Seattle’s summer and fall seasons are packed with unforgettable events, from global sporting championships to iconic festivals and art exhibits. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local, the second half of 2025 offers a perfect opportunity to dive into the best of the Emerald City.
Here’s a look at the must-see events and attractions still to come in 2025.
🌿 Spring & Summer Cultural Highlights
Northwest Folklife Festival
📍 Seattle Center
📅 May 23–26, 2025
One of the nation’s largest community-powered festivals, Folklife showcases music, dance, crafts, and food that celebrate global traditions and local cultures.
“Six” – The Musical
📍 Paramount Theatre
📅 May 6–11, 2025
This electrifying, pop-style musical gives voice to the six wives of Henry VIII in a bold retelling of history.
“Bye Bye Birdie”
📍 The 5th Avenue Theatre
📅 June 10–29, 2025
A joyful, classic musical comedy full of charm and 1960s flair hits the Seattle stage this summer.
⚽ Major Sporting Events
FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
📍 Lumen Field
📅 June 15–25, 2025
Seattle will host six matches during this historic global soccer tournament—featuring the Seattle Sounders and some of the world’s best clubs.
Seattle Storm (WNBA)
📍 Climate Pledge Arena
📅 Now – October 2025
Catch professional women’s basketball at its best with the hometown team in regular-season action.
Seattle Reign (NWSL)
📍 Lumen Field
📅 Now – October 2025
Experience elite women’s soccer as the Reign compete in the National Women’s Soccer League.
🎶 Summer Music Festivals
Capitol Hill Block Party
📍 Capitol Hill Neighborhood
📅 July 18–20, 2025
This three-day, multi-stage music festival blends top-tier indie, electronic, and hip-hop performances with neighborhood vibes and food.
Bumbershoot
📍 Seattle Center
📅 August 30–31, 2025
A beloved tradition returns with a packed lineup of music, visual arts, culinary experiences, and cutting-edge performances.
🖼️ Art, Exhibits & New Attractions
“Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei”
📍 Seattle Art Museum
📅 Now – September 2025
This bold, socially conscious exhibition explores themes of freedom and activism through the lens of one of the world’s most influential contemporary artists.
“Following Space: Thaddeus Mosley & Alexander Calder”
📍 Seattle Art Museum
📅 Now – June 1, 2025
This exhibit pairs Mosley’s monumental wood sculptures with Calder’s iconic mobiles in a striking exploration of space and form.
Ocean Pavilion – Seattle Aquarium Expansion
📍 Seattle Waterfront
📅 Opening 2025 (Exact date TBA)
A stunning new facility featuring sharks, rays, schooling fish, and coral reefs—plus artwork by Lummi Nation artist Dan Friday celebrating Indigenous culture and marine stewardship.
Cannonball Arts
📍 Downtown Seattle (3rd & 4th Avenues)
📅 Opening Spring 2025
This two-block arts venue from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and Bumbershoot producers will showcase cutting-edge performing and contemporary art in an immersive space.
Seattle Waterfront Redevelopment
📍 Seattle Waterfront
📅 Ongoing through 2025
Stroll or bike along the brand-new Overlook Walk, connecting Pike Place Market to the waterfront. Families will love the giant jellyfish playground at Pier 58.
🔮 Fall & Holiday Highlights
Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience
📍 Citywide
📅 October 16–19, 2025
Celebrate Seattle’s legacy as the U.S. capital of studio glass with hands-on demonstrations, art tours, and gallery events across the city.
Seattle Holiday Season
📍 Citywide
📅 November – December 2025
The city transforms with glowing lights, festive markets, themed pop-ups, and seasonal performances to close the year in magical style.
As 2025 unfolds, Seattle continues to shine as a city of innovation, culture, and community connection. With a dynamic blend of new attractions, beloved traditions, and globally recognized events, the Emerald City offers unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveler and local adventurer.
Whether you’re exploring scenic waterfronts, diving into world-class art, or cheering at a historic soccer match, there’s never been a better time to discover what makes Seattle truly exceptional. Let this bucket list guide your journey—and make the most of everything still to come this year.
