Food & Drink

Free Things to Do in Seattle This Summer: The Mega List

Budget-saving activities to do around the city

By Kasee Bailey June 20, 2016

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An exciting summer doesn’t have to involve breaking the bank. Whether you’re pinching pennies or just looking for low-key activities, we have your ultimate guide to free events this summer, a mega-list chock-full of music, food, art and movie events to keep you busy—and within budget.

Free Museum Days

Frye Art Museum – Daily; Hours are Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Thursday 11-7 p.m., closed Mondays.
Bellevue Arts Museum – First Fridays, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Imagine Children’s Museum – Third  Friday of every month, June 17-September 16, from 5:30-9 p.m.; half-price admission every Thursday 3-5 p.m. 
Museum of Flight – First Thursday of every month from 5-9 p.m.
Seattle Art Museum – SAM collections and installations are free first Thursdays of every month, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Special exhibitions are half-price admission. For seniors, first Fridays are free.
Seattle Asian Art Museum – First Thursdays, free to all; First Fridays, free to seniors (62+); First Saturdays, free to families; second Thursdays 5-9 p.m.
Wing Luke Asian Museum – First Thursday of every month, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Northwest African American Museum – First Thursday of every month, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Nordic Heritage Museum – first Thursday of every month, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Museum of History & Industry – First Thursday of the month, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Music & Dance:

Out to Lunch Concert Series – Ditch your desk and spend your lunch hour with outdoor tunes. July 7–September 2 from 12–1:30 p.m. See the schedule for details.
Dancing ‘Til Dusk Series – Dance through 14 summer evenings of free music and dancing in downtown Seattle parks, featuring local live music and dance lessons. Located in downtown Seattle parks. See the schedule for times and locations. 
Music Under the Stars – Stargazing to music. Bring a picnic and lounge on the lawn while enjoying a live audio broadcast of each of the Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Summer Festival concerts, provided directly to neighborhood parks by KING-FM. Each evening begins at 7:15pm (7:00pm at Freeway Park) with live chamber music performed by an outstanding student ensemble, and continues at 8:00pm with KING-FMs live broadcast from Benaroya Hall. List of parks can be viewed on the schedule.
Freeway Park’s Blues and Cool Jazz Festival – Free blues and cool jazz music, Sundays 2-4 p.m. at Freeway Park. See the scheduled lineup for 2016 on their events page.
Chamber Music In the Park – Enjoy music on the lawn at Volunteer Park. Concert features two iconic string octets of composers Felix Mendelssohn and Dmitri Shostakovich performed by Summer Festival musicians. Wednesday, July 27, 7 p.m. Pre-concert family activities begin at 5:30 p.m.
Concert at the Columns: Random Acts of Music – Mini concerts from local musicians, Fridays July 8 through Sept 16, 6-9 p.m. at Plymouth Pillars Park, Boren Ave. and Pike St. 
Belltown Beats – Enjoy evening performances by local musicians. 3rd and Bell Street, Fridays June 10 through August 26 from 6:30-7:30 pm.
Music at Occidental Square & Westlake Park – Free musical performances in the city, see schedule for lineup and times. 

Arts, Crafts & Pets:

