Watch hot glass demonstrations, meet the artists, take a tour of the campus founded by Dale Chihuly, and shop for glass art during Spring Tours at Pilchuk Glass School, 1201 316th St. NW in Stanwood.
See the latest recreational vehicles at Puyallup RV Show at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Your children age 17 and younger are free. Wear sunscreen.
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival in sunny Wenatchee has food vendors, an entertainment stage, a beer garden, carnival rides (beginning April 26), an arts & crafts fair (May 3 to 5), a car parade (May 3 at 6 p.m.), a car show (May 4), and a grand parade (May 4 at 11 a.m.) in and around Memorial Park, 2 S. Chelan Ave. in Wenatchee. Schedule.
Party on the Cut has live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and lawn games on the Montlake Cut next to ASUW Shell House, 3655 Walla Walla Road in Seattle. You can take Link Light Rail to University of Washington station. Bring age 21+ ID. No pets.
Seattle Erotic Art Festival is an uncensored collection of art, films, and live performances at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer St. in Seattle. Pan Eros Film Festival is at nearby SIFF Film Center. Both events are for age 21+, except Exhibition Hall is 18+ on Sunday.
Emerald Cup is a bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini, and physique championship with health-industry vendors at Meydenbauer Center, 11000 NE 6th St. in Bellevue.
Billed as the state’s oldest festival, Sequim Irrigation Festival has an art walk (May 2), a fun run (May 3 at 9 a.m.), a kids’ parade (May 3 at 11:30 a.m.), arts and crafts (May 3 & 4), free family activities (May 3 & 4), a breakfast (May 4), a car show (May 10), and a grand parade (May 10 at noon), mostly near Sequim Civic Center, 152 W Cedar St. in Sequim. Schedule.
Enjoy Mexican food for sale, live music (until 5 p.m.), children’s activities, and a craft fair at Cinco de Mayo Celebration sponsored by El Centro de la Raza at Plaza Roberto Maestas, 1660 S Roberto Maestas Festival St. in Seattle.
Watch boats cruise through the Montlake Cut near the University of Washington on Opening Day from either side of the water, for example behind Haring Center, 1981 NE Columbia Road in Seattle. You can take Link Light Rail to University of Washington station.
Cheer crew teams as they row through the Montlake Cut during the Windermere Cup. You can watch from either side of the water, for example behind Haring Center, 1981 NE Columbia Road in Seattle. You can take Link Light Rail to University of Washington station.
A Festival for May opens with demonstrations, crafts, food, and musicians. Games are at 1 p.m., the Maypole ceremony is at 4:30 p.m., and dinner is by reservation at Camlann Medieval Village, 10320 Kelly Road NE in Carnation. Children age 5 and younger are free. No pets.
Tacoma City Marathon includes a 5K, marathon, and half marathon on Saturday at Dune Peninsula Park, plus a marathon and half marathon on Sunday across the Narrows Bridge, beginning at Tacoma Narrows Airport, 1202 26th Ave. NW in Gig Harbor.
Seattle Opera performs Tosca, a passionate story about a fiery diva and a rebel artist, with a rousing score, beautiful arias, English subtitles, and two intermissions at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. in Seattle.
Hit musical Jersey Boys tells the rags-to-riches story of 20-something singers Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N in Issaquah.
Saturdays, ride atop a miniature train over a bridge and through a tunnel for 10 minutes, and then visit the gift shop at Great Northern & Cascade Railway, 101 5th St. N in pretty Skykomish. (Or see the schedule for Kitsap Live Steamers in Port Orchard, which is free except the Oct. 26 ghost train.)
Saint Mark’s Evensong Choir performs its monthly Choral Evensong service in the cathedral nave at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E in Seattle.
Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe has guided nature walks, bird watching, science booths with live reptiles (Sat.), field trips, paddle boarding, float trips, wine tasting, and even windmill tours on the drier side of the state. See the schedule for event locations, including Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center (located in Helen McCabe State Park), 24343 Canyon Road in Ellensburg.
Maifest has European folk music, Tirolean dancers, yodelers, a Saturday march (noon), and a Sunday morning 5K/10K/half marathon at Front Street Park, 820 Front St. in Leavenworth.
Camano Island Studio Tour is a self-guided tour of 32 artists’ studios, including Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Park, 2345 Blanche Way in Camano. Click the brochure link on their website. Brochure.
