February is a great time to be indoors at Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. Garden displays, seminars, and hundreds of vendors fill the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. The $250 Opening-Night Party & Auction on Feb. 25 supports the arboretum.
The science of climate change
March 1, 2020
(begins Feb. 28)
1 mile NW
Discover how climate change affects ecosystems at Curiosity Expo: Climate Change, with hands-on activities, live science shows, games, and local scientists answering questions at Pacific Science Center, plus a talk about “eco anxiety” on Feb. 28.
Hairstyle show
March 1, 2020
1.3 miles NW
See hairstyles on display, watch live barber battles, attend classes, and shop from vendors at Reign of Style Hair Show & Competition in the Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center.
Nordic film festival
March 1, 2020
(begins Feb. 28)
1.6 miles NW
See contemporary films, both short and long, from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden at Nordic Lights Film Festival at SIFF Cinema Uptown.
Gold & gem show
March 1, 2020
(begins Feb. 29)
32 miles NE
Learn about prospecting, visit prospecting vendors, and see rocks and gems at the Gold, Gem and Mineral Show at Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe.
Women’s show in Tacoma
March 1, 2020
(begins Feb. 29)
33 miles south
So Northwest Women’s Show features seminars on health and finance, fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, celebrity hosts, and hundreds of vendors in the Tacoma Dome.
Undersea cirque in Tacoma
March 1, 2020
(3 p.m.)
33.8 miles south
The Underwater Bubble Show uses lasers, smoke, flying foam, and spectacular soap bubbles to bring you the wonderous world of Bubblelandia, populated with seahorses, dragon fish, starfish, and mermaids at Pantages Theater.
Browse 400 booths and attend seminars at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Children’s Film Festival
March 1 - 8, 2020
(begins Feb. 27)
1 mile east
See the best and brightest in international cinema for children ages 3 to 14 at the Children’s Film Festival Seattle at Northwest Film Forum.
Modern African dance
March 3, 2020
0.5 miles west
Award-winning Camille A. Brown & Dancers of New York City combines “theatricality and the aesthetics of modern, hip hop, African, ballet, and tap to tell stories that connect history with contemporary culture” at the Moore Theatre.
“Whether she’s jamming on her trombone or breezing through a song with her nothing-held-back, multi-octave vocals, Seattleite Aubrey Logan captivates audiences.” See her perform with the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall.
See who saves the underwater world from disaster in The SpongeBob Musical, which tells a story with “humor, heart, and pure theatricality” featuring the TV characters plus new music at Pantages Theater.
Destination Delridge is a $125 charity dinner with drinks, live entertainment, music, art, and interactive games at Metropolist. Doors at 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. Tickets.
The highlight of Seattle Cocktail Week is Cocktail District, where you can try 100 brands of “vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, and everything in between,” watch cocktail demonstrations, and shop from food trucks at Bell Harbor International Conference Center.
Colors of India – Seattle
March 7, 2020
(1 & 9 p.m.)
3.5 miles north
Wear white and get covered in powdered color at outdoor stations at Holi Hai, which includes a dance performance, dance lesson, DJ dance music, and drink specials at the Nectar Lounge in Fremont. (The 1 p.m. show is for all ages; 9 p.m. show is for age 21+.)
Colors of India – Bellevue
March 7, 2020
(noon)
9.6 miles east
Celebrate Holi when colored powder flies, a DJ plays dance music, and Indian food is sold, all to support charity at Bellevue Downtown Park. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Wine tasting in Bellevue
March 7, 2020
(6 p.m.)
11.6 miles east
Taste Cabernet Sauvignon from 25 producers with appetizers at Cabernet Classic at Porsche Bellevue.
Wine tasting in Des Moines
March 7, 2020
(12 to 8 p.m.)
16 miles south
Enjoy live music, a magician, tastes of wine from 20 Washington wineries, and food to sample and buy at Poverty Bay Wine Festival in building 28 at Highline Community College for age 21+ to support charity.
Wine tasting in Snohomish
March 7, 2020
28 miles NE
Snohomish Wine Festival pours 70 wines and sells food truck fare at Crossroads in Snohomish for age 21+.
Bike show
March 7 - 8, 2020
1.5 miles south
Check out vendors of bikes, bike gear, travel accessories, and fitness equipment at the Seattle Bike & Outdoor Show at CenturyLink Field Event Center. Free for children age 12 and younger.
