Must List: Six Fun Things to Do This Week
Glass floats, wine by the water, and a Japantown street festival
By Seattle Mag August 7, 2025
Hi. Hope you’re finding little ways to enjoy this stretch of late summer, even if it’s just taking the long way home or picking a few blackberries before they disappear. (Mine never quite make it home.)
We’ve been covering some fun things lately: a creepy Alien: Earth stunt downtown, Alaska Airlines’ new direct international flights, and an urban canoeing adventure. And if you missed the recap of the AAJA convention, it’s worth a read — a reminder of how strong and wide the journalism community really is.
Now here’s what’s happening this week:
South Lake Union Block Party
Friday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.
SLU Discovery Center, Seattle
Free
Now in its 19th year, the South Lake Union Block Party returns with food trucks, a beer and cocktail garden, lawn games, a community fair, and two stages of live music from Northwest bands. Urban Craft Uprising is hosting its mini market, and performers include Prom Date Mixtape, 90s Rewind, Hockey Teeth, and more. It started small and now draws thousands, and it still feels like a big neighborhood hang. Bonus: dogs are welcome.
West Seattle Glass Float Hunt
Aug. 8-15
West Seattle
Free
West Seattle is hiding more than 100 hand‑blown 4‑inch glass floats around shops, parks, and public spaces. If you find one, it’s yours. Each float is stamped with a heart and “WS,” sealed in a mesh bag, and features a QR code to register your find and reveal its sponsor. Daily clues go live at 9 a.m. via the event site, and the live map shows claimed treasures in real time.
Discover Pass Free Days
Saturday, Aug. 9
Washington State Parks
Free
You can park for free at Washington State Parks, and lands managed by DNR and WDFW, without a Discover Pass this Friday. It’s one of just 12 no-fee days in 2025, and happens to be Smokey Bear’s birthday (he’s 81 and still not retired). Take a hike, dip in a lake, or throw a picnic — whatever feels good. Just remember: Only you can prevent birthday cake fires.
Hai! Japantown
Saturday, Aug. 9, 1 p.m.
Japantown, Seattle
Free
This year’s Hai! Japantown festival has taiko, butoh, ukulele, tea cocktails, pop-up vendors, and matcha lattes from the Panama Hotel and Tea House. It’s all happening in the heart of Seattle’s historic Japantown. This year’s theme is Hai! Tea, and the event is also raising funds to help restore the Sadako Peace Statue, which was stolen from Peace Park last summer. Pick up a map at the info table, wander the alley, and support a neighborhood that always shows up.
Kitsap Wine Festival
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2 p.m.
Harborside Fountain Park, Bremerton
$75+
Now in its 17th year, this waterfront festival offers wine, beer, food from local vendors, lawn games, and live music — all with a view of the Bremerton waterfront. Proceeds benefit Peninsula Dance Theatre, a women-run arts organization that’s been part of the community since 1973. Also: It’s a very good excuse to wear something summery and ride the ferry.
Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio — The Invisible Parade
Thursday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m.
Third Place Books, Lake Forest
$30.39
Bardugo’s fans know the drill: her events fill up fast. This one is signing-only — no reading or talk — but it’s your chance to meet the bestselling author behind Shadow and Bone and Ninth House. She’ll be signing alongside Hugo Award-winning illustrator John Picacio to celebrate their new collaboration, The Invisible Parade.
Visit our events calendar for more ideas.
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