The Weekender: Family Fun Ideas for Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound

Hello, August! It’s hard to believe July is coming to an end when I could’ve sworn summer just started. But warm weather and (mostly) sunny skies are here, and so is the roaring sound of Blue Angels flying overhead. 

Yep, it’s Seafair Weekend. The kids will surely be amazed by the jets in the sky, the boats in the water and the classic cars on land. We have all the insider tips for making the most of this epic summer tradition. 

Another longstanding tradition for families: roller skating around the rink. A beloved pop-up rink just found a permanent location, and it’s one of six fantastic local skating rinks for families. We’ve also rounded up a few skate-friendly parks if you’d rather wheel around outside. 

Plus, sunflowers are in bloom, treasures are waiting to be found and the circus is in town. It’s all in my top 10 events.

Everett Float Find 2026

Date: Friday, July 31
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple locations

Calling all treasure hunters! One-of-a-kind glass floats are waiting for you in Everett. On Fridays in July and August, 10 clue balls will be hidden on the waterfront (five in the morning and five in the afternoon). Find one and turn it in for a glass float! You can make a day of it on the waterfront, where you’ll find amazing restaurants, ice cream and even a splash pad. There will also be 20 glass floats hidden on Jetty Island, so you can pair your treasure hunt with a beach day on the longest sandy beach in Puget Sound.

Seafair Weekend: Blue Angels Air Show and Hydro Races

Date: Friday–Sunday, July 31–Aug. 2
Cost: Gate admission is free on Friday; otherwise $23–$55 for general gate admission; ages 12 and younger are free 
Location: Genesee Park and Playfield, 4316 S. Genesee St., Seattle 

Whether you want to join the free festivities on Friday or splurge on tickets for Saturday and Sunday, Seafair Weekend packs a ton of fun into each day. From hydroplane races to aerial acrobatics, the kids are sure to be amazed. Plus, there will be live music and delicious food! (Psst … Want to pair plane-watching with plenty more festivities and fantastic exhibits? Head to The Museum of Flight for its Jet Blast Bash.)

Art in Nature Walk

Date: Friday–Sunday, July 31–Aug. 2
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple locations

If your family loves walking trails and admiring incredible art, I have just the weekend event for you. Outdoor art installations have been installed across Snoqualmie Valley, with more than 167 artists contributing to these open-air galleries. Each art walk is around a mile, meaning little legs can keep up. And if you fall in love with one of the pieces of artwork, you might be in luck: Many are up for auction. 

American Crown Circus

Date: Friday–Sunday, July 31–Aug. 2
Cost: $30 adult; $10 child 
Location: Puget Sound Park, 135 S.W. 126th St., Burien 

Step under the big top this weekend for a K pop-inspired circus performance! There will be all the circus favorites — from aerial performances to cotton candy and popcorn — with a “K-Pop Demon Hunters” twist. So keep your eyes out for Huntrix performers, and note that dressing up is encouraged!

Lake City Summer Festival and Parade

Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
Cost: Free
Location: Northeast 125th Street, Between 25th Avenue Northeast and Lake City Way Northeast, Seattle 

There’s no chance of boredom at this fantastic festival. Join the kids as they pet farmyard friends in the free petting zoo, listen to live music, and admire classic rides in the car show. You can also expect a variety of craft vendors and food trucks. Plus, there will be not one, but three parades.

Kite Festival at Chambers Creek Park

Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
Cost: $10 per vehicle; $5 kite kits available 
Location: Chambers Creek Regional Park – Central Meadows, 6320 Grandview Dr. S.W., University Place 

There is nothing my daughter loves more than a windy day that’s perfect for flying a kite. (A rainbow unicorn kite, specifically.) There will be plenty of colorful, fantastic kites to admire at this annual festival. Bring your own or purchase a kite kit on-site and join the fun. Show up early for the chance at a free kite! You can also expect inflatables, special activities and food trucks. 

Umoja Fest and Parade

Date: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 1–2
Cost: Free
Location: Judkins Park, 2150 S Norman St., Seattle

This unity-themed fest celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Seattle’s Black community. Experience fashion, live music, food and more from the African diaspora. You can also expect basketball and football tournaments, a vendor marketplace and kids activities. Don’t miss Saturday’s parade!

Al Fresco on Front

Date: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 1–2
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Issaquah, Front Street between West Sunset Way and Northwest Dogwood Street, Issaquah

You won’t see any cars on a stretch of Front Street this weekend — or any weekend in August, for that matter. The historic downtown street will transform into the perfect pedestrian experience, with outdoor dining, sidewalk shopping, live music and more. Kids will love the mini golf course and ping-pong, plus (parents, be warned) the mountains of foam.

Kitsap Forest Theater Presents ‘Oliver!’

Date: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 1–2
Cost: $25–$30 adult; $12–$15 youth; ages 5 and younger are free 
Location: Kitsap Forest Theater, 3153 Seabeck Hwy. N.W., Bremerton 

Kitsap Forest Theater is bringing “Oliver!” back to its outdoor stage for the first time in more than 20 years, and you don’t want to miss it. See the classic story of a young orphan in Victorian London unfold between towering fir trees. Just be prepared for a song or two (like “Food, Glorious Food”) to get stuck in your head.

Maris Farms Summerfest

Date: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 1–2
Cost: $16–$20 online; ages 2 and younger free 
Location: Maris Farms, 25001 Sumner Buckley Hwy., Buckley

There’s no surer sign of August than the bright yellow faces of sunflowers blooming in fields. Maris Farms has fields of the cheerful flowers, along with a brand-new butterfly house and plenty of farm attractions. Ride the giant slide, shop for handmade gifts and say hi to the farm animals. Sounds like a perfect summer day to me! 

Editor’s note: Each week ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, updates The Weekender with her favorite weekend activities around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound. It was originally published years ago and was most recently updated on July 30, 2026. Event dates, times and locations were verified by our editor.