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, weekend markets, restaurant openings, 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:
Barnes & Noble’s downtown Seattle store opens Wednesday, May 6 at 9 a.m. If you’re looking for something to do downtown this spring, Barnes & Noble is reopening a 17,538 sq ft store at 520 Pike St in downtown Seattle, just four blocks from Pike Place Market. The retailer will celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting and a book signing with author Robin Hobb.
Free First Thursday is back on May 7 — many Seattle museums offer free entry. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly outing, Free First Thursday offers free entry to many participating Seattle museums and attractions, though some may require reservations or have restricted hours.
1,200 drones create a 60-minute cosmic adventure over Marymoor Park. For a standout evening event in Seattle this May, check out DroneArt Show: Space Chase, a family-friendly, 60-minute drone spectacle at Marymoor Park Fields featuring 1,200 drones that create ships, wormholes and characters in the night sky. The show runs on May 8, with a 9:15 PM start time — kids under 3 attend free.
Explore free monthly art walks across Seattle neighborhoods this May. For an easy, budget-friendly night out, check out Seattle’s neighborhood art walks. One standout is the long-running Pioneer Square Art Walk on Thursday, May 7, with galleries, vendors, and pop-ups spread throughout the area.
Enjoy a talented string quartet performing beloved romance songs in a candlelit setting. For a memorable night out, Candlelight presents intimate, candlelit string-quartet concerts at stunning Seattle venues performing popular romance songs and film scores throughout May at venues like the National Nordic Museum and the Arctic Club Hotel.
Shop local vendors at the Pioneer Square Sunset Market on May 7. Held in Occidental Square alongside the Pioneer Square Art Walk, the Sunset Market features local vendors selling handcrafted goods, vintage clothing, art, and street food.
Enjoy classic hits with breathtaking city views from the Olympic Rooftop. For a feel-good night out in Seattle this May, Concert Under The Stars brings Motown favorites like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to the Olympic Rooftop Pavilion—pairing skyline views with cocktails and light bites at this 21+ event, with shows in the evening.
The Seattle International Film Festival is back for its 52nd year, bringing a wide-ranging slate of global cinema to multiple venues from May 7 to May 17. This year’s festival will feature 203 films as well as some fun special events. It’s not too late to get festival passes or individual movie tickets.
The annual West Seattle Garage Sale Day is back on Saturday, May 9. Over 500 garage sales will be included on an online map (to be released the week prior), with most starting at around 9:00 a.m.
The annual U District Street Fair returns this Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. This 15-block celebration along University Way NE transforms the heart of the U District into a vibrant hub of arts, food, and music, drawing over 90,000 visitors each year. And it’s free!
The 55th Northwest Folklife Festival returns to Seattle Center this May, running for four days from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25. You can experience more than 4,000 performers across 20+ stages and browse goods from about 200 food and craft vendors. Entry is a suggested donation of $20.
The annual UW Night Market returns on Saturday, May 23 from 4:30 to 10:00 PM at Red Square on the University of Washington campus. This free night market is open for all ages to come and enjoy delicious food, shopping, and entertainment.
Baiana brings Bahian Brazilian flavors to Pike Place Market in May. If you’re looking for a fresh new food stop in May, keep an eye on this upcoming debut: acclaimed chef Emme Ribeiro Collins is opening Baiana, a restaurant bringing authentic Brazilian flavors to Pike Place Market (opening date TBD).
If you’re at one of the 15 Seattle Mariners home game this May, knock twice at the hidden home‑plate door to score a secret specialty cocktail. A small wooden ‘secret cocktail door’ has appeared at select Seattle Mariners home games at T-Mobile Park, where fans who find it can knock twice to receive a rotating specialty cocktail. The 2026 season also brings expanded value-menu items and a new souvenir food container shaped like a WA state ferry!
May is the final full month of operations for beloved Capitol Hill bookstore Ada’s Books. They’ll be closing in early June. Starting in mid-May, Ada’s will have final discounts on all books and merchandise left in the store.
Lake Washington Boulevard will be car-free nearly every weekend this summer. If you’re looking for a classic Seattle outdoor activity in May, Seattle is expanding its Bicycle Weekends program by closing Lake Washington Boulevard between Seward Park and Mount Baker Beach nearly every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The first weekend is May 23–25, 2026, with the boulevard typically closing Friday around 7:00 PM and reopening early Monday morning.
T&T Supermarket is celebrating its annual Mango Festival now through May 28. T&T is the largest Asian grocery chain in Canada, with U.S. locations in Bellevue and Lynnwood. You can visit their bakery to try out over 40 fresh mango desserts.
Yerbana’s beloved Yoga in the Park series is back for its sixth season, bringing 18 weeks of free yoga classes to Seattle’s Gas Works Park. There will also be DJs, raffles and giveaways, and more. It runs from 6-8 pm on Thursdays from May 21 through September 18, with a few evenings taking place at Woodland Park instead.
Wild Waves is set to open for its last-ever season on May 23. The Federal Way park—long known as the region’s only full-scale theme and water park—will operate through November 1, 2026 before closing permanently due to rising operating costs. So if you want to say goodbye or check it out for the first time, this is your chance.
Explore Seattle’s weekend markets, from Ballard Farmers Market to Fremont Sunday Market. If you’re looking for an easy, anytime addition to your weekend plans this May, Seattle hosts several year-round weekend markets such as the Ballard Farmers Market and the Fremont Sunday Market; see our guide for schedules and details.
