10 Things to Do in Seattle in July

Visit Seattle in the month of July and wander the streets. You'll discover amazing natural spaces, enjoy fun cultural activities, celebrate Native American heritage and much more.

10 Things to Do in Seattle in July

Seattle | ©Eric Zhang

Despite not being a very large city, Seattle offers many tourist attractions to its visitors. The so-called "Emerald City" has a large number of natural spaces, dozens of historical monuments and a series of attractions that, over the years, have become icons of this region.

With so many attractions to discover in the city, you probably do not know where to start the tour and wonder what to see and do in Seattle during your stay in the month of July. While the answer to this question is not easy, there are many options. You can celebrate the 4th of July and the legacy of the Native Americans, take a guided tour of the city, sail on Elliot Bay, attend cultural activities and much more.

1. Celebrate the 4th of July in Seattle and enjoy an impressive fireworks display at Gas Works Park

4th of July in Seattle| ©Seattle Parks
4th of July in Seattle| ©Seattle Parks

The 4th of July celebration does not go unnoticed anywhere in the United States. Therefore, if your visit to Seattle coincides with this date, you should go to Gas Works Park, which is the old gas factory of the city, now converted into a public park.

There, among other activities, you can watch an amazing fireworks show and live music.

I recommend that you arrive at Gas Works Park from 12:00 noon. Immediately, you will find an atmosphere of total celebration: live DJs, food stalls, small craft markets and groups performing the traditional picnics.

During the afternoon, some competitions are usually held. For example, the sack race, cake contest and other games in which adults and children can participate.

Finally, when the sun goes down, you will see how the sky lights up with fireworks in commemoration of the country's independence. Certainly, an unforgettable experience, which should be part of the best things to see and do in Seattle at night.

Practical Information

  • Location: Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way.
  • Price: Free admission.
  • Hours: Starting at 12:00 noon.

2. Join the July series of free activities at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park

Olympic Sculpture Park| ©Jim Culp
Olympic Sculpture Park| ©Jim Culp

If you're in Seattle during the month of July, you can't miss joining the series of cultural activities organized by the city' s Museum of Art, held annually at Olympic Sculpture Park.

If you're up for it, you'll be able to enjoy live performances, interactive art, food and much more. All this, outdoors and free of charge.

You can visit the park every Thursday in July from 18:00 to 20:00 hours. Also on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. You will find an atmosphere of celebration and you will see a large influx of people enjoying the summer.

Among the scheduled activities include:

  • Community art, where you can participate in the creation of a work of art, guided by a professional guest.
  • Yoga and Zumba classes with Latin movements.
  • Concerts by emerging bands of young people from the Seattle area.
  • African music and dance performances.
  • Social and naturalist activities, where you will learn about marine and wildlife care.

All this program usually varies, so you should check the official website of the Seattle Art Museum to verify the information before your visit to the city.

Practical Information

  • Location: Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Avenue.
  • Price: Free admission.
  • Hours: Thursdays in July (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.), Saturdays (9:00 a.m. - - 2:00 p.m.)

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3. Attend the PowWow during your visit to Seattle in July and celebrate the legacy of Native Americans

PowWow at Discovery Park| ©DjChris
PowWow at Discovery Park| ©DjChris

For more than 30 years in the city of Seattle, it has been a tradition to celebrate the PowWow and, thus, honor the legacy of Native Americans.

Therefore, every third weekend of the month of July and for three consecutive days, you will find in Discovery Park a series of indigenous food stands and craft sales. Also, throughout the day you will be able to enjoy traditional dances.

When you arrive at Discovery Park you will be amazed by the colorful and beautiful Native American tribal costumes. You will also enjoy the natural surroundings of the park and the radiant summer sun.

You will also be able to taste the traditional food of the different tribes present in the PowWow, buy handmade jewelry and learn about their millenary culture through the dances and songs presented throughout the day.

Without a doubt, this is an activity suitable for the whole family, so if you are traveling with the little ones of the house you should incorporate it among the things to see and do in Seattle with children.

Practical Information

  • Location: Discovery Park, 3801 Discovery Park Boulevard.
  • Price: Free admission (You can make a donation).
  • Hours: Hours vary yearly, so check the official website beforehand.

Book a food tour of Seattle

4. Enjoy the Capitol Hill Block Party on your visit to Seattle in July

Capitol Hill Block Party| ©Robert
Capitol Hill Block Party| ©Robert

If you don't know what to see and do in Seattle during the 3 days of your stay, you should make a note in your itinerary to visit the Capitol Hill district. This is one of the trendiest and most fun neighborhoods in the city.

