A new year is underway and that means it’s time to get out there and see what’s happening around the city. Seattle has plenty to do this month between live music, live performance, eats, and more. Without further ado, here are 42 of the best things to do in and around Seattle this January.
Music
Wholesome start to January? New Jersey quintet Railroad Earth is headed for The Croc. You’ll be able to spend an evening listening to their happy tunes and enjoy their gleefully unpredictable live performance.
When: January 13th
Where: 2505 1st Ave
Cost: $32.50
Need some funk in your life? Lettuce is coming to Seattle to shake things up this January. You’ll be able to hear your old favorites as well as songs from their new Album ‘Unify’.
When: January 20th
Where: 1426 1st Ave
Cost: $65+
Canadian electronic pop duo Junior Boys is coming to Seattle! The group will be joined by Los Angeles-based artist Claire Rousay at the Neptune Theatre.
When: January 21st
Where: 1303 NE 45th St
Cost: $23
If you’re an indie pop fan you’re probably quite familiar with Fitz & The Tantrums and their early 2010’s hits. If you’re looking to start 2023 on an upbeat note, they’re a group worth checking out.
When: January 22nd
Where: 1426 1st Ave
Cost: $65+
How could you possibly say no to YG? The rapper is coming to play what is sure to be a memorable show at Seattle’s WAMU Theatre.
When: January 26th
Where: 800 Occidental Ave S
Cost: $55+
Candlelight Concerts have happened in over 100 cities around the world with more than 3 million attendees. For the Seattle series, there are 10 different concerts being offered with a selection of available dates. Hear renditions of your favorite artists like Radiohead, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay.
When: Until February 14th, 2023
Where: Participating venues
Cost: $30+
Arts & Culture
Have you ever wanted to have a tarot reading enacted right in front of you? Well, The Reader is exactly that, half tarot, half comedy. “The Reader exists at the intersection of Intuition and Creativity.” The event describes itself as a divine improv comedy show and is a fun way to know yourself more fully.
When: Until January 7th
Where: 2505 First Ave
Cost: $15-$22
A digital map allows you to pick and choose where you stop on the Capitol Hill Art Walk. Stop by small galleries, local businesses, and more on this monthly art walk.
When: January 12th/Second Thursday of every month
Where: Capitol Hill
Cost: Free
Candlelight Concerts have happened in over 100 cities around the world with more than 3 million attendees. For the Seattle series, there are 10 different concerts being offered with a selection of available dates. Hear renditions of your favorite artists like Radiohead, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay.
When: Until February 14th, 2023
Where: Participating venues
Cost: $30+
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Seattle
This month, you can enter a world of splendor, romance, glitz, and grandeur at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. Watch as bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows in the stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film. The show is directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers meaning you’ll get an enchanting performance.
When: Until January 23rd
Where: 911 Pine Street
Cost: $40+
Ready to sing to your heart’s content in front of a bunch of strangers or your friends? It might just be time to head to karaoke at Cafe Racer. You’ll find a professional sound system, lights, a real stage, and an impressive library of music.
When: Every Monday
Where: 1510 11th Ave
Cost: Free
The Green Book Tour is a new self-guided history tour created by the soon-to-open Black & Tan Hall. It’s available both online and as an app depending on your needs. When taking the tour you’ll be transported back in time to the 1920s and 30s as you learn all about the Black-owned and Black-friendly businesses that operated along Seattle’s Jackson Street.
Free Public Tours of Washington Park Arboretum
The Arboretum is one of Seattle’s best spots for getting outdoors, especially in the summer. While you can walk it by yourself at any time, you can also enjoy free tours on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 am-1 pm.
When: First Thursday of every month
Where: 2300 Arboretum Drive E
Cost: Free
Each first Saturday Kremwerk puts on SIN, a fetish, EBM, and industrial night. You can expect fetish performances, drinks, and dancing. Additionally, you can see features by Seattle Shibari and professional photography by Jason Renek. If you’re looking for something new, this might just be worth checking out.
