Fun Summer Events in Ballard WA
Photo Credits: Ballard Seafood Fest + @Ballardartwalk
Check Visit Ballard's events calendar for a complete rundown of all local events this summer.
1. Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day Parade) – May 17, 2026
Website: 17thofmay.org
What is it?
Ballard’s annual celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day, reflecting the neighborhood’s strong Scandinavian roots. Each year on May 17, the streets fill with marching bands, community groups, and traditional Norwegian costumes. One of Seattle’s most distinctive cultural parades.
Look forward to:
- A lively parade along NW Market Street and Ballard Avenue
- Marching bands, drill teams, and community groups
- Participants wearing traditional Norwegian bunads
- Norwegian flags, music, and cultural traditions
- Festive crowds gathering throughout downtown Ballard
2. Ballard Music & SeafoodFest (July 10–12, 2026)
Website: seafoodfest.org
What is it?
A three-day neighborhood festival that takes over downtown Ballard each July, celebrating the area’s maritime heritage with live music, seafood vendors, craft drinks, and a large street market. It began as a community salmon barbecue in the 1970s and now draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Look forward to:
- Live music performances on the main stage throughout the weekend
- The iconic alder-smoked salmon BBQ
- Rows of seafood vendors, food trucks, and local restaurants
- An arts & crafts vendor market lining the streets
- A large beer & cocktail garden featuring Ballard breweries
- The Festi-Bowl skateboarding competition at Ballard Commons Park
- Family activities like the Kids Deck and games area
3. Festi-Bowl Skate Festival (July 11, 2026)
Website: seafoodfest.org
What is it?
A skateboarding competition held at the Ballard Commons skate bowl during SeafoodFest weekend. One of the liveliest spots of the festival.
Look forward to:
- Local and regional skaters showing off runs and tricks
- DJs and music playing throughout the event
- A high-energy street-skate atmosphere right in the middle of SeafoodFest festivities
4. Ballard Farmer's Market (Every Sunday)
Website: sfmamarkets.com/visit-ballard-farmers-market
What is it?
A year-round neighborhood market held along Ballard Avenue NW. It features farmers and food producers from across Washington. One of Seattle’s most popular weekly markets and a regular Sunday ritual for many residents.
Look forward to:
- Fresh seasonal produce grown by Washington farmers
- Flower stands and locally made foods
- Food trucks and ready-to-eat street food
- Bakeries, cheese makers, and specialty food vendors
- Live music and a cheerful crowd
5. Ballard Art Walk (Second Saturdays, 6-9pm)
Website: visitballard.com/artwalk
Instagram: @ballardartwalk
What is it?
A monthly evening event where downtown galleries, boutiques, cafés, and bars throughout host local artists and stay open late. It takes place on the second Saturday of each month and draws a steady crowd.
Look forward to:
- Local art displays in galleries, shops, and restaurants
- Artists present to talk about their work
- Live music and small pop-up performances
- Extended hours at neighborhood businesses along Ballard Avenue
6. Free Summer Concerts at Ballard Locks (Summer Weekends)
Website: ballardlocks.org
What is it?
Free outdoor concerts held on summer weekends at the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden beside the Ballard Locks. Local bands perform on the lawn overlooking the ship canal.
Look forward to:
- Free live music
- Lawn seating in the botanical garden (bring a blanket or chair)
- Views of boats passing through the locks
- A casual picnic-style atmosphere
7. Movies in the Park at Ballard Commons
Website: https://www.visitballard.com
What is it?
A free outdoor movie series held at Ballard Commons Park as part of Seattle Parks’ summer programming. On select evenings, a large screen is set up on the lawn and neighbors gather with blankets and lawn chairs to watch films as the sun sets.
Look forward to:
- Free outdoor movie screenings in Ballard Commons Park
- Blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic-style seating on the grass
- A mix of family-friendly and classic films
- Movies typically beginning around dusk (after a 6:30 PM gathering time)
8. Nordic Museum Events
Website: nordicmuseum.org
What is it?
The Nordic Museum offers a variety of summer programs, events, and workshops that highlight Scandinavian culture. Check the museum’s events calendar for the latest listings and exact dates.
Look forward to:
- Live music and concert performances
- Film screenings and cultural talks
- Craft workshops, cooking classes, and cultural demonstrations
- Family programs and summer day camps for kids
- Rotating exhibitions and artist talks
9. Everyday Summer Fun
- Golden Gardens Park is one of Ballard’s most iconic summer spots. On warm evenings the beach fills with people watching the sunset over Puget Sound, lighting bonfires in the fire pits, playing beach volleyball, or launching kayaks and paddleboards from the shoreline.
- The Ballard Locks are another favorite place to spend a summer afternoon. Visitors gather along the railings to watch boats pass between Lake Union and Puget Sound, wander through the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, or stop by the fish ladder to see migrating salmon.
- Ballard’s brewery district comes alive in summer as well. Along NW 52nd Street and Leary Way, a dense cluster of independent breweries opens patios and beer gardens where people gather for tastings, trivia nights, and occasional live music.
- The Burke-Gilman Trail runs directly through Ballard and offers miles of waterfront biking and walking. It’s a popular route for weekend rides, sunset strolls, and scenic runs along the ship canal.
- And of course, Ballard Avenue itself becomes part of the summer routine. Outdoor dining, sidewalk cafés, and evening strolls between shops and restaurants make the historic street feel especially lively during Seattle’s long summer days.
