The “No Kings” protests began earlier this year as a nationwide movement denouncing authoritarianism, fascism, and policies linked to President Donald Trump.

Seattleites of all ages, genders, races, orientations—and even some four-legged residents—showed up wearing colorful attire, carrying creative signs, and bringing plenty of satire. Before the march began, crowds erupted as Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal took the stage at Seattle Center, calling for the people to be the movement that saves the country.

From the pre-protest rally to the march through downtown, the crowds remained peaceful and upbeat—buzzing with hope and solidarity. A marching band drummed and trumpeted alongside resounding chants. The procession stretched a mile, with a sense of solidarity running through the crowd. Inflatable frog, chicken, and shark costumes, Statues of Liberty, 18th-century kings, and handmaids in red robes were spotted in the crowd. Rainbow pride and Palestinian flags flew proudly alongside American stars and stripes. There was a palpable sense of community and togetherness, and a determination to infuse the event with creativity and positivity. About 2,600 “No Kings” events were held across nearly every U.S. state, making Seattle’s march part of a much larger national turnout.

Saturday’s march demonstrated  a growing local movement grounded in unity and civic participation. Walking among the thousands, I felt proud of the city’s spirit. Now the question is, what comes next? How can we keep this past weekend’s energy alive and turn it into lasting change?

The post Scenes from Seattle’s ‘No Kings’ March appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Also called Deepawali, the Hindu Festival of Lights in its simplest form celebrates the victory of light over dark, of good over evil. It’s a deeply important time for Hindus. “Diwali has always been one of the important festivals that was celebrated in our home and community,” says co-owner Aakanksha Sinha of Spice Waala. “It’s more about cleaning the house, removing any bad vibes, starting fresh, and, of course, eating a lot of festive food.” 

I’ve returned to India almost every year, spending months each visit exploring the colorful diversity of the subcontinent and celebrating Diwali—indulging in the feasts, flowers, and fireworks, as well as experiencing its inward side, reflecting on the shifting season and the power of finding light in the darker, colder days. 

The magic of the Festival of Lights isn’t just limited to India and Nepal. The South Asian diaspora keeps Diwali traditions alive around the world, including in the greater Seattle area, which more than 100,000 Indians call home. From pujas at temples to feasts at favorite Indian restaurants to full-flung cultural celebrations, Seattle is plentiful with ways to celebrate Diwali. Determined by the Hindu calendar, this year Diwali will fall between Oct. 18 and Oct. 22, with the main day taking place on Oct. 20.   

Citywide Celebrations

Seattle Asian Art Museum will celebrate Diwali on Oct. 11 with storytelling, cultural performances, and live music. This family-friendly affair is set to run from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and in addition to the performances, it includes decorating a tea light holder with a heritage artist and a Nepalese food truck serving snacks including momos.

On Oct. 12, Utsav Diwali will unfold at Everett’s Angels of the Winds Arena with a colorful flurry of storytelling, music and dance, feasting, crafts, and a puja for peace. 

Seattle Center’s Diwali celebration is on Oct. 18 at the Armory Food and Event Hall. The event is free and open to everyone. Enjoy dance and music performances, including an Indian classical choir from the Swaranjali School of Music and Kathak dance by Anga Kala Kathak Academy, and take part in workshops like making traditional flower mandalas, cooking rotis, and astrology readings. “As a community, we celebrate Diwali at Seattle Center to share the richness of Indian culture with all of Seattle,” says Latha Sambamurti, festival producer. 

Feasts and Flavors

You’re also invited to taste the flavors of the occasion at South Asian eateries around town throughout October. The three Spice Waala locations will cook up some favorite festival foods, including samosas, chole, and puris during Diwali week. “Diwali always started with my paternal grandmother showing a ‘jum ka diya’ around the house at dusk the night before,” says Sinha. “This was a way to ward off any evil and to wish a long and healthy life for all family members. The next morning, we all dressed in new clothes, made calls and visits to family members to wish them. The evenings were when we lit diyas around the house and made rangoli. We prayed to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. It was a night full of delicious food, lighting crackers and of course playing cards with friends.” 

“I have continued this tradition in our home in Seattle and at Spice Waala,” says Sinha. “Every year on Diwali day, we always light a diya in each of our restaurants and decorate it with marigold garlands and rangoli. We want to make sure that people like us who are far away from home can get a feeling of the festivities here in Seattle.” 

Fremont’s Sangamam is celebrating Diwali from Oct. 17-22 with a weekday Diwali thali, along with a few special sweet treats including semiya payasam (a vermicelli sweet pudding) and mango rasmalai (cottage cheese dumplings soaked in a mango-flavored cream). “The Festival of Lights holds a very special place for us,” says the Sangamam team. “We celebrate with a festive ambiance filled with beautiful lights and a special feast menu. It’s our way of sharing the warmth, light, and sense of togetherness that Diwali represents with the Seattle community.” 

The post Celebrating Diwali in Seattle appeared first on Seattle magazine.

More recently, immigrants from Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, among other Latin American countries, have settled in Seattle, with significant communities in the city’s southern neighborhoods. Sept. 15–Oct.15 is recognized nationwide as Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to recognize the deep roots and lasting contributions of Seattle’s Hispanic and Latino communities, and to celebrate with fiestas, art, comida, and more.

Where to celebrate

Celebrations kick off early at Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias over the weekend of Sept. 13 and 14. The fiesta—this year centered around the theme “Unifying Our Communities’—takes place at Seattle Center, commemorating many Latin American countries’ independence in September. Join for live music, folk dance performances, traditional Latin American food, and art exhibits. 

MEXAM NW Festival takes place across many venues in the greater Seattle area throughout the entire month. Attend a refugees and immigrants festival, storytelling events, musical performances, art exhibits and more during this festival spotlighting Hispanic and Mexican American culture.  

Just a couple weeks after the official end of Hispanic Heritage month, experience the cultural significance of the thousands-year-old Día de los Muertos, which is about much more than the familiar sugar skull or calavera face paint. Join celebrations commemorating family and friends who have passed with offerings at public celebrations like Día de Muertos Festival, with decorated altars, performances, and face painting.