There, the Capitol Hill Block Party music festival is held annually, which brings together a large number of tourists and locals.

You will see six giant stages where national and international artists perform during the three days. You will be able to enjoy genres such as punk, rock, indie rock, hip-hop, pop, R&B, among others. In addition, along the streets you will find restaurants and bars where you can eat, drink and sit and relax.

The Capitol Hill Block Party not only presents the musical show, it also offers you the opportunity to participate in some free activities, such as a skating race and yoga classes at the Cal Anderson Park Reflecting Pool.

This festival is one of the most visited in the city and takes place the penultimate weekend of July. However, both the dates and the artists that perform usually vary each year, so it is a good idea to check the official site for more information.

Practical information

  • Venue: Capitol Hill District.
  • Price: From 85 euros.
  • Hours: From 1:00 p.m. to 00:00 a.m.

5. Be part of Eastside Beer Week and celebrate craft beer culture during the month of July in Seattle

Eastside Beer Week| ©Angela Poe Russell
Eastside Beer Week| ©Angela Poe Russell

Being part of Eastside Beer Week is a good tourist option if you don't know what to see and do in Seattle in 4 days during the month of July.

It is a week with many activities aimed at celebrating the craft beer culture in correpondence with the significant growth that the beer industry has experienced in this region during the last 10 years.

During Eastside Beer Week you can participate in different recreational, sports, educational activities, among others. For example:

  • Will Run For Beer 5K: this is a run or walk held around Dubtown Brewing and Four Generals tavern. The money raised goes to support some of the city's non-profit organizations.

  • Brewing workshops, where you'll learn the history and process of craft beer brewing.

  • Sails and Ales Beer Fest, an outdoor activity where you will have the opportunity to taste wines and beers, listen to live music, approach food trucks to taste some brews, etc.

  • Coffee Beer Tasting, you will taste various coffee infusions.

  • Flight of the Raven, you can demonstrate your ingenuity and skill to create paper airplanes and then fly them in a fun competition.

In addition, you'll enjoy barbecues, cheese tastings, audi car shows, a steak night and much more.

In fact, for detailed information on events, venues, schedules and ticket prices, you can visit the official Eastside Beer Week website.

Practical information

  • Venue: Eastside Beer Week takes place in the different breweries of the city and on the Kirkland promenade.
  • Price: From 30 euros, depending on the desired activity.
  • Hours: From 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (times vary according to each activity).

6. Come to the squares of Seattle in July and enjoy the free concerts of Downtown Summer Sounds

Downtown Summer Sounds| ©Dennis Kurblin
Downtown Summer Sounds| ©Dennis Kurblin

If you're in Seattle during the month of July, you'll want to take advantage of the free live concert series offered at Downtown Summer Sounds. This is an event with more than 40 years of tradition that takes place in downtown parks.

You can go to Westlake Park, Denny Park, Pioneer Square, 999th Street at 3rd Avenue, University Village, among other places in the city. In any of these places you will be able to enjoy the performances of local artists, who interpret different musical rhythms: such as dance pop, disco, jazz, experimental, funk, soul, reggae and rock.

These outdoor concerts take place any day of the week and the schedules usually vary between 12:00, 14:00 and 18:00 hours. In any case, you can check this information on the official Downtown Summer Sounds website.

Practical information

  • Venue: Downtown Seattle Parks.
  • Price: Free admission.
  • Hours: 12:00, 14:00 and 18:00 (times may vary).

7. Don't miss the Chinatown Seafair Parade and celebrate Asian culture during your visit to Seattle in July

Chinatown Seattle| ©Jeff Thomson
Chinatown Seattle| ©Jeff Thomson

Chinatown Seafair Parade is an event that takes place during the month of July in the city, with the purpose of sharing with locals and tourists the millenary traditions of the Asian community.

Therefore, if you are an enthusiast of this culture, you have to incorporate this activity among the things to see and do in Seattle in summer.

When you arrive at the Chinatown district you will be amazed by the colorful streets and the enthusiasm of all those who are grouped in the streets waiting for the clock to strike 7:00 pm and start the parade.

In this event you will feel immersed in a true atmosphere of celebration, while watching some traditional dances with huge dragons and lions, troupes, children walking in dazzling traditional costumes, samurais and much more.

You can learn more about the route of the Chinatown Seafair Parade and the previous editions of the parade by clicking here, to access the official website.

