Summer weekend with lots of events – and that means SDOT has created a list of the events that are drawing crowds around the city and potentially affecting traffic. It’s just arrived; read on!

Crowds in the thousands are expected to turn out this weekend for Mariners baseball and the 40th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival. The festival, which began in 1972, offers a plethora of opportunities to experience the diverse cultures of the Pacific Northwest. There’ll be activities for all ages with dancing, singing, and music. The festival also features storytelling ranging from family stories to ghost stories. On Monday, Memorial Day, a large turnout is expected for the Bread of Life Mission’s BBQ being held of homeless veterans.

The Seattle Department of Transportation urges motorists heading out for the events to help reduce traffic congestion and pollution by taking one of the many alternate modes of transportation available – Metro Transit, the Seattle Streetcar, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible.

Friday, May 25 – Monday , May 28

Northwest Folklife Festival: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday; 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Monday
Seattle Center

10,000 expected on Friday

25,000 expected each day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Production staging will require use of streets surrounding the Seattle Center for production staging through Tuesday, May 29. Plan on congestion in the general area.

Metro Transit will be offering special shuttle bus service Saturday through Monday to the Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center from both the Northgate Transit Center and South Renton Park-and-Ride.

There is no shuttle service on Friday, the first day of the festival, but there are also several other routes that provide bus service to the Seattle Center or close by. Please visit Metro Online for information on Metro Transit’s routes, schedules, and trip planning.

Friday, May 25 – Sunday, May 27

Seattle Mariners vs the Los Angeles Angels
Safeco Field
Friday, May 25, 7:10 p.m., 27,000 attending
Saturday, May 26, 4:15 p.m., 23,000 attending
Sunday, May 27, 1:10 p.m.; 26,000 attending
Expect traffic congestion surrounding the stadium before and after the games.

Saturday, May 26

World Peace Prayer: 6 p.m.
The Vietnamese Catholic Church 1230 E Fir Street
1,500 participants
Religious parade on the streets surrounding the Vietnamese Catholic Church starts at front of church and moves west on Fir to 12th Avenue S; north on 12th to E Spruce Street; east on Spruce to 14th Avenue S; south on 14th to E Fir Street. Seattle Police will escort.

Monday, May 28

Homeless Veteran’s Day Free BBQ: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bread of Life Mission
2,500 expected
Event will close S Main Street between Alaskan Way S and First Avenue S from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note: Metro Transit will operate a Sunday schedule on Monday, May 28, for the Memorial Day holiday. (WSB editor’s note – Same goes for the West Seattle run of the King County Water Taxi.)