Congratulations, Seattle! We made it through April showers and it’s finally time for May flowers. With the promise of warmer spring weather comes plenty of fun things to do in Seattle. Make room in your calendar this month for outdoor brunch, rooftop happy hours, flower festivals, flea markets, live shows, and more. Whether you’re a foodie, an art lover, or an adventure-seeker, there’s a Seattle event on this list for everyone—and many of these events are free!
Here are the best things to do this May in Seattle:
1. Take advantage of free museum days in Seattle
When: Thursday, May 1
Where: participating locations
Every month, many of Seattle’s museums and attractions offer a free admission day to all. Most of them are on Free First Thursday, which will be Thursday, May 1st this month. Read more about free museum days in Seattle.
2. Go on a Cinco de Mayo party cruise
When: Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: South Lake Union
Cinco de Mayo takes place on Monday, May 5 but you can celebrate over the weekend on a party cruise with a DJ and margaritas! Waterways Cruises has tickets available now for their two-hour Cinco de Mayo Party Cruise on Saturday, May 3 for ages 21+. Get more info and tickets on the Waterways website.
3. Go to Bubble Planet
All ages can enjoy this newly-opened immersive VR experience in Bellevue that features multiple rooms designed to create a world of bubbles. Get tickets here!
4. Celebrate Star Wars Day at MoPOP
When: Sunday, May 4 from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Museum of Pop Culture
The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) hosts a special Stars Wars event on Sunday, May 4, also known as Star Wars Day. You’ll get to create Star Wars creatures and more (and the event is included with general admission). Get more info on the MoPOP website.
4. Attend one of Seattle’s Candlelight Concerts
Seattle’s stunning Candlelight Concerts make for a romantic date night. Here are the Candlelight Concerts happening in Seattle throughout May:
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More at Sparkman Cellars on May 7
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Museum of Flight on May 15
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele at Museum of Flight on May 22
5. Eat, drink, and dance at Party on the Cut
When: Friday, May 2
Where: NE Corner of Montlake Cut
On Friday, May 2 Windermere Cup weekend will be kicked off by the annual Party on the Cut. There will be food trucks, drinks, live music, and more from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the northeast corner of Montlake Cut. This event is for ages 21+ only.
6. Watch the Opening Day boat parade and crew races
When: Saturday, May 3
Where: Montlake Cut
Every May, Seattle’s boating season is officially opened with activities such as a boat parade and crew races. Head to the shores of the Montlake Cut on Saturday, May 3 to watch the Windermere Cup crew races and the boat parade. This year’s theme is “Back to the ’80s.” See more info and the full events schedule on the Seattle Yacht Club website.
7. Eat delicious food at the UW Night Market
When: Saturday, May 3 from 4:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Where: University of Washington
The UW Night Market is “an annual celebration of Taiwan’s rich culture through delicious food, activities, and entertainment!” Head to the Red Square and the Quad at University of Washington on Saturday, May 3 for this student-run event that has free admission.
8. Send your teen to a party at Seattle Art Museum
When: Friday, May 9 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Seattle Art Museum
Most of the events on this list are for adults, so here’s something fun for the teens in your life! Seattle Art Museum is hosting their annual Teen Night Out on Friday, May 9. This free party is for ages 13-19 and is planned by teens, for teens. This year’s theme is Childhood Whimsy. Get more info on the Seattle Art Museum website.
9. Sip on brews at Seattle Beer Week
When: May 9-17
Where: multiple venues
If you love beer, then don’t miss Seattle Beer Week this May. This annual celebration of local beer is made up of various events and venues across the city.
10. Get flowers for Mom at the Pike Place Market Flower Festival
When: May 10-11
Where: Pike Place Market
The annual Pike Place Market Flower Festival is back on May 10 & 11. You can shop for Mother’s Day flowers and enjoy live music by buskers.
11. Find a treasure at West Seattle Garage Sale Day
When: Saturday, May 10
Where: West Seattle
Every May, West Seattleites participate in a neighborhood-wide garage sale. Some sales are on that day only and some people keep it going all weekend. Last year there were 500 garage sales in total! Read all about this year’s West Seattle Garage Sale Day.
12. Attend a free African festival
Seattle Center presents Spirit of Africa on Saturday, May 10 at the Armory Food & Event Hall. This free festival will have music, food, a marketplace, dance workshops, and more.
13. Go inside the Princess Diana Collection
When: Sunday, May 11
Where: Museum of Pop Culture
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look and hear stories about the pieces in this temporary Princess Diana Collection exhibition at MoPop. It’s included in your museum admission but you must reserve your spot here.
14. Mother’s Day brunch
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 11. Be sure to make a reservation now so you can celebrate Mom this month! See our picks for Mother’s Day Brunch in Seattle.
15. Join the West Seattle Wine Walk
When: Friday, May 16
Where: Downtown West Seattle
If you love wine, you’ll want to join the West Seattle Wine Walk this May 16th. You can enjoy tastings from 25 different wineries, shop for bottles of wine, and take home some swag such as a free tote bag. Get your ticket before the event sells out.
16. See Kendrick Lamar and SZA perform live
When: Saturday, May 17
Where: Lumen Field
Kendrick Lamar will be performing at Lumen Field this May with special guest SZA as part of the Grand National Tour. Read more about Kendrick and SZA coming to Seattle.
17. Go to the Seattle Cabaret Festival
When: May 1-24
Where: Egan’s Ballard Jam House
The Triple Door already hosted opening night in April but you can still treat yourself to some incredible live performances at the annual Seattle Cabaret Festival in Ballard this May. Get tickets and more info on the Seattle Cabaret Festival website.