Where to explore arts and culture

If you can’t make it to one of the specific celebrations, try a dance class or stopping by an art gallery.

Explore Latino art: Part gallery, part community initiative, part shop, south Seattle’s Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery provides a space to celebrate Latinx art and culture. Visit one of Nepantla’s monthly exhibits (typically focused on marginalized communities), stop by for workshops and open mics, or browse the jewelry, clothing, and homeware by Latinx artists.  

Catch a Latino film: Started by Cuban American poet and film industry professional, Jorge Enrique Gonzalez Pacheco, in 2009, Seattle Latino Film Festival is the only Pacific Northwest event celebrating Latinx cinema. This year the festival takes place Oct. 10-18, featuring shorts, documentaries, and feature-length films capturing the magic of Latin American culture and narratives. 

The 17th Annual Seattle Latino Film Festival opens with a screening of The Ladder.

Image courtesy of The Ladder Film

Watch art in action: From Sept. 15–21, ten Pacific Northwest artists with Hispanic roots will be transforming a corridor in the University District. “These works of art celebrate the voices of Mexican and Mexican-American artists while inviting all communities to reflect on the shared journeys that shape our region,” says the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle. Experience the live painting at MEXART, watching as these artists bring to life themes of migration and belonging, and enjoy the murals for years to come. 

B Line Dot as one of the muralists doing live painting at MAXART.

Photo courtesy of MAXART

Visit El Centro de la Raza (Center for People of All Races):  A pillar in the city’s Latinx community, El Centro de la Raza provides community support in the form of housing, education, and advocacy, to name a few. It also celebrates cultural holidays from Cinco de Mayo to Las Posadas, houses an art gallery, and hosts various events and courses, including cooking classes. 

Find your rhythm: Whether salsa, bachata, or kizomba is your beat, learn to move with the music Latin-style. Join Salsa Con Todo for drop-in, one-on-one, and social events exploring some of Latin America’s favorite dances. 

Where to eat, drink, and shop

This month offers plenty of chances to enjoy tacos, tamales, and other favorites—and to support the small, family-run businesses that keep Seattle’s Hispanic food culture thriving.

Sample arepas, fried plantains, and Pabellón bowls, among other Venezuelan specialties at Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen in the University District. 

Arepas, fried plantains, and Pabellón bowls at Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen in the University District.

Photo courtesy of Arepa

Enjoy coffee with a touch of Mexican flair at Cafetal Quilombo Café on Capitol Hill, which serves indulgent drinks like horchata lattes and canela lattes, alongside chilaquiles, tamales, chile relleno, and plenty of other breakfast and lunch dishes. 

From plates filled with meat, rice, and beans, to small bites like pupusas and tamales, to fresh-baked bread and mango tres leches cake and other treats to go, the family-run The Salvadorean Bakery keeps the culinary and cultural traditions of El Salvador alive in White Center. 

Maíz specializes in nixtamalized tortillas—a preservation of native corn varieties—stuffed with daily fillings, as well as tamales, gorditas, and sopes, served from its Pike Place shop and newly opened Belltown location. 

Keep watch around town for Aquí Mercado, a Latino/LGBTQ+ monthly pop-up bringing people together through food, music, dance, drag, creative expression, and community solidarity. 

Octopus, shrimp, salmon… get your ceviche fix at Shark Bites Ceviche in Beacon Hill, crafted from fresh seafood.  

Enjoy tacos Mexico City-style at one of Carmelo’s Tacos Capitol Hill locations, using family recipes and hometown sauces to create tacos, quesabirrias, and mulitas that will have you licking your fingers clean. 

Quesabirrias and a mulita.

Photo courtesy of Carmelo's Tacos

Indulge in donuts inspired by the flavors of Latin America at one of Doce’s locations in Seattle and Bellevue. This Venezuelan-Argentinean family-run donut shop crafts delectable rotating flavors, including passion fruit crème brulee and churro dulce de leche donuts.

The post Hispanic Heritage Month in Seattle appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Maybe you fish or forage from it, kayak or sail on it, surf its swells, hike and camp along its coast, or simply enjoy the sight of the water on a regular basis. The ocean is intertwined with our way of life here. And sometimes it’s easy to take it for granted.

This year’s theme for World Ocean Day, “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” is a reminder to give back to the ecosystem that sparks so much wonder in us. World Ocean Day is June 8, a time to reconnect to our marine ecosystems in Washington and the ocean beyond and the sense of wonder they spark in our lives.

Community Events

Following its renovation in 2024, the Seattle Aquarium has doubled down on its conservation efforts through its One World Ocean initiative. Learn about the interconnectedness of the world’s waters, from the Salish Sea to the Coral Triangle, at the Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion.

Did you know there’s more plastic in the ocean than fish? Approximately 26 billion pounds of plastic gets dumped into the ocean each year. Small, localized efforts can make big waves to mitigate these numbers. A few large-scale beach clean-ups take place throughout the year, organized by Washington CoastSavers and the Ocean Conservancy. The next date is July 5, although there’s no reason to wait until then. The next trip you take to the lake or the coast, bring a bag and gloves with you and pick up waste along a walk. Go solo or invite some friends to join you.

If you’d prefer to be on the water, join Puget Soundkeeper for a few conservation-focused activities in June. Puget Soundkeeper is hosting a World Ocean Day sail on Lake Union on June 7, or you can help clean up Lake Union on a kayak trip on June 11.

Activities and Classes

The more we learn about the ocean and the more time we spend in it, the stronger the draw there is to protect it. Go for a swim (cold plunges are trending, after all), kayak, or paddle in Washington’s waters. Maybe take learn to master the waves during a surf class in Westport with Big Foot Surf, or find your balance paddling in open water during a sea kayaking course with the Mountaineers.

Or mix it up and try something new. Outdoor Odyssey’s multi-day kayaking excursions in the San Juan islands allow you to more deeply connect with the rhythm of the sea as you spend a few days kayaking between islands in search of marine life. Shifting Tides runs workshops, designed to encourage education and exploration of ocean and coastal ecosystems. There are several classes in June, including seaweed foraging and tide pooling excursions.