Penn Cove Water Festival in Coupeville has tribal canoe races, native arts and crafts, food, dance, music, traditional storytelling, and children’s activities on and around Coupeville Wharf, 24 Front St. NW in Coupeville.
Shop for Mother’s Day flowers during the Flower Festival, when 35 local farmers sell bouquets and musicians perform under the clock at Pike Place Market, 85 Pike St. in Seattle.
See hundreds of bonsai on display, watch live bonsai demonstrations, talk to bonsai artists, and join a tour during BonsaiFest at Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S 336th St. in Federal Way. Donation.
Beacon Arts Street Fair is a mellow event with live music, an art market, food vendors, and family activities in the plaza outside El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave. S in Seattle.
National Geographic Live presents scientists, photographers, filmmakers, and adventurers live on stage with amazing photos and video at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in Seattle. May is about earth after dark.
Watch 15 leaders “showcase projects that demonstrate opportunities to do well by doing good” at Nordic Innovation Summit at National Nordic Museum, 2655 NW Market St. in Seattle.
Lake Chelan Wine and Jazz Festival “showcases internationally acclaimed jazz artists and celebrates wonderful wineries” with performances at 13 wineries and venues around the lake for pass holders.
Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is billed as America’s largest film festival. Join top directors, actors, and critics who attend festival premieres and screenings by buying a single ticket or a pass.
Viking festival FREE
May 16 - 18, 25
Poulsbo (22 miles NW via ferry)
Viking Fest celebrates Scandinavian heritage in Poulsbo with a carnival, food & craft vendors, and music on car-free streets surrounding Liberty Bay Waterfront Park, 18809 Anderson Pkwy in Poulsbo. Saturday events include a road race and a parade (2 p.m.).
Celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day at the 17th of May Festival in Ballard with a luncheon (not free), live music, an open house, and a parade (6 p.m.) including marching bands, drill teams, and Norwegians in costume. Poster.
Hear top student musicians performing at Edmonds Jazz Connection in three Edmonds locations, including Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4th Ave. N in Edmonds. Donation.
Bring your leashed pet to Petpalooza for a fun run (9:30 a.m.), pet contests, flying dogs, vendors, adoptions, and an agility area at Game Farm Park, 3030 R St. SE in Auburn.
You’ve seen the amazing dogs of Chris Perondi on the Tonight Show. Now watch them live during Stunt Dog Experience at Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway in Tacoma.
Spring Fairy Magic Market is an indoor/outdoor street fair with 170 artists, craft vendors, dancers, magicians, musicians, and costumed fairies & elves that are indoors and outdoors at Crescent Moon Gifts, 6901 6th Ave. in Tacoma.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord opens its gates to the public to celebrate Armed Forces Day, with historical reenactments, military vehicles, music, entertainers, dog demos, food vendors, a beer garden, and carnival rides at Heritage Hill Airpark, McChord Air Force Base. Take exit 125 off I-5. You must register online, and bring ID if age 18+. See prohibited items.
Kick off street-fair season at the laid-back University District StreetFair, with 250 arts & crafts booths on car-free University Way NE (from NE 41st to NE 50th). Enjoy bands & dancers, beer gardens, 40 food trucks & booths, and a kids’ zone.
Shop from 62 sellers of minerals, fossils, gems, jewelry, and mineral art at the Seattle Mineral Market in Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park, 6310 NE 74th St. in Seattle. Free parking.
Children can watch and even operate heavy construction equipment on Dozer Day, which also has police cars and fire engines on display at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Buy tickets online, with last entry at 1 p.m.
Celebrate traditional arts by attending some of the hundreds of dance and musical performances, workshops, and panels from around the world held at Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center. Donation.
Enjoy shrimp, live music, arts & crafts, and a beer/wine garden at Fjord Fest on Hood Canal at Yelvik General Store, 251 Hjelvicks Road in Brinnon. Children younger than age 12 are free.
Based on the book and film, The Color Purple won a Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, with its story of hope featuring a joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel, and blues at Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N in Issaquah.
For a relaxing alternative to the giant St. Demetrios Greek Festival in September, check out Greek food, wine, and music at Bite of Greece Seattle at Church of the Assumption, 1804 13th Ave. in Seattle.