Golf show
March 7 - 8, 2020
1.5 miles south
Seattle Golf Show has more than 200 exhibitors at CenturyLink Field Event Center. Free for children age 12 and younger.
Dollhouse & miniature show
March 7 - 8, 2020
13 mile south
Seattle Miniature Show has workshops, exhibits, and vendors at the DoubleTree Suites, Southcenter. Children under age 12 are free.
Wine & chocolate in Tacoma
March 7 - 8, 2020
44 miles south
Taste wine and chocolate from 50 vendors, and see three rooms of vintage cars at Wine, Spirits & Chocolate at Marymount Event Center for age 21+.
Penn Cove MusselFest offers chowder tasting in shops, cooking demonstrations, mussel farm tours by boat, a beer & wine garden, mussel-eating competitions, and kids’ activities in Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Free.
Naked bungee jump
March 7 - 8, 2020
186 miles NW via ferry
Willing to bare it all for charity at the Naked Bungy Jump for Mental Health Recovery Partners? Make a reservation to plunge 150 feet toward Nanaimo River on Vancouver Island if you are 95 to 400 pounds, and age 19+ (or 18 with a legal guardian). You need a passport or enhanced driver’s license to enter Canada. No cameras allowed, but you get photos of your jump.
St. Patrick’s run - Tacoma
March 7 & 14, 2020
37 miles south
March 7 - St. Patrick’s Day 5K is on the trails of Titlow Park (south of the Narrows Bridge).
March 14 - St. Paddy’s Day Run is a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and kids’ 1K on Commencement Bay.
Music of Asia
March 8, 2020
(4 p.m.)
0.5 mile south
Celebrate Asia “honors Seattle’s Asian American community through exploring the rich musical traditions of Asian countries,” with entertainment from China, India, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines in the lobby before and after the concert at Benaroya Hall.
Family theater
March 8 - 15, 2020
(also Feb.)
1 mile NW
“Actors morph into a multitude of characters including a princess, her evil queen, a magical mirror, a huntsman, and the beloved seven dwarfs” in the new version of Snow White at Seattle Children’s Theatre.
Emerald City Comic Con is a large comic book, game, and popular-culture event at the convention center.
Variety show
March 12 - April 5, 2020
Seattle locations
Billed as the world’s largest comedy/variety festival, Moisture Festival has 40 shows at Hale’s Palladium & Broadway Performance Hall at 3 & 7:30 p.m. for all ages; burlesque and late-night shows for age 18+.
Casual classical concert
March 13, 2020
(7 p.m.)
0.5 miles south
Start your weekend right with a one-hour concert of works by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky at Tchaikovsky Untuxed at Benaroya Hall.
Seattle Theatre Group presents young musicians with diverse musical styles at More Music at The Moore Theatre in downtown Seattle.
St. Patrick arrives
March 13, 2020
1.2 miles north
Watch the Landing of St. Patrick by boat at 5:30 p.m. at South Lake Union. See St. Patrick again at the Green Stripe Laying at 7 p.m. when the route for Saturday’s parade is marked on 4th Avenue. [Scroll down their web page to see details.] Free.
Knitting show
March 13 - 15, 2020
10 miles east
Vogue Knitting Live [sound] features knitting classes, fashion shows, and vendors at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.
Short plays in Edmonds
March 13 - 15, 2020
17 miles north
Watch eight short shows selected from more than 200 submissions, and then vote for your favorite at Festival of Shorts at Driftwood Players.
Join Indians dancing to Bollywood music to celebrate spring at Beyond Bollywood Holi Glow Party where glowing party favors replace the traditional shirt-staining powdered colors at Club Contour for age 21+.
Join the mayor of Seattle and parade dignitaries at the Irish Flag-Raising, followed by the playing of the Irish and U.S. national anthems, in front of the King County Administration Building. Free.
Saint Patrick’s parade
March 14, 2020
0.7 miles south
St. Patrick’s Day Parade includes Irish bands, pipers, dancers, and 2,000 marchers going north on 4th Avenue (from James Street to Westlake Park). Free.