June is also the start of whale watching season in Washington. Look for companies that are part of the Pacific Whale Watching Association (PWWA), which share a commitment to conservation and responsible whale watching, such as using silent boats to minimize noise pollution. Clipper’s whale watching excursions in Washington comply with PWWA regulations and include a naturalist aboard to educate on the environment and wildlife behavior.

The post How to Celebrate the Sea on World Ocean Day appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Before the colorful, vibrant celebrations commonly associated with Pride Month, Seattle’s Pride celebrations had humble beginnings. The first festivities in 1974 started with a small picnic in Occidental Park and culminated in a group of people and makeshift banners encircling the fountain at Seattle Center.

Although the distance traveled over the last five decades is humbling, the queer community’s battle for equity remains ongoing. Amidst rising concerns over LGBTQIA+ safety in the United States, now is as important as ever to rally behind the community. This year’s Pride Month is plentiful with picnics and parades, rainbow-hued block parties and exuberant drag brunches — as well as opportunities to learn from and support the city’s queer community. Locals and visitors, LGBTQIA+ community and allies alike can celebrate all month long, helping to amplify Seattle Pride 2025 theme: “LOUDER.”

“This moment calls for not just resilience. It demands resistance,” says Patti Hearn, Seattle Pride executive director. “Resistance is rooted in love, courage, and an unwavering belief that the world can and must be better.”

Pride for the Whole Family

Pride has plenty of family-friendly affairs for everyone to enjoy. Kick off the month at Pride in the Park, an all-ages, free event taking place on the afternoon of Saturday, June 7. Community is central to this Volunteer Park event. There’s something for everyone, from food trucks and drag shows, to a teen lounge and live music.

Also happening on June 7 is the family-friendly Rainbow Hop in PhinneyWood. The day starts with an age-appropriate anti-bullying play at Taproot Theatre. Everyone is then invited to explore the Rainbow Hop Route on Greenwood Avenue, featuring crafts, stories, music, and a dance party for all ages.

Taproot Theatre’s Road Co. offers a free public performance as part of PhinneyWood Pride Rainbow Hop.

Photo courtesy of Taproot Theatre

Festivals and Parades

Festivals, parades, and block parties take place throughout June, leading up to the Seattle PrideFest. On June 28, PrideFest takes over five blocks of Capitol Hill, where you can explore entertainment across several stages. The following day, join the parade and march to Seattle Center, where a colorful celebration follows. Seattle PrideFest continues to be one of the largest free Pride celebrations in the country.

The last weekend of the month is packed with fun. From June 27-29, Queer/Pride Festival will take over the Capitol Hill neighborhood. This annual 21+ event features drag performances, burlesque dancers, DJs, and live music including the likes of Lil’ Kim and Rebecca Black. Keep the party going at events such as Kremwork Pride (June 28) and Cuff Pride Fest (June 28 and 29). The Seattle Pride Parade closes the month on June 29. Before the parade, people can join the official Seattle Pride Legacy Drag Brunch fundraiser featuring Pride-inspired drinks and brunch.

Drag Brunches and Performances

Pride Month isn’t complete without at least one event featuring a fierce, glammed-up drag queen. Seattle’s drag lineup for June is stacked with choices from brunches and cabaret shows to musical performances and drag and wine. On the afternoon of June 8, brunch at the Fairmont while being dazzled by some of Seattle’s fiercest queens. A portion of tickets go to Seattle Pride. That night, join several queens at the W Seattle for a drag concert featuring Lady Gaga and Cher performances. And later in the month, pair wine and drag at the Princess and the Bear, South Park’s Languedoc-Roussillon-dedicated wine bar at the rose’-all-day Queen drag show.

Drag Queen Sunday with Sativa at Princess & Bear Tasting Room.

Photo courtesy of Princess & Bear

Among the lineup of special drag events, you can also count on Seattle’s beloved, long-running drag extravaganza. Le Faux Playhouse will run drag brunches and cabaret shows every weekend in June at Julia’s on Broadway featuring celebrity impersonations, burlesque performances, and more.

Pride for Sports Lovers

Pride is as much for the queens as it is for the athletes. Seattle’s sports teams are showing up big time for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community this year.

The Mariner’ kick off the occasion with a Pride Month game on June 4, followed by a second one on June 13. Along with a chance to win Mariners Pride merch, $5 from each ticket sale goes to support GSBA Scholarship Fund and Seattle Pride. Seattle’s women’s rugby team, the Seawolves, kicks off the string of Pride month sports events with a night of festivities on June 8 including a performance by Rainbow City Performing Arts marching band and a merch table.

Pride Month games at T-Mobile Park.

Photo courtesy of Mariners

Later in the month, Salmon FC (Seattle’s new women’s soccer team co-owned by women-run sports bar Rough and Tumble), will host a Pride match on June 22. Soccer fans can also look out for the Sounders Pride Match on the 28^th, featuring Pride-themed décor and activities. Last but not least, join the Seattle Storm for Pride Night on the 27^th.

Learn about Seattle’s Queer History

Seattle’s queer history long predates its first official Pride in 1974. From the late 19^th century, a gay community flourished in Pioneer Square, loosely known as “Fairyville.” Underground gay bars flourished in the early 1900s. The Casino, the city’s first after-hours club, opened in 1933, and Seattle’s first gay-owned bar, The Garden of Allah, opened in a Post Alley basement in 1946.

Honor the history of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community on a couple of dedicated walking tours. On June 14, join a queer walking tour in Capitol Hill. Visit spots that have long welcomed queer Seattleites and learn how the city’s queer history overlaps with other social movements. Every Sunday in June, Beneath the Streets is running underground tours that focus on the LGBTQIA+ history in Pioneer Square.

Queer Businesses to Support

Celebrate, dance, and paint yourself with the rainbow — but also remember that Pride is as much a celebration as it is a call to action. Pride Month is a time to reflect on the history of the LGBTQIA+ community and its continued fight for an equitable future. One way that allies can show up is to support LGBTQIA+ businesses. Here’s some ideas to get you going.

