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Must List: Six Fun Things to Do This Mother’s Day Weekend

Books, beer, and bonsai

By Sarah Stackhouse May 8, 2025

People stand in line at an indoor market in front of vibrant flower bouquets—one of the fun things to do on a weekend, especially with the colorful lights, signs, and perfect blooms for Mother’s Day.
Photo courtesy of Pike Place Market

Mother’s Day weekend is here.

If you’re celebrating, we’ve rounded up some fun things to do. We’ve also put together a handy gift guide. And, our May/June magazine is hot off the press! It’s all about Trailblazing Women and would make a great gift if you’re still looking. As our publisher says, the women featured in this issue are “living proof that what happens in Seattle matters to the rest of the world.”

Here’s what to do this week:

 

Seattle Beer Week event poster features a Must List highlight, with dates May 9th–17th, 2025 in bold yellow and blue on a dark background. Don't miss this exciting celebration—mark your calendar starting from 05-08-2025!.

Seattle Beer Week

May 9-17
Several breweries and taprooms across the city

This city’s beer scene pulls together when it matters — and right now, it matters a lot. With rare tappings, fun contests, and collabs all week long, it’s the best week to be a beer lover in Seattle.

Promotional poster for the “Spirit of Africa” festival on May 10 at Seattle Center, featured in the Must List, with a smiling child in blue and a musician in traditional attire playing a drum.

Spirit of Africa

Saturday, May 10, noon.-8 p.m.
Seattle Center
Free

A full day of African drumming, live music, fashion, film, storytelling, and food returns to Seattle Center for this annual cultural fest.

A flowering bonsai tree in a pot with text promoting BonsaiFEST! at the Pacific Bonsai Museum on May 10-11—free admission for World Bonsai Day and Mother’s Day. Add this event to your Must List 2025!.

BonsaiFEST!

May 10-11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pacific Bonsai Museum
Free, suggested $12 donation

This sweet annual event has exhibitions, demos, tours, and the most beautiful trees you’ve ever seen. It’s peaceful, fun, and a perfect little weekend outing, with or without your mom.

Promotional graphic for Pike Place Market’s 17th Annual Flower Festival, May 10 & 11, 11am–4pm—featured on the Must List—with illustrated flowers and market trucks. Save the date: 05-08-2025!.

Flower Festival

May 10-11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pike Place Market
Free

Visit the Market for fresh bouquets from 30+ local farms, live music on the farm truck stage, and a special thank you gift. It’s a Mother’s Day tradition. Ride the free waterfront shuttle down to the stalls and take it all in.

Yellow poster for the Seattle Art Book Fair at Washington Hall, May 10-11, 2025, featuring an illustration of a spiral-bound book—an event to add to your Must List this season.

Seattle Art Book Fair

May 10-11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Washington Hall
Free

A two-day celebration of indie publishing with more than 85 exhibitors, artist books, small presses, and dreamy print ephemera. There’s a quiet hour from 11 a.m. to noon each day if you need a breather.

Must List pick! Promotional graphic for a Third Place Books event on 05-08-2025 featuring Craig Thompson and his memoir "Ginseng Roots," complete with a photo of the author and the book's cover.

Craig Thompson

Wednesday, May 14, 7 p.m.
Third Place Books Lake Forest Park
Free

The Blankets author returns with Ginseng Roots, a graphic memoir about childhood labor, family, and the ginseng farming industry in rural Wisconsin. Expect a signing, a Q&A, and a packed house.

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.

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