Looking to get out in Ballard this week? Here’s what’s happening in Ballard (and slightly beyond) May 11 – 17.
Highlights this weekend include the Ballard FC season home opener on Friday and the Syttende Mai parade on Sunday, with events all day around downtown Ballard and culminating in the big parade through the neighborhood.
Monday, May 11
- Bingo Monday, Ballard Beer Box, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Join Us for BINGO! Get ready for an evening of fun, excitement, and community!
Tuesday, May 12
- Painting Class: Ombre Sprayed Edges for Your Favorite Book, Swoon City, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Beautify your favorite book by creating a sprayed-edge style design! Bring a book or buy one from Swoon City for 20% off. Have a favorite book that never got the sprayed edge treatment? Have an older book that deserves a glow up? In this class you’ll learn how to take an every day book and turn it into a work of art using paint. No experience needed. All supplies will be provided, and you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind creation.
- Beautify your favorite book by creating a sprayed-edge style design! Bring a book or buy one from Swoon City for 20% off. Have a favorite book that never got the sprayed edge treatment? Have an older book that deserves a glow up? In this class you’ll learn how to take an every day book and turn it into a work of art using paint. No experience needed. All supplies will be provided, and you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind creation.
Wednesday, May 13
- Trivia Night with Head in the Clouds, Reuben’s Brews, 7 – 10 p.m.
- Think you’ve got the answers? We’ll see! Grab a pint, grab your crew, and battle it out for bragging rights (and prizes). Join us every Wednesday for Trivia Night at Reuben’s Brews taprooms! It’s your mid-week brain refresh with a friendly competitive streak. Our trivia hosts keep the pace quick and the categories wide—music, movies, local lore, and the occasional curveball. It’s community tables, cheers for good answers, and no gatekeeping. Build a team or join one on arrival. Either way, you’ll enjoy fresh beer and leave with new facts and a few new friends.
Thursday, May 14
- Nordic Innovation Series: Meet the Author, “Nordic Capitalism,” National Nordic Museum, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Join Robert G. Strand for a timely and thought-provoking talk on his new book Nordic Capitalism – Lessons for Realizing Sustainable Capitalism, published by Cambridge University Press in April 2026. Blending rigorous scholarship with compelling storytelling, this book speaks to scholars, business leaders, policymakers, students, and concerned citizens.
- Metal Stamped Bookmarks Class, Swoon City, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Create something meaningful and hands-on in this metal stamping workshop! Participants will design and stamp their own personalized metal bookmarks using letters, symbols, and simple design techniques. You’ll learn the basics of metal stamping and leave with a unique, functional keepsake—perfect as a gift or a special treat for yourself (and your favorite book!) No experience needed; all materials provided.
- Not Another Isekai, Jet City Improv, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (recurring)
- Gavin Verhey (Principal Magic Designer, Wizards of the Coast) plus Chris, Kendall, Rebekah, Tricia
- isekai [ee-seh-kai] (noun): a Japanese genre of fantasy or science fiction in which a protagonist is transported to or reincarnated in another world. Not Another Isekai!! Or That Time I Got Reincarnated in an Improv Show is a fully improvised fantasy comedy where a special guest from 2026 is transported into another world live onstage. Their story shapes the characters, relationships, and events that unfold, with the cast and narrator building the world around them in real time. A fast-moving mix of magic, monsters, and unexpected turns, the show blends high fantasy spectacle with comedy, identity, and transformation.
- Gavin Verhey (Principal Magic Designer, Wizards of the Coast) plus Chris, Kendall, Rebekah, Tricia
Friday, May 15
- Ballard FC v FC Olympia, Interbay Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (gates open 5:30 p.m.)
- First home match of the 2026 season. Watch party in the beer garden for Salmon Bay FC’s 2026 season opener
- Happy Hour: Alcoholic beverages are 50% off from 5:30–6:30 PM
- Food & Drink: Local food trucks and full stadium concessions
- What to Expect: Start of season celebration, pregame festivities, and the first chance to see the national finalists begin their 2026 title redemption at home
- First home match of the 2026 season. Watch party in the beer garden for Salmon Bay FC’s 2026 season opener
- Not Another Isekai, Jet City Improv, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (recurring)
- Summer Paradisco (drag performer) with Liz, Rebekah, Saina, Simon
- isekai [ee-seh-kai] (noun): a Japanese genre of fantasy or science fiction in which a protagonist is transported to or reincarnated in another world. Not Another Isekai!! Or That Time I Got Reincarnated in an Improv Show is a fully improvised fantasy comedy where a special guest from 2026 is transported into another world live onstage. Their story shapes the characters, relationships, and events that unfold, with the cast and narrator building the world around them in real time. A fast-moving mix of magic, monsters, and unexpected turns, the show blends high fantasy spectacle with comedy, identity, and transformation.
- Summer Paradisco (drag performer) with Liz, Rebekah, Saina, Simon
Saturday, May 16
- ILS Preschool Open House + Toddler Book Swap, Illumination Learning Studio, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Are you a parent trying to choose between a play-based preschool and a more academic head start? What if you didn’t have to choose? At Illumination Learning Studio, our arts-based curriculum blends the best of both worlds. Preschoolers build foundational skills like letters, colors, and early academics through music, imaginative play (what we might call drama), and hands-on visual art. It’s purposeful learning, powered by creativity—and designed to support confident, curious kids. Come meet our preschool team and tour our arts-immersive classroom during our open house—and don’t miss our annual Kids Book Swap! Browse our table and take home a new-to-you book to add to your child’s library.