For Book Lovers: Browse literature at trans-owned Charlie’s Queer Books and woman-and queer-owned Elliot Bay Book Co.

For wine lovers: Enjoy a glass or two at locally sourced Aluel Cellars with locations in Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Queen Anne, and sustainability-focused Footprint Wine Tap on Capitol Hill.

Footprint Wine Tap

Photo courtesy of Footprint

For sustainable, locally sourced bites: Grab brunch or dinner at Harry’s Fine Foods, Terra Plata, or Café Flora and other spots that are part of the Flora Restaurant Group.

For craft beer lovers: Unwind with one of Stoup Brewing’s incredible lineup of IPAs at its Capitol, Ballard, or Kenmore locations, or grab a pint at Métier Brewing (Black- and LGBTQIA-owned) on Cherry Street or at its Woodinville brewery.

For thrifting fans: Capitol Hill Goodwill is hosting two Pride pop-ups all through June. Drag icon Viper Fengz has curated a collection featuring an eclectic mix of fun, punk-inspired pieces, while musician Your Friend, Claudine offers a selection of charming ’90s vintage finds. Proceeds support Evergreen Goodwill’s free job training and education programs.

For gift shopping, plant, and art lovers: Deck out your home, do some gift shopping, or invest in a few new plant babies at spots such as The Plant Store, Seattle Plant Daddy, Orcas Paley, and Ghost Gallery (located in Pike Place).

It’s time to celebrate!

The post Taking Pride in Seattle appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Dragon Tamer Luohan in wood, Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Photo courtesy of Seattle Asian Art Museum

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and the perfect time to plan a visit to one — or all — of these notable spots in the greater Seattle area that honor the city’s AANHPI community and history.

Seattle Chinatown-International District’s notable spots

Established in the late 1880s, Seattle Chinatown-International District is one of the oldest Asian American neighborhoods on the West Coast and has been the center of Seattle’s Asian community for well over a century. Facing challenges from modern-day transit and infrastructure projects, in 2023 the neighborhood was placed on The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. It is the only neighborhood in the continental United States where Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and African Americans settled together and created a single neighborhood.

While it is common to pass through for hot pot or a trip to Uwajimaya, on your next visit, take time to explore more of the neighborhood’s historical and cultural elements. Stop and admire Pai-Lau, the Seattle Chinatown Gate completed in 2008 to commemorate more than 150 years of Chinese contributions in Seattle. Visit Hing Hai Park, a popular spot for morning mediations, martial arts classes, and cultural festivals, and explore the Danny Woo Community Garden, a 1975 project that now includes Kobe Terrace, fruit orchards, an outdoor kitchen, and plots cultivated by elderly Asian immigrants in the neighborhood.

Hing Hay Park located in the heart of the Chinatown-International District Neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of Seattle Park and Recreation

The Panama Hotel is a landmark in the neighborhood, built in 1910 by a Japanese architect for single Japanese men seeking work in the United States. Book a room at the hotel and stay in the heart of Japantown or simply pay it a visit to learn about its history, have a tea at the café, and glimpse at Hashidate-Yu Bathhouse, the last remaining onsen (Japanese-style public bathhouse) in the U.S (though unfortunately closed for usage). Another important building is the Nippon Kan Theatre. Constructed in 1909, Nippon Kan was a central gathering space for the Japanese community for theatre and arts up until World War II.

The Panama Hotel is a historic landmark for Japanese American heritage in the Pacific Northwest.

Photo courtesy of The Panama Hotel

The museum in the Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee.

Photo courtesy of The Panama Hotel

Unmissable on a visit to the International District is the Wing Luke Museum, the only community-run museum in the United States dedicated to capturing the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. For more art, browse fine crafts at KOBO, a gallery featuring the work of Japanese and Northwestern artisans in a historic Japantown building, where many of the vintage features have been preserved.

While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t forget to eat! Book a table at Maneki, a spot dating back to 1904, serving traditional Japanese fare on low-to-the-ground tables and tatami mats. Grab Filipino-inspired baked goods like ube cheesecake and blueberry calamansi brioche at Hood Famous Bakeshop or grab a bowl of steaming pho at Pho Bac Sup Shop.

Assorted Pho and Goi Cuon summer rolls at Pho Bac Seattle.

Photo courtesy of Pho Bac Sup Shop

Visit Seattle’s Japanese and Chinese-inspired gardens

Ideal quiet spaces for meditation and reflection, escape the busyness of the city in one of Seattle’s Japanese or Chinese gardens. Japan has a centuries-old tradition of gardens, considered to be an art form essential to life. Stroll gardens — a specific style of Japanese gardens designed to encourage walking — follow a path around a central pond and incorporate varying landscapes from Japan, including islands, forests, and waterfalls.

Tucked into the Washington Park Arboretum, the Seattle Japanese Garden opened to the public in 1960 and has continued to receive acclamation for its detailed design blending Japanese and native Northwest plants. Wander through the winding garden slowly and mindfully, taking in the details of stones, lanterns, bridges, and plants, everchanging in color and scent throughout the seasons.

In Rainier Beach, get lost among the landscapes of Kubota Garden. This south Seattle Japanese garden is a maze of Maple forests, creeks, bridges, and ponds. Also, in the south part of the city is the Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle College. Designed around the philosophy of yin and yang, the 4.6-acre garden incorporates the four elements through water, stone, plants, and architecture to align with the universal energy of qi.

Learn about Japanese history on Bainbridge Island

It is impossible to explore Seattle’s Asian roots without acknowledging the dark period in history during World War II. One of the best spots to learn about this is at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, a place designed with the intention of fostering healing and community. On March 30, 1942, the more than 200 Japanese American residents of Bainbridge Island became the first in the nation to be forcibly removed from their homes during World War II.

Located in Bainbridge Island’s Pritchard Park, the memorial is more than 20 years in the making and was developed with the goal of acknowledging the wrongdoings of the pass and solidifying the community. The wall includes wooden, carved paintings and paper cranes to pay tribute to the exiled community members.

