Welcome the arrival of autumn in Seattle where there’s a host of festivals, exhibitions and culinary events offering exciting new reasons to visit.

Fantastic festivals

Savour local craft beer at Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival

The arrival of the fresh hop season sees the return of the Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival, 7-8 October, at the Warren G. Magnuson Park aircraft hangar. Visitors will be able to try beers by some of the best breweries in the Pacific Northwest, feast on local street food, and enjoy live music, competitions and games. There’s even a Hoppiest Hound contest where dressed-up pooches can win prizes.

Glass art festival, Refract, set to return

Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience has announced it’ll return to Seattle 13-16 October. Fun for all the family, the event features live demos by talented artists, architecture tours, exhibitions and glass-blowing lessons. More than 70 creatives will be showcased across 50+ events in Seattle and the neighbouring cities of Everett, Bainbridge Island, Issaquah and Tacoma. Seattle has long been regarded as a hub for the glass art community and is the hometown of notable glass artist Dale Chihuly.

Celebrate autumn at Pike Place Market’s Harvest Festival

Pike Place Market will celebrate the arrival of autumn with its annual Harvest Festival on 29 October. The family-friendly event will see a full day of festivities in the form of live music, cooking demos and activities for the little ones. Vendors will also show what’s new in season and be on hand to answer any questions about their fresh produce.

Exciting exhibitions

Learn about AI at MOHAI

Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine opens at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) on 15 October. The first travelling museum exhibit in the US to focus on artificial intelligence, the exhibit outlines what AI is, how it works, its significance and how it may evolve and develop over time. Running until 8 January 2023, there’ll be a number of interactive displays, games and puzzles that are fun for all the family.

Discover the cultural significance of Indigenous tattoos at the Burke Museum

The Burke Museum will welcome Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest from 6 November until 16 April 2023. The exhibition will explore the rich history of Indigenous tattooing in the Pacific Northwest through photographs and works of art. Visitors will be able to learn stories of Indigenous tattoo artists and how the once banned practice is honoured in a traditional way.

Delicious dining

Michelin-starred Sushi by Scratch Restaurants opens in South Lake Union

The highly anticipated Sushi by Scratch Restaurants opened its first Seattle location on 1 September. Located in the South Lake Union neighbourhood, the intimate, 10-seat restaurant serves a 17-course omakase menu alongside craft cocktails and Japanese whiskey. The restaurant is headed up by Chef Phillip Frankland Lee who has four other Sushi by Scratch Restaurants in the USA, one of which has a Michelin star.

Support local producers at Seattle Restaurant Week

Seattle Restaurant Week is a bi-annual event returning to the city from 23 October to 5 November. A celebration of local chefs and the culinary community, diners can feast on discounted dishes at partner restaurants, food trucks and pop-ups. Visitors can support the community further by donating to Good Food Kitchens which provides free, nutritious meals to those in need.