Bars and breweries host dozens of beer-tasting and food-pairing events during Seattle Beer Week.
Family films
multiple locations
Watch three features-length films and a Family Picture Show of shorts “for the young and the young at heart” during Films4Families, part of Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). FutureWave is nine films for teenagers.
Films about indigenous people
Seattle (multiple locations)
cINeDIGENOUS includes 11 full-length films and a package of 7 shorts. It’s part of Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) in multiple theaters around Seattle.
Food films
multiple locations
Culinary Cinema is full-length films about restaurants and winemaking that are part of Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).
Watch nine full-length films that were filmed in or inspired by the Puget Sound region at Northwest Connections, part of Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).
Short films
Seattle (multiple locations)
Everybody loves short films. Choose from screenings of short films grouped by theme during Short Film Packages, part of Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).
Anime convention
Downtown (0.2 miles E)
Appearing for the first time outside California, Anime Impulse promises cosplay, artists, vendors, and industry guests at Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike St. in Seattle. You must buy your ticket online. No pets or outside food.
Enjoy a reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and a live auction at the Northern Lights Auktion to support the Nordic National Museum at Hyatt Regency Seattle, 808 Howell St.
Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice in Wonderland adds bawdy beauty, a whirlwind of whimsy, and a melange of music to Lewis Carroll’s classic tale at The Triple Door, 216 Union St. in Seattle. Must be age 17+ (21+ for the 9:30 p.m. show).
Teen Night Out is a party “planned by teens and designed for teens” with live music, junkyard art-making activities, an open mic, in-gallery bingo, zine trading, and movement performances at Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave. in Seattle. For ages 13 to 19.
Ballard Civic Orchestra plays Spanish music with guitar and soloist, plus Colombian music with a costumed dance group in its program Celebrating Spring at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave. in Seattle. Donation.
Cornish College of the Arts showcases the work of its Bachelor of Fine Arts students at the Design Department BFA Exhibition at 9th Ave Gallery, 2014 9th Ave. in Seattle. Evening reception on April 26.
Watch local artists perform dance, music, theatre, and comedy in the cabaret show called Our Town Hall at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave. in Seattle. A no-host happy hour opens at 6:30 p.m. Limited free tickets for age 22 and younger.
Focusing mostly on female artists, Belltown Bloom presents 32 local and national acts on three stages at The Crocodile, 2505 1st Ave. in Seattle for age 21+. Description by The Seattle Times.
A ticket to the Cinco de Mayo Party Cruise by Waterways Cruises includes a drink, a taco bar, dessert, 2.5 hours of views, a DJ, and a no-host bar, departing from Chandler’s Cove, 901 Fairview Ave. N in Seattle. Bring age 21+ ID.
Enjoy a Mother’s Day dining cruise with hours of Lake Union and Lake Washington views on Waterways Cruises, departing from Chandler’s Cove, 901 Fairview Ave. N in Eastlake.
Seattle Art Book Fair celebrates independent publishing, book design, and artist books with talks, activities, art installations, and 80 exhibitors at Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave. in Seattle. Launch party on Friday night.
Dress 1990s style for Adjust Your Tracking, the annual gala for Northwest Film Forum. Your ticket includes “signature cocktails, delectable cuisine, and glamorous red carpet moments” at Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave. in Seattle.
Ride on Highway 99 and the West Seattle Bridge without cars during Emerald City Ride, with your choice of a 7 or 20 mile route, beginning and ending on the west side of Lumen Field Event Center, 800 Occidental Ave. S in Seattle.
Children’s Day Festival (Kodomo no Hi) events include martial arts, a tea ceremony, dance show, hands-on taiko drumming, yukata dress up, stories, and food vendors at Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington, 1414 S Weller St. in Seattle.
“Queen Anne merchants host pop-up tastings with local boutique Pacific Northwest wineries” during Queen Anne Spring Wine Walk, which begins at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1818 Queen Anne Ave. N in Seattle. No pets or children.
Your team meets mysterious actors and solves clues at Carnival Umbra Circus Escape Room in dark and spooky Emerald City Trapeze Arts, 2702 6th Ave. S in Seattle for age 14+. Optional beverages and $10 trapeze flights.
Take your dog for a 5K run on the Burke-Gilman Trail at Dogs and Doughnuts Dash, followed by coffee, water, doughnuts, and dog treats in the retail store called Brooks Trailhead, 3400 Stone Way N in Seattle.