Visit Seattle’s historic Buddhist temples

Not simply a place for Japanese Buddhist practice, the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple holds a lot of history as well. Japanese Betsuin tradition in Seattle dates back to 1901 when the first Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service took place in the Pacific Northwest. After many iterations of the temple, a more permanent temple complex was constructed in 1941, which is still standing today.

During WW II, the Seattle Betsuin Temple was used as a Maritime Commission Office. Today, the temple serves its original purpose: as a gathering place for Betsuin Buddhist practitioners. Whether you’re simply curious about some of Seattle’s Japanese history or are interested in learning more about this line of Buddhism, the temple runs regular readings, discussions, and festivals.

Another central spot for Seattle’s Buddhist community is Sakya Monastery, a temple for Tibetan Buddhism. Formed in 1974, Sakya opened with the intention to share the teachings of highly regarded Tibetan Lamas and preserve Tibetan culture. Sakya Monastery’s current location in Greenwood continues to be a staple for preserving Tibetan culture in exile and centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist practices and teachings.

The post These Cultural Landmarks Honor Seattle’s AANHPI Community appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Just a decade after the city’s founding in 1851, Chinese pioneers began arriving in Seattle. In the 1860s, they set up Chinese quarter near the waterfront and by the 1880s, Japanese began arriving and soon established Nihonmachi north of Chinatown.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Here’s a roundup of activities across the Emerald City.

Festivals 

On May 3, head to Seattle Center for the AANHPI Heritage Month celebration, which is part of the Seattle Center Festál series. Traditional performances from Hula to lion dance to taiko (Japanese drumming) will be interspersed among events such as book readings and beat boxing, all of which showcase the traditions and talents of cultural groups across the city. Chow down on some of your favorite flavors from food vendors, including yakisoba from Yakimono and Filipino bites from Loumpia, while browsing the creations of local AANHPI retail businesses.

K-pop dance performance at AANHPI Heritage Month celebration.

Photo courtesy of Seattle Center

A short ferry ride away, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) is hosting its second annual Asian Arts and Heritage Festival. Throughout the month of May, BIMA will honor its AANHPI community through various events and exhibits, from a series of vignette performances by poets, comedians, and authors to a Korean heritage night.

History 

On every Saturday in May, the Wing Luke Museum is running walking tours on heritage trails through the International District and Central District. Along the mile or so guided walk, listen to stories about housing exclusion, redlining, the Civil Rights Movement, and the coming together of Seattle communities. While you’re in the area, learn about art, culture, and history of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities at the Wing Luke Museum and explore the distinct neighborhoods within the International District and their histories: Filipinotown, Japantown, Little Saigon, and Nihonmachi Alley.

The Vietnam War 

Exactly 50 years to the day, the Vietnam War came to an end. On April 30, 1975, Saigon fell, marking the end to the war. Washington welcomed several hundred Vietnamese refugees during this time, and thousands more followed in the coming years. Friends of Little Sai Gon (FLS) — a nonprofit formed in 2011 to address the rising concern over the redevelopment of the Little Saigon neighborhood — is hosting Sàigòn to Seattle, a series of events and art exhibits to reflect on the occasion and tell stories from the Vietnamese diaspora community in King County.

“They (small business owners) feared losing the legacy, livelihood, and cultural connections they had built in this community,” says Valerie Tran, deputy director of FLS. “These small business owners started FLS with the mission to preserve and enhance Little Saigon’s cultural, economic, and historic vitality.”

The Sàigòn to Seattle series was created to tell narratives around the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. “Through our series, people will see artwork, artifacts, and stories from local community members who span different generations, waves of migration, and experiences with/connections to the war,” Tran adds. “We hope that our series will showcase the resiliency of the Vietnamese spirit.”

On May 3, catch Saigon to Seattle: 50 Years after the War, a short film premiering at Hoa Mai Park as part of Sàigòn to Seattle. Several film screenings alongside cultural and musical performances will also take place.

Culture 

Visit art exhibits across the city that tell stories from past, present, and future of the AANHPI community. Curated by Thanh Tan — the daughter of Vietnamese refugees — We Were Soldiers, Too preserves often unspoken about parts of the Vietnamese American diaspora, including oral histories from veterans of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The exhibit is showing at the Friends of Little Saigon Creative through June 14.

Also on show is Sàigòn to Seattle: Our Past, Our Present, and Our Future, a collection by Vietnamese artists which will be exhibiting at the Yuan Ru Art Center in Bellevue until May 17. If you haven’t seen it yet, May is the perfect time to visit Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei at the Seattle Art Museum (through September 7). Renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei’s first U..S retrospective in more than a decade combines works from his 40-year career.

Another of Weiwei’s works, Water Lillies (an interpretation of Monet’s art with Legos) is on display at the Seattle Asian Art Museum. While you’re there, explore the museum’s extensive collection of Asian art and check out Indo-Caribbean artist Suchitra Mattai’s exhibition reimagining her grandparents’ journey from India to Guyana.

Ai Weiwei recreates Claude Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ Paintings with 650K Lego bricks.

Photo courtesy of

Support AANHPI Businesses

During May and throughout the year, support the hundreds of AANHPI businesses across greater Seattle. So much of the city’s fabric thrives on these family-owned entities, from buying Asian food staples at Uwajimaya, to visiting your favorite neighborhood pho shop, to checking out newer establishments like Sophon, which pays homage to Chef Karuna Long’s Cambodian/Khmer heritage.

Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest.

Photo courtesy of Uwajimaya

Beyond AANHPI heritage month, look for pop-up events, book readings, and art workshops from FLS, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington to learn about, support, and connect with Seattle’s dynamic AANHPI communities.

The post Sound To Summit: AANHPI Voices Rising in Seattle appeared first on Seattle magazine.

While some of these international- and national-level changes can leave us feeling somewhat helpless (myself, included), there is still much we can do. Some of the most important change comes from local, grassroots action. There’s plenty of ways to get involved with local conservation in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest this Earth Day and every day, in line with the 2025 Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet.” Here’s a few ideas to get you started.  

