Summer in Seattle—there is no better place to be and no place more aesthetically pleasing than the beautiful Pacific Northwest when the summer months hit. Add in some incredible outdoor music venues, and life doesn’t seem like it could get any better.
Whether you are a PNW native or have lived here for just a few years, if you enjoy music, there are plenty of opportunities to experience some incredible outdoor concerts and festivals during our sacred summer months.
From venues set on the Columbia River, to the most beautiful of wineries, we give you a glimpse into what the music scene is like in the summertime in the Seattle area.
The Venues
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Location: Woodinville, Wa.
Seats: 4,300
Washington state’s oldest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, is celebrating its 35th Summer Concert Series. By summer’s end, the picturesque outdoor amphitheater will have hosted 25 concerts ranging from pop and jazz to rock and classical music. Although there are reserve seats available, the general admission seating on the lawn makes for a perfect date night or night out for a group. The winery allows you to bring in blankets, low-back chairs and picnic baskets with non-alcoholic drinks. Food and wine can be purchased on-site.
The Gorge Amphitheatre
Location: George, Wa.
Seats: 27,500
Considered one of the most scenic concert locations in the world, the Gorge sits near the Columbia River and offers sweeping views of the river and the Columbia Gorge canyon to concert-goers. The Gorge also offers a campground that is a wildly popular option for festival-attendees. There is reserved seating near the front of the stage; however, most of the 27,500 seats are located in the sprawling lawns at the Gorge. Adjacent to the venue is Cave B Estate Winery that was founded by the original owners of the Gorge.
Marymoor Park
Location: Redmond, Wa.
Seats: 5,000
Marymoor Park is located in King County, county-owned and the largest, oldest and most popular park. The summer concert series, Concerts at Marymoor, provides an intimate outdoor concert experience. Outside beverages are not allowed in, but concert-goers are able to bring their own food, blankets and low-back chairs. Reserved seating is available, and there is general seating on the lawn. Parking is available on-site for $5 and is free for seasonal parking pass holders. Marymoor Parks spans more than 640 acres and is located next to the Clise Mansion.
White River Amphitheater
Location: Auburn, Wa.
Seats: 16,000
White River Amphitheater is located on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation and owned by Mucklesoot Tribal Enterprises. It opened in June 2003 with our hometown band Heart performing. Covered seating is available for most of the 16,000 seats. Jimmy Buffet’s album Live in Auburn is from his September 2003 concert at White River Amphitheater. Sting also performed at the venue in 2010 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The amphitheater was built by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe as a gift to live music lovers.
The Bands
Herbie Hancock
Location: Marymoor Park – Redmond, Wa.
Date: Aug. 16
Style of Music: Jazz
Herbie Hancock will be performing with Kamasi Washington, a jazz saxophonist, this summer at Marymoor Park. Herbie is considered to be one of the most innovative jazz musicians of our time. Herbie Hancock's creative path has moved fluidly between almost every development in acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B since 1960. The musical talent combined with the gorgeous backdrop of Marymoor Park makes for a cannot-miss experience. The concert is open to all ages.
Chicago
Location: Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery – Woodinville, Wa.
Date: July 19-20
Style of Music: Rock
Chicago returns to the winery for two nights of concerts in 2019. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the classic American rock band's best-selling album Chicago 17. The album includes hits like "Hard Habit to Break" and "You’re the Inspiration." Chicago is one of the longest-running and most successful rock bands of all time and has sold more than 100 million records. The concert is open to all ages.
Watershed Festival
Location: The Gorge Amphitheatre – George, Wa.
Date: Aug. 2-4
Style of Music: Country
The Watershed Festival is an annual country music experience with multiple stages of live music that showcase local country musicians along with big names. This year’s lineup includes Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Chris Young and many more acts. Dust off the cowboy boots and make sure to purchase festival tickets before they sell out. Watershed is open to all ages, and camping is available at the Gorge as well.
Dave Matthews Band
Location: The Gorge Amphitheatre – George, Wa.
Date: Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Style of Music: Rock
Dave Matthews Band will return to the Gorge Amphitheatre for its annual Labor Day weekend three-night concert run. This year’s concerts will mark more than 60 performances at the Gorge. A Seattle local, Dave Matthews is a true musical legend. The band formed in 1991, and their albums continue to top the charts today. Tickets can be purchased for the entire three days or for individual days. The concerts are open to all ages, and camping is available.
The Calendar
July 27
Norah Jones
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Grammy award-winning artist Norah Jones will be performing at the winery this month, as part of her North American tour.
Tickets: $59.50 GA
Ste-Michelle.com
July 27
Lynyrd Skynyrd
White River Amphitheater
Rock icon Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform at White River Amphitheater this month as part of his career-concluding Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour.
Tickets: $29.50 Lawn
WhiteRiverAmphitheater.org/Tickets
Aug. 9
Gipsy Kings
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Gipsy Kings returns to the stage at Chateau Ste. Michelle with Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo in August.
Tickets: $45 GA
Ste-Michelle.com
Aug. 9
Mumford & Sons and Portugal the Man
The Gorge Amphitheatre
British folk-rock group Mumford & Sons will be performing at the Gorge as part of its Delta tour. Special guest Portugal the Man will be performing with them.
Tickets: $49.50 Lawn
LiveNation.com
Aug. 20
Lionel Richie
Marymoor Park
Lionel Richie will be stopping at Marymoor Park as part of his Hello Summer tour through North America.
Tickets: $81.50 Lawn
MarymoorConcerts.com/Events
Aug. 24-25
An Evening with Josh Groban
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Josh Groban will perform at Chateau Ste. Michelle as part of his Summer 2019 BRIDGES tour, celebrating his new album.
Tickets: $72.50 GA
Sept. 7-8
Death Cab for Cutie
Marymoor Park
Death Cab for Cutie, an alt-rock band, will be performing at Marymoor at the tail end of this summer with special guest Car Seat Headrest.
Tickets: $45 Lawn
Sept. 12
Diana Krall
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Singer-songwriter and pianist Diana Krall returns to Chateau Ste. Michelle this summer to showcase her blues, pop and jazz standards to a sold-out audience.
Tickets: $53.50 GA
Sept. 20-21
Earth, Wind & Fire
Chateau Ste. Michelle
The classic soul, funk and disco band, Earth, Wind & Fire, will return to Chateau Ste. Michelle this summer.
Tickets: $70.25 GA