Looking for fun things to do in Seattle in July?
Summer is finally in full swing here in Seattle and we are ready to soak up every bit of it! From festive Fourth of July events to laid-back weekend farmers markets, there’s always endless options for things to do in Seattle in July.
The best part is that many of these events are cheap or even free! Make sure to take advantage of all the free events, dance parties, music festivals, outdoor recreation, and delicious food that Seattle has to offer this July.
Here are exciting things you can do in Seattle in July 2025:
1. Free First Thursday at Seattle museums
Many Seattle museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of the month, as well as some other attractions such as the Seattle Japanese Garden. See all of the participating museums and attractions in our guide to Free First Thursday in Seattle.
2. Sip wine at these Seattle art walks
The longest-running art walk in the country is right here in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood on the first Thursday of every month. Several other neighborhoods also host art walks throughout July. See them all (with start times and locations) in our guide to Seattle art walks.
3. Fourth of July fireworks in Seattle
We can’t wait to see the fireworks light up Lake Union on the Fourth of July. They start around 10:00 p.m. and you can find a good view if you show up early to Gas Works Park or Lake Union Park.
To find more firework displays in the area you can use our guide to Seattle Fourth of July fireworks and also be sure to check out our round-up of all the Fourth of July celebrations in Seattle. Plus, many of these are cheap or even free!
📅When: Friday, July 4
📍Where: Lake Union and more
💲Cost: most events are free!
4. Pioneer Square Fest
This block party in Pioneer Square over Fourth of July weekend will have musical acts spread across five stages plus a vendor market on Saturday. On Sunday it will be just the vendor market. The market is free admission but you can buy a wristband on the festival website for access to the live music venues and special discounts and perks from participating businesses.
📅When: Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6
📍Where: Pioneer Square
💲Cost: Free or $30-$100 for a wristband
5. See Concerts Under the Stars
This summer, you can enjoy a free cocktail while listening to talented musicians perform live atop one of Seattle’s most stunning rooftops. How dreamy does that sound? Tickets are still available for two concerts this July:
- Sinatra Under the Stars at the Olympic Rooftop Pavilion
- ABBA Under The Stars at The Olympic Rooftop
- Lavender Haze: The Ultimate Tribute to Taylor Swift
- Amy Winehouse Under The Stars at The Olympic Rooftop Pavilion
6. Check out an exhibition that reimagines war machinery into symbols of peace
From war machines to works of art, Ralph Ziman challenges the world of arms trading and its impact on global conflict, with The MiG-21 Project, showing at The Museum of Flight now. The centerpiece is a striking Cold War-era Soviet MiG-21 fighter jet, transformed with tens of millions of colorful glass beads. But throughout the exhibition you can also check out original artworks, striking Afrofuturistic flight suits crafted by Ziman and his team, large-scale photography, immersive videos, and interactive displays to dive deeper into the story behind the piece. Get your tickets now!
7. Attend a gorgeous Candlelight Concert
Candlelight Concerts take place in Seattle venues that were chosen for their stunning atmosphere, such as the gorgeous Lotte Hotel and The Museum of Flight. Choose your Candlelight Concert experience here or gift the experience to someone with a Candlelight Concert gift card.
📅When: select dates in July
📍Where: various Seattle venues
💲Cost: $40+
8. Catch a free summer concert at the Ballard Locks
A visit to the Ballard Locks is always a fun and interesting summer activity, but their free summer concerts make for an excellent date that won’t cost you a thing. See their July concert schedule here.
📅When: Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
📍Where: Hiram M. Chittenden Locks – Ballard Locks
💲Cost: Free!
9. Enjoy free outdoor movies in Seattle parks
Center City Cinema is screening outdoor movies for free this summer in Seattle parks. Pre-movie activities begin around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. and all of the movies will start around dusk.
📅When: 6:00 p.m. on select dates in July
📍Where: various Seattle city parks
💲Cost: Free!