Art Walk in Pioneer Square – Meander through historic Pioneer Square as leading art galleries open their doors to showcase new exhibits and artists. First Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m., Occidental Ave. S & S. Washington, Pioneer Square. 
Georgetown Art Attack – A summer night featuring visual and performing arts that celebrates the creative diversity of Georgetown. Features dining, shopping, galleries, nightclubs, music and more at more than 40 locations. A free Art Ride shuttle takes guests to west end locations such as Equinox Studios, studio e, and SANCA. July 9 from 6-9 p.m.; for Art Attack locations, see map.
My Favorite Things: Highly Opinionated Tour – Part of the Summer at SAM kick-off, the My Favorite Things tours bring artists, cultural producers and community figures together into the park to discuss their favorite works of art. July 7, 7 p.m. at Olympic Sculpture Park. See more Summer at SAM Thursday events, including Dog Night, Bike Night, musical performances, and arts activities on their schedule. See Summer at SAM Saturday events, including Family Field Day, tours, and fitness classes on their events page.
Doggy Days in the Park – Come with your canine to play and participate in dog-centric activities including dog agility courses, licensing, dog training demonstrations and more at Bell Street Park. Saturdays, June 25 through July 23, 3-6 p.m., 3rd and Bell Street.
Belltown Artwalk – 2nd Fridays, June 10 through August 26, 2016, 6-9 p.m. Bell Street Park, 3rd and Bell Street.
Artist Workshops in the Park -Interact with and observe artists as they create their masterpieces or join in on your own art making, Fridays June 10 through August 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Bell Street Park, 3rd and Bell Street.
Community Kite Painting – Paint a kite for inclusion in Freeway Park’s third annual art-kite installation. Thursdays June 2 through July 28, 12-2 p.m. Freeway Park, 7th and Seneca.
Children’s Summer Arts Program – Youth (ages 12 and younger) join community center staff at the park every Tuesday to create their own art. Tuesdays, July 5 through August 23, 1-3 p.m. International Children’s Park, 700 S Lane Street.

Home & Garden

Seattle Tilth Urban Gardening Classes – Cultivate your green thumb with free classes about summer gardening, water conservation and composting. View schedule of classes on their website.

Free Outdoor Movie Screenings:

Three Dollar Bill Cinema – Every Friday in Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave & Denny Way) this month. Concessions and DJ start at 6:30 p.m., pre-show activities at 8:30 p.m., film starts at 8:45 p.m. Upcoming screenings TBD.
West Seattle Outdoor Movies – Every Saturday at 4410 California Ave SW by the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (excluding the screening of Princess Bride, which will be shown at the West Seattle YMCA festival street location). Features pre-show entertainment, raffles and concessions.  All proceeds go to West Seattle charities. Movies start at dusk. Upcoming screenings include:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – July 16
Monty Python – July 23
School of Rock – July 30
Skyfall – August 6
The Lego Movie – August 13
The Princess Bride – August 20
Bellevue Summer Outdoor Movies – Thursdays in August at Crossroads Park (16000 NE 10th Street) this month. Free activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Upcoming screenings include:
Inside Out – August 4
Minions – August 11
Good Dinosaur – August 18
Pan – August 25
America’s Car Museum Drive-In Movie Series – Watch movies in your car…at a car museum. Select Saturdays throughout the summer at America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, 2702 East D. Street. Movies begin around 9 p.m. Upcoming screenings include:
E.T. – June 25
Frozen – July 16
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – August 6
-TBD – August 27
Movies at the Marina – Select Fridays in August. Movies begin around 9 p.m. (dusk). First come, first served seating at Shilsole Bay Marina, Central Park, 7001 Seaview Ave NW #100. Upcoming screenings include:
The Lego Movie – August 5
Pan – August 12
Movie Screenings by Seattle Public Library – Various branches of the Seattle Public Library are hosting movie screenings throughout the summer. Visit the wesbite for screenings and branch information. Some upcoming screenings include:
Big Hero 6 – June 30 at the Beacon Hill branch
The Good Dinosaur – July 11 at the Beacon Hill branch
Zootopia – July 29 at the Beacon Hill Branch