Beat the Bridge includes an 8K run, a 3-mile walk, and a 1-mile fun run that begin on Montlake Boulevard, cross over University Bridge, and end on the field of Husky Stadium. See street closures. No pets. Register in the west concourse of Husky Stadium, 3800 Montlake Blvd. NE in Seattle.
Children can touch and explore heavy machinery and emergency vehicles, talk to the drivers, and play games at Touch a Truck in Parking Lot E1, just south of University of Washington Golf Range. Paid parking in E18. Children younger than age 2 are free. Food trucks available. No pets.
Graduate students studying dance wrote eight new dance works that will be performed by 70 undergraduate dancers at MFA Dance Concert in Meany Center for the Performing Arts, 4040 George Washington Lane NE in Seattle.
Celebrate spring by playing games, singing, and dancing around the Maypole at the May Day Celebration and Potluck at Meridian Playground, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N in Seattle. Bring a potluck dish, non-alcoholic beverages, and flowers for making head wreaths.
Shop at 100 yard sales during PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day, and visit a flea market in the lower parking lot at Phinney Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N in Seattle.
Valhalla Dinner Series is a five-course “locally sourced seasonal” dinner paired with five four-ounce beer pours from Stoup Brewing and an opportunity to meet the brewers at Skål Beer Hall, 5429 Ballard Ave. NW in Seattle. Must be age 21+.
Get surplus samples from architects and interior designers to use in your craft projects at ZeroLandfill Seattle, including fabric bolts and samples, carpet, tile, glass, metal, wood, and three-ring binders at Daltile, 540 S Front St. in Seattle. Bring bags and/or a wagon.
A $41 ticket to West Seattle Wine Walk gets you a glass and 13 tastes of wine in shops at West Seattle Junction, beginning at Jet City Labs, 4547 California Ave. SW in Seattle. Bring age 21+ ID. Held in May and September.
Watch three games of Rat City Roller Derby with food trucks, a beer garden, and a street band at Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park, 6310 NE 74th St. in Seattle.
A ticket to Old Bellevue Wine Walk gets you a souvenir wine glass and 12 tasting tickets to redeem in shops for age 21+. Check in at 520 Bar & Grill, 10146 Main St. in Bellevue. Held in spring and fall. No pets.
Taste a wide variety of dry rosé and white wines at Rosé Revival & Cool Whites with a view of Lake Washington from the the patio of The Woodmark Hotel, 1200 Carillon Point in Kirkland for age 21+.
Amazing Bubble Man “explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized” at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. in Kirkland.
Africa Fashion Week Seattle has vendors, cultural performances, a fashion show for adults, and a fashion show for children (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.) in the event center at Vasa Park, 3560 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE in Bellevue.
Shop for plants, take a walk in the garden, and meet a Master Gardener during the Plant Sale at Bellevue Demonstration Garden, 15500 SE 16th St. in Bellevue.
Family-friendly Renton City Retro offers “toys, comics, funko pops, video games, local artists, anime, and celebrities” with a free gaming area at Renton Pavilion Events Center, 233 Burnett Ave. S in Renton. Children age 5 and younger are free.
A ticket to Best of 425 includes a glass of champagne, heavy appetizers, and an awards ceremony for best of the Eastside as selected by Best of 425 magazine. If weather permits, this event is both indoors and outdoors at The Golf Club at Newcastle, 15500 Six Penny Lane in Newcastle.
Walk ‘n Wag includes a 3K trail plus an agility course, vendor booths, a beer garden, a pet show (12 p.m.), and performing dogs (12:30 to 2 p.m.) at Lake Sammamish State Park to raise funds for improving the park. Pay for each pet, plus $10 to park (unless you have a Discover Pass).
Walk or run the Wag Love Life 5K fundraiser, then make flower garlands, hear speakers, visit vendors, and do activities with your dog at Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE in Redmond.
The Downtown Issaquah Wine & Art Walk includes 12 tasting tokens to redeem at shops along picturesque Front Street. VIP at Capri Cellars. General admission at Downtown Issaquah Association, 232 Front St. N in Issaquah for age 21+. Bring your own glass. Held in May and July.