10. See a concert at the zoo
ZooTunes is back for summer 2025! Most concerts are already sold out, but you can try the official fan ticket exchange on the zoo website.
📅When: select dates in July
📍Where: Woodland Park Zoo
💲Cost: varies
11. Enjoy free summer concerts downtown
The Downtown Summer Sounds free summer concert series kicks off on July 11 with a free concert in Westlake Park at 4:00 pm. Check out the full schedule and lineup here!
📅When: Starts on July 11
📍Where: Westlake Park
💲Cost: Free!
12. Level up your lunch break with downtown food trucks
This July you can swing by Westlake Park downtown for food trucks on most days, plus free games and live music. It’s a great way to break up the day, and it’s so much better than eating lunch at your desk! Check the full schedule here for all the details.
📅When: July 1 – 31
📍Where: Westlake Park
13. Attend a free cultural festival
Seattle Center hosts free cultural festivals every month. You can enjoy food, entertainment, and more while learning about other cultures. The festival lineup for July 2025 is:
- Seattle Polish Festival on July 12
- Seattle Arab Festival from July 19-20
📅When: July 12, 19-20
📍Where: Seattle Center
💲Cost: Free!
14. Go to a free theater festival
This free theater festival will have multiple performances spread out over two days in Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill. Donations are very welcome to help keep theater alive! See more details on the GreenStage website.
📅When: July 12-13
📍Where: Volunteer Park
💲Cost: Free!
15. See Shakespeare in the Park for free
GreenStage is providing free Shakespeare plays in Seattle’s parks this summer. You can see their full performance schedule with plays and locations on the Greenstage website.
📅When: Select dates in July
📍Where: various Seattle parks
💲Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
16. Catch a Mariners game
There’s nothing like catching a baseball game in the summer. Be sure to treat yourself to a Seattle dog (yes, cream cheese and all!). See the Mariners’ full July schedule here.
📅When: select July dates
📍Where: T-Mobile Park
💲Cost: $16+
17. Get swept up at a Sounders match
If you’ve never been to a Sounders match at Lumen Field, be prepared to be swept up in the fans’ excitement. It’s always a blast! Get more information on the Sounders’ upcoming schedule here.
📅When: select dates in July
📍Where: Lumen Field
18. Cheer on the Seattle Reign
The Seattle Reign FC is Seattle’s professional women’s soccer team. Cheer them on at Lumen Field during their exciting home matches this July.
📅When: select dates in July
📍Where: Lumen Field
19. Take a free dance class at Dancing Til Dusk
Dancing Til Dusk is a fun dance series that starts with a free hour-long lesson at 6:00 p.m. No need to bring a partner. See the dates and locations here.
📅When: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on select dates in July
📍Where: Hing Hay Park, Westlake Park, and Freeway Park
💲Cost: Free!
20. Go to a Jungle Party at the zoo
Support Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo at their annual Jungle Party. The lowest-tier ticket will get you entry to the reception which includes beverages, light bites, and guided zoo tours. Get tickets on the Woodland Park Zoo website.
📅When: July 11 at 4:00 pm
📍Where: Woodland Park Zoo
21. Have a blast at the West Seattle Summer Fest
The neighborhood of West Seattle will come alive for their annual summer festival this month. There will be live music, a beer garden, a kids area, shopping, food, and more. See more on the festival website.
📅When: July 11-13
📍Where: West Seattle
💲Cost: Free! (vendor prices vary)
22. Bring your appetite to Ballard SeafoodFest
If you love seafood then you can’t miss this summer festival in Ballard. Read more about it here.
📅When: July 11-13
📍Where: Ballard
💲Cost: Free! (vendor prices vary)
23. Join free outdoor yoga classes at Gas Works Park
Another great option for a free outdoor workout this summer is Yoga in the Park! You don’t have to register: just show up at Gas Works Park every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with your water bottle and yoga mat. All levels of experience are welcome.
📅When: Every Thursday
📍Where: Gas Works Park
💲Cost: Free!
