What’s Happening In Seattle This May
May in Seattle is when the city stops pretending it might still be winter. The markets reopen, the rooftop bars dust themselves off, and suddenly everyone has plans on a Saturday morning.
This month has plenty of range: an organic farm market out in the Snoqualmie Valley, a fishermen-owned scallop truck pulling up to the Ave, a pressed flower workshop on Alki Beach, a cocktail bar bringing back one of its most anticipated nights, and the Pacific Bonsai Museum hosting its biggest event of the year.
Here's what's worth adding to your calendar this month.
Out in The Valley
1st 2 weekends in May 2026 • 10am – 4pm (check timings for specific days)
Carnation Farms
If you've been meaning to start a garden, this is your sign to actually do it!
Carnation Farms' annual Plant Sale runs across two weekends (May 1–2 and May 8–9), with a wide selection of organically grown vegetable, flower, and herb starts - all raised right on the farm. On May 2, the Plant Sale overlaps with the annual Spring Market, which means wood-fired pizza, live music, farmer-led tours of the crops, sheep in the pastures, and 20+ local artisan vendors selling handmade soaps, art, clothing, and more. There's also a Land History Tour led by Agroforestry Northwest at 9:30am for those who want to go deeper.
It's a solid day out of the city. Carpool if you can because parking fills up fast.
Markets & Makers
May 3rd, 2026 • 11am - 3pm
Outdoor Courtyard at 862 Yesler Way
A Sunday market in the courtyard, timed perfectly for Mother's Day shopping.
The Yesler Makers Market is back for its second edition, bringing together small businesses from Seattle's local design scene for a few hours of browsing and discovering. It's a great spot to find something genuinely thoughtful before Mother's Day - and a good excuse to spend a Sunday morning outside supporting the people making interesting things in this city.
May 2nd, 2026 • Various times
Cantina Del Sol
Cantina del Sol's rooftop is back for the season, and this summer they're hosting events you need to know about.
The Tianguis Market is a new rooftop series dedicated to Latinx artists, makers, and small brands - textiles, jewelry, art prints, ceramics, handmade goods - with no vendor fees, Cantina drinks flowing, and music to go with it. The May 2 edition kicks things off alongside the Cinco de Mayo energy already in the air!
May 21st, 2026 • From 3pm
Bellevue Farmers Market
After a winter away, the Bellevue Farmers Market is back for its 23rd season.
Opening day kicks off at 3pm with a ribbon cutting and live music from the Haggis Brothers. Expect fresh greens, flowers, mushrooms, bread, cheese, plant starts, and handmade goods from local vendors. Rain or shine, as always.
Drinks & Late Nights
May 2nd, 2026 • 9pm-1am
Rich, Rich, Lower Queen Anne
It's been a while, but the Slim Session is back.
Rich Rich is a pink-lit cocktail bar tucked into a Lower Queen Anne alley - the kind of place that starts mellow and has a tendency to not stay that way. The Slim Session is one of their most anticipated returning nights, wine-forward and worth staying up for.
Make sure to RSVP here!
May 29th, 4pm
Coffee TAB, Pioneer Square
If you haven't been to Coffee TAB yet, May is a good month to make it happen.
This Belltown nonprofit café was founded by Johnathan Tran with a specific mission: to provide barista training, mentorship, and paid employment for underserved young people, including foster youth, people experiencing homelessness, and recently resettled refugees. They’re teaming up with FareStart for a fun latte art throwdown event that anyone can attend!
craft & Creative
May 9th, 2026 • 1 - 4pm
Alki Beach, West Seattle
This one sits somewhere between a craft class and a perfect afternoon you'll actually remember.
Wander & Press founder describes "Petals & Gold" less as a workshop and more as an immersive experience. You'll press flowers into gold frames, work in a calm creative space, and the session weaves in elements of the founder's Persian heritage - think tea, music, and a pace that lets you actually slow down. It's on Alki Beach, which is the perfect backdrop to completely switch off.
Nature & Mindfulness
May 10th, 2026 • 10am - 4pm
Pacific Bonsai Museum
BonsaiFEST is the Pacific Bonsai Museum's biggest event of the year, and it falls on World Bonsai Day.
This is more than a walk through a beautiful collection. The day includes bonsai classes (including Bonsai Basics for newcomers), hands-on experiences, and the chance to spend time in one of the most peaceful outdoor settings in the region.
It's a meditative experience - the kind of place where you arrive stressed and leave wondering why you don't do this more often. Mother's Day on May 11 brings a separate celebration, making this a two-day stretch worth planning around if you're looking for something to do with family.
Food & Street Events
May 16th-17th
University District Street Fair
The U District Street Fair draws 70,000+ people to The Ave across two days, and The Scallop Truck is one of the vendors worth specifically seeking out.
The Alaska Weathervane Scallop Truck is fishermen-owned - the crew catches wild Alaska Weathervane Scallops off their own vessels moored in Kodiak, and sears them to order right there at the truck. You can get them over rice pilaf with Marsala mushroom, creamy red curry, or basil pesto sauce, or wrapped into a Scallorito with bacon and pesto coleslaw. It's the kind of food that has people tracking the truck across festivals.
Worth finding them in the crowd!
The BLOCK
May 17th 2026 • 11am - 3pm
Fairview Market Hall
Seattle's mobile café scene takes over Fairview Market Hall for an afternoon of drinks, small bites, and direct support for independent makers. Guest entry and samples are free with RSVP - ticket and vendor lineup details to come. Keep an eye on their socials for the drop.
May in Seattle rewards the people who actually look up the events. From a farm morning in the Valley to a late night in a Lower Queen Anne alley, this month has a range that's hard to argue with.
If you check any of these out, make sure to bring a friend with you!
