15 things to do around the Seattle area this weekend

Welcome to the weekend! From exploring Seattle’s Sandwich District to vibrant sunflower fields, here are the latest local things to do around the Seattle area. 

Food and drink

• What does it take to bake Washington’s best cinnamon roll? Our blue ribbon-winning reporter returns to the Washington State Fair’s baking competition and dives into the judging process.
• Two Washington restaurants, a Hood Canal oyster paradise and a new fine-dining spot on Whidbey Island, recently scored spots on The New York Times’ list of “50 favorite places in America right now.”
• If you haven’t yet explored this Seattle neighborhood our food writer dubs the city’s Sandwich District, another spot joins the fray, serving up delicious banh mi.
• Prepare to say “Prost!” at your next dinner party with this recipe for comforting Oktoberfest-inspired bratwursts. 

Outdoors and community events

• Savor the last gasp of summer this weekend by exploring Seattle-area sunflower farms, seasonal farmers markets and free outdoor yoga and Zumba classes.
• In honor of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness’ 50th anniversary, explore a few routes that are far from the beaten path. 

Visual arts, music, theater and dance

• A calendar full of arts and culture events takes Seattle by storm this fall — capped by the second annual WALKDONTRUN, a downtown art walk where more than 200 artists will perform and create works live. 
• “Inconvenience Store,” a pop-up installation housed in a former downtown 7-Eleven, leads the latest round of must-see art exhibits and galleries on the docket these next few weeks. 
• Lend an ear to the hottest music events coming to town, from last-chance outdoor concerts to classical performances at the newly renovated Benaroya Hall.
• Transport yourself to turn-of-the-20th-century New York in Village Theatre Issaquah’s rendition of “Ragtime,” which leads a slate of exciting theater shows this fall. 

 Movies and TV

• Heading to the theater? See what our reviewers thought of “Resident Evil,” “Practical Magic 2,” “Call My Agent! The Movie” and more must-see movies this fall. 
• Catch up on the latest shows and media to stream, from “Slow Horses” Season 6 on Apple TV and the “Reacher” spinoff “Neagley” on Prime Video to the most anticipated series coming this fall.

Books

• JLF Seattle, based on the Jaipur Literature Festival attended by hundreds of thousands in India each year, kicks off this weekend with a lineup of local and international award-winning authors.
• Participate in Seattle Reads, the Seattle Public Library’s citywide book club, by picking up a copy of “True Biz,” which tells the story of a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. 
• Need more reading recommendations? Add actor Ke Huy Quan’s new memoir, “Never Say Die,” Emily St. John Mandel’s postapocalyptic novel “Exit Party” and a collection of translated books to your shelves this fall.