St Patrick’s Day bar crawl
March 14, 2020
0.7 miles south
Wear a costume or at least wear green to LepreCon St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl for age 21+, which visits five bars and photo spots mostly in Pioneer Square.
Brunchy booze festival
March 14, 2020
(11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
1.2 miles south
A ticket to Bacon Eggs & Kegs includes beverage tickets (beer, cider, mimosas, bloody marys, Irish coffee, root beer), with $5 brunch bites for sale, entertainment, and lawn games at CenturyLink Field for age 21+.
St. Patrick’s Day cruise
March 14, 2020
(9 p.m.)
4.4 miles NE
Your ticket to St. Paddy’s Day Party Cruise includes your first drink, an appetizer and dessert buffet, food for sale, and 2.5 hours of views on Lake Union and Lake Washington for age 21+.
Math festival
March 14, 2020
(1 to 4:30 p.m.)
4.9 miles NE
Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival encourages 4th to 12th grade students to approach mathematical activities, games, and puzzles with creativity and persistence at the University of Washington Husky Union Building (HUB).
St. Patrick’s run - Kirkland
March 14, 2020
11 miles NE
Wear green to the Kirkland Shamrock Run 10K, 5K, and kids’ race, which begins at Kirkland Marina Park and ends with a party at Wilde Rover. Walkers are welcome.
Science and engineering fair
March 14, 2020
12 miles east
View high school science projects and watch scientists award prizes at the Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair in the cafeteria at Bellevue College. Free to the public from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
India color festival in Bellevue
March 14, 2020
(12 to 4 p.m.)
13.7 miles west
Welcome spring at the colorful Indian festival of Holi, with DJ dance music, Indian food for sale, and colored powder you can buy and throw at Crossroads Park in Bellevue. Children younger than age 15 are free.
Kids’ art day
March 14, 2020
19 miles south
Kids create hands-on art projects for one flat fee at Kent Kids’ Arts Day in Kent Commons. Lunch, snacks, and beverages for sale or bring your own.
Browse 100,000 books and movies starting at $1 at the Spring Book Sale by Friends of The Seattle Public Library, in the Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center.
Irish Festival
March 14 - 15, 2020
1 mile NW
Irish music, singing, dancing, films, vendors, and children’s activities await you at the Irish Festival in Seattle Center Armory. Free.
Doll & teddy bear show
March 14 - 15, 2020
36 miles south
Shop for dolls, bears, and miniatures at Crossroads Doll & Teddy Bear Show at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup. Held in March and October.
St. Patrick’s run - Seattle
March 15, 2020
1 mile NW
Wear green or a costume to the St. Patrick’s Day Dash 5K, which goes from Seattle Center to downtown and back on 4th Avenue. Afterward, head to the giant beer garden at Fisher Pavilion for age 21+. The Leprechaun Lap is a 1K dash for kids age 10 and younger.
Design festival
March 18 - 22, 2020
1 mile east
Focusing on design and architecture, ByDesign Festival offers short and feature films, performances, hands-on generative workshops, and a pop-up market featuring local makers, mostly at Northwest Film Forum.
Enjoy gourmet food and wine on Thursday or Friday evening during Taste of Washington. (We list the weekend events separately.)
Healing weekend
March 19 - 22, 2020
42.7 miles SE
Samsarafest is a new “yoga, music, meditation, and healing arts festival” at Enumclaw Expo Center that offers “yoga huts, meditation, sound bath, nature hikes, live-music, dancing, farm food, photography, painting, mindfulness talks, and tiny home living.”
Jewish film festival
March 19 - 29 & April 4 - 5, 2020
Seattle & Issaquah & Mercer Island
Seattle Jewish Film Festival celebrates Jewish and Israeli life, culture, history, and filmmaking. Opening night begins with a no-host happy hour and ends with a dessert party. Guest speakers some evenings.
Powerful play about parenthood
March 19 - April 12, 2020
5.4 miles north
When her son is involved in a controversial incident that may lead to expulsion from his school, a mother must reconcile his actions, her parental decisions, and the school system as she rallies to save her son in Pipeline at Seattle Public Theater at Green Lake.
Play games, try hands-on activities, watch a laser show, see live science, hang out with smart people, and buy a drink at the bar during PacSci Happy Hour at the Pacific Science Center for age 21+.
