Here’s your weekly events roundup for Sept. 14-20 in Ballard.
This week’s events include book clubs, trivia, community gatherings, live music, tastings, a two-day rummage sale, Taste of the Sound, and Town & Country Market’s 40th anniversary celebration.
Monday, Sept. 14
- Book Club – Emotional Damage, Swoon City, 7–8:30 p.m.
- The romance book club’s September selection is “We Could Be So Good” by Cat Sebastian. Free.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
- Free Music Bingo, Channel Marker Cider, 7–9 p.m.
- Match songs instead of numbers during a themed music bingo game, with prizes and a rotating food truck. Free.
- SEA-Nordic Film Festival, National Nordic Museum, Sept. 15–19
- The festival features LGBTQ+ films from across the Nordic region, along with short films, discussions and a collaborative art project. Screenings begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, followed by a full day of programming from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Individual tickets are $12 for museum members and $14 for general admission; festival and Saturday passes are also available.
Wednesday, Sept. 16
- Free Trivia, Channel Marker Cider, 7–9 p.m.
- A six-round, wager-based trivia game with prizes and a rotating food truck. Free.
Thursday, Sept. 17
- Taste of the Sound, Fishermen’s Terminal, 5–8 p.m.
- Sample food and drinks from more than 75 Washington makers, including seafood, charcuterie, beer, wine, spirits and specialty foods. Tickets are $45–$95.
- Movie screening of “Ultimate Citizens”, Center for Spiritual Living Ballard, 6–8:30 p.m.
- The documentary follows an Iranian American public school counselor who uses Ultimate Frisbee to help children heal. A discussion will follow the screening. Free.
- Community Feast with Stoup Brewing, Skål Beer Hall, 7–8:30 p.m.
- A communal dinner featuring beer from Stoup Brewing. Tickets are $65.
- Silent Book Club Ballard, Salt and Sugar Cafe and Bakery, 7–9 p.m.
- Readers gather to read silently for an hour and meet other book lovers in the neighborhood. Free.
- Silent Book Club Ballard, The Ink Drinker, 7–9 p.m.
- Bring your own book for an hour of quiet reading followed by time to connect with other readers. Free.
Friday, Sept. 18
- Fall Rummage Sale, Ballard NW Senior Center, Sept. 18-19, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- The two-day sale includes clothing, kitchenware, home decor, toys, games, jewelry, and collectibles. Free admission.
- Equinox World Chants & Kirtan: Celebrate & Recalibrate, Center for Spiritual Living Ballard, 7–9 p.m.
- An evening of kirtan, world chants, rhythm, movement, and storytelling marking the fall equinox. Tickets are $25–$35.
- Fremont Oktoberfest, Fremont, Sept. 18-20
- The 21-and-over festival features local and international beers, food, live music, DJs, stein competitions and other games. Hours are 5–11 p.m. Friday, noon–11 p.m. Saturday, and noon–5 p.m. Sunday. Dogs are welcome on Sunday, when the schedule includes a Bavarian Beer Mile and best dog contest. Tickets are available online.
Saturday, Sept. 19
- 2026 Seattle Optimism Walk, 130 Nickerson St., 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- The American Parkinson Disease Association’s annual walk brings people together to support those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
- Town & Country Ballard Market’s 40th birthday, Town & Country Market, noon–4 p.m.
- The market will mark its 40th anniversary with cake, coffee, samples, ’80s music, a scavenger hunt and a pickled herring eating contest.
- Taste the Cheeky & Dry wine wall, Cheeky & Dry, noon–5:30 p.m.
- Sample a selection of the shop’s nonalcoholic wines. Free.
- The Hot for Teacher Comedy Show: The Back-to-School Blowout, Old Stove Gardens, 7–8:30 p.m.
- Mockingbird Comedy presents a stand-up show featuring teachers and educators. Tickets are $15.
- SFS Presents Scottish Fish, Phinney Hall, 7:30–10 p.m.
- Seattle Folklore Society presents the Boston-based Celtic ensemble Scottish Fish. Tickets are $26–$28.
Sunday, Sept. 20
- 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.
- Book Club – Reading the Rainbow, Mighty-O Donuts Ballard, 2–3:30 p.m.
- Swoon City’s LGBTQ+ book club gathers to discuss its monthly selection. Free.
- Painting Class: PNW Mixed Media Workshop, Swoon City, 2:30–5 p.m.
- Create a Pacific Northwest-inspired mixed-media painting on a 12-by-12-inch wood panel. Tickets are $75.
- Book Party: Jasmine Mas’ “The Emperor’s Enemy” after-party, Swoon City, 6–8 p.m.
- A release party celebrating Jasmine Mas’ upcoming dark fantasy novel, “The Emperor’s Enemy.” Tickets are $34.
- Silent Reading at The Ink Drinker, The Ink Drinker, 6–8 p.m.
- Bring your current book for a quiet reading session to close out the weekend. Free.
Have an event to share? Add it to the Ballard event calendar!
Photo: Taste of the Sound