Food & Drink

Buzzing Blueberries – Learn about how these gorgeous berries grow and then head to the farm stands to pick them yourself. Free, but registration required. Friday, July 29 and August 12, 10-11 a.m. at Lake Hills Greenbelt Ranger Station in Bellevue (15416 SE 16th St.) 
Tea Tastings at Vital Tea Leaf – Learn all about the art of brewing tea and sample from a large selection of imported teas, 1401 1st Ave.
Chateu Ste. Michelle Wine Tasting and Tour – The award-winning winery offers free guided tours and tastings daily from 10:30-4:30 p.m. 14111 NE 145th St., Woodinville. No appointment required. For groups of 10 or larger, please call 425.415.3633.
Seattle Street Food Festival & Night Market – Explore more than 100 local food purveyors at this alfresco-style food experience presented by Amazon. Free admission. August 20-21 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. in South Lake Union at 101 Westlake Ave N.
Seattle Tilth Harvest Fair – Celebrate the summer harvest by attending a fun, lively, hands-on community festival with workshops, cooking demonstrations and fun urban farm activities for all ages. Eat tasty food and enjoy live music with friends and family; event includes cider pressing, herb crown-making, urban farm animals and a parade. August 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Meridian Park, 4850 Meridian Ave. N.
Pike Place Walking Tour – Play tourist and experience the vibrance of the oldest running farmer’s market in the U.S. Features an hour-long tour with food samples, guided history and vendor interaction. Tours run daily, check the calendar for dates and times. Registration required; tours do not operate in severe weather.

Fitness:

Yoga with SAM – Perfect your namaste with free outdoor yoga from 8 Limbs Yoga as part of Seattle Art Museum’s Summer at SAM. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Saturdays beginning July 9 through August 27, 9-10 a.m. (all levels), and 10:30-11:30 a.m. (level one) at Olympic Sculpture Park. 2901 Western Ave. 
Zumba with SAM – Groove to Latin fusion beats and break a sweat among impressive art. Water bottle and tennis shoes recommended. Saturdays beginning July 9 through August 27, 2-3 p.m. at Olympic Sculpture Park. 2901 Western Ave.
Zumba at Seattle Center – Dance and have fun with zumba instructor Bonnie Wang at Next 50 Plaza, Seattle Center, Tuesdays 6-7 p.m. through August 23. 
Yoga at Seattle Center – Stretch and perfect your downward dog with yoga instructor Terri Dyer at Exhibition Hall Lawn, North of the International Fountain, Seattle Center Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 p.m. through August 24.
Community Rooftop Yoga with Tapah Yoga – Instructors Mary Rodgers & Beth Goldfinger offer free classes on Sundays from 8-9 a.m. July through August. Spots are limited, so register and reserve a mat online. Look for the Tapah Yoga sandwich board. The gate to rooftop will be open from 7:45-8am.
Movin’ Mondays in Occidental Square – Beat the after-work traffic and work up a sweat. On Mondays through August 29, the Downtown Seattle YMCA is hosting free, high-energy fitness sessions in the park from 5:30-6:30 p.m. No class July 4.
Movin’ Mondays in Westlake ParkZum Fitness will lead an energetic and engaging fitness class in the packed park on Mondays from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Yoga in the ParkHot Feet Fitness is leading free yoga sessions every other Thursday in Westlake Park starting June 9 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Take this opportunity to become one with yourself and work out before heading home for the evening.
Yoga in the Park – Rainier Beach Yoga, Kanjin Yoga, Tiger Lily Yoga and Rebekah Jurgensen Yoga are partnering to provide free Yoga in the Park every Sunday through August. First Sundays will be at Martha Washington Park from 10-11 a.m. (June 5, July 3 and August 7); Second Sundays are at Rainier Playfield from 2-3 p.m. (July 10 and August 14); Third Sundays at Seward Park Tennis Courts from 10-11 a.m. (June 19, July 17 and August 21); Last Sundays at Beer Sheva Park from 10-11 a.m. (June 26, July 31 and August 28).
Zumba/Dance-Off at Freeway Park: Free fitness classes taught by the Washington Athletic Club, Mondays July 18-August 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Yoga / Sunshine Reach + Stretch at Freeway Park: Free Fitness Classes in Freeway Park taught by the Washington Athletic Club, Wednesdays July 20-August 10; located on the upper plaza on the lawn adjacent to Washington State Convention Center from 12-1 p.m.

