Park Activation Events
Park Activation
The Park Activation program supports positive programming in parks, works to build a strong sense of safety among community members, and creates space for increased social and community connections. The program was established in 2007 and includes daily activation by Park Concierge, annual special events series like Center City Cinema and Dancing Til Dusk, and many other classes and activities.
All events are FREE and open to all!
Buskers, artwork, events & more in our downtown parks! from Seattle Parks and Recreation on Vimeo.
Center City Cinema
Join us this summer for FREE movies in the park at 12 locations across the city. Many locations will have food trucks onsite, see detailed event information below.
Center City Cinema
Albert Davis Park (12526 27th Ave NE) at 8:00pm
• Thur., July 18 - Wall-E
• Thur., July 25 - The Lorax
Ballard Commons Park (5701 22nd Ave NW) at 7:30pm
*Food Trucks on site
• Thur., August 1 - Soul
• Thur., August 8 - The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• Thur., August 15 - Wonka
• Thur., August 22 - Cars
Cal Anderson Park (1635 11th Ave) at 8:30pm
*Food Trucks on site
• Fri., June 28 - To Wong Foo, Thanks for everything! Julie Newmar
• Fri., July 5 - Chicago
• Fri., July 12 - Mamma Mia
• Fri., July 26 - Rocky Horror Show
Cascade Playground (333 Pontius Ave N) at 8:30pm
• Fri., July 19 - Labyrinth
City Hall Park (450 3rd Ave) at 12:00pm
• Wed., July 3 - Legally Blonde
• Wed., July 31 - The Pelican Brief
• Wed., August 14 - The Firm
Denny Park (100 Dexter Ave N) at 8:30pm
*Food Trucks on site
• Wed., June 26 - The Goonies
• Wed., July 10 - The Breakfast Club
• Wed., July 17 - The Color Purple (1984)
• Wed., August 7 - Dirty Dancing
Freeway Park (700 Seneca St) at 8:00PM
• Fri., August 2 - The Fifth Element
• FrI., August 9 - Reality Bites
• Fri., August 16 - Twister
• Fri, August 23 - 10 Things I Hate About You
• Fri., August 30 - Jurassic Park (1993)
Hing Hay Park (423 Maynard Ave S) at 7:00PM
• Sat., August 3 - Polite Society
• Sat., August 10 - Raya and the Last Dragon
• Sat., August 17 - The Donut King
• Sat., August 24 - Lilo & Stitch
Lake City Mini Park (12363 Lake City Way NE) at 8:00pm
• Sat., September 7 - Barbie
• Sat., September 14 - Strange World
Lake Union Park (860 Terry Ave N)
• Sat., July 6 at 3:00pm - A Bug’s Life
• Thur., August 29 at 8:30pm - Jaws (non-motorized Boats and Floats welcome!)
Occidental Square (117 S Washington St) at 5:00pm
• Sat., July 20 - Kung Foo Panda 4
• Sat., July 27 - The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird & Snakes
Westlake Park (401 Pine St) at 5:00pm
• Tue., August 27 - The Little Mermaid (2023)
• Sat., August 31 - Wonka
Dancing Til Dusk
17 summer evenings of free music, dance lessons and dancing in Seattle parks! 1st hour is a free beginning dance lesson, no partner necessary as we change partners in the lesson. If you prefer not to change partners, bring one along!