When: First Saturday of each month
Where: 1809 Minor Ave #10
Cost: $15
Each Tuesday, you can attend a drag happy hour at 7 pm at Capitol Hill’s Queer Bar. You’ll be able to watch drag icon Jane Don’t and also see weekly guests, and enjoy great eats, & drink specials. It’s sure to be the most fun you’ve had at a happy hour in a while.
When: Tuesdays
Where: 1518 11th Avenue
Cost: Varies
Compline Choir has been sung every Sunday since 1956 at Saint Mark’s Cathedral on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Open to all, the evening choir is a great way to relax and unwind before the start of another week. It’s also a great excuse to have a look inside one of the hill’s most unique buildings.
When: Every Sunday
Where: 1245 10th Ave E
Cost: Free
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop
If you’ve ever wanted to see behind-the-scenes images of your favorite hip-hop artists, this exhibit is for you. MoPOP’s newest exhibit, Contact High allows visitors to see over 170 images of hip hop’s most influential artists like Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Tupac, and more. See four decades of photography, from the late 70s to today, documenting a revolution across different aspects of life.
When: Tuesday-Thursday 10 am–5 pm
Where: 325 Fifth Ave N
Cost: $30 – $32.50
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design at MoPOP
At the exhibition, you’ll be able to see more than 60 costumes designed by Academy Award-winning designer Ruth E. Carter. You’ll not only get to see the costumes but also her vision and the in-depth process she uses for each project. Some of the featured costumes come from films like Black Panther, Roots, Do the Right Thing, Selma, Malcolm X, and more.
When: Daily 10 am–5 pm
Where: 325 5th Ave N
Cost: $25+
Silent Reading Party: In-Person
The beloved Silent Reading Party is back in person if you’d like to have the experience of reading amongst strangers inside the beautiful Hotel Sorrento. Keep in mind there is a $20 food and drink minimum on top of your ticket price.
When: First Wednesday of each month
Where: 900 Madison St
Cost: $8-$40
Food & Drink
Three Sacks Full Dinner Pop-Up
This local pop-up restaurant features a menu largely based on vegetables and grains. Every two weeks you can try an original menu with organic produce grown on the pop-up’s farm in the Snoqualmie Valley. Other ingredients not grown on the farm are always sourced from farms across Washington and Oregon.
When: Every two weeks
Where: Varies by pick-up date
Cost: Varies by dish
As we face colder temperatures, it’s time to head indoors and start your weekends off right with a tasty brunch. From classic offerings to experimental fusion dishes, these spots are worth a try. We’ve compiled a list of the best brunch spots to check out in Seattle this winter.
Grab a drink at a beautiful lobby bar
If you’re looking for a new place to grab drinks in Seattle this weekend, heading to a local hotel is a great choice. Many of our city’s hotels have beautiful bars that also happen to be available to the public. Here are 5 of the swankiest hotel bars you can grab a drink at in Seattle.
Local natural wine shop and bar La Dive actually offers a monthly wine subscription! When you sign up you can choose between three different subscription options. The first option is two bottles a month for $42, then four bottles a month for $84, or six bottles a month for $120.
Sure pasta is easy to make at home but there’s nothing quite like having a really good bowl of pasta at a local restaurant. Artusi happens to have a pasta night each Sunday & Monday where you can score two full-sized pasta entrees and a pre selected bottle of Italian red or white wine all for $45.
When: Sundays & Mondays
Where: 1535 14th Ave
Cost: $45
Comfort food is an easy choice when you’re hungry and looking for something to eat. It just so happens that Seattle has a ton of options scattered around the city with most of them being pretty affordable. From sweet to savory, we have some spots for you.
Outdoors & Adventure
Hike to some frozen waterfalls
Snow and freezing temperatures are coming to our state’s wilderness. While winter might seem like the best time to stay indoors, it’s also the only time that you can see one of our state’s coolest natural wonders. Many of Washington’s waterfalls are frozen in time, waiting for you to explore.