24. Go to an outdoor movie night
You can catch movies every week at Marymoor Park this summer. Read our guide to Movies at Marymoor for more information.
📅When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August
📍Where: Marymoor Park
💲Cost:$10+
25. Enjoy free fun at Summer at SAM
Seattle Art Museum’s summer events at Olympic Sculpture Park are free and open to all ages. Expect free workout classes, food trucks, arts and craft workshops, live concerts, and more. Read all about this year’s Summer at SAM.
📅When: Thursdays and Sundays, July 10 through August 10
📍Where: Olympic Sculpture Park
💲Cost: Free!
26. Be wild at the Wallingford Family Parade
The Wallingford Family Parade is a fun neighborhood event for all. This year’s costume theme is Wild in Wallingford, celebrating Ron Petty’s “Animal Storm” sculpture. The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. See more on the Wallingford website.
📅When: July 12 at 11:00 am
📍Where: Wallingford
💲Cost: Free!
27. Take the ferry to the Vashon Strawberry Festival
This annual festival—featuring music, a parade, and all things strawberry-flavored—is worth the short ferry ride from Seattle. See the festival schedule.
📅When: July 18-20
📍Where: Vashon Island
💲Cost: Free!
28. Celebrate Indigenous culture at a free festival
The annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow returns this July with three days of food, performances, music, and more. See more info on the United Indians website.
📅When: July 18-20
📍Where: Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
💲Cost: Free (donations appreciated!)
29. Take a day trip to the Sequim Lavender Festival
This festival is worth the trip to nearby Sequim: the lavender capital of North America. There will be a street fair, lavender farm tours, live music, and plenty of opportunities to pick your own lavender to bring home. See more info on the Lavender Festival website.
📅When: July 18-20
📍Where: Sequim
💲Cost: Free!
30. Go to a family-friendly art fair on the beach
For a chill day full of art, check out the Alki Art Fair. This free, family-friendly event in West Seattle will have live music, a kids’ zone, and (of course) tons of artist booths for three days. See their website for details.
📅When: July 18-20
📍Where: Alki Beach
💲Cost: Free!
31. Dance at the Capitol Hill Block Party
One of Seattle’s biggest summer events, the Capitol Hill Block Party is back this July for two days of live music and partying. Note that this year is for ages 21+ only. Get more info here.
📅When: July 19-20
📍Where: Capitol Hill
32. Go to the West Seattle Grand Parade
The annual West Seattle Grand Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. on July 19.
📅When: July 19 at 11:00 am
📍Where: West Seattle
💲Cost: Free
33. Dance at BLASTFEST: an Afrobeats Music Festival
This one-day music festival at Seattle Center promises to “go to the moon!” Get all the details here.
📅When: July 19
📍Where: Seattle Center
34. Watch the Chinatown Seafair Parade
This famous annual parade features lion and dragon dances, the Seattle Chinese Girls Drill Team, and many more local community groups from the Greater Seattle area.
📅When: July 20
📍Where: Seattle’s Chinatown-International District
💲Cost: Free
35. Discover a one-of-a-kind artwork at the Seattle Art Fair
Whether you’re an experienced art collector or just interested in casually browsing, this multi-day art event is a must for anyone who loves art and supporting artists. You can get more info at their website.
📅When: July 17-20
📍Where: Lumen Field Event Center
💲Cost: $35+
36. See a free movie under the Space Needle
Experience free movies outdoors at Seattle Center each summer, starting with Ratatouille on July 25. Pack a picnic and bring the whole family! Get moredetails here.
📅When: July 25
📍Where: Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre
💲Cost: Free!
37. Watch the Seafair Torchlight Parade
A Seattle summer tradition since the 1950s, Seafair is a multi-week festival with events running from June to September. The most well-known events are Seafair Summer Fourth—featuring fireworks for the Fourth of July—as well as the Seafair Torchlight Parade, but you can check out the full list of summer events here. Most of the events are free!
📅When: July 26 at 7:30 p..
