Your Guide to MLB All-Star Week Festivities in Seattle
After finally ending their long postseason drought last year, the Mariners haven’t exactly had the type of season they were hoping for in 2023. But that doesn’t mean the city can’t celebrate its team or the sport as Seattle hosts Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities this month.
The days when that merely meant a game between the best players of the American and National Leagues are long gone. Seattle’s All-Star Week happenings will include everything from a celebrity softball game to a laser drone show. The Mariners only have one all-star (pitcher Luis Castillo), but Julio Rodríguez will be back in the Home Run Derby, looking for a repeat to last year’s star-making performance.
And in case you haven’t noticed, the city is going all out. Marcus Lalario's new spot, the Hometeam, in the old London Plane location might just be open. Even the monorail pillars on Fifth Avenue are getting in on the action.
Here’s a guide to restaurants, bars, and (many) events as Pioneer Square and SoDo transform into All-Star HQ.
Eat & Drink
Image: Feed It Creative
The Best Restaurants and Bars Near the Stadiums
Where to eat in Pioneer Square, SoDo, and Chinatown.
Image: Seattle Met Composite
The Best Foods to Bring into T-Mobile Park
Yes, you can bring your own food. (In a clear bag, of course.)
Events
HBCU Swingman Classic
FRI, July 7, 7:30pm | T-Mobile Park
This inaugural game, named for Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr., features the top players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities all gathered on one stage.
Play Ball Park
Sat–TUES, July 8–11, 10am–8pm | Lumen Field
Lumen Field and the Lumen Event Center transform into a massive baseball and softball party, with everything from virtual reality games, to autograph signings, to panels featuring Seattle baseball legends. Tickets here.
Downtown All-Star Celebration
Sat–TUES, July 8–11 | Occidental Square
Occidental Square is pulling out all the stops for All-Star Week, hosting various events and activities throughout the day including beer gardens, craft stations, a popup arcade, mini golf, live music, and even a roller skating rink.
All-Star Futures Game
SAT, July 8, 4pm | T-Mobile Park
This is the premier event of all-star weekend for true baseball nerds. The best minor-league prospects across the sport come together for their own showcase. Check out tomorrow’s superstars, including a couple Mariners prospects: catcher Harry Ford and centerfielder Jonatan Clase.
Celebrity Softball Game
SAT, July 8 | T-Mobile Park
Time to get silly. MLB veterans join forces with movie, music, and television stars to play an exhibition softball game. This year the lineup includes Joel McHale, Félix Hernández, Chloe Kim, Yandel, JoJo Siwa, and Jennie Finch.
MLB Draft
SUN, July 9, 4pm | Lumen Field
Over the past few years, MLB has been turning its draft into a marquee event, like the NBA and NFL. This year, the opening night of the draft will be held in front of a live audience at Lumen Field inside Play Ball Park.
Drone Show
SAT, July 9, 10pm | Seattle Center
Nothing says “America’s pastime” like 600 drones dancing in the air to a soundtrack of “baseball classics and summertime music.” The free show will be open to the public, and easily viewable from the International Fountain Lawn.
Home Run Derby
MON, July 10, 5pm | T-Mobile Park
For a lot of baseball fans, the Home Run Derby is the main event of All-Star Week. Last year, it was Julio’s introduction to a national audience. This year, he’s back, along with Pete Alonso, Randy Arozarena, Adley Rutschman, Mookie Betts, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Sandlot Screening
MON, July 10, Sunset | Seattle Center
If you haven’t had enough baseball by the time the sun goes down, head over to the Mural Amphitheater for a free screening of The Sandlot. No word on if there will be s'mores.
The Actual All-Star Game
TUES, July 11, 5pm | T-Mobile Park
This is what all the fuss is about. Check out the best of the National and American Leagues, including Mariners starter Castillo and the man everybody hopes will maybe someday be a Mariner, Shohei Ohtani.
A League of Their Own Screening
TUES, July 11, Sunset | Seattle Center
There’s no crying in baseball. And you won’t have to cry about the end of All-Star Week either, because after the game, you can head back over to the Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center for a free outdoor screening of A League of Their Own.
