Kirkland Oktoberfest, Italian Festival and more fun things to do this weekend in Seattle

Maybe we’re rushing things a little – we’ve just eaten summer seldom and are now full steam ahead in pumpkin-spice latte – but who cares?

This weekend, you can take a dip into autumn with two Eastside Oktoberfests, a popular Italian festival, and a Bacon and Beer Classic. We also have the Deets on two art exhibitions and a new place to eat.

Read on to learn where to find this weekend’s events, food and drink celebrations, and more.

Pacific Northwest Ballet

Angela Sterling / Pacific Northwest Ballet

Great performances: ballet, improvisation and trapeze

“It was a dark and stormy night …” Well, in Seattle it could be any night. In any case, Halloween comes early with “Campfire: Improvised Ghost Stories” on Friday and Saturday evenings from this weekend until October 31, their versions of various creepy stories. But for these performances the actors collect real events from your life in order to play them in front of everyone with (mostly) hilarious results. Unexpected Productions has been spinning these yarns near the rubber wall of Pike Place Market for over 10 years.

Come back to the ballet this weekend for the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) performance of Rep 1-Singularly Cerrudo. Under the direction of PNB’s resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, each presentation includes three performances of some of his most popular works: “Silent Ghost”, “One Thousand Pieces” and “Little Mortal Jump”. Performances take place Friday through Sunday at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall.

Run to the circus this weekend. While the evening show is sold out, Emerald City Trapeze still has some space for their Saturday matinee of their fall protégé show: “Reboot Rising from the Ashes”. Watch men and women fly with the utmost ease, floating from bar to catcher, performing tricks, splits and flips over your head using silk, hammocks, ropes and more.

Fish and chips from the market in Edmonds, Washington.

Courtesy The Market via Yelp

Good food: The Seattle Art Museum’s new restaurant

Edmond’s favorite market celebrates its opening weekend at the Seattle Art Museum. Described as a “Fishmonger & Restaurant” by Shubert Ho and his partners at Feed Me Hospitality and Restaurant Group, this may be the only place in town that sells vegetarian fish and chips (crispy halloumi cheese, fries, tarter, lemon and mint beans) next to the real stuff (with stone fish) also here. Enjoy Connecticut-style lobster rolls, grilled salmon web wed, lemongrass shrimp & grits, or a simple plate of Game Day garlic fries – no review here. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Kirkland Oktoberfest

Kirkland Oktoberfest

Festivals: Italian, Bavarian, Chinese and more

Seattle turns into its own Little Epcot this weekend with a multitude of international festivals.

The Festál: Italian Festival at the Seattle Center takes place on Saturday and Sunday and features art, music, dance, activities, and most importantly, Italian food. Enjoy pizza, pasta, Italian sausages, salami, meatballs, focaccia, ice cream, beer, wine, prosecco, limoncello, cannoli, espresso, Italian lemonades and three wine and beer gardens. The “Great Italian Chefs” outdoor cooking stage offers cooking demonstrations with the best chefs in town, while Italian music can be heard all day inside on the Moretti Mainstage. Strolling musicians will also be guests in the wine and beer garden. Take part in the Festa Grape Stomp and win a free t-shirt.

In the Chinatown-International District, one of Seattle’s largest and most original night markets returns on Saturdays from 1pm to 9pm. A variety of international delicacies are served here, from simple street vendors to larger restaurants, and you’ll also find a market filled with handmade goods, flowers, and Asian-inspired finds. When the sun goes down, the night starts with live music and break dancing.

The Michel Masse Festival in the medieval village of Calann in Carnation will encourage you to leave the 21st century behind and experience the England of Chaucer in 1376 with cider presses, puppet shows, magic shows, music, crafts, demonstrations, archery and strolling miners . Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm there is even time for a meal at The Bors Head or the lavish Michel Masse Feast.

If Bavaria is more your style, there will be two Oktoberfests on the Eastside this weekend. The Kirkland Oktoberfest takes place all weekend in Marina Park. Celebrate with barrel rolls, mug lifting, costume wearing, huge beer ponging and much more. There is live music, games, full pourers of imported German beers and an attempt to break the world record for a Bavarian handshake. Don’t miss the 8th annