30 Of The Best Things To Do In Seattle This September
Get ready for a fun-packed month in Seattle.
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. See the new Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is coming all the way to Seattle! This September you can get an up-close look at this life-size exhibit of the artist’s masterpieces. Get your ticket for the exhibit here!
2. Explore the Art of Banksy Exhibit
This exhibit is a rare chance to get a close-up look at Banksy’s famous street art, as well as the secretive artist’s life. You can still get tickets here.
3. 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!
4. Experience a thrill at Dinos Alive
You can walk among live-size, moving dinosaurs at this immersive exhibit! Kids will especially love this experience but it’s fun for all ages. Get tickets here!
5. Have some spooky fun at the House of Spirits: Casa Vega
Spooky season is finally back, and you can embrace it at this haunted cocktail soiree that will have live music, drinks, tarot readings, and more. The doors to the haunted mansion open on September 23. Reserve your spot now!
6. Treat your senses to Dining in the Dark
Looking for a unique dining experience for your next date night? There’s nothing like eating while blindfolded to heighten your tastebuds and help the conversation flow freely! Reserve your table here.
7. Feel like an astronaut in The Infinite
The world’s largest virtual reality exhibit, The Infinite was filmed entirely in outer space and lets you feel like you’re there. You get to explore the International Space Station and see stunning views of Earth. The exhibit only runs until September 5, so make sure to get your tickets now.
Hot tip: this exhibit is in nearby Tacoma, so we recommend making a fun-filled day trip or even a weekend adventure out of it. See our guide to visiting Tacoma here.
8. Do yoga inside a Van Gogh painting
If you love art, yoga, or both, this activity is for you! You’ll be guided by an experienced yoga instructor during this class that takes place inside the immersive Van Gogh exhibit. Save your spot for the class here.
9-11. 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
12. 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 from September 1-5 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.
13. 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 round-up for you to check out!
14. 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!
15. 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.
16. 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 the Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival on September 11, the Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias on September 17-18, and the Italian Festival on September 24-25. See more info here.
Want even more cultural festivities? Make sure to check out the Northwest Ukrainian International Festival on September 10 in Bellevue as well!
17. 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!
18. Take the train from Seattle to Vancouver
Interested in taking a trip away from Seattle? Starting this September, you’ll once again be able to take the Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver, B.C. Read all about the Seattle-Vancouver train route before you go!
19. Shop and eat at a neighborhood 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 neighborhood farmers markets in Seattle are seasonal, so check out our guide here.
20. Do a free outdoor movie night
The National Nordic Museum in Ballard is always worth a visit, but if you go on September 22 you’ll be treated to a free outdoor showing of Casablanca. Read all about the movie night here.
21. 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 2nd to the 25th, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to go get some fair food. See all the fair details here.
22. 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 30 and October 1 at Seattle Center. Visit the festival’s website for more details.
23. 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!
24. 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.
25. 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!
26. 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 22 to 25 in-person and September 26 to October 2 online. Visit their website to learn more about this incredible film event.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. 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 8.
30. Celebrate Labor Day at a pop-up oyster bar
Swing by Fair Isle Brewing in Ballard on September 5 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. for oysters and beer! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the end of summer.