Dancing Til Dusk
Thursdays in Freeway Park from 6-9pm
July 11 — Called by Laura Mé Smith | English Country Dance
July 18 — The Hot Tango Four | Tango
July 25 — Swingin' In the Rain with Dina Blade | Variety
Tuesdays in Hing Hay Park from 6-9pm
July 16 — Joel Astley and Friends | Blues
July 23 — The Weather Birds | Swing
July 30 — Lulu Swing French Cabaret | Swing
Thursdays in Cal Anderson Park from 6-9:30pm
August 1 — Birch Pereira and the Gin Joints | Americana Rock'n'Roll
August 8 — WCS DJ Battle with Sam, Lia & Rebecca | West Coast Swing
August 15 — Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” | Django Reinhart Swing
Tuesdays in Westlake Park from 6-9:30pm
Jul 9 — Jacqueline Tabor Jazz and Blues | Swing
Aug 6 — Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano | Salsa
Aug 20 — WCS DJ Battle with Za, Thomas & Rebecca | West Coast Swing
Fridays at Pier 62 with Friends of Waterfront Seattle from 6–8:30pm
Aug 2 — DJ Jim Chow | Salsa
Aug 16 — DJ Jim Chow | Salsa
Thursday in Lake City Mini Park from 6-9pm
Aug 22 — Buena Vibra | Salsa
Tuesdays in Ballard Commons Park from 6-9pm
Aug 13 — Louisiana Night with Sean "Gator Boy" Donovan | Zydeco and Cajun
Aug 27 — The Elnah Jordan Experience | Swing & Blues
FUNDRAISER • Wednesday, Aug 21 from 6-9pm at Golden Gardens Bathhouse
DJ Battle with Sean Donovan and Lilli Ann Carey | Variety
Suggested donation $25
For more information about Dancing Til Dusk visit: Dancing Til Dusk 2024 | Seattle Summer Dancing Schedule (danceforjoy.biz)
Fitness, Games & More
Parks are for recreation! From Zumba at Freeway Park to Tai Chi at Hing Hay Park, there are FREE classes that are open to all at Parks across the city.
Fitness, Games & More
Zumba at Freeway Park – Mondays at 5:30pm
- July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- August 5, 12, 19, 26
- September 2, 9, 16, 23
Yoga at Freeway Park – Tuesdays at noon
- July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- August 6, 16, 20, 27
Bike Works Mobile at City Hall Park – Tuesdays from 1-4pm (unless otherwise noted)
Free or low cost bike mainenance and bikes!
- June 18
- July 2 and 16
- August 6 and 20
- September 3 and 17
- October 1 and 15
- November 5 (from 1-3pm)
- December 3 (from 1-3pm)
Fitness at Ballard Commons Park
- June 15 at 11am, Barre class with Barre3
- July 27 at 11am, Yoga class with The Six
Mahjong Mondays from 10am-12pm at Hing Hay Park
- June 3, 10, 17, 24
- July 1, 8, 15
- August 5 and 26
Exercise Class Tuesdays from 10-11am at Hing Hay Park
- June 4,11, 18, 25
- July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- August 6, 20, 27
- September 3, 10, 17, 24
Chinese Dance Wednesdays from 10-11am at Hing Hay Park
- June 5, 12, 19, 26
- July 3, 10, 17,24, 31
- August 7, 21, 28
- September 4, 11, 18, 25
Tai Chi Thursdays from 10-11am at Hing Hay Park
- June 6, 13, 20, 27
- July 11, 18, 25
- August 1, 8, 29
- Septemebr 5, 12, 19, 26
Ping Pong Fridays from 2-5pm at Hing Hay Park
- July 5, 12 (tournament date), 26
- August 2 (tournament date), 9, 30
- Septemeber 6 (tournament date), 13, 20, 27
Busker Series
Enjoy lunchtime music and performances in the park! Bistro furniture is available at all listed locations for comfortable dining and relaxing.
*subject to rain-out cancellation for most locations
Busker Series
Ballard Commons Park: daily, 12-2pm (12-4pm on weekends!)
Hing Hay Park: daily, 12-2pm
Cal Anderson Park: daily, 12-2pm by the shelterhouse
Pioneer Square Park: daily, 12-4pm
City Hall Park: Monday-Friday, 12-6pm
Freeway Park: Monday-Friday, 12-2pm in Seneca Plaza
Denny Park: Tuesday-Saturday, 12-1pm
Lake City Mini Park: Tuesdays, 12-2pm
Follow us on Facebook for more information!
Partner Organizations
Visit https://downtownseattle.org/events/ and https://www.freewayparkassociation.org/events/ for more Downtown Park Events from our partner organizations!