Portland Book Festival
In the hopes of curbing another surge in new coronavirus cases, Washington State has reinstated stricter precautions this week. What does that mean for the world of weekend events? Well, whether you like it or not, you’ll probably be spending a lot more time at home. Not to worry: There’s plenty to do from the comfort of your couch, and you can still get your fill of culture, community, and more without spending so much time socializing in public. Check our full list of (mostly) at-home activities below.
Watch an encore of the Seattle Queer Film Festival
Friday - SundayYour home
If you missed the first rendition of Seattle Queer Film Festival back in mid-October, now’s your chance to watch (or rewatch!) the best of the fest. Tune in for feature films, shorts, documentaries, and more at the encore festival this weekend—including Goddess of Fortune, a SQFF highlight that won the jury award for Best Narrative Feature Film. Each screening costs $13; an all-access pass will set you back $35.
Cost: $13-35
Catch the last performance of the Des Moines Arts Commission Concert Series
Friday, 6 - 9 pmYour home
The past three Fridays have been extra special in no small part due to the Des Moines Arts Commission, which has been hosting a pandemic-friendly (and free!) virtual concert series. Catch the last installation of the series this Friday night at 6 pm, featuring country music singer and PNW native Ethan Tucker.
Cost: Free
Take a (virtual) trip to Portland for the annual Portland Book Festival
Friday-SundayYour home
Traveling out of state may be off-limits right now, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip out on every event you hoped to attend. Enter the Portland Book Festival, which is 100% free and 100% remote this year in accordance with COVID-19 precautions. Build your own custom schedule of classes, author talks, and more using this calendar of upcoming events.
Cost: Free
Check out these COVID-19 comics by local artist Robyn Jordan
Friday - SundayLower Queen Anne
Is it too soon to start making quarantine jokes? Not according to Robyn Jordan, who has created an entire series of COVID-19 comics, now on view at Seattle Center’s outdoor Fisher Pavilion. Presented by Short Run, this show comes in lieu of the annual Short Run Comix & Arts Festival, which has been postponed due to—you guessed it—the pandemic.
Cost: Free
Join the Salmon Nation for their annual Festival of What Works
Friday - SundayYour home
ICYMI, we’re smack dab in the middle of a global climate crisis. Educate yourself on environmentalism, social activism, and more by attending the Salmon Nation’s annual Festival of What Works. Consider this your opportunity to prioritize your community and your climate.
Cost: Free
Have a 'co$mically charged wellness day' courtesy of Women.Weed.Wifi
Saturday, 3 - 7 pmYour home
If your weed consumption has seen an uptick since the beginning of this pandemic, you’re not alone. This Saturday, put down the grass and join the women of color artist network Women.Weed.Wifi for a wellness day of workshops and performances “aimed at providing affordable access to holistic healing options and providing relief for the endless stress and assault on our marginalized bodies.”
Cost: $8 - $50
Tune into the 2020 Teeny Awards, aka 'the biggest little award show'
Saturday - SundayYour home
What does the world look like according to its teens? We can’t really answer that, but the Teeny Awards can get pretty close—with the best of PNW arts and culture, at least. Tune in this weekend for an annual award show that has gone virtual and is probably very prepared to go viral, considering that it’s run by Gen Z. Teen tickets (20 years old and under) are free; adult tickets start at $5.
Cost: Free - $50
Celebrate Oyster New Year, the unofficial holiday of the PNW
Friday - SundayYour home
Sometimes you just need an excuse to celebrate. Well, we’ve got just the thing: It’s peak oyster season, and that means Elliott’s Oyster House is chock full of the best oysters in the PNW. Pick up your very own oyster kit at their downtown waterfront location to shuck and slurp local, eco-friendly oysters all November long. The cherry (or pearl) on top? A portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit Puget Sound Restoration Fund.
Cost: $85 per person
Sign up here for our daily Seattle email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town.
Emma Banks is a contributor for Thrillist.