Stay active while cleaning up the city

On April 19, participate in Seattle’s Earth Day Run at Magnuson Park. Get outside and breathe in fresh air as you run along the lake. At the end, each participant receives a native sapling tree. You can take it home or plant it at the park. Planting a single tree holds a lot of power. One tree can absorb up to 10 pounds of air pollutants a year, while also producing nearly 260 pounds of oxygen. A Magnuson Park gardener will be around to answer questions, provide information about native trees, and offer tips for planting. A portion of your registration fee will go to support local environmental organizations.

Earth Day Run at Magnuson Park

Photo courtesy of Magnuson Series

Get out on the water with Puget Soundkeeper for a variety of clean-up events around the week of Earth Day. 

• April 19: Paddle on the Duwamish River with a guided kayak tour and clean-up. Both morning and afternoon shifts are available. 
• April 19: Celebrate Earth Day at the Arboretum, where you can join the park clean-up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help remove invasive weeds, learn about creating pollinator habitats at your home garden, and more.
• April 23: Join a kayak and clean up on Lake Union from noon until 2 p.m.
• April 26: Participate in the Earth Month clean-up around Lake Washington at Magnuson Park from 10 a.m. until noon.

Be part of the conversation

If you’re eager to dig deeper into the climate challenges facing Seattle and Western Washington, partake in the Climate solutions series at Town Hall Seattle the evening of April 22. The event is hosted by Seattle Parks Foundation and will include a conversation led by local leaders in the climate space about nature-based climate solutions, resiliency, and ways the community can get involved. It’s a fantastic opportunity to join the conversation yourself, learn about challenges and solutions around topics ranging from urban food systems to tree canopy solutions, and connect to ways to get involved with grassroots efforts.  

Conscious imbibing

Seattle and the surrounding area have plenty of bars and cafes dedicated to eco-friendly practices and celebrating the bounties of our land. Throughout April, Schilling Cider is donating 5% of profits from the sales of two ciders — Excelsior Imperial Apple and Moon Berries — to nonprofits protecting wild spaces in the US, including Washington Wild and Wildlands Conservancy. Wine lovers can enjoy a glass or two at Footprint Wine Tap in Capitol Hill. Footprint prioritizes sustainability by sourcing responsibly produced wines from across the Pacific Northwest. One of its major pillars in reducing its carbon footprint is seeking alternative wine packaging when possible. This means pouring wine from kegs and offering reusable growlers for take-home wine. 

Footprint Wine Tap in Capitol Hill

Photo courtesy of Footprint

Owner and winemaker Ken Dillon of Footprint Wine Tap.

Photo courtesy of Footprint

Learn about the Earth

Are you new to outdoor adventures, gardening, and nature-related hobbies? Or perhaps you’re an outdoor enthusiast who wants to up your backcountry skills? For Earth Month, take a backcountry 101 class, learn more about gardening, or take a naturalist class. 

Join the Mountaineers community, which offers a diverse scope of courses designed to get you outside, including naturalist and environmental courses, backpacking skills, sea kayaking courses, and more. Learn how to track wildlife in three of Washington’s ecosystems with Raven’s Roots Naturalist School. Participate in the P-Patch Community Gardening Program, which oversees urban spaces to grow organic food and flowers. On April 19, P-Patch is hosting a free event at the Northwest African American Museum, where you can scope out organic seeds and fertilizers and get tips for starting your own garden.   

P-Patch Community Gardening Program

Photo courtesy of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

Pitch in with local restoration

Maintaining our local trails and parks is an important and timely part of preserving the pristine nature around Seattle and Washington. Local environmental organizations offer plenty of opportunities to join work parties, clean-ups, and trail restoration projects. You can help Washington Trails Association (WTA) restore trails across the region by joining one of its frequent work parties. Volunteer work includes prepping trails for hiking season and clearing out fallen trees, with locations ranging from the Cougar Mountain to Columbia River Gorge. 

If the ocean is more your beat, on April 19 join Coastsavers for its annual Earth Day beach clean-up. Spend the day breathing in salty sea air with your feet in the sand as you help clean up beaches in one of two locations: the Pacific Coast and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. For year-round opportunities, consider joining the Washington Sea Grant team to help monitor invasive green crab outbreaks in coastal areas. 

Beyond Earth Day-specific events, consider volunteering with a local environmental nonprofit throughout the year. Choose between organizations accepting volunteers such as Cascade Forest Conservancy and Washington Native Plant Society. 

Simply get outside

A reverence for nature and the drive to preserve it stems from time spent outside. Feel soil between your fingers and sand between your toes. Learn about new types of trees, flowers, and plants blossoming around us. Listen to the sound of the ocean crashing and search for small creatures in marine habitats. 

This Earth Day and this Earth Month, one of the most powerful things you can do is spend more time in nature. Take a hike in search of spring wildflowers. Walk through the Washington Park Arboretum and learn about seasonal blooms. Go for a dip in a lake or Puget Sound. 

Above all else, be curious about the natural world around you.  

The post Why This Earth Day Is More Important Than Ever appeared first on Seattle magazine.

For the food fanatics: If you aren’t in a food coma after Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanza celebrations, commemorate the occasion with one last feast for the year.

• Hamdi: Join Hamdi for a three-course Turkish feast in Ballard. Start by snacking on various mezzes including carrot dip blended with dates, walnuts, and smoked yoghurt and flame-cooked mussels. Make sure to save room for the feature: an eight-hour whole roast lamb. Top it off with dessert and special New Year’s Eve libations. Reservations available starting at 5 p.m., $145/person.

Spread of food at Hamdi.

Photo by Evan Sung

• Mezzanotte: Head to Disco al Dente in Georgetown on the final day of 2024. Mezzanotte has crafted two five-course tasting menus featuring delicacies like lobster Caesar, scallop crudo, and filet mignon. Enjoy your meal to the soundtrack of groovy disco tracks with the choice to elevate the occasion with wine and cocktail pairings ($150/person; $75 optional drink supplement).