Arts, Crafts & Pets:

Art Walk in Pioneer Square – Meander through historic Pioneer Square as leading art galleries open their doors to showcase new exhibits and artists. First Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m., Occidental Ave. S & S. Washington, Pioneer Square. 
Georgetown Art Attack – A summer night featuring visual and performing arts that celebrates the creative diversity of Georgetown. Features dining, shopping, galleries, nightclubs, music and more at more than 40 locations. A free Art Ride shuttle takes guests to west end locations such as Equinox Studios, studio e, and SANCA. July 9 from 6-9 p.m.; for Art Attack locations, see map.
My Favorite Things: Highly Opinionated Tour – Part of the Summer at SAM kick-off, the My Favorite Things tours bring artists, cultural producers and community figures together into the park to discuss their favorite works of art. July 7, 7 p.m. at Olympic Sculpture Park. See more Summer at SAM Thursday events, including Dog Night, Bike Night, musical performances, and arts activities on their schedule. See Summer at SAM Saturday events, including Family Field Day, tours, and fitness classes on their events page.
Doggy Days in the Park – Come with your canine to play and participate in dog-centric activities including dog agility courses, licensing, dog training demonstrations and more at Bell Street Park. Saturdays, June 25 through July 23, 3-6 p.m., 3rd and Bell Street.
Belltown Artwalk – 2nd Fridays, June 10 through August 26, 2016, 6-9 p.m. Bell Street Park, 3rd and Bell Street.
Artist Workshops in the Park -Interact with and observe artists as they create their masterpieces or join in on your own art making, Fridays June 10 through August 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Bell Street Park, 3rd and Bell Street.
Community Kite Painting – Paint a kite for inclusion in Freeway Park’s third annual art-kite installation. Thursdays June 2 through July 28, 12-2 p.m. Freeway Park, 7th and Seneca.
Children’s Summer Arts Program – Youth (ages 12 and younger) join community center staff at the park every Tuesday to create their own art. Tuesdays, July 5 through August 23, 1-3 p.m. International Children’s Park, 700 S Lane Street.

Home & Garden

Seattle Tilth Urban Gardening Classes – Cultivate your green thumb with free classes about summer gardening, water conservation and composting. View schedule of classes on their website.

Free Outdoor Movie Screenings:

Three Dollar Bill Cinema – Every Friday in Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave & Denny Way) this month. Concessions and DJ start at 6:30 p.m., pre-show activities at 8:30 p.m., film starts at 8:45 p.m. Upcoming screenings TBD.
West Seattle Outdoor Movies – Every Saturday at 4410 California Ave SW by the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (excluding the screening of Princess Bride, which will be shown at the West Seattle YMCA festival street location). Features pre-show entertainment, raffles and concessions.  All proceeds go to West Seattle charities. Movies start at dusk. Upcoming screenings include: 
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – July 16
Monty Python – July 23
School of Rock – July 30
Skyfall – August 6
The Lego Movie – August 13
The Princess Bride – August 20
Bellevue Summer Outdoor Movies – Thursdays in August at Crossroads Park (16000 NE 10th Street) this month. Free activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Upcoming screenings include: 
Inside Out – August 4
Minions – August 11
Good Dinosaur – August 18
Pan – August 25
America’s Car Museum Drive-In Movie Series – Watch movies in your car…at a car museum. Select Saturdays throughout the summer at America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, 2702 East D. Street. Movies begin around 9 p.m. Upcoming screenings include: 
E.T. – June 25
Frozen – July 16
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – August 6
-TBD – August 27
Movies at the Marina – Select Fridays in August. Movies begin around 9 p.m. (dusk). First come, first served seating at Shilsole Bay Marina, Central Park, 7001 Seaview Ave NW #100. Upcoming screenings include: 
The Lego Movie – August 5
Pan – August 12
Movie Screenings by Seattle Public Library – Various branches of the Seattle Public Library are hosting movie screenings throughout the summer. Visit the wesbite for screenings and branch information. Some upcoming screenings include:
Big Hero 6 – June 30 at the Beacon Hill branch
The Good Dinosaur – July 11 at the Beacon Hill branch
Zootopia – July 29 at the Beacon Hill Branch

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