SEATTLE — From arts and culture highlights, to can’t-miss festivals, there’s never been a better time to visit Seattle.
In celebration of the exciting year ahead, Visit Seattle has compiled a sampling of some of the 2024 happenings around the city.
DISCOVER INDIE FILMS AT SIFF
Calling all film lovers! Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) will celebrate its 50th year of discovering the world’s best independent films this year, May 9 – 19. New for 2024, the SIFF has recently acquired the beloved Cinerama movie theatre downtown, one of just two operating cinemas in the world capable of screening three-strip Cinerama films on its 97-foot curved screen. The theatre is also known for its chocolate popcorn.
50 YEARS OF PRIDE
In 2024, Seattle will celebrate its 50th annual pride month celebration with this year’s theme, ‘Now!.’ As one of the country’s largest free Pride festivals, visitors can expect a month filled with events, parades, and festivals including the Seattle Pride Parade and Seattle Pride in the Park.
REVEL IN MUSICAL THEATRE
Seattle is home to one of the country’s largest and most vibrant theatre communities. Top picks include The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Rep and The Paramount Theatre.
https://visitseattle.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/performing-arts/theatre/
SEATTLE SOUNDS AT BUMBERSHOOT
Following a successful return and 50th anniversary celebration in 2023, the beloved Bumbershoot has re-emerged as a major PNW arts and music festival. Music lovers are already eager for the Labour Day weekend festival’s anticipated 2024 return.
Bumbershoot 2023 (photo credit Rachael Jones for Visit Seattle)
REFRACT: THE SEATTLE GLASS EXPERIENCE
Seattle is regarded as a global hub for glass art, with 700+ glass artists calling Washington home. From Oct. 17-20, 2024, ‘Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience’ will bring art enthusiasts and newcomers together to enjoy artist parties, open studio tours, special gallery exhibitions, and exclusively offered intimate glass blowing demonstrations.
Ready for ‘Refract – The Seattle Glass Experience’ (photo courtesy Megan Swann Photography)
SEATTLE’S ROWING SCENE
In celebration of ‘The Boys in the Boat’ film released December 2023, explore a selection of rare artifacts and photographs related to the 1936 Olympic Gold medalist rowing team from the University of Washington through ‘Pulling Together: A Brief History of Rowing in Seattle’ at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) now through June 2, 2024.
https://mohai.org/exhibits/pulling-together-a-brief-history-of-rowing-in-seattle/ (and for Visit Seattle’s Top 10 Ways to Get on the Water in Seattle, check out: https://visitseattle.org/press/press-kit/seattle-on-the-water/
CATCH A SHOW AT CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
Climate Pledge Arena, the world’s first net-zero carbon arena, will host critically acclaimed musical artists in 2024 worth travelling for. https://climatepledgearena.com/ (and to book CPA tours check out https://www.climatepledgearena.com/tours/)
Watch for more 2024 travel ideas from Visit Seattle in Travelweek and Travelweek Daily next month. Travel tips and more can be found at VisitSeattle.org.