Enjoy eight “summer inspired mini-cocktails curated by the finest local restaurants and bars, plus delicious light bites” at Toast of Edmonds, and then vote for your favorite, at Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds for age 21+.
Your ticket to Navruz Celebration includes a Central Asian meal, dance performances, a fashion show, and a children’s area in building 8 at Highline Community College, 2400 S 240th St. in Des Moines.
“Come visit and interact with more than 20 service vehicles and personnel” (fire engine, aid car, state patrol car, backhoe, etc.) during Rig-A-Palooza. Also visit the bouncy houses and food trucks at Sammamish Commons Plaza, 801 228th Ave. SE in Sammamish.
A ticket to Beer & Wine Walk includes a glass and 8 tickets for tastes of beer and wine in the shops at Mill Creek Town Center, 15115 Main St. in Bothell. Held in May and September.
See the blue poppy meadow in bloom, shop from artists, visit a food truck, and hear live music during Blue Poppy Day at Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, 2525 S 336th St. in Federal Way. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Your ticket to Machos, Tacos & Tequila includes 4 chicken tacos, a signature drink, and live Mexican wrestling at Snoqualmie Casino, 37500 SE North Bend Way in Snoqualmie for age 21+.
Mom and Me Wonderland Tea features tea, iced tea, lemonade, snacks, a hat contest, a scavenger hunt, and games with Alice and the Mad Hatter at Lake Wilderness Arboretum, 22520 SE 248th St. in Maple Valley. The optional after-party is $25 per child.
A ticket to Sip, Suds & Si includes a glass and 10 tasting tickets for winery and brewery samples in North Bend shops, with live music, for age 21+. Check in begins 5 p.m. at Northwest Railway Museum, 205 E McClellan St. in North Bend. Held in May and September.
Sip features wine, beer, cider, and music at 20 shops in downtown Puyallup for age 21+. Your ticket includes a glass and 10 tastes. Check in is located at the parking lot of Smile Solutions, 109 N Meridian in Puyallup. Held in May and September.
See frogs, snakes, geckos, and other exotic creatures at Seattle Metro Reptile Expo, with educational tables and vendors at Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe. Children age 5 and younger are free.
Watch 31 short films produced in only three days by local teams at The 253 Short Film Party, “a lively party with audience voting, door prizes, a photo booth, and local food and drinks for purchase” at Urban Grace, 902 Market St. in Tacoma.
Watch dozens of teams race in long boats that hold 20 paddlers at Rainier Dragon Boat Festival, with opening ceremony at 8 a.m., first race at 9 a.m., last race at 3:30 p.m., and vendors of food and crafts at Thea’s Park, 535 Dock St. in Tacoma. See parking instructions.
Wear cocktail attire to Forks and Corks, which features welcome champagne, passed hors d’oeuvres, a sit-down multi-course meal with curated wine pairings, a chance to meet the winemakers, live music, and dancing in the events room at Farm 12 Restaurant, 3303 8th Ave. SE B in Puyallup for age 21+.
A ticket to Gig Harbor Beer Festival includes 10 tasting tokens, with a wide variety of Northwest craft brewers and live music at the pavilion at Uptown Gig Harbor, 4701 Point Fosdick Drive in Gig Harbor. Bring age 21+ ID.
Lacey Spring Fun Fair has entertainment, a circus train, free rides, a giant slide, vendors, food, kids’ activities, fire trucks, a Saturday science fair, and a Sunday car show at Saint Martin's University, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia. No pets.
Immerse yourself in native culture, including costume, dance, food, and crafts at All My Relations Powwow at Skagit Valley College, 2405 E College Way in Mount Vernon. Grand entry at 1 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.) and 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.).
Long Beach Razor Clam Festival has seafood, a beer & wine garden, vendors, live music, and clam digging lessons, mostly at Veteran's Field, 111 3rd St. SE in Long Beach. Poster.
SAAS Summit: Climate, Conservation, and Citizenship is “an all-ages, multi-modal experience with thought-provoking discussions, interactive breakout sessions, and networking activities” featuring dozens of local speakers at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1201 E Union St. in Seattle. Schedule. Held in May & October.
Shop from 200 vendors of vintage and modern toys, comics, and collectibles at the Washington State Toy Show [scroll down their page] at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Held in May and November. Admission at 9 a.m. costs more. Children age 12 and younger are free.
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