18. Attend the annual Seattle International Film Festival
When: May 15-25
Where: various venues
The world-famous Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) will have in-person screenings across the city this May. Tickets are available now. Get yours plus additional info on the SIFF website.
19. A free Peony Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden
When: May 17-18
Where: Seattle Chinese Garden
Don’t miss the annual free Peony Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden located in West Seattle. Typically there will be kids’ activities as well as performances and demonstrations.
20. Check out ABBA Under The Stars at The Olympic Rooftop Pavilion
Get ready to channel your inner “Dancing Queen” this May! Taking place at The Olympic Rooftop Pavilion, this ABBA tribute concert will pay homage to some of the pop supergroup’s most iconic hits. Featuring talented musicianship, a full bar, light bites, and stunning skyline views, ABBA Under The Stars is bound to be a blast. Snag tickets here.
21. Celebrate Norwegian Day in Ballard
When: Saturday, May 17 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Starts at NW 62nd St. & 24th Ave. NW
On May 17, you can head to Ballard to partake in the annual 17th of May celebration. This free event celebrating Norwegian culture will have a parade, music, kids activities, and more.
22. Browse the PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day
When: Saturday, May 17
Where: Phinney Center
In case the West Seattle garage sale day wasn’t enough for you, there is another one this month in Phinney Ridge! Get a mobile map and more info on the Phinney Center website.
23. Attend a free Seattle honeybee festival
When: Saturday, May 17
Where: The West Seattle Bee Garden
The West Seattle Bee Festival is a free and family-friendly event in May. It starts with a run at 9:30 a.m. after which there is a vendor fair and kid-friendly activities, ending around 4:00 p.m. Get more details on the West Seattle Bee Garden website.
24. Have a blast at the U District Street Fair
When: May 17-18
Where: University Way
The annual U District Street Fair is back this May for its 54th year. This free two-day fair at University Way will have arts and craft vendors, live music, kids’ zones, a beer garden, and over 40 food trucks and booths. You can take the Link light rail directly to the fair.
25. Enjoy outdoor concerts at a winery
When: May 24-26
Where: The Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
The Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery near Seattle is kicking off their annual summer concerts series this month with Rilo Kiley performing on May 24 and James Taylor on May 25 and 26. You can see the full 2025 Chateau Ste. Michelle Summer Concerts lineup here.
26. Attend the Annual Northwest Folklife Festival
When: May 23-26
Where: Seattle Center
The annual Northwest Folklife Festival is back at Seattle Center this May. This iconic festival will have music, food, dancing, and more. Admission is donation-based. See more info on the NW Folklife website.
27. Go to a Mariners game
It’s baseball season, so make sure you cheer on the Seattle Mariners this month! Also, did you know you can take your dog to a Mariners game? See more info about Bark at the Park. And make sure to check out the best food at T-Mobile Park before you go.
28. Cheer on the Sounders at a soccer match
When: May 3, 24, and 28
Where: Lumen Field
There are three Sounders matches taking place in Lumen Field this May! See the full schedule and buy tickets on the Sounders website.
29. See an exciting Reign match
When: May 2, 11, and 23
Where: Lumen Field
Seattle’s women’s soccer team is also playing three home matches this month. Go cheer for the Seattle Reign at Lumen Field! Schedule and more info here.
30. Support the Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm will be playing several home games at Climate Pledge Arena this May. See the schedule and get tickets on the Storm website.
31. Live music and $2 books at Freeway Park
From noon to 2:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday in May, you can buy books for just $2-$3 in Freeway Park. At that same time, there will be live music provided by buskers. See more on the Freeway Park events page.
32. See a live show
From Disturbed at Climate Pledge on May 5 to Jack White at The Paramount on May 19-20, there is a wide variety of live shows in Seattle this month. See our guide to the best upcoming concerts in Seattle.
33. Shop and eat at Seattle’s weekend markets
Every weekend, there are several markets for you to enjoy throughout Seattle. Read our guide to Seattle’s weekend markets that gets updated every week, as well as our guide to shopping at Seattle farmers markets.
34. Dine al fresco
These 20 Seattle restaurants with a view will let you enjoy the fresh outdoors while dining. We also have a roundup of the best outdoor brunch spots in Seattle.
35. Warm up in these steamy spas and saunas
In case the April chill lingers in May, you can check out our guide to all of Seattle’s best spas, saunas, and hot tubs that you can relax in.
36. Go for a scenic spring hike
Seattleites are absolutely spoiled for scenic parks and trails. Now that the weather is getting nicer, you’ll want to get out there and take advantage of the surrounding beauty. If you’re not sure where to go, you can peruse our list of some of our favorite Washington state parks that are driving distance from Seattle. Or check out our roundup of the best waterfall hikes near Seattle. Make sure to take advantage of all the free entry days in Washinton State and National Parks as well.
37. Get drinks on a rooftop bar
It’s finally rooftop season in Seattle! See our roundup of the best rooftop bars in Seattle.
38. Picnic in a scenic Seattle park
This May, all of Seattle’s parks will be full of people picnicking among the scent of blooming flowers. Check out our guide to the most stunning city parks in Seattle as well as the best picnic spots in Seattle.
39. Embark on a weekend getaway
Seattleites are lucky that they live near so many scenic islands and charming small towns. Check out some of our most popular getaway guides:
- Guide to visiting Vashon Island, a short ferry away from Seattle.
- Guide to visiting Seabrook, a charming coastal town in Washington.
- The cutest beach towns near Seattle.
- Easy day trip destinations near Seattle.
- Charming small towns near Seattle.
40. Go whale-watching
May is the start of whale-watching season in the PNW! See our comprehensive guide to spotting whales and orcas in Seattle.