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Celebrate Seattle’s Festival Scene

A key element of bringing people together in their respective communities is the celebration of community through various types of festivals. Through Seattle's festivals you can experience the diversity of Seattle's cultures, talented local artists, and creative spirit. Seattle's festivals celebrate the best aspects of our city by providing opportunities to enjoy local food, live music performances, theater performances, burlesque/cabaret performances, dance performances, cultural celebrations, interactive entertainment, performances by local artists/performers, and seasonal events that are supported by their communities.


Some examples of the types of activities that may occur during Seattle's festivals include:


• Live music performances

• Theater productions

• Burlesque/cabaret performances

• Dance performances

• Cultural celebrations

• Interactive entertainment

• Performances by local artists/performers

• Community events based on a particular time of year

Enjoy Live Entertainment Throughout the City

Some of the best ways for people to experience live entertainment are through theater, events, festivals and local groups.


Seattle has many popular forms of live entertainment including:


  • Burlesque performances
  • Cabarats
  • Jazz music (live)
  • Comedians performing live
  • Live dance productions
  • Variety acts
  • Live musical performances.


There are endless opportunities to see creative and talented people perform and help make Seattle's entertainment scene so special.

Landscape editorial collage showcasing Seattle’s live entertainment scene with burlesque performances, cabaret shows, live jazz musicians, stand-up comedy, theatrical productions, dance performances, variety acts, outdoor concerts, and audiences enjoying diverse performing arts across the city.

Discover Seattle’s Performing Arts

Seattle has also a strong presence for the performing arts. Historic theatres, new performance venues, and smaller stages that provide for musicals, plays, concerts and other performances all year long. If you want more information on how to learn about Seattle's performing arts scene, then we have a guide called Seattle Theater District Guide which will take an in-depth look into most of the performance opportunities available in the city.

Add Entertainment to Your Weekend Plans

Weekends are perfect days to enjoy many of Seattle's festivals and events. They can be a great time to go out on a date night, spend time as a family, celebrate an occasion, or have a fun weekend getaway.

Add food to your festival experience by pairing it with dinner; see a live performance after the festival; find a couple of different places you'd like to go, and make a day and evening of seeing what the City has to offer.

To get even more ideas about how to make your weekend in Seattle enjoyable, check out our Weekend Nightlife Guide and Things To Do At Night In Seattle.

Landscape editorial collage featuring a perfect Seattle weekend itinerary with waterfront festivals, outdoor concerts, theater performances, romantic dining, local food vendors, evening markets, scenic skyline views, and lively nightlife experiences that combine entertainment, culture, and great food.

Experience the Elegance of Burlesque

Burlesque is one of the most unique forms of live entertainment in Seattle with its own style of dance, theater, costuming, and story telling.


You may be going to a show as a new comer to this type of event or you have been to see a classic Cabaret Show.

Why Seattle Is a Destination for Live Entertainment

Seattle's growing arts community places the city among the best in the Pacific Northwest for a variety of live entertainment. Each year, Seattle attracts a wide array of talented artists through numerous festivals; theaters; concert halls/music venues; and performance spaces. As such, Seattle is constantly providing exciting opportunities to experience creativity, from small scale performances to large scale celebrations.

Landscape editorial collage showcasing why Seattle is a premier destination for live entertainment, featuring renowned theaters, concert halls, jazz performances, dance productions, outdoor festivals, cultural venues, orchestral concerts, and iconic skyline views that celebrate the city’s thriving performing arts community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle has a wide range of festivals that happen through out the year. These include music festivals; cultural celebrations; arts festivals; food festivals; community or neighborhood get-togethers; and seasonal community events.

There are numerous forms of live performance available to visitors in Seattle. This includes theater performances; burlesque performances; cabarets; live jazz; comedy; dance performances; concerts; variety shows (including acrobats, clowns, etc.); and festival/ event specific entertainment.

A majority of the Seattle festivals will have something for all ages. Many will offer live performances, cultural displays/exhibits, food from a variety of vendors, local art, and hands on/interactive displays and/or games.

While there are always some type of festival or celebration going on in Seattle, the larger amount of outdoor events/festivals and live performances occur during the months of spring (March – May), Summer (June – August) and Early Fall (September).

Glitter Wonderland provides guides for exploring various aspects of Seattle's nightlife. There are also guides for locating areas where one may view a large number of theaters, finding fun things to do over a weekend, learning about Seattle's Burlesque scene, finding places that provide Vintage Glamour type entertainment and many more ways to assist in discovering all of what Seattle has to offer in terms of entertainment.