📍Where: Downtown Seattle – 4th Ave
💲Cost: Free!
38. Shop at a huge craft fair
All ages get free admission to the two-day Urban Craft Uprising Summer Show inside Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park. There will be over 130 makers selling handcrafted jewelry, clothing, art, home goods, and much more. There will also be food trucks. The hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. No dogs permitted.
📅When: July 26 and July 27
📍Where: Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park
💲Cost: Free!
39. Eat and shop at Seattle’s weekend markets
From the year-round Fremont Sunday Market to the summer South Lake Union Saturday Market, there are tons of markets in Seattle to explore every weekend. Some of them are European-style street markets while others are produce-rich farmers markets, such as the popular Ballard Farmers Market on Sundays. All of them boast delicious food and unique goods from local makers.
See our guide to all the Seattle farmers markets and also be sure to check out our Seattle weekend markets roundup that gets updated weekly!
40. Camp out at a summer music festival
In addition to the Capitol Hill Block Party, there’s no shortage of summer music festivals in the Seattle area this year—and there’s something for everyone. See our guide to this summer’s music festivals, several of which are taking place in July.
41. See a summer concert at a winery
Although each night of this summer concert series sells out quickly, you can still get tickets to see bands perform at this nearby winery. See the details on their website.
📅When: select dates in July
📍Where: Chateau Ste. Michelle
💲Cost: $50+
42. Check out a new museum exhibit
Seattle has many incredible museums that you can visit to cool off on a hot day. See our guide to the most exciting exhibitions in Seattle this summer, as well as free museum admission days.
43. Go on a hike—no car needed
If you want to get out and hike this summer but can’t (or don’t want to) drive, you can take advantage of the Trailhead Direct service which will pick you up in Seattle and drop you off at the trailhead. Get more details about the service here.
📅When: weekends and holidays, through September
📍Where: various bus stops in Seattle
💲Cost: $2.75+
44. Participate in the library’s adult summer book bingo
Challenge yourself to complete this summer’s book bingo, presented by the Seattle Public Library. In addition to the satisfaction of completing every square, you’ll also be entered to win prizes. Read more about it on the library’s website.
45. Treat yourself to Seattle’s best ice cream
Looking for a sweet way to cool down this summer? Check out our list of places to get an ice cream sandwich in Seattle and our guide to the best soft serve in Seattle.
46. Enjoy weekend brunch al fresco
The only thing better than Sunday brunch is Sunday brunch outside on a patio when it’s 75 and sunny. We put together a guide to some of the best outdoor brunch spots in Seattle.
47. Spend happy hour on a rooftop bar
Rooftop bar season is in full swing once July arrives! Happy hour on a roof is one of our favorite things to do in Seattle in July. One of our newest favorites is Firn in Pioneer Square (pictured above), but you can check out our full list of rooftop bars in Seattle.
48. Cool off in a pool or at the beach
It doesn’t typically get too hot in Seattle even in the summer, but when it does you’ll be glad to have plenty of options for taking a cool dip. Seattle has several public pools, a few popular beaches including Golden Gardens and Alki Beach, and plenty of lake-side beaches as well. See our guide for where to go swimming in Seattle, which includes lifeguarded spots.
49. Go camping
July is the perfect time to go camping in Seattle and the surrounding areas (yes, you can camp in the city!). For inspiration, you can read our guide to some of the best camping spots in and around Seattle.
49. Spend the weekend at a nearby getaway
There are many stunning destinations nearby that can be experienced in a weekend getaway or even a single day trip from Seattle. Here are some ideas:
- Tacoma day trip
- Easy day trips from Seattle
- Charming small towns near Seattle
- 5 adorable beach towns near Seattle
- Visiting Vashon Island
- Scenic train trips from Seattle
50. Kid-friendly summer activities in Seattle
Looking for things to do with kids in Seattle this summer? We have suggestions for free activities, things to do outside in nature, and indoor activities for rainy or extra-hot days. See our full list of things to do with kids in Seattle.