Washington has many amazing caves that you can explore, but few of them are accessible in the winter. Don’t despair though because Washington also has ice caves. Seriously, what doesn’t our state have? There are two stunning ice caves that you can explore in Washington this winter.
Try one of Washington’s best hikes
If you’ve ever wondered what the best hikes in Washington are, we have your answer. We took a look at AllTrails rankings and have compiled 10 of the state’s most popular hikes for you to enjoy.
Take a road trip to a themed hotel
Have you been wanting to drive down the West Coast? Why not make your trip a little more lively by staying at a themed hotel? From romantic suites to pirate-themed bedrooms, we’ve found several hotels worth checking out.
Walking tours are cool and all but why not experience Seattle from a birds-eye view? Don’t worry, you don’t have to have a pilot’s license, instead, you can choose from one of several plane tours offered in and around the Seattle area.
Misc
NW Pinball Collective Free Play Open House
When was the last time you had the opportunity to play pinball? If you can’t remember, it might just be time to try it out again for a little fun. The NW Pinball Collective has free, open sanctuary access for the public twice in January. You can check out their community and play some free pinball!
When: January 7th & 17th
Where: 1120 N 97th St
Cost: Free
Check off your winter bucket list
While winter may be downtime for most in the PNW, it happens to be an equally great season to get out in the world and enjoy all of the unique things winter in the PNW has to offer. From warming hot tub boats to hikes, eats and more, we have some suggestions for you.
Ice skating is a fall and winter favorite and also a great way to get in the holiday spirit. These days it does feel like a bit of a blast from the past with fewer spots to enjoy the past time. However, there are still several places to enjoy ice skating. Here are a few of the best spots to go ice skating in and around Seattle.
Have a cat? Want to take it outside to meet other cats? On the first Saturday of each month, you can bring your fuzzy friend to Cal Anderson and socialize with fellow cat owners and their cats. It’s perhaps one of the more unique monthly things you can do in Seattle.
When: First Saturday of each month
Where: Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave
Cost: Free
Kicking off on November 11th, WildLanterns is an opportunity to explore the zoo like never before. It’s a lantern festival unlike any in the Northwest due to its specific focus on nature and animals. No matter how old you are, you’re sure to be wowed by the size and diversity of the displays that the zoo and BECU create. After all, its one of the most classic holiday lights in Seattle.
When: Until January 22nd, 2023
Where: 5500 Phinney Ave N
Cost: $31.95
The Fremont Market is truly a classic Seattle shopping experience and it happens year-round, rain or shine. It’s a great place to find antiques, vintage clothing, and much more.
When: Every Sunday
Where: Evanston Ave N & 34th St
A new month means tons of new additions. January’s Netflix additions are a mix of new originals and some old favorites. So treat yourself to a little TV time this month.
Fall is one of the best times to enjoy dates, especially here in Seattle. Whether you just met someone or have been with your SO for years, we have some ideas on how you can make this fall’s dates the best yet.
For those of you that love the Silent Reading Party but are more comfortable at home, you can still enjoy the virtual version. You’ll also get to hear piano tunes from pianist Paul Matthew Moore as you read amongst strangers over zoom.
When: Every other Wednesday
Where: Online
Cost: $5-$20
Mindfulness Meditation at the Frye
Need to take some time to get back in touch with yourself? You’re in luck because The Frye has a free, mindfulness meditation that you can attend on the first Wednesday of the month. It’s one of the most relaxing things to do in Seattle for sure.
Get some work done in a new space
Next, a trio of some “regular”, but still fun, options around the city. If working from home is getting a little old, then maybe check out our roundup of some of the best cafes in the city to get some work done.
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Snapshot Brewing offers an all-day happy hour for casual tabletop gamers! You can either borrow theirs or bring your own; fill up our punch card and win cool stuff. And get sweet deals like $9 house growler fills every Sunday.
When: Every Sunday
Where: 8005 Greenwood Ave N
Cost: Free/Varies
See? Look at all the things to do in Seattle! Have a great January, we’ll see you back here in the new year.
