The absolute best thing about fall in Seattle is this: it's not as bad as winter. The second best thing about fall is that there's so much entertaining stuff to do -- from wild Halloween parties to popular pub crawls and bawdy burlesque shows. Honestly, it can be hard to keep track of all the action. That is, until you check out our list of can't miss autumn events below.
Take a ride in (your) hooptie to Puyallup
September 12, 2019
Washington State Fair
Seattle legend Sir Mix-A-Lot, and adoptive Seattleite (and part Sounders owner!) Ciara are hitting the state at The Fair. You and your posse shouldn't miss it.
Cost: $45-70
Two words: go sailgating
September 14 - November 29, 2019
Various Locations
Seriously, screw tailgating! Why not kick back on a boat with drinks/snacks before Husky Home games, and arrive at the stadium in style?
Cost: Starting at $40
Would? You like to see Alice in Chains?
September 20, 2019
WaMu Theater
Then head to SODO to see the sadly Layne Staley-less legends tear up their hometown like it's 1992.
Cost: $62
Hit up Oktoberfest in Kirkland
September 20 - 22, 2019
Marina Park, Kirkland
Enjoy beer, sauerkraut, bratwurst, wiener dog races, costume contests, games, and live music at Kirkland's waterfront Oktoberfest celebration.
Cost :$20-30
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Hit an even BIGGER Oktoberfest in Fremont
September 20 - 22, 2019
Fremont
The 100 kinds of beer offered here is just the start: there are bands, a scavenger hunt, chainsaw pumpkin carving, indoor sports screens, and more. Oh, and dogs get in free.
Cost: $20-30
See a very legit fashion show
September 25 - 29, 2019
Bellevue
Bellevue Fashion Week's putting on two runway shows featuring professional models and the latest in clothing. Yeah, we know… we had you at models.
Cost: Ticket prices vary, but at least $100
Attend "America's Largest Festival of Beef"
September 27-29, 2019
South Lake Union Discovery Center
This bovine-based event starts Friday night with a celebration of… um, seafood(?), and continues all weekend with a Beer 'N BBQ event, a "Steak and Cake" party, and a Burger Bash on Sunday.
Cost: $75 - $125
Take a freaky ass trip to the morgue
September 27 - Nov. 2, 2019
5000 E Marginal Way S
This intense tour of the fictional Georgetown Morgue might be the best (or worst?) haunted house in Seattle. Just don't say we didn't warn you.
Cost: Tickets start at $15
Have a Feast at Pike Place Market
October 1, 2019
Pike Place Market
The annual Feast starts with a wine reception, then gives you a chance to try dishes from a variety of different restaurants and vendors in America's premier farmers' market.
Cost: $95
Drink beer... at the zoo
October 3, 2019
Woodland Park Zoo
Brew at the Zoo returns with suds from 60 breweries, plus food, music, and animal encounters in the Rain Forest Food Pavilion and Zoomazium, which sounds like something they named after a few too many of said beers. 6-9pm.
Cost: $36 - $58
Drink beer from a giant pumpkin
October 4 - 5, 2019
Seattle Center
The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival (GPBF) is back with 80 pumpkin beers, live entertainment, and food trucks, plus their traditional giant beer-filled pumpkin. Get tickets ASAP.
Cost: $30
Road trip to "very" authentic Oktoberfest
October 4 - 20, 2019 (Weekends Only)
Leavenworth
Washington's fake German town hosts a seriously authentic Oktoberfest celebration with free shuttles in town, live music, German food, arts and crafts, and beer. Lots of beer.
Cost: Tickets start at $10
Try 25+ Food Trucks At The Same Time
October 5, 2019
South Lake Union Discovery Center
Trucktoberfest means eats from 30 or so food trucks, and brews from 30 Northwest breweries pouring fall beers, all posted up in the same place. 3-9pm.
Cost: Free to attend
Learn how bad you are at LEGOs
October 5 - 6, 2019
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
Hit BrickCon to check out thousands of models, including sculptures, pop-art, massive cityscapes, and more, all created by LEGO enthusiasts from around the world.
Cost: It depends when you show up, but under $20
Celebrate Seattle's most famous beer
October 6, 2019
Georgetown
Rainier's original neighborhood is throwing a raucous "R-Day" party in honor of the beer featuring live music from Northwest artists the Red Fang, Wild Powwers and Chong the Nomad, plus lots more.
Cost: Free
Hit Seattle's Freshest Beer Festival
October 12, 2019
The Stables, Georgetown
Drink over 20 newly released beers (Fremont, Diamond Knot, Two Beers, etc.) made with hops picked in the Yakima Valley and used in the brewing process within 24 hours.