• Harry’s Fine Foods: The culinary masterminds behind Harry’s Fine Foods have dreamt up two ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Tuck into a four-course meal on the shores of Alki at Harry’s Beach House, where you can savor dishes like smoked honey nut squash and seared scallops ($125/person). Or book a table at Harry’s neighborhood establishment in Capitol Hill for a tasting menu featuring pastrami smoked sturgeon and duck dumplings, among other tasty things ($95/person). Pre- or post-dinner, hit the lounge for celebratory bubbles and oysters.

Harry’s Fine Foods in Capitol Hill.

Photo courtesy of Harry's Fine Food

For the festive folks: Get dressed up in your favorite glitter, velvet, and sequins, and ring in the New Year with some glitz and glam.

 • The Fairmont Olympic hotel recently turned 100. Help celebrate its centennial in style this New Year’s Eve. The hotel’s speakeasy, the Founder’s Club, is throwing a 1920s-themed fête complete with sophisticated cocktails and a Dom toast at midnight. Come dressed in silver, black, gold, or white. The lobby’s Olympic Bar will be buzzing with a DJ, charcuterie, and a midnight countdown, and both restaurants (The George and Shucker’s Oyster Bar) are serving special menus throughout the evening.

Festive lobby at Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

Photo by Hannah Corbin

The Founder’s Club.

Photo courtesy of Fairmont Olympic Hotel

• Ring in 2025 from the water with Argosy Cruises’ 21+ New Year’s bash. Set sail from the downtown waterfront, sip on champagne, and dance the night away while the boat makes its way to Lake Union. You’ll be treated to arguably the best view of fireworks dazzling over the Space Needle ($139/person).

• Gatsby New Year’s Eve party: Travel back to the 1920s and celebrate Gatsby-style at Columbia Tower. Look forward to an evening dressed in your flapper best while you enjoy appetizers, champagne toasts, DJs, and an up-close view of the fireworks in downtown when the clock strikes midnight ($150/person).

• Prom Night Y2K at Rhein Haus: Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to a more recent moment in history. Dress up in your favorite prom glam and join Rhein Haus for a Y2K-themed Prom Night, complete with a 2000s playlist and crowning a prom king and queen of the night ($25 cover).

For the dancing queens and kings: After you’ve had a glass of champagne or two, it’s time to change into comfier shoes and get ready to dance your way into the New Year.

• Disco Fever at Benaroya Hall: Special guests are joining the Seattle Symphony for a night of nostalgic hits from the disco days. The concert starts at 9 p.m. and is followed by an afterparty culminating in a countdown to midnight.

• Shine New Year’s: Techno and house heads can head to the Kremwerk/Timbre Room/Cherry Complex for its annual New Year’s extravaganza. After you’ve toasted at midnight, the dance party continues ‘til 4 a.m.

• The Breakfast Club at Monkey Loft: Whether you want to keep the party going, are an early riser, or are a fan of day parties, head to Monkey Loft in Sodo where you can groove all morning and afternoon at The Breakfast Club. DJs hit the decks at 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day and keep the tunes going until 4. p.m.

For the wellness warriors: Amidst the craze of the holidays, remember to pause, breathe, and invest in some self-care. It’s OK to stay home on New Year’s Eve so you feel rested on the first day of the year.

• New Year’s yoga and intention-setting: Several yoga studios around Seattle are hosting New Year’s Day classes and workshops. Flow with Ritual House in North Capitol Hill for a special New Year’s Vinyasa class the morning of Jan. 1. Eight Limbs Yoga in Phinney Ridge is blending yoga flow, breathwork, and journaling for a New Year’s ritual experience on the afternoon of the first. If you’re interested in building a yoga practice, the new year is the perfect time to start, and Eight Limbs has a four-week intro series starting January 9. And on the weekend of January 11 and 12, Pranify is offering a weekend Ayurveda course to help you start the year with intentional, self-care practices rooted in Ayurvedic tradition

• Polar Plunge: Take a dip in the chilly waters of Puget Sound or Lake Washington to start the new year feeling revived. Sandpoint’s Polar Plunge kicks off with a 5k run or walk before dipping in Lake Washington. Renton, Tacoma, and Lake Sammamish are also hosting polar plunges on the morning of the Jan. 1. Trust me, it gets easier over time, and remember to breathe! Pack a change of warm, dry clothes and keep your hands and feet warm after the dip.

• Sauna and Plunge: If you prefer to heat up in a sauna before you take the plunge, the Seattle area has two relatively new outdoor sauna experiences right by bodies of water. Book a New Year’s Eve session with Bywater Sauna at Golden Gardens or a New Year’s Day session at Alki. Von Sauna in Kirkland also has slots open for New Year’s Day, where you can work up a sweat before jumping into Washington’s winter waters.

Guests cold plunging after sauna session with Bywater.

Photo by Simeon Pratt

• Enjoy the beauty of Washington on a First Day Hike: Start the New Year in nature and fresh air. More than 30 of Washington’s state parks are offering self-guided and staff-led hikes, snowshoeing, and scavenger hunts Jan. 1, including Lime Kiln Point, Deception Pass, and Tolmie. All hikes are free, and a Discover Pass is not needed for parking on Jan. 1.

Group first day hike at Lake Wenatchee.

Photo courtesy of Washington State Park

The post A Seattle New Year, For All Types appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Native American Heritage Month — observed throughout November — is a time of unlearning and relearning historical narratives. It is also a time to celebrate the Indigenous heritage of the land on which we reside. From art galleries and markets to food experiences and cultural events, here’s how to support our Indigenous communities and Native-owned businesses in Washington and Oregon in November and throughout the year.

The new 50-foot replica of the Chief-of-All-Women totem pole in Pioneer Square.

Photo by David Newman / Visit Seattle

Food

Food is a gateway to culture. It is an experiential medium that enables us to understand the story of a place or group of people. Food is also a reflection of the natural bounties of a region and a community’s connection to the land. The revival of Native American food is only at the dawn of its renaissance with a long way to go in preserving and uplifting the ingredients and flavors central to Indigenous culinary traditions of North America. 

