U.S.

Summer in Seattle: 3 Things to Do

Visit our neighbours in the south for parades, food and booze, American-style

By Lisa Manfield /

Credit: Flickr / Michael Coppola

Whether it’s for Seafair, Bite of Seattle or Bumbershoot, head south for a summer excursion

Find some old Soundgarden tapes and put on your best (worst) flannel. If a stateside escape is on your summer agenda, head south to the cultural hub of Seattle to get your fill of food, festivals and fun.



Credit: Flickr / Martin Fisch

Seafair

When: June 15-August 3
Where: Several locations around Seattle
Cost: Prices vary per event

Seattle’s quintessential summer festival, Seafair features all there is to love about summer in the seaside city.  Take your pick from among the eclectic mix of more than a dozen free events including parades, standup paddleboarding, ship tours, marathons and more throughout this month-long community celebration.



Bite of Seattle

When: July 18-20
Where: Seattle Center
Cost: Free

What’s a meal without a side of entertainment? At Bite of Seattle, you’ll get to eat like
a true Seattleite when 50+ restaurants and 30+ food product companies from the Emerald City converge. Not enough? Entertainment includes nearly 100 live acts across four music stages and a free outdoor showing of the ’80s classic The Goonies, filmed in nearby Astoria, Oregon.



Credit: Fox

Bumbershoot

When: August 30-September 1
Where: Seattle Center
Cost: $186 for a 3-day pass or $112 in advance

More than just another music festival, Bumbershoot is Seattle’s long-running annual showcase of “art in the great northleft.” Go for the headliners (best-selling author Tom Robbins, author and 74-time Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings to name just a few), but stay for the comedy, arts and crafts and kids’ shows at Youngershoot (kids get in free).

But take heed: Bumbershoot was named after the colloquial term for umbrella, and you’ll want to bring yours as outdoor performances will take place rain or shine. 

Also, D’oh-n’t miss out on a live chat with the writers of The Simpsons!