Princess and Bear Wines treled to France so your taste buds can follow suit.
Image: Courtesy Princess and Bear Wines
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 Coffee Festivaloctober 25, 9am–4:30pm | maguson park hangar 30, $36.65–83.27
The Seattle Coffee Festival brings a friendly tilt to our city's elitist espresso reputation, pairing live music with bottomless tastings. Dozens of local roasters and coffee shops lend their beans and know-how, from Pegasus and Caffe Vita to hometown mushroom coffee aficionado Wunderground.
Root-To-Sip Carignan Dayoctober 25, 1–5pm | princess and bear, $25–30
The Seattle couple behind Princess and Bear Wines he a slight obsession with France's Languedoc-Roussillon region; the final in the shop's Root-To-Sip series, this month centers the red carignan grapes and their bottles, winemakers, and histories in a seven-part educational tasting experience.
Seattle Restaurant Week's prix fixe menus are back.
Image: Courtesy DeLille Cellars/Seattle Restaurant Week
Seattle Restaurant Weekoctober 26–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.
Visual Arts
Nina Katchadourian's installation at the National Nordic Museum displays lost stories.
Image: Courtesy Pace Gallery
Nina Katchadourian: Origin Storiesthrough october 26, various | national nordic museum, $5–20
Fresh art drops at the National Nordic Museum, courtesy of multidisciplinary artist Nina Katchadourian. Her works range from photographs, to video, to an immersive installation surrounding a real-life shipwreck disaster. On June 22, Katchadourian will join a survivor of the shipwreck, Douglas Robertson, in conversation at the gallery.
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 Starsoctober 18–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 CG5october 16, 8pm | the crocodile, $61.85–320.38
Once a YouTube prodigy, 26-year-old electro-pop singer by the name CG5 has blown up online many times over; now, though, he takes his remixes and meme-influenced tracks to real-life venues like The Crocodile. Kaytranadaoctober 17, 7pm | climate pledge arena, $50.05–459.60
Expect non-stop dancing and upbeat energy from producer and DJ Kaytranada. He brought infectiously danceable beats and fun visuals to Capitol Hill Block party last summer; this go-around, he's taking over Climate Pledge Arena.
Linda From Workoctober 22, 7pm | neumos, $25.37
Wildly fun Seattle rock n' roll band Linda From Work has a party in store. To salute their third album's release, the four-piece brings their meld of garage, glam, and dance punk to Capitol Hill's Neumos for a hometown celebration show.
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. 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?
Peter and the Wolfoctober 18, 11am | benaroya hall, $26–41
This one is for the youngest theater-goers: The Seattle Symphony tells the Peter and the Wolf folktale using just instruments. Before the show, kids and families can partake in crafts and hands-on instrument exploration. FILM Seattle Latino Film Festivaltrough october 18, various | various, $15–150
Celebrating its 17th year, the Seattle Latino Film Festival kicks off with a glamorous, tapas-tinged premiere at the Frye Art Museum and continues to screen features, shorts, and documentaries at Columbia City's Beacon Cinema throughout the following week.
SIFF DocFestoctober 16–23, various | SIFF Cinema Uptown and downtown, $20–125
Preeminent documentaries from around the world form the lineup at SIFF's annual DocFest. In the span of one week, audiences can watch a Peruvian voice actor and his son dub The Lion King into Quechua, photojournalist Lynsey Addario document the war in Ukraine, and activist drag queen Peppermint's behind-the-scenes journey to stardom. Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaseroctober 22–23, 7pm | Northwest Film Forum, $15
A twentieth century documentary peeks into the life of jazz giant Thelonious Monk at Capitol Hill's coziest independent film house. Employing archival film footage and rare off-stage moments with the pianist, composer, and improvising innovator, the film lends a behind-the-scenes look into a complex life. SPECIAL EVENTS
Things are heating up this fall at Refract.
Image: Courtesy Megan Swann
Refractoctober 16–19, various | various, various
The city's glass art scene goes well beyond the Seattle Center's famed collection; a four-day extraganza highlights dozens of artists with talks, demos, and gallery openings after kicking off with an opening night soiree at Chihuly Garden and Glass. And speaking of Dale Chihuly, the weekend features free private tours of The Boathouse, his private working studio and hotshop.
Actualize AiR Carnivaloctober 17, 6pm | The Coliseum theater, donation
Woman-run art collective Actualize AiR is moving from the historic Coliseum Theater to Pioneer Square; their farewell comes as a blowout carnival bash to raise funds for the move. Expect local art and artists, of course, alongside nostalgic carnival booths, Seattle dog concessions, and one last epic dance party to close out the night. Haunted Skiesoctober 17, 7pm | the museum of flight, $65
History and supernatural mystery merge beneath The Museum of Flight's suspended giants. Guided Ouija sessions and tarot readings will connect with powers beyond the night sky, and wartime ghost stories are told among the very aircraft that witnessed the haunting tales.
Sloth history goes way back at the Highline Heritage Museum.
Image: Courtesy Highline Heritage Museum
Sloth Festivaloctober 18, 12–5pm | highline heritage museum, free
The south Seattle museum celebrates International Sloth Day (yes, a day just for the world's slowest-moving animal is real) with exhibits, conservation-related activities, and local lore.
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.
READINGS AND LECTUREs Omid Roustaei: Bitter and Sweet Cooking Classoctober 20, 6:30pm | book larder, $115.75
Next up in the Book Larder's ever-popular cooking class series, Omid Roustaei shares Iranian-American recipes from his debut cookbook. Ticketholders learn by doing; Roustaei will provide hands-on instruction—and technique background—as students craft four dishes before sitting down for a shared meal.
Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore: Terry Dactyloctober 25, 3pm | seattle art museum, free with rsvp
Very Seattle, very queer, and very art-forward, activist and author Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore's new release is a coming-of-age story that winds from Seattle's club scene to New York City's elite art world, ending back in a pandemic-era Seattle. She'll read from the bold new novel and lend an intimate chat at the Seattle Art Museum. National Geographic Live: A Pirate's Lifeoctober 26–28, various | benaroya hall, $30.20–62.40
Benaroya Hall's National Geographic series hosts experts in their fields for enlightening lectures—and a plethora of trivia knowledge—alongside stunning imagery and behind-the-scenes stories. Next up, archaeologist Lisa Briggs dives deep into pirates that shaped the Roman Empire, Asia, and beyond.
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. 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. 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.