Food & Drink

Fri, Aug 18
Sunset Supper
This year’s sunset supper—Pike Place Market’s own mini food festival featuring many of its famous names—will be the first in the new MarketFront Plaza and Canopy. The majority of money spent, be it on a bite from Cafe Campagne or ice cream from Shug’s, goes toward the Pike Place Market Foundation. Pike Place Market, $175

Sat, Aug 19
Ballard Burrito Fest
The burrito might be the perfect meal: portable, often filled with all the food groups, and certainly deserving of its own festival. And when restaurants and food trucks compete for the title of best burrito— which will go down at this Ballard celebration, alongside lawn games and kid’s activities—everyone wins. Ballard Commons Park, Free

Special Events

Aug 18–20
Seattle Tattoo Expo
Like any other art conference, the goal of the Seattle Tattoo Expo is to intermix artists and enthusiasts by showcasing the medium. In this case, human bodies. Industry seminars, featured artist showcases, and contests—best portrait, sleeve, even worst tattoo—fill out a weekend of skin and ink. Fisher Pavilion, $20–$50

Aug 19–20
Mercer x Summit Block Party
Just west of Broadway in Capitol Hill, along a quiet fold of old brick apartment buildings and duplexes, a little oasis of bars and restaurants appear. This surprising stretch plays host to an mini all-ages musical festival that isn't so mini: 17 bands across two stages, including So Pitted, Sleeping Lessons, and Smokey Brights. East Mercer Street and Summit Avenue East, Free

Books & Talks

Thu, Aug 17
Tom Perrotta
The author of Little Children and The Leftovers talks up his forthcoming novel, Mrs. Fletcher. With Perrotta’s track record, it’ll likely be adapted to screen by the time you finish this sentence. Seattle Central Library, Free

Concerts

Fri, Aug 18
Thunderpussy, Dude York, The Courtneys
The dark weeks of lingering smoke (and angst) depart just in time to catch a concert outside, under the Space Needle, like a good summer Seattleite. This iteration of the KEXP and Seattle Center collaboration Concerts at the Mural features three Northwest bands you should feel lucky to see for free. Bring your ID for booze. Mural Amphitheater, Free