Some incredible activities are happening this September in Seattle!
As we prepare to say goodbye to summer in Seattle, our thoughts start to turn towards cooler weather, hot drinks, delicious meals, spooky fun, and cozy indoor activities. Seattle has all of that and more happening this September. Get ready to have some fun this month, and don’t miss these incredible events around town!
Here are the top 30 things to do in Seattle in September:
1. Go to a Waterfront Block Party
Head to the Seattle waterfront on Friday, September 1st for free family-friendly fun. There will be live music, dancing, food, and more from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. all along Waterfront Park.
2. Experience Bumbershoot
We’re so excited to have Bumbershoot back for 2023. It takes place on September 2nd and 3rd at Seattle Center: two full days of live music, art, food, and culture. Get tickets and more info on the Bumbershoot website.
3. Venture to the Wizarding World
Get ready for a magical Harry Potter experience coming to Seattle this November! Embark on a 13,000-square-foot journey to Hogwarts just like Harry, starting at the Dursley residence at 4 Privet Drive, and of course, stepping into the Great Hall at the iconic School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Created by Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and Original X Productions, this one-of-a-kind experience is only in town for a limited time. Start planning your adventure; tickets are available now!
4. Step into Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step into a famous painting? Now you can find out at this immersive exhibit that offers a unique way to experience the art and life of Van Gogh. Save your spot for September here!
5. See Beyoncé perform at Lumen Field
We hope you got your tickets because September 14 is going to be a night to remember! Read more about Beyoncé in Seattle.
6. Soak up the romance of a Candlelight Concert
Candlelight Concerts take place in stunning Seattle venues, where you get to hear string music tributes by talented musicians while candles flicker all around you. Here are just a few of the Candlelight Concerts happening this September in Seattle:
- The Best of Joe Hisaishi at The Museum of Flight
- A Tribute to Taylor Swift at the Lotte Hotel
- A Tribute to Adele at Sparkman Cellars
7. Enjoy a fun day at the Evergreen State Fair
This incredible fair in Monroe, WA attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. This year runs September 1-4 and promises live concerts, equestrian shows, fireworks, monster trucks, a fun carnival, food contests, shopping, and food vendors that will make your visit worth your while.
8. Celebrate Oktoberfest with friends
This beer festival is back for new editions all over town. Enjoy tall beers, savor delicious brats, listen to live music, and spend a true German day alongside friends. These celebrations are happening all around Seattle, and if you want to visit some of them, we have a full Oktoberfest round-up for you to check out!
9. Cheer on the Sounders at an exciting match
The Seattle Sounders are playing a home game at Lumen Field this month against Portland! Get tickets ASAP for the September 2nd match because it’s sure to be a riveting one.
10. Take advantage of free museum days
Every month a wide variety of Seattle museums offer free admission on specific days. Check out the free museum days in Seattle for September and make your plans now!
11. Say goodbye to summer at a sunflower festival
Celebrate the end of summer at an amazing sunflower field. Seattle has many options for you, so make sure to read our full article about these beautiful festivals, and choose the best one for you!
12. Enjoy the return of football
Pumped for football season? The Seattle Seahawks will be playing at Lumen Field on September 10 and September 24.
13. Have some free fun with the Seattle Aquarium on the waterfront
Looking for some budget-friendly fun for the whole family? The Seattle Aquarium offers several free activity days this September at Pier 62. See the dates and planned activities on the aquarium website.
14. Attend a free cultural festival at Seattle Center
Seattle Center hosts Festál year-round, with free cultural festivals happening every month. This September you can enjoy food, music, and cultural activities at these free festivals:
- Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival on September 10
- Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias on September 16-17
- The Italian Festival on September 23-24
Want even more cultural festivities? Make sure to check out the Northwest Ukrainian International Festival on September 10 in Bellevue as well!
15. Soak up the last of baseball season
There’s still time to catch a baseball game in Seattle! (And enjoy the amazing food at T-Mobile Park.) The Mariners will be playing home games on the following dates:
- September 11-13
- September 15-17
- September 25-27
- September 28-October 1
16. Spend a day at a U-pick apple orchard
September is a great month to go apple-picking. Not sure where to go? Check out our guide to the best U-pick apple orchards around Seattle!
17. Celebrate R-Day in Georgetown
Whether or not you enjoy crushing Rainiers, the annual R-Day festival in Georgetown is not to be missed. This year it’s being held on September 16. There will be live music, wild Rainiers, and of course plenty of beer.
18. Take the train from Seattle to Vancouver
Interested in taking a trip away from Seattle? You can take the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. Read all about the Seattle-Vancouver train route before you go!
19. Get spooked at Seattle’s haunted morgue
Excited for Halloween already? You can get an early start on your scares at the Georgetown Morgue in Seattle, which was ranked as the 11th scariest haunted house experience in the country. It opens for the 2023 season on September 22.
20. Shop and eat at a Seattle farmers market
Seattle is full of farmers markets (and we’re not just talking about Pike Place Market, although that’s always worth a visit too). You’ll be able to stock up on all of the seasonal produce this month as well as enjoy all sorts of goodies from local vendors and artists. Some of the markets are seasonal, so check out our Seattle farmers market guide.
21. Or hit up a neighborhood weekend market
Every weekend in Seattle is packed with weekend markets at various neighborhoods. You can shop for produce, vintage clothing, home decor, art, hot food, and more. Check out our guide to Seattle’s weekend markets, which gets updated every week.
22. Go to the Washington State Fair
The Washington State Fair is a can’t-miss event in September—it’s one of the biggest fairs in the world! This year it takes place from September 1 to the 24th, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to go get some fair food. See all the fair details here.
23. Attend the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
If you need to sip a pumpkin beer to feel like fall is finally here, then this festival is for you. It takes place on September 29-30 at Seattle Center. Visit the festival’s website for more details.
24. Enjoy a sweet treat in a delicious Seattle bakery
Something about the arrival of fall makes us crave dessert. Satisfy any craving at one of these incredible bakeries around Seattle. Try out a classic cinnamon bun, a slice of pie, or even a vegan treat. The choice is yours!
25. Celebrate the start of fall at a pumpkin patch farm
Fall is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than visiting an incredible pumpkin patch. Enjoy a sweet variety of pumpkins, visit the beautiful barns, get lost in a corn maze, and snap beautiful photos for the ‘gram.
26. Enjoy a happy hour with friends
Enjoy top-notch cocktails, fine beers, wine pours, and a great selection of plates and munchies perfectly sharable with friends! Our round-up includes some of the best happy hours in town, so check them all out!
27. Go to the Port Townsend Film Festival
Once again the Port Townsend Film Festival welcomes all Seattleites to come enjoy viewings of feature-length and short films from around the world. The festival runs from September 21 to 25. Visit their website to learn more about this incredible film event.
28. Take a whale-watching tour
September is one of the ideal months to explore the Salish Sea and watch Orca whales, Humpbacks, Gray and Minke whales breach, splash, feed, and play in their natural habitat. Take a half-day or a full-day tour directly from Pier 69, and revel in the beauty of the scenery, and the majestic presence of these incredible sea creatures. See our guide to whale-watching around Seattle here.
29. Visit Whidbey Island for a Shakespeare festival
If you haven’t visited nearby Whidbey Island, September is the perfect time to go. In addition to all of the amazing food, wine, and shopping you can enjoy there, the Island Shakespeare Festival is performing “pay what you will” plays through September 11. See the performance calendar here.
30. Join a free yoga class in Gas Works Park
Make sure to take advantage of the remaining summer weather by getting outside! This yoga class in Gas Works Park is free and open to all levels of experience. It takes place every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. through September 21.