Fave Five: Easing Into Summer

Pandas, Juneteenth, and the flavors of Spain

Four women in traditional Asian attire sit around a table cooking hot pot outdoors, surrounded by vegetables and onlookers at Seattle summer’s bustling Panda Fest street market.

Photo courtesy of Panda Fest

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.

Seattle summer doesn’t arrive all at once — it trickles in, a little ore light here, a slightly warmer evening there. We’re not all the way in, but we’re close enough to start making plans.

1. Panda Fest

I don’t usually trust anything with a mascot, but I’ll make an exception for the giant inflatable panda presiding over a weekend of dumplings and bubble tea. Panda Fest has already made its way through New York and Boston, and now it’s Seattle’s turn. Seventy Asian food vendors, live performances, market stalls, and the kind of snacks you end up dreaming about later. Tickets start at $11 and come with a panda-themed gift. June 6-8 | Seattle Center

A ring of colorful dumplings in pink, orange, purple, and green surrounds a small edible panda figure in the center—perfect for celebrating Panda Fest during a vibrant Seattle summer.

Photo courtesy of Panda Fest

2. Hike the bluffs

Whether you celebrate Father’s Day or not, a walk along the bluffs at Ebey’s Landing is always a good idea. This easy 3.6-mile loop has wide-open views of Puget Sound and an edge-of-the-cliff thrill — just enough to make it exciting without being risky. It’s a solid pick for any clear Sunday. And if you time it right, you can wrap up with lobster rolls and beer at Saltwater Fish House and Oyster Bar in Langley, my favorite spot for seafood, before heading home. June 15 |Whidbey Island.

A coastal landscape with a grassy cliff, wildflowers in the foreground, trees on the left, and clouds over a calm sea—capturing the tranquil beauty of a Seattle summer.

Photo by Trish Drury / Danita Delimont / Adobe

3. Juneteenth at NAAM

NAAM knows how to celebrate Juneteenth. This year’s “Juneteenth: A Movement for Joy” is exactly that — a joyful, community-rooted day filled with music, roller skating, food trucks, and a Black artist market. But it’s also a powerful reminder that Black joy is resistance. Expect new exhibitions, voter registration booths, and free books for kids, all reinforcing the idea that Black liberation isn’t just history — it’s here now. June 19 | Northwest African American Museum

Children sit at tables working on arts and crafts projects with paper, markers, and other supplies—a fun classroom activity for anyone seeking ideas for what to do in Seattle with kids.

Arts and crafts for kids will be part of NAAM’s Juneteenth celebration, along with many other activities.

Photo courtesy of Northwest African American Museum (NAAM)

4. Sunday public sail on Lake Union

Every last Sunday from April through October, the Center for Wooden Boats offers free rides on everything from sailboats and motorboats to schooners, steamboats, electric boats, and even a yawl. It’s first come, first served, so get there early. Bring sunscreen or a windbreaker. Bring snacks and a hat. Bring the part of yourself that remembers how fun it is to wait in line for something magical. Last Sundays | Center for Wooden Boats

A small electric boat with passengers in life jackets is docked on a lake during Seattle summer, with city buildings and other boats in the background.

Photo courtesy of Center for Wooden Boats

5. La Loba

Chef Oscar Amador Edo — a James Beard Award nominee known for his inventive tapas in Las Vegas — brings the flavors of Spain to the Pacific Northwest with grilled meats, Spanish charcuterie, and local seafood. The cocktail and wine menus are built for lingering, which you’ll want to do once the smoked salmon montadito with truffled Beecher’s cheese hits the table. 2125 Terry Ave. | South Lake Union