May 2026

The Seattle Chinese Garden is gearing up for its highly anticipated Annual Banquet and Awards Gala, bringing together civic leaders, cultural organizations, and local community members for an evening of celebration. Set to take place on Friday, June 5, 2026, the gala will be held at the Diamond Bay Restaurant, located at 409 8th Ave. S. in Seattle.

This year's event holds special significance as the organization plans to honor several pivotal community figures. Dennis and Millie Su, along with Tony Au, will be recognized for their outstanding leadership. Additionally, the Seattle Chinese Garden will celebrate its long-time supporter, the Boeing Company, for their ongoing dedication to the garden's mission.

Beyond the awards, attendees can look forward to exciting updates regarding the capital campaign for "The Central Garden," an initiative that was officially launched at last year's banquet.

For three decades, the West Seattle Garden Tour has been about much more than just an appreciation for lush, inviting spaces; it has been about making connections and finding joy in growing a community. On Sunday, June 28, 2026, the all-volunteer organization will celebrate its milestone 30th Anniversary Tour.

Originally founded in 1994 as a fundraiser for ArtsWest—which is now considered the tour's legacy grantee—the organization has been inviting the public to step behind the fences of unique backyards since 1995. Today, the tour's core mission is to promote horticultural, educational, and artistic endeavors throughout West Seattle and neighboring communities. Driven by the generosity of sponsors, donors, and ticket buyers, the tour donates its net proceeds of approximately $50,000 each year to local nonprofits working hard to make the community a better place.

The West Seattle Wine Walk, a vibrant celebration taking place tonight, May 15, has seen massive success with over 1,000 tickets sold. Located in the heart of West Seattle, the event offers attendees the opportunity to meet Pacific Northwest boutique wineries and enjoy unique tastings housed within favorite local merchants.

Despite the incredible turnout, organizers have announced that they are still accepting walk-ins tonight because of the large number of businesses participating in this spring's event. Those interested in joining the festivities can simply head to either of the two check-in locations: Kendall Dental at 4400 California Ave SW or Washington Management at 4554 California Ave SW.

Attendees will be able to enjoy various wine varieties and will also have the option to purchase additional tasting tickets and tax-free bottles of wine to take home.

Information from King County Local Services

King County Department of Local Services invites the community to a White Center “Glow Up” event – a chance to celebrate and learn more about several improvements along 16th Avenue SW. 

The celebration begins at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21, during the monthly Rat City Art Walk event at the corner of 16th Avenue SW and SW 98th Street near the community kiosk. 

For kayaking, swimming, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) enthusiasts in West Seattle, timing the perfect water conditions just got a whole lot easier. A new website, the Alki Surf App, has been launched to provide highly specific wave condition forecasts for both the Alki and Constellation Park sides of the peninsula.

See the app HERE.

The app is the brainchild of local kayaker and tech product analyst Kevin Kramer. The inspiration for the project was born out of a common modern dilemma: finding the time. "I live in Alki and purchased paddleboards during the pandemic but being a new dad with a busy social calendar I was having a hard time getting on the water at the right time," Kramer shared.

A Sunday of Blooms and Batteries

Sunday morning begins with the reliable bounty of the Farmers Market, but the day’s highlights extend far beyond fresh produce. Meanwhile, automotive innovation takes center stage at Ounces Taproom, where electric vehicle owners will gather for a scenic cruise along the Alki shoreline followed by an educational showcase of modern adventure trucks. The week draws to a competitive close on Monday evening. Trivia enthusiasts will congregate at the Skylark once more to test their mastery of obscure facts and visual puzzles during the neighborhood’s premiere multi-round quiz challenge

Saturday May 16

White Center Joiner Jamboree (see full story about it here)

The Seattle Department of Transportation is inviting community members to participate in the People Streets & Public Spaces program, an initiative focused on creating vibrant pedestrian spaces driven by neighborhood input. To kick off these efforts, two public drop-in sessions will be held this month to gather community ideas and visions for transforming local streets.

The first session is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Delridge Triangle, located at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and 18th Ave SW. This event will focus on building upon past efforts to convert 18th Ave SW into a new pedestrian area. Planners describe the upcoming installation as a near-term pilot project that will serve as a stepping stone toward a future permanent transformation of the space.