In the Pacific Northwest, where many of our favorite foods like sockeye salmon and huckleberries are Native, there are a few spots to explore these Indigenous flavors. Stop by Off the Rez at the Burke Museum for bites like frybread bison tacos, frybread with lemon curd, and wild rice grain bowls. Keep an eye out for its food truck around town, as Off the Rez—owned by Mark McConnell who grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation — also regularly makes appearances at events in the greater Seattle area. Chef Jeremy Thunderbird, of Squamish and Chumash heritage, also hosts pop-ups around town through his business Native Soul Cuisine. He fuses flavors from different cultural traditions into comfort dishes like blue corn tamales and salmon burgers topped with wojabi berry BBQ sauce.  

Off The Rez’s food truck offers scratch-made Native cuisine with a modern twist.

Photo courtesy of Off the Rez

On the other side of the state, Indigenous Eats, which is owned by Yakama Nation member Jenny Slagle and her husband, Andrew, serves Native American-inspired food at two locations in Spokane. Enjoy dishes like three sisters soup made with squash, beans, and corn, and a burger served between frybread and topped with huckleberry sauce. 

Indigenous Eats in Spokane serves up Native-inspired dishes like three sisters soup and frybread burgers with huckleberry sauce.

Photo courtesy of Indigenous Eats

Down in Portland, Chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson, who grew up on the Yakama Reservation in Toppenish, caters and hosts pop-up dinners through her culinary business, Javelina. Her family has origins in the Yakama, Cree and Skokomish Nations of the Pacific Northwest, and her grandfather is from the Hopi Nation in northeastern Arizona. Her evolving menus place wild game, local fish, berries, and root vegetables center stage. On Nov. 24, Numkena-Anderson is hosting a six-course dinner at Multnomah Whiskey Library in Portland. Looking to catch your own food? Join Littleleaf Guides on a Steelhead fishing trip this fall or winter on Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Native fishing guides Alysia and Elke Littleleaf bring guests to the Native side of the Deschutes River to fly fish. 

Chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson’s Javelina pop-ups in Portland showcase Native ingredients. Catch her six-course dinner Nov. 24 at Multnomah Whiskey Library.

Photos courtesy of Javelina

If you’re planning a trip to Willamette Valley, book a table at Newberg’s JORY Restaurant, where Executive Chef Jack Strong — a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians — heads up the kitchen at this wine country farm-to-table. During November, JORY is creating a dish reflecting native flavors of the Northwest, from which a portion of its sales will support Siletz Valley School’s culinary program. 

At JORY, Chef Jack Strong offers Northwest flavors, supporting Siletz Valley School this November.

Photos courtesy of Allison Inn & Spa

Wine lovers can also sample a range of Pinot Noirs (and a sparkling rose) produced by Yamhill-Carlton winery, Greywing Cellars. This small, family-owned winery produces wines with a story and rooted in community. To honor co-owner Brandy Grey’s Cherokee/Shawnee ancestry and support of her community, a portion of bottle sales go to various Indigenous causes, including the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women campaign. 

Storytelling through Museums and Galleries

From totem poles to cedar bark weaving, the Indigenous artistic heritage of Pacific Northwest is abundant. A great starting place to learn more about these artistic traditions is at the Burke Museum’s Northwest Native Art exhibit. Six Pacific Northwest Native artists have thoughtfully curated this exhibit with permanent and rotating displays of carvings, totem poles, baskets, and mixed media art that tell stories of historic and modern-day artistry of Pacific Northwest tribes. Seattle Art Museum also hosts Art and Life Along the Northwest Coast, an ongoing exhibit that tells stories of the Coastal Salish traditions and connection to the surrounding forests and water.

See Pacific Northwest Native art at the Burke Museum, featuring carvings, totem poles, and woven works curated by Native artists.

Photo by Dennis Wise and Mark Stone

Through the end of November, visit Luminosity, a Northwest Native glass art exhibit at Stonington Gallery in Pioneer Square. Experience the fascinating ways that regional artists have blended contemporary techniques with Indigenous tradition into works of glass sea creatures and Lummi baskets, among other things. New to town is Tidelands, which just opened in September 2024. This downtown space is part gallery, part production studio, and part boutique. The entirety of Tidelands is dedicated to authentic storytelling from Native communities through photography, music performances, rotating art exhibits, and other knowledge-sharing events. 

Crafters can kearn firsthand the art of beadwork with Ariana Griggs of the Port Gamble S’klallam Tribe. She is holding a beading workshop on Nov. 10 at the Suquamish Museum. 

Art Markets and Native Shops

If you’re interested in investing in Native art and homeware, a popular starting place is Eighth Generation, a gift shop owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. From wool blankets and jewelry to fine art prints and kitchenware, its extensive collection represents Salish Indigenous artists and Native craftsmen across the country. Fremont is now home to a newly opened Indigenous boutique and giftshop. Yubəč — meaning “King Salmon” in Lushootseed — sells cookery, drums, wooden boards, and paintings, among various other goods crafted by Native American artists. And on your next visit to Pike Place Market, visit Kaigani Craft, where Jacinthe Demmert of Haida Nation weaves intricate baskets, hats, and bags in the Haida tradition. 

Coast Salish wool blanket from Eighth Generation, a Native-owned storefront on First Avenue near Pike Place Market, featuring Indigenous art and home goods.

Photo courtesy of Eighth Generation

Washington and Oregon both host seasonal markets featuring Indigenous art as well, just in time for investing in gifts with an impact for the holiday season. Portland Indigenous Marketplace is hosting a Winter Indigenous Pop-Up shop from Nov. 15 through the end of December. You can also find the market at Portland’s Frybread Fest—a celebration of drumming, food, and art— on Nov. 9 and at Oregon City’s Indigenous Marketplace Nov. 23 and 34. In Seattle, the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center is hosting the Native Art Market the weekends of Nov. 23 and 24 and Dec. 21 and 22. Jewelry, drums, and woodworking, among other artisanal products representing Indigenous traditions from several tribal nations, will be on sale. The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center is also hosting its annual Native Art Market from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1.

The post Celebrating Native American Heritage Month appeared first on Seattle magazine.