Ballard events Aug. 3-9: Viking Faire, 5k Beer Run, Jimothy art & more

Here’s your weekly events roundup for Monday, August 3 to Sunday, August 9 in Ballard.

Plenty is happening around Ballard this week, from trivia nights and craft workshops to family-friendly events, live music, and community gatherings. Highlights include the annual Viking Faire at Skål Beer Hall, a 5K beer run benefiting the Ballard Food Bank, and Jimothy-inspired watercolor painting.

Monday, August 3

• Heroes vs. Villains Camp with Illumination Learning Studio (ages 5 – 11) (August 3-9), 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Do you choose to use your powers for good… or for evil? This summer, we’ll dive into the evolution of superheroes and supervillains, learn about some famous characters, reveal our own super-alter-egos, and create comics starring our rival pairs. Come discover your superpowers at ILS’ Heroes Vs. Villains!

Wednesday, August 5

• Beer Hall Trivia, Skål Beer Hall, 7 – 9 p.m.
  • Face off against your Ballard neighbors every Wednesday at 7pm with our new Beer Hall Trivia! The game is hosted by local legend, Ian, with five rounds, including a music round. The entry is $5 per person to play with cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place teams. Grab your crew and come eat, drink, and be merry with us!
• Book Trivia at The Ink Drinker, 8 – 9:30 p.m.
  • Join us this Wednesday at 8pm for Book Trivia at The Ink Drinker! Prizes for first, second, and third places! No entry free! Teams and solo players welcome!
• Drinkers with Knitting Problems, Hazlewood, 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Happy Hour and other drink specials for anyone knitting, crocheting, embroidering, sewing…. You get the idea. Bring some yarn. Neck lamps are recommended but we now have a few to borrow.

Thursday, August 6

• Name that Tune with Miss Texas, Skål Beer Hall, 8 – 9:30 p.m.
  • You’re that friend who starts belting out the song two seconds in?! This night is for you! Come Name That Tune in our new event series hosted by one of the premier Seattle Drag Queens, Miss Texas! She hosts every first and third Thursday of the month.

Friday, August 7

• First Friday Flash Tattoos at Old Stove Gardens, 5 – 11 p.m.
  • Come join us on Friday, August 7th between 5-11pm for our monthly First Friday Flash event at Old Stove Gardens in Ballard
• Sights from Seattle: Jimothy! at Push/Pull, 6 – 8 p.m.
  • Jimothy in Watercolors: He’s just a little guy! This raccoon was sighted in our neighborhood of Ballard and everybody fell in love with him. in this class, we’ll be using watercolors to depict Jimothy.

Saturday, August 8

• Intro to Machine Knitting, The Seattle Knitting Lab, Aug. 8-15
  • Learn everything you need to know to start using your knitting machine! In this class we will review the terminology, equipment, tools and techniques required to start creating and designing simple knitted fabrics. This is a hands on class. Each student will be provided with their own machine to learn and create several swatches illustrating the techniques demonstrated. These techniques will include how to cast on and bind off your knitting, designing a striped pattern and how to create simple shaping at the selvedges of your fabric.
• 5k Beer Run x Lucky Envelope x Ballard Food Bank, Lucky Envelope, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Looking for a 5k in Ballard, WA? Enjoy locally crafted beer? Like to support a good cause? Join the Washington Brewery Running Series for a beer run at Lucky Envelope Brewing August 8th! This untimed, non-competitive fun run starts and ends at the brewery, taking runners, joggers, and walkers through the heart of Ballard to the Ballard Locks and back before finishing with a cold, locally-crafted beer.
• Stained Glass Class: Let Us Blossom, Swoon City, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • In this 3 hour class, you will learn how to use the Tiffany method of foiling, gain guided experience with soldering technique, learn how to frame with lead came, and how to properly clean and polish stained glass. Each student will receive and work with a pre-cut and ground glass kit of the design pictured. All materials are included.
• Ballard ArtWalk, multiple venues, 6 – 9 p.m.
  • This engaging community event is brought to you by the Ballard Alliance and Ballard businesses, and it takes place every second Saturday of the month from 6-9 pm. See venues and map here.

Sunday, August 9

• 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.
• Ballard Bookworms Community Storytime, Ballard Locks, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Join Ballard Preschool Co-op’s beloved Teacher Katie, along with special guest Baby Jam, for a fun and engaging story time designed to spark a love of reading and build community connections. Grab your picnic blanket and join us on the lawn at the Ballard Locks (or in the Visitor Center if it rains). Ballard Bookworms is free and open to the public. Recommended for ages 5 and under (older siblings welcome).
• 3rd Annual Viking Faire, Skål Beer Hall, 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Join us for our annual Norse Artisan Market featuring eight local vendors in our outdoor space! Expect mead, mirth, & plenty of curiosities. Our full kitchen & bar will be available for you to sip & shop!
• Stained Glass Class: Impact, Swoon City, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • In this 2 hour class, you will make 8 stained glass droplets, gain guided experience with soldering technique, learn how to frame with lead came, and how to properly clean and polish stained glass. Each student will select from an arrangement of pre-cut and ground droplets of glass. All materials are included.
• An evening of Scottish folk with Iona Fyfe, Macleod’s Scottish Pub, 6-8 p.m.
  • Join us at Macleod’s Pub on Sunday, August 9th for a very special night with acclaimed Scottish folk singer Iona Fyfe! Hailing from Aberdeenshire, Iona is a multi-award-winning vocalist — a two-time Scots Singer of the Year and the first-ever singer to be named Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Her powerful voice and deep connection to Scots ballads and folk tradition have taken her across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia. Don’t miss this rare chance to experience authentic Scottish folk music up close, right here in Ballard.

Have an event to share? Add it to the Ballard event calendar!

Photo: 5k Beer Run at Lucky Envelope in 2025 (WA Brewery Running Series)