Here’s your weekly events roundup for June 15 – 21 in Ballard.
Plenty of reasons to get out of the house this week, with plenty of World Cup watch parties and craft classes around the neighborhood, including the annual Fremont Solstice Parade on Saturday. Enjoy your week in Ballard!
Monday, June 15
- Queer Animal Sex (& Love) Facts, Skål Beer Hall, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Ever wondered if animals can be gay? You’ve come to the right place! Gay sheep, gender swapping fish, lesbian lizards, kinky dolphins – we’ll discuss it all. This class will cover an array of topics in queer ecology – homosexuality, transsexuality, and other non-heteronormative behaviors displayed by members of the animal kingdom. We will have some discussions about body parts, but this class will focus more on the behavioral aspects of animal sexuality. Parental supervision is advised for younger audiences. Come celebrate Pride with some fellow queer animal enthusiasts!
- De-escalating Harm in Our Life & World, Kadampa Meditation Center, 7 – 8 p.m.
- 6 – week course, Monday evenings, June 8 – July 13
- Emotional Damage Book Club, Swoon City, 7:30 – 8 p.m.
- Want a sprinkle (or pour) of grief and trauma with your romance? You’ve come to the right place; join our Emotional Damage Book Club. Show your ticket at Swoon City and get 10% off the cost of this month’s title. The pick for June is How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Tuesday, June 16
- Norway vs Iraq Watch Party, Skål Beer Hall, 3 – 5:30 p.m.
- Need a spot to watch Norway take the pitch? We’re it! We’ll have all of the team Norway games on all of our TVs with full sound. Expect $5 Aass & Carlsberg during the games and some kitchen specials. We’ll be open on Tues 6/16 (when we are normally closed) for Norway’s World Cup opener against Iraq. Our special hours that day will be from 2p until 30 min after the game. This will be bar only. Bring your own food. Light bar snacks will be available for purchase. We encourage you to make a reservation if you plan to attend.
Wednesday, June 17
- Reading the Rainbow Book Club: June Meeting, Swoon City, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
- Come join Swoon City’s LGBTQ+ book club, where queer joy is our jam! Every month, we read books that center LGBTQ+ lives and love stories. Our books span all romance subgenres, from contemporary to paranormal to historical. We prioritize queer authors and stay away from big angst and tired narratives. In short: If it’s gay, we’re in. The pick for June is Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie Mare
Thursday, June 18
- Meaningful Movies Screening of The Big Payback, Center for Spiritual Living Ballard, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
- For the first time in U.S. history, a city-funded reparations program for Black residents is passed in Evanston, Illinois. The Big Payback follows the passionate fight to make it happen, while leaders in Washington, D.C. continue pushing for a national reparations bill decades in the making. A timely and thought-provoking film about justice, history, and the ongoing debate around reparations in America
- Gold Foiling Workshop: Transform Your Book Into a Keepsake, Swoon City, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
- Beautify your favorite book by designing a gold foil cover! Bring a hardcover book or buy one from Swoon City for 20% off. Take a hardcover book from plain to shimmery in this gold foiling class. You can mix and match dozens of designs (including silver foil if that’s your pleasure) and make your own stand out design. No experience needed. All supplies will be provided, and you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind creation.
- Conversation with a Troll, National Nordic Museum, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
- If you ever met a troll, what would you ask them? Join 357 year-old Edgar, the Forest King of Vashon Island, and troll historian Lotta Gavel Adams for a conversation and live Q&A session where you will explore a troll’s perspective on our world. Edgar will tell how trolls were perceived in the 19th century through the modern day. Lotta Gavel Adams, Troll Historian & Professor Emerita, will discuss scholarly, literary, and artistic perspectives on troll folklore. You’ll also learn more about Thomas Dambo’s iconic trolls, including Frankie Feetsplinters, who stands outside the Museum.
- Queens of the Hall Pride Show, Skål Beer Hall, 8 – 9:30 p.m.
- Drag at a Viking beer hall? Hell yeah! The Queens of the Hall return to Skål for their annual Pride Month show in Ballard. Queen Andrew reigns supreme over the beer hall runway with her cast of friends. 10% of proceeds benefit the Trevor Project. 21+. $5 cover. Table reservations available for parties of 4+.
- A Storm of Syndicates Seattle Premiere, Majestic Bay Theatre, 9 p.m.
- A film that began as a Ballard High School student project will return to Ballard for its Seattle premiere this week.
Friday, June 19
- Knife Sharpening Pop-Up Event, Un Bien, 12 – 6 p.m.
- Bring your dull knives to the Seaview UN BIEN on Friday, June 19th from noon-6m! Kneighborhood Knives will be offering walk-up, same day knife sharpening services. Standard Sharpening: $12 per knife. Traditional Whetstone Sharpening: $20 per knife
- Solstice Celebration: World Chants & Kirtan Gina Salā & Friends, Center for Spiritual Living Ballard, 7 – 9 p.m.
- Join Gina Salā with Anil Prasad and friends as we celebrate Solstice together. Gina will be joined by tabla maestro Anil Prasad, Stephen Metcalf on bass, Steve Grant, Lisa Budell, Curt Rosengren on response, Andrea Careno on flute and more.
Saturday, June 20
- 35th Annual Fremont Solstice Parade and Fremont Fair, Center of the Universe (aka Fremont), 1 p.m.
- The 35th Annual Fremont Solstice Parade, produced by the Fremont Arts Council, blasts off on Saturday June 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. The 2026 Fremont Solstice Parade kicks off at 3rd and Leary Way, continues along 36th Street, then turns right on N 35th St, and finishing up near the Fremont Rocket and Seattle Art Cars display inside the Fremont Fair (see map below). Come be dazzled as more than 60 community- based ensembles parade down the streets of Fremont with giant puppets, stilt walkers, floats, dancers, cyclists, and musicians in this kaleidoscope of joyous human expression.
- Drawing Class: Nature Journaling – Trees Made Easy, Swoon City, 2-4 p.m.
- Join us for a fun and creative event where we will explore the art of nature journaling, focusing on trees! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this workshop is for everyone. Learn easy techniques to capture the beauty of trees in your journal. No need to be a pro, just bring your enthusiasm and love for nature! All materials will be provided. Participants will take home 1 soft graphite pencil, 1 Pigma micron pen, 1 gel pen and an easy pocket sketchbook you make during the workshop.
Sunday, June 21
- 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.
- Introduction to Hand Brooms Class, Swoon City, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
- Learn to weave a turkey wing and hawk’s tail hand broom of your own in this introductory, hands-on class. We will discuss the tools, materials, and techniques for crafting beautiful and functional brooms that will have you sweeping out the corners in style. Open to all beginners. Each participant will have the opportunity to make two hand brooms to take home. Please be aware that broom making is a physical task and moderate hand strength is recommended.
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Photo: SDOT