The Play List: Top Seattle-Area Family Activities for July 2024

Many locals would proclaim July as the sweet spot in Seattle-area summers. The days are long, hot and full of sun. I’m not one of those people. I prefer some shade or AC, please. No matter how you prefer your temps, I assure you we’ve got the goods in terms of things to do out there — fairs, farms, fests, parades and performances — there is no shortage of planned or spontaneous fun to be found.

1. Treat your fam to an outing to the big top tent to see the captivating Shoestring Circus, a Bellingham-based troupe of talented performers displaying stunning feats of balance, daring and comedy. Shows take place Friday–Sunday, June 28–30 and Thursday–Sunday, July 4–7 in Olympia’s Swantown. Tickets are $32 for teens and adults, $16 for kids ages 3–12. Ages 2 and younger enter free.

2. Happy birthday, America! Celebrate the Fourth of July with all the spectacle and merriment you can handle in nearly every town in the Pacific Northwest. Do your plans include staying up late to witness the skies light up with fireworks? If that’s not compatible with your family’s weeknight bedtime, do not fret — there are plenty of daytime fests to attend as well.

3. There’s nothing quite like the old-school fun of the King County Fair, a summertime staple. It’s the “oldest fair west of the Mississippi!” Highlights include barrel racing, carnival rides, lumberjack shows and rodeo — not to mention the yummy fair food. Find all this fun at the Enumclaw Expo Center, Thursday–Sunday, July 11–14. Tickets cost $5–$10; some activities have an additional fee.

4. Catch a ride on a train car pulled by everyone’s favorite steam engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, as he comes alive at Snoqualmie’s Northwest Railway Museum during this summer’s Day Out With Thomas: The Bubble Tour. In addition to Thomas, your train enthusiasts can meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy fun with bubbles, live music and photo ops. Don’t delay! Book your tix now for the following dates: July 12–14, 19–21 and 26–28. Tickets cost $28–$32; babies younger than age 1 ride free.

5. Summer festival season has arrived! If you’re a bike fan, Redmond Derby Days is the one for you. In addition to activities such as parades, carnival rides, entertainment and a drone show, the heart of this fest is bicycle racing which takes place at the velodrome. Kids also get the chance to try out riding on the track. Events take place Friday–Saturday, July 12–13.

6. The focus of the Ballard SeafoodFest is its maritime history, so it should come as no surprise that it features a salmon bake. The celebration also includes live entertainment, kids’ carnival games and tasty food truck fare. Plan a visit Friday–Sunday, July 12–14, and arrive hungry.

7. The public is invited to experience Native American food, music, arts and dancing at the annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow, which brings together local Native tribes and those from across the continent to celebrate and showcase their tribal traditions. Events take place Friday–Sunday, July 19–21 at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park. Free entry, although donations are welcome.

8. Summer fests and fun keep coming in the month of July. This one is especially for the kids, with crafts, live music, games and best of all — giant inflatables! The Maple Valley Kids’ Festival takes place at Lake Wilderness Park on Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. It’s free, and your kids will have a blast.

9. What says summer more than sand castles? You can build your own or head to the scenic shores of Snoqualmie River, where McCormick Park hosts Duvall’s Sandblast Festival of the Arts, to check out expert creations made by a master sand carver. You’ll also find music, art and food. Join the free festivities Saturday–Sunday, July 20–21.

10. Line the streets of Seattle’s Chinatown–International District for the annual Seafair Chinatown Parade and catch a glimpse of the 100-foot-long dragon and the Chinese Community Drill Team among the participating performance groups. What better way to experience this vibrant neighborhood and its rich history and culture? The parade takes place Sunday, July 21, 7–9 p.m.

11. Get ready for some toe-tapping fun — it’s a barnyard dance at Auburn’s Mary Olson Farm! Enjoy barbecue and bluegrass at this historic site, where your crew can get a peek at the local family farm life of the late 1800s and meet donkeys and other barnyard friends. And it’s all free. Friday, July 26, 5–7 p.m. Preregister.

12. The Bellevue Arts Museum welcomes kids for free hands-on art projects, games and activities at the youth-oriented portion of the award-winning arts-and-crafts summer staple, BAM Arts Fair. Kids’ highlights include a chalk art station, live performances and ongoing craft station. The fun takes place Friday–Sunday, July 26–28.

13. Soak up the art, dance, food and rich cultural diversity of India at the free, all-ages Ananda Mela noon–9 p.m. on Saturday–Sunday, July 27–28 at the Redmond City Hall campus. Kiddie fun from inflatables to face painting is also part of this joyful Indian festival, the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

14. The delightful Kitsap Forest Theater invites families for a unique, kid-friendly outdoor theater experience. This season’s second show is the Broadway adaptation of “Cinderella” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Hum along to your favorite songs while surrounded by towering trees. Weekend performances take place July 27–August 18 in Bremerton. Tickets $10–$23; ages 5 and younger free.

15. Need to cool off? Get splashing at KidsQuest Children’s Museum during its inaugural Waterfest, where kids are welcome to dive into puddles and get wet. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, towel and an extra change of clothes! The fun takes place Wednesday, July 31, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and is part of the museum’s special summer programming, which runs through August. Included with admission.

Editor’s note: This article is updated every month by ParentMap's calendar editor with new family activities in and around Seattle. It was most recently updated June 27, 2024. Be sure to come back next month!