- Learn how creativity, movement, and play come together in our program.
- Stained Glass Class: Monstera Madness, Swoon City, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- In this 4 hour class, you will learn how to use the Tiffany method of foiling, gain guided experience with soldering technique, learn how to frame with lead came, and how to properly clean and polish stained glass. Each student will receive and work with a pre-cut and ground glass kit of the design pictured. All materials are included. At the beginning of class, we will cover best safety practices working with stained glass, and briefly cover the tools and materials you will be using before diving in.
- Dirty Couch Brewing Anniversary Party & Pig Roast, Dirty Couch Brewing, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Dirty Couch Brewing is celebrating our 11th anniversary and Seattle Beer Week. Come to celebrate with us at our Magnolia taproom on May 16. We will have new releases, a pig roast, and massive discounts. Festivities are happening all day, with food starting around 3 pm.
- Not Another Isekai, Jet City Improv, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (recurring)
- Camilla Franklin (artist and improviser) with Liz, Kendall, Simon, Tricia
- isekai [ee-seh-kai] (noun): a Japanese genre of fantasy or science fiction in which a protagonist is transported to or reincarnated in another world. Not Another Isekai!! Or That Time I Got Reincarnated in an Improv Show is a fully improvised fantasy comedy where a special guest from 2026 is transported into another world live onstage. Their story shapes the characters, relationships, and events that unfold, with the cast and narrator building the world around them in real time. A fast-moving mix of magic, monsters, and unexpected turns, the show blends high fantasy spectacle with comedy, identity, and transformation.
- Camilla Franklin (artist and improviser) with Liz, Kendall, Simon, Tricia
Sunday, May 17
- Ballard Farmer’s Market, Ballard Ave, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (recurring)
- Open since 2000, The Ballard Farmers Market is Seattle’s first year-round neighborhood farmers market selling produce exclusively from Washington state farmers. The Market has operated along the historic cobblestone stretch of Ballard Avenue NW between Vernon Place and 22nd Avenue. In the spring of 2016, the Market expanded onto 22nd Avenue, extending to NW Market Street. In the fall of 2023 the Ballard Farmers Market expanded once again, extending down Ballard Ave NW, to 20th Ave NW.
- Syttende Mai / 17th of May Parade in Ballard, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- The largest Syttende Mai / 17th of May / Norwegian Constitution Day parade outside of Norway.
- Syttende Mai 2026 at Skål Beer Hall, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Join us in the heart of the action at Ballard’s only Nordic Beer Hall for a full day of festivities on Syttende Mai! Doors open at 11:00AM with open seating all day.
- There will be live Nordic music starting at 1130am in our covered outdoor street café. We’ll be featuring a special menu with beer hall favorites and of course lots of pølse and aquavit! There will also be a street-side walk-up grill from 4-730pm with takeaway food and drinks for the parade. Inside is 21+ all day with a $5 cover charge after 3pm. Outside is welcome to all ages and free of charge. No pets, please.
- We have a limited amount of reservations available inside for groups of 6-10 people. These VIP tables are $50 to reserve and include the cover charge. 50% of the reservation fee will be donated to Ballard’s Sons of Norway Leif Erikson Lodge. Email us at events@skalballard.com to reserve. Come join the fun and Skål with us!
- We’ll also be hosting a Syttende Mai Pre-Funk the night before (5/16) to make a full weekend of it! On Syttende Mai our menu will be reduced to manage the high demand. This is your opportunity for the full beer hall experience with some added surprises!
- 17th of May Luncheon, National Nordic Museum, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Ticketed lunch event at the National Nordic Museum
- Bergen Place Musical Entertainment, Bergen Place Park, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Live music throughout the day at Bergen Place Park.
- Syttende Mai Open House, Leif Erikson Lodge, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Join us on May 17 from 12 to 4:30pm for our May 17th Open House, celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day right here in Ballard! Our Open House will have food, entertainment, and representatives of the Nordic community ready to talk with you about the different Nordic organizations around Seattle.
- Afterwards you can see us in the May 17th Parade, along with our Leikarringen dancers, and members in other groups.
- Pressed Flower Art Class, Swoon City, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Explore the enchanting world of floral preservation with a hands-on tutorial for both flower pressing and creating pressed flower art with artist Negheen from Wander & Press. Supplies will be provided, including a 5×5” gold frame, a take home gift, including access to the Wander & Press Flower Library which includes a wide range of pressed flowers/colors/textures to choose from when creating your one-of-a-kind masterpiece!
- Giving Together Fundraiser: Seattle Dogs, Ballard Town and Country Market, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Stop by your local Town & Country Market for a yummy treat that tastes good AND does good! We’ll be grilling up some delicious hot dogs and serving them up Seattle Style for a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds go to benefit our local food banks through our Giving Together program. Treat yourself or a loved-one; let’s work together to make our community a better – and tastier – place.