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Dance around the maypole in celebration of May Day. Photo: iStock
May I make a suggestion? While you might be on a budget like me, you don’t have to miss out on any of the happenings in May with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day events all arriving by month’s end. Check out my top 25 free things to do around Seattle in May.
Note: Some activities require preregistration and can fill up quickly.
1. Alaska-Themed Drone Show
Date and time: Friday, May 1, 8:30–8:45 p.m.
Arrive at the Seattle Center early to claim your spot near the International Lawn Fountain and turn your eyes to the sky to witness a 12-minute illuminated drone spectacle showcasing Alaska themes. The show is weather-dependent and celebrates Princess Cruises’ newest ship and its inaugural Alaska season.
2. May Day at Jubilee Farm
Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Pile in the car and head to Carnation for Jubilee Farm’s family May Day celebration. Don’t be late because the maypole dance happens at noon. Also on tap are activities for the kids, the farm market, refreshments and live music.
3. Teddy Bear Clinic
Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
To help ease fears of medical exams, tots are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffie to Station 74 in Kent for a free checkup by firefighters and EMTs at the annual Teddy Bear Clinic. Then tour a fire engine and spray water through a fire hose. The first 400 kids receive a free teddy!
4. Kodomo no Hi Children’s Day
Date and time: Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Gather your kodomo and learn about children’s culture in Japan through art, history, food, music, active games and martial arts demonstrations at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center.
5. Cinco de Mayo Concierto
Date and time: Tuesday, May 5, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Make the fifth of May festive and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at a concert featuring mariachi music and Mexican folklórico dance at Evergreen High School Auditorium, the community’s newest performing arts space.
6. ‘Water Ways: Healing the Circle of Water and Life’
Date: Tuesday–Sunday, through May 16
Art and nature come together in Schack Art Center’s current exhibition “Water Ways,” which explores the role of water in our world and the impact of climate change. Engaging for all ages.
7. Weekend Family Workshop at Museum of Flight
Date and time: Thursday, May 7, 5–9 p.m.
Did you know that the Museum of Flight’s Weekend Family Workshops, where families can explore the world of aviation and space together through crafts and activities, also occur on Free First Thursdays? Take advantage of this chance to take part in the fun at no cost.
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8. Olympia Wooden Boat Festival
Date and time: Friday–Sunday, May 8–10
Head toward the water and check out wooden boats of all vintages and sizes displayed throughout Percival Landing, as well as live music, vendors and fun for all ages. Things kick off Friday evening, followed by the main event Saturday, ending on Sunday for a special day with Mom.
9. Baby Rave
Date and time: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.–noon
RSVP then head out to the Olympic Sculpture Park for a dance party especially for the aged two and older set and their grown-ups. Expect a live DJ, artmaking, and lots of moving and grooving to get your day started.
10. Second Sundays at Morse Wildlife Preserve
Date and time: Sunday, May 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Embark on a family outdoor adventure at the not-often-open Morse Nature Wildlife Preserve in Graham. An ideal way for nature-loving moms, who will love strolling through the various habitats, to spend Mother’s Day.
11. Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads
Date: Daily, through Oct. 24, 2027
Postponed from last summer, artist Ai Weiwei’s impressive bronze sculptures, “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,” are now on view at The Olympic Sculpture Park and here to stay until next October. Each is a 10-foot-tall representation of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
12. Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Cuisine Scavenger Hunt
Date: Daily, May 1–30
Take part in an ongoing, mouthwatering scavenger hunt at all Tacoma Public Library branches and learn more about foods from Asia, the Pacific Islands and Hawaii, and earn a prize!
13. Ballard Locks Free Public Tours
Date and time: Wednesday–Sunday, 2–3 p.m., through September
Visit the Ballard Locks and take a free tour to find out how this spot moves boats and salmon in and out of Seattle. If you’re lucky, you might spy a friendly seal swishing around in the waters.
14. Open Skate Sessions With RNTS Skate School
Date and time: Fridays, May 1–29, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Shredders and shredders-to-be, drop in to weekly skateboarding sessions at Seattle’s Roxhill Skatepark for guided lessons geared toward all levels. Sessions continue through June 12. Equipment is provided.
15. Touch-A-Truck in Federal Way
Date and Time: Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Big rig fans can get their fill of heavy machinery and emergency vehicles at Federal Way’s Touch-A-Truck event where they are invited to climb aboard their favorites and honk horns. Get up close and hands-on at the Wild Waves parking lot.
16. University District Street Fair
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 16–17
A Seattle summer staple going back more than 50 years, this two-day event along the “Ave” (University Way) features 15 blocks of arts and crafts booths and food trucks, live music and performances.
17. Seahurst Beach Naturalists
Date: May 16–19
Spot marine critters during an extra-low tide morning along the beach at Seahurst Park. Naturalists will be on hand to help identify crabs, anemones, shellfish and other sea creatures that you’re likely to discover. Dates continue through August.
18. 55th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival
Date: Friday–Monday, May 22–25
Our community’s iconic Northwest Folklife Festival returns to the Seattle Center Memorial Day weekend. Bring the kids to this family-friendly festival with an Ubuntu theme to partake in amazing performances, cultural traditions and people-watching.
19. Ranger Program: Rascally Rabbits
Date and time: Saturday, May 16 and 23, 10–11 a.m.
Get hopping and preregister to get your bunny fix this month by exploring the habitats and learning about how these cuddly creatures share our parks and trails. The outing wraps up with a rabbit-themed craft at the Lake Hills Greenbelt Ranger Station.
20. Cruzin’ to Colby Show and Shine
Date and time: Monday, May 25, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Car fanatics can admire all the ultra-cool vintage cars on display along Colby Avenue during this Memorial Day tradition that also includes live entertainment and vendors.
21. Free Entrance to National Parks
Date: Monday, May 25
Another great way to spend Memorial Day is in the great outdoors. Explore one of our amazing national parks for free and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.
22. Westlake Park Reopening Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, May 28, 5–6:30 p.m.
A favorite Downtown Seattle park is reopening, and you are invited to join in the celebration with live music, food, ribbon-cutting and more! The newly renovated Westlake Park will welcome guests with fun, family-friendly activities and events all summer and beyond.
23. Cascade Recycling Center Tour
Date and time: Friday, May 29, noon–1 p.m.
Find out what happens to the paper, glass and plastic containers your family sorts in bins once it’s picked up from the curb. Recommended for ages 10 and older, this tour of the Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville will give you an inside look at state-of-the-art recycling technology in action.
24. Pollinator Fest
Date and time: Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Get busy as a bee exploring 21 Acres farm and education center and learn about our super important pollinator friends during the family-focused Sammamish Valley Pollinator Fest.
25. Honk! Fest West
Date: Friday–Sunday, May 29–31
The Honk! Festival West kicks off Friday for a weekend of free music and fun in Georgetown, featuring a variety of street band sounds from across the globe. The musical merriment continues Saturday in Columbia City and Sunday at Pratt Park.
More free activities for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2024, and was most recently updated on April 28, 2026, to include 25 new, exciting free things to do in Seattle in May for families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. Event dates, times and locations were cross-checked and verified by our editor.
