Pacific Northwest Ballet brings In The Upper Room back to McCaw Hall.
Image: Courtesy Angela Sterling/PNB
Jump to Your Genre:Food and Drink / Visual Arts / Live Music Performance / Film / Special Events / Readings and Lectures / On Sale Now
Seattleites are spoiled for choice when it comes to spending our leisure time. Just take a look at the sheer variety of options: We he an exceptional array of museums, independent bookstores, restaurants, bars (and bar trivia), record stores, nightlife options, local shops, and a rich music landscape.
And the actual landscape? Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, especially if you subscribe to the “no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing” mindset (if you don’t, are you really from Seattle?). From abundant hikes, swimming holes, state parks, and campgrounds just beyond city limits to a voluminous urban trail system, there’s something for the outdoorsperson of every skill and stoke level. Those with little ones (human or furred) can rejoice at a bevy of great playgrounds, spray parks, and zoos.
But if you just want a guide already, we've got plenty for food, outdoors, shopping, and entertainment. Plus, a shortlist of what to do in Washington this month. Or find below the best things to do in Seattle, updated weekly.
Food and Drink
Seattle Restaurant Week's prix fixe menus are back.
Image: Courtesy DeLille Cellars/Seattle Restaurant Week
Seattle Restaurant Weekthrough november 8, various | various, $20–65
Dinner plans gone stale? The annual Seattle Restaurant Week is back with prix fixe menus across the city, like a two-week tasting menu sprint. Restaurants aren't the only ones in on the exploratory fun: bars, food trucks, and pop-ups (like Vietnamese-American cookies from Anh Oi Bake Shop) all curate special menus for the occasion.
Supper Club: We're Hing an Old Friend for Dinneroctober 31, 6pm | mopop, $130
Superfans are called to supper at MOPOP's newest dinner series, each meal themed to a different fandom. Next up: a delightfully creepy Silence of the Lambs-inspired meal that's more psychological thriller than dinner party; expect a chilling feast with passed horror artifacts and blood orange panna cotta. Fall Harvest Chef Demo and Dinnernovember 1, 6–9pm | chateau ste michelle, $150
Chef Meghan Morrill, the 118-acre Woodinville estate's executive chef, will act both as instructor and creative mastermind behind a seasonal meal. The family-style dinner wouldn't be complete without the locale's requisite wine; an expert educator will pair glasses and provide insights into the pours.
POUR 2025november 7, 6–9pm | Club sur, $35–45
Over 20 local wineries under one roof, a live DJ, and cuban food...yup, it's the eighth annual Seattle Urban Wineries grand tasting event. Come ready to cosplay as a sommelier or pick up some new ferments ahead of the holidays. Visual Arts The MiG-21 Projectthrough january 26, 10am–5pm | the museum of flight, $29
The Museum of Flight houses more than history this season: South African artist Ralph Ziman transformed a Cold War-era MiG-21 fighter jet from a relic of violence into a work of art. The entire craft now wears a mosaic-like cloak made from thousands of glass beads. Alongside the seminal work, colorfully beaded Afrofuturistic flight suits spark curiosity about how creative and design-forward space trel could be, and interactive stations allow visitors to create their own digital flying works of art.
Light bends at Anila Quayyum Agha's new exhibit.
Image: Courtesy Steve Watson/Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Anila Quayyum Agha: Geometry of Lightthrough april 19, various | seattle asian art museum
Go ahead, interact with the art in Anila Quayyum Agha's new exhibition at the Volunteer Park museum, the first solo show from a Pakistani American artist in SAM’s 90-years. Laser-cut steel cubes suspend from the ceiling, lit by a halogen bulb that paints the room—and visitors—with intricate shadows that illuminate the light and dark of life.
Priscilla Dobler Dzul: Water Carries the Stories of Our Starsthrough april 19, various | frye art museum, free
Blending her heritage and experiences living in Tacoma and Yucatán, Mexico, artist Priscilla Dobler Dzul's museum debut features sculpture, textile, and video work that center climate injustice. Water—from Mexican cenotes to Washington wetlands—takes center stage in her work; on October 26, she'll visit the Frye for a weing demonstration and panel discussion.
Live Music BOO Seattleoctober 31–November 1, 5pm–1:30am | wamu theater, $163.99–376.99
The spirit of Darcy haunts three stages across WAMU theater; her wandering soul inspiring dozens of musical acts and a haunted fun house. Come dressed for the season and ready to party. Audioasis Livenovember 1, 5pm | kexp gathering space, $17–20
The Saturday evening KEXP show goes live in the public radio station's gathering space, celebrating PNW bands with a night helmed by DJ Kennady. Portland's indie rock outfit Quasi will perform a live set and music lovers will mingle inside a Seattle institution.
Cloudbreak Music Festivalnovember 6–26, various | various, various
Less a centralized festival and more of an exploration-focused primer in Seattle's music scene, the annual Cloudbreak Music Festival brings nearly a month-long slate of shows to 35 venues. From dinner shows at The Triple Door to a Tomo Nakayama album release at the Fremont Abbey, think of it a scenger hunt with no wrong answers.
Freakout Festivalnovember 6–9, various | various, $98.88–227.63
Community-oriented music collective Freakout produces a weekend full of discovery in Fremont and Ballard. Some artists are local—Weep We and La Mala Noche, for two—while others hail from Victoria, Los Angeles, Anchorage, and beyond.