Cost: TBD
See some Tim Burton-style burlesque
October 18 - 31, 2019
The Triple Door
Just in time for Halloween, Seattle's famed Can Can is producing a burlesque version of Tim Burton's Halloween, featuring cabaret dancers, live orchestral music, vocal performances, and video projections inspired classic movie.
Cost: Starting at $39
Choose To Include
October 19
Seattle Center
Join Special Olympics Washington's day long celebration of people of all abilities -- activities include sports challenges with local celebrities, food trucks, live DJs, a beer garden & more.
Cost: Free
Go on a giant Halloween pub crawl
October 19 & 26 2019
Downtown
Put on a costume, grab some cash, and spend all day drinking with over a thousand fellow revelers at Seattle's massive annual Halloween Pub Crawl.
Cost: $10-20
Find out what Freaknight is all about
October 25, 2019
WaMu Theater
Hint: It's basically just a concert. The annual carnival-themed electronic dance music show featuring big name artists, along with rides, midway-style games, flame throwers, aerialists, a costume contest, and more.
Cost: Tickets start at $95
Hit a "Spectacular" All Hallows' Eve Do
October 26, 2019
Fremont Foundry
The Fremonster Spectacular is a rather adult affair featuring mulitple DJs, sultry gogo dancers and ariel performers, a costume contest, and more. There's even gonna be a food truck in the courtyard. Runs 8pm - 2am.
Cost: Tickets start at $49
Get 3 courses for $35
October 27 - November 7, 2019
Various Locations
At 165+ of Seattle's best restaurants during Seattle Restaurant Week... which sadly does not include Fridays and Saturdays, but sometimes does include lunch for even less dough.
Cost: $35
Party 'Til You Drop… Dead.
October 31, 2019
Museum of Pop Culture
MoPOP's Fashionably Undead is a terrifying night of DJs, drinks, and dangerous fashion that includes a costume contest, access to exhibits and more. It all goes down at 8pm.
Cost: $TBD
Get dressed up. Drink whiskey.
November 1, 2019
The Rainier Club
The Whisky Extravaganza includes unlimited tastes of more than 100 whiskies, food pairings, and master classes in this most delicious of spirits. Jackets required.
Cost: $150
Eat a ton of oysters
November 2, 2019
Elliott's Oyster House
One of Seattle's most popular food events, Elliott's Oyster New Year, is back again with 30 varieties of oysters, a seafood buffet, 60 wineries, microbrews, and live music on Pier 56. The shebang kicks off at 5pm.
Cost: $125
See some very NSFW homemade movies
November 6 - November 24, 2019
On the Boards
Dan Savage's touring erotic film festival -- HUMP -- kicks off in Seattle with a collection of explicit five-minute films by amateurs of all persuasions, as well as prizes based on audience votes. Some nights already out.
Cost: $25
Eat $2 slices all over the city
November 11 - 16, 2019
Various Locations
Seattle's famed alt-weekly, The Stranger, presents the first ever Pizza Week, featuring 'za slices for just two bucks at some of Seattle's finest pie purveyors.
Cost: $2, obviously.
Shop for a sweet new ride
November 14 - 17, 2019
CenturyLink Field Event Center
Check out brand new models from the world's biggest automakers (even test drive some of them) and lust over exotic rides you'll never be able to afford spread over more than 200,000 sqft.
Cost: $15
Drink like it's winter
November 16, 2019
Phinney Neighborhood Center
It's basically like every other beer event -- there are local brews, food, etc. -- but this time it's winter beer from 35 different brewers in a historic former school house..
Cost: $25 - $60
See a ballet that definitely isn't a ballet
November 16 & 17, 2019
Paramount Theater
A hip-hop take on Tchaikovsky’s timeless creation brings the traditional story to life in contemporary New York City though dozens of all-star dancers, an on-stage DJ and more.
Cost: $TBD
Run around Green Lake
November 17, 2019
Green Lake
And then eat mashed potatoes at the Green Lake Gobble & Mashed Potato Munch Off. It's a 5K and 10K run/walk with post-race beer garden and mashed potato eating contest.
Cost: Starting at $40
Gobble Up everything at a craft food festival
November 23, 2019 (10am-5pm)
Magnuson Park Hangar 30
The crew behind the Urban Craft Uprising are bringing together a slew of the Northwest's best craft food makers for a free food fest featuring over 100 different vendors.
Cost: Duh, we already said it's free!
Take someone special to the ballet
November 29 - December 28, 2019
McCaw Hall
Seattle's renowned Pacific Northwest Ballet brings the The Nutcracker by George Balanchine back again with a live orchestra, magnificent sets and costumes, and a huge cast, just in time for the holidays.
Cost: Starting at $27
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