Practical information

  • Place: Chinatown District.
  • Price: Admission is free.
  • Hours: Third week of July starting at 7:00 pm.

8. Watch a display of wit and color at the West Seattle Grand Parade during the month of July

West Seattle Grand Parade| ©Steve Mohundro
West Seattle Grand Parade| ©Steve Mohundro

During the month of July, the cultural diversity of the communities that comprise the city of Seattle is celebrated. If you want to participate, all you have to do is attend the West Seattle Grand Parade.

This is a parade organized for over 80 years by the Rotary International Service Foundation, where you will enjoy an atmosphere full of color and music.

The parade route is usually from California Avenue SW and SW Lander Street to California Avenue SW and SW Edmunds Street. Therefore, you will be able to walk along these streets starting at 11:00 a.m. and watch a true display of ingenuity and color.

You will have the opportunity to see a number of different themed floats. Also, the city's musical bands, comparsas, instructional groups, clowns to cheer up the children, among others.

Practical information

  • Location: From California Avenue SW and SW Lander Street to California Avenue SW and SW Edmunds Street.
  • Price: Free.
  • Hours: Starting at 11:00 a.m.

9. Don't miss KEXP Beats & Eats every Friday in July in Seattle

KEXP Beats & Eats beverage.| ©LodeRes
KEXP Beats & Eats beverage.| ©LodeRes

With so many events and activities in the city you probably don't know what to see and do in Seattle in 5 days or more. If this is your case, a good option not to miss during the month of July is the KEXP Beats & Eats at Waterfront Park. You will vibrate to the rhythm of the best DJs, eat and drink.

You can go every Friday of the month of July to Waterfront Park at Pier 59. There, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm, tourists and locals will be dancing to the live DJ mixes and enjoying the famous food trucks.

Besides living a complete musical experience and tasting some of your favorite snacks, you will have the opportunity to contemplate the beautiful scenery of the coast. You will watch the sun melt into the crystal clear waters of the coast.

Afterwards, you can continue having fun. For example, you can go to Pier 57 and ride the Seattle Great Wheel, or visit the Space Needle at 400 Broad Street, join one of the Seattle food tours, or learn about the hidden history of the Pioneer Square neighborhood.

Practical information about Seattle

  • Location: Waterfront Park.
  • Price: Free.
  • Hours: Every Friday in July (from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.).

Book a boat ride in Seattle

10. Join a guided tour of Seattle's main streets in July

In Seattle| ©Michael Gwyther-Jones
In Seattle| ©Michael Gwyther-Jones

The month of July in the so-called emerald city usually offers good weather conditions to take a tour of Seattle and, thus, explore its districts. In addition, this is an option for those who have little time and have not planned an itinerary.

If this is your case and you still don't know what to see and do in Seattle in 2 days during your summer vacation, you should join one of the guided tours through the main streets.

You will be able to choose from several tours. For example:

  • Historic downtown to get to know the different buildings, monuments and iconic sites of the city.
  • Chinatown with the purpose of enjoying the gastronomy and millenary culture of this place.
  • Capitol Hill, which has an interesting nightlife.
  • Fremont, to admire the mural art of its streets.

Whatever the activity, it is best to book a private tour. This way, you can explore the city on foot, by segway or electric bike, while a guide tells you the history of the main sites of interest.

Book a tour of Seattle

Temperatures in Seattle in July

Summer morning in Seattle| ©NW Vagabond
Summer morning in Seattle| ©NW Vagabond

Generally, the city of Seattle in July records a maximum temperature of 23º C during the day and a minimum of 14 ºC at night. The days are usually sunny, the weather is warm and dry. In addition, during this month there is an expectation of rain for at least five days, although it rarely occurs.

The month of July is in the middle of the summer season, so it is not surprising that temperatures soar, offering an ideal summer weather for outdoor activities and go to the beach to enjoy its crystal clear waters.

What to pack to visit Seattle in July?

Packing Your Suitcase| ©Craig Adderley
Packing Your Suitcase| ©Craig Adderley

July in Seattle is usually considered summer season, so if you plan to visit the city you can pack your suitcase with light and breathable fabrics. Also, don't forget a pair of closed-toe shoes and sandals, sunglasses and UV protection.

Basically, what you will need during your trip to Seattle is a pair of jeans or capris, several sleeveless shirts and at least one long-sleeved shirt. Also, pack a light coat, as the temperature tends to drop in the evenings, and a rain jacket, in case you plan to go hiking.