Performance Fancy Dancerthrough november 2, various | leo k. Theater, $52–89
Like an on-stage autobiography, renowned writer Larissa FastHorse (who also stars in the show on select dates) channels her own coming-of-age story into an emotional family-friendly solo show filled with humor and resilience. Half Lakota and half white, protagonist Lara finds her way in a complex world through dance—if she can make it. Stage of Foolsthrough november 2, various | seattle public theater, $10–100
Values and patience levels are tested in Seattle Public Theater's world premiere show Stage of Fools when a pretentious, egotistical movie actor approaches a broke feminist theater company with an offer they can't refuse—but should they?
Chicagothrough november 2, various | the 5th enue theatre, $85.60–121.60
The Broadway musical's revival started in 1996 and hasn't stopped running since; vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart just keep dancing. The notorious murderesses bring their sultry jazz to Seattle on a nationwide tour.
In The Upper Roomnovember 7–16, various | mccaw hall, $36–248
A style-blending ballet, In The Upper Room melds classical and modern dance into a transfixing performance. Preceding the classic are two Pacific Northwest Ballet originals, AfterTime and The Window. Still not enough ballet? An hour before each show, dance experts converge in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall for a behind-the-scenes talk.
FILM Good Fortunethrough october 30, various | majestic bay theater, $6–16
Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation's Tom) directs and stars in a new comedy opposite Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves. Like It's a Wonderful Life gone wrong, a guardian angel fumbles around in the lives of a struggling gig worker and his wealthy venture capitalist boss, creating a strange, supernatural comedy.
If I Had Legs I'd Kick Youthrough november 6, various | siff cinema uptown, $15–18
From A24 and writer-director Mary Bronstein comes a claustrophobic portrait of Linda (Rose Byrne), a ill-supported mother nigating her daughter's mysterious illness, an absent husband, and life's mounting stressors.
Romanian Film Festival Seattlenovember 7–9, various | siff uptown, $17–100
Nine Romanian and Moldovan films comprise the annual film fest at SIFF's uptown outpost. Special guests—producer and documentary director Tudor Giurgiu, director Natalia Shaufert, and cinematographer Boroka Biro join showings to lend behind-the-scenes inspirations and stories.
SPECIAL EVENTS Forest of Shadowsthrough NOVember 2, various | seattle chinese garden, $27–36
If costumed actors groping through the dark aren’t quite your Halloween haunted house vibe, the light show at the Seattle Chinese Garden just might fit the bill with a touch of spooky season thrill. Illusions, shadows, echos, and fog create mystery during a one-hour stroll through the garden’s shadows. For other haunted happenings—with more sinister spooks—check out our full guide.
After Hours: Halloweenoctober 30, 7–10pm | seattle aquarium, $52
Touch tanks and ghost stories collide at the Seattle Aquarium's adults-only bash. From a costume contest to aura readers, the haunts aren't just underwater: a DJ spins beats, a professional pumpkin carver shows off skills, and fortune tellers look into each soul's future. Día de Muertos Festivalnovember 1–2, various | seattle center, free
Honoring departed relatives, the annual festival brings the Mexican tradition to the Seattle Center with ofrendas, music, dance, and food. Interactive workshops allow visitors to learn and take part in block printing, crafting sugar skulls and paper marigolds, and fashioning creative masks.
Fall Foliage Festival and Plant Salenovember 8–9, 10am–4pm | Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, free
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden may be at its biggest bloom in summer, but in fall it hosts a free celebration of more subtle hues. Tour guides share a peek at the grounds and plant vendors sell take-home greenery. Kids get a scenger hunt among the season's final colors.
READINGS AND LECTUREs Seattle Met Book Club: Moira MacdonaldOctober 29, 6pm | Barnes and Noble University District, free
What if you tried to You've Got Mail someone...and it all went really wrong? Seattle Times arts critic Moira Macdonald celebrates Seattle, bookstores, and found family in her first book, Storybook Ending. At the store formerly known as the University Bookstore, Seattle Met editor in chief Eric Nusbaum will chat with Macdonald in a free event.
Short Run Comix Festivalnovember 1, 11am–6pm | seattle design center, free
Hundreds of comic artists gather in Georgetown for the 13th iteration of a design-forward, DIY fest to vend their books, funky little stickers, and all the artsy accoutrements. Five 40-minute creative conversations are scheduled, from a deep dive into the Indonesian comic scene to a chat with two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes. Michael Twitty: Recipes from the American Southnovember 7, 7:30–9pm | town hall seattle, $10
James Beard Award-winning author and culinary historian Michael W. Twitty joins local powerhouse Chef Kristi Brown to chat about a complex and storied region's cuisine. She-crab soup, hummingbird cake, and biscuits abound in the new release.
Freedom DayNovember 9, 10am–5pm | northwest african american museum, free
The Northwest African American Museum honors all-around intellectual Benjamin Banneker's legacy with a math-focused activity day that promises to make the subject fun and engaging. Galleries are free to browse, and experts lead workshops in topics from supporting students with learning challenges to pairing social justice with math education.
On sale now
The extra ingredient? Giving back and supporting culinary education in Seattle at Farestart. Yum.
Image: Courtesy FareStart
Guest Chef Night Seriesthrough november 20, 5–9pm | FareStart Restaurant, $55
FareStart culinary education nonprofit taps local legends for bi-monthly chef dinners that reliably sell out weeks in advance. This summer, the star-studded lineup includes the likes of Chef Bill Jeong of Paju, the siblings behind Ramie and Ba Sa Trinh and Thai Nguyen, and Kricket Club's Preeti Agarwal. Author Dinner: Arnold Myint, Family Thainovember 4, 5–9pm | hatch cantina belltown, $87.21
Culinary literary house Book Larder teams up with author Arnold Myint for a four-course dinner inspired by his Thai recipes—and their infusion with Nashville's Southern flair. The menu boasts mashups like elote smothered with red curry butter and bacon krapao tacos for a truly unique plate.