Seattle is the emerald city gem of the Pacific Northwest, so named for the lush greenery and verdant forests that snugly surround it all year long. It’s a tech hub of new ideas and urban scenes set within the unrivalled natural beauty of mountain tops, rainforests, meadows and beaches of Washington State. It’s not just the scenery that wows; come for world-class sporting tournaments, vibrant festivals and unique crowd-pleasing events. It’s easy to have fun in Seattle! Take your pick from these city events happening now through fall. 

Sports Galore

Seattle caters to every type of sports fan, and this season is no different! The city’s professional teams are ready to take on their rivals and give you an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the upcoming games you won’t want to miss.

Baseball

Visit Seattle this summer to see baseball’s biggest and best teams at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, the Midsummer Classic returning on July 11, 2023, as well as a full roster of accompanying events. Come to cheer on the home squad, the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, or see how they fare against your favourite team. The season runs through early October, so you have plenty of opportunities to catch a game. If you can’t make it to the All-Stars, then come for the regular season.

Soccer

Come see the beautiful game and cheer on the Seattle Sounders soccer team at Lumen Field with games scheduled through October. Get into the spirit by meeting up with thousands of fans at Occidental Park 90 minutes before kick-off and then march together to the stadium. This has been a Sounders tradition since 2005.

Hockey

This fall, become a KrakHead, the affectionate name given to fans of the Kraken, Seattle’s newest professional sports team. They made their NHL debut on the ice in 2021 and have already qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs—not bad for a rookie team! Depending on the results of each game you may catch them in the Finals. 

Festivals For All

Seattle is hopping throughout the summer and into the fall with festivals to suit all interests including art, music, heritage, films or food. This Pacific Northwest city is a festival hotspot. 

Music

Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix and Pearl Jam all got their start in Seattle. Come here to listen to new musical acts that may just become even bigger than these rock and grunge giants.

From July 21st–23rd The Capitol Hill Block Party features live performances from Denzel Curry, Sofi Tukker and Goth Babe. There will also be a variety of food trucks serving tasty treats. Enter from East Pike Street and 12th Avenue.

Held in early October, both the Earshot Jazz Festival and Freakout Fest bring together a sensory experience featuring music and light shows and some of the most talented bands from around the world. 

In late fall, stay and play during a new music fest dubbed Cloudbreak. Acoustic renditions from some of the best performers will take centre stage across the city’s music venues from November 2nd to 22nd. Downtown hotel bookings even get free admission to the shows!

Arts and Culture

Explore the vibrant arts and cultural scene, from ballet to theatre, galleries to food festivals—the soul of the city is a rhapsodic feeling to behold.

Seattle is revered as the “heart of the U.S. studio glass movement” thanks in part to the city’s unofficial glass daddy, Dale Chihuly. The celebrated artist and Seattle resident sculpts fanciful glass art pieces coveted in worldwide collections.

Admire glass art from over 70 artists at the annual Refract, Seattle's premier glass festival from October 12th to 15th where you can tour artists’ studios and galleries, with the majority of the scheduled events free to attend.

Turn up the volume and attend the city’s homegrown cultural incubator, Bumbershoot, at Seattle Center, September 2nd to 3rd. Now in its fifth decade, the long-lauded music and arts festival is a classic golden mainstay featuring music, comedy, film and dance. It’s sure to be a memorable milestone, celebrating 50 years!

Enjoy traditional and contemporary music, dance, drama and arts to celebrate and recognize American Indian and Alaska Native tribes in the Pacific Northwest at the Indigenous People Festival held on June 10th at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Mural Amphitheatre.

Travel Planner

For flight bookings, see Air Canada aircanada.com/en-ca/flights-to-seattle.

Check the events page on the Visit Seattle website for more information on planning your itinerary at visitseattle.org.

Authentik USA is offering a brand-new 15-day road trip called “Seattle to San Francisco,” which includes accommodations and recommended attractions. 

For full details, visit AuthentikUSA.com/ca-en/roadtrips/roadtrip-pacific-coast-usa