Victorian festival in Port Townsend
March 20 - 22, 2020
56 miles NW via ferry
Victorian Heritage Festival has a Friday evening reception; a Saturday Victorian fashion show (3 p.m.) and Victorian ball (7 p.m.); plus weekend talks, teas, and tours of historic buildings in Port Townsend.
Birding festival
March 20 - 22, 2020
110 miles north
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival celebrates migratory birds that flock to the pristine coastal area near Blaine and has expert speakers, exhibits, and kids’ activities. Free except field trips.
Working-class drama
March 20 - April 12, 2020
0.3 miles SE
Factory workers gather in a local bar to share laughs, hopes, and cold beer, but when a recession and a lockout loom, lifelong friends are pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat in Sweat [website has sound] at ACT Theatre.
Norwegian Cultural and Heritage Day features Norwegian food, music, crafts, traditional demonstrations, and even a 12:30 p.m. parade in folk costumes at Leif Erikson Hall in Ballard. Free.
Scottish bagpipes & dance
March 21, 2020
(7 p.m.)
37 miles south
Listen to Scottish pipes and drums, wear the tartan of a Scottish clan, enjoy Scotch at the open bar, or join Scottish Highland dancing at the Tartan Ball at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Tasting event
March 21 - 22, 2020
1.5 miles south
Taste samples from 200 wineries and 60 restaurants at the afternoon Grand Tasting in CenturyLink Field Event Center for age 21+. Additional events include morning wine seminars/tasting, and Sunday brunch.
French festival
March 22, 2020
1 mile NW
French Fest is a celebration of French-speaking cultures that includes live music, French food, a wine tasting, best baguette contest, and children’s activities in the Armory at Seattle Center. Free.
Bike swap
March 22, 2020
(9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
1.4 miles NW
Vendors sell new and used mountain, road, and track bike equipment at Cascade Bicycle Club’s Seattle Bike Swap in Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Bring a helmet to test ride. Children age 15 and younger are free.
Mercer Island race
March 22, 2020
6.4 miles east
Mercer Island Half Marathon also includes a 10K run, a 5K run/walk, and a half-mile kids’ dash, which all begin at Mercer Island Community & Event Center.
Jazz bands
March 27, 2020
(7 p.m.)
0.3 mile NE
Top bands from five local high schools wow the audience in Paramount Theatre at Hot Java Cool Jazz.
Watch off-road motorcycles race on dirt tracks with steep jumps and obstacles at AMA Supercross at CenturyLink Field.
Cask beer festival
March 28, 2020
(12 to 5 p.m.)
4.5 miles south
A ticket to Washington Cask Beer Festival gets you 15 tastes of cask-conditioned beers (conditioned naturally without artificially introducing carbon dioxide) from dozens of Washington breweries, with food for sale at 4786 1st Avenue S. for age 21+.
Taste of Georgetown
March 28, 2020
4.7 miles south
Buy $5 tickets for Georgetown Bites at Georgetown Trailer Park Mall (5805 Airport Way South) by 4 p.m., and then exchange the tickets for bites and beverages at dozens of participating businesses until 5 p.m.
Your ticket to Holi Festival of Colors includes two packets of powdered color to throw in the lower parking lot of Phinney Center. Food trucks onsite.
Central Asian festival
March 28, 2020
12.1 miles east
Celebrate the spring holiday of Navruz with food, dance, and musical performances of Uzbekistan and its neighbors in the ballroom at Vasa Park in Bellevue.
Tacoma fashion show
March 28, 2020
(6:30 to 10:30 p.m.)
33 miles south
Fashion is Art includes “red-carpet photos,” DJ music, garments from local designers and artists, and an after-party at the Tacoma Art Museum.
Get a special deal on a three-course meal at 165 restaurants during Seattle Restaurant Week, which does not include Fridays and Saturdays. Restaurants all offer dinner and some offer lunch. Repeats in Oct.
Cowboy show
March 30 - 31, 2020
33 miles south
Professional Bull Riders compete to see who can last the longest atop a bucking bull in the Tacoma Dome.
Chamber music in Bellevue
March 31, 2020
(7:30 p.m.)
11.3 miles east
Award-winning KASA Quartet perform works for strings by Glazunov and Schubert “that will be full of beauty, romanticism, energy, and fun” followed by a Q & A session at Resonance Events.
