINES SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: From mid-July to mid-August, there are free concerts on Wednesday evenings at Des Moines Beach Park, which is right on Puget Sound, just about 30 minutes south of Seattle. Check out Event Calendar for details.

SEATAC MUSIC IN THE PARK: You can also catch live music at parks such as Angle Lake Park and the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden throughout the summer. (See details).

SEAFAIR: The regionwide celebration in July includes the Torchlight Parade, hydroplane races, and the Blue Angels airshow. Events are held all over the region, including the Jet Blast Bash at the Museum of Flight, where visitors can enjoy air shows, live music, and a beer garden.

POVERTY BAY BLUES AND BREWS FESTIVAL: Nothing beats singing the blues with an ice-cold brew at Des Moines Beach Park. This outdoor festival features some of the best local craft beers and blues musicians in the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle Fall Events

WASHINGTON STATE FAIR: The signature fair of the Evergreen State is held in September each year. Head to Puyallup and ride the “Extreme Scream,” see prize-winning animals, and don’t forget to try one of the famous scones!

BUMBERSHOOT: Seattle’s historic music and arts festival takes over Seattle Center for a weekend in September. Since 1971, this festival has showcased the talent of musicians, comedians, and artists from Seattle and throughout the world.

Halloween Events Seattle

MUSEUM OF FRIGHT: For one day a year, the Museum of Flight turns into the Museum of Fright. Kids will have a blast making candy corn airplanes and ghost parachutes, all while seeing dozens of historic spacecraft and aircraft.

PUMPKIN PATCHES: Many pumpkin patches open to visitors in October, including Carpinito Brothers in Kent, which has a corn maze, kid-friendly activities, and lots of photo opportunities.

HAUNTED FACTORY TOUR: Seattle Chocolate Factory, makers of jcoco and Maeve, host a special, spooky experience in the factory for several weeks in October. Every year is a little different, but it's always a frightfully fun time. Check the business website for details.

VETERANS DAY: The Museum of Flight hosts a special program on Veterans Day, featuring patriotic music and keynote speakers. Veterans and active-duty military are given free admission.

SQUID-A-RAMA: This family-friendly event, typically held each November in Des Moines, brings together members of the Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Center and other community partners to celebrate squid!

Christmas Events Seattle

SANTA PHOTOS AT WESTFIELD SOUTHCENTER: Every year, Santa posts up at Westfield Southcenter for family photos! Pay him a visit, then get all your holiday shopping in at more than 140 stores throughout the mall. There's also often "snow" falling outside the mall on select days.

WINTERFEST IN BURIEN: This winter festival captures the best parts of the season in one place. With free carriage rides, hot chocolate, and plenty of in-store shopping specials, this is one holiday event you won’t want to miss.

Ongoing Events in Seattle

FREE FIRST THURSDAYS AT MUSEUMS: At many museums throughout the Puget Sound region, the first Thursday of each month is free for all guests. The Museum of Flight, the Museum of History and Industry, and the Seattle Children’s Museum are among those participating.

HIGHLINE HERITAGE MUSEUM: This community-powered museum in Burien hosts programming throughout the year.

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM: This world-class art museum in downtown Seattle has events year-round. It is easily accessible from Seattle Southside by Link light rail.

THE ROADHOUSE: This free performing arts venue, located right at the Angle Lake Link light rail station, hosts world music, dance, and other events throughout the year.

THE MAST CENTER AQUARIUM: Highline College's MaST Center Aquarium hosts free "Discovery Days" open to the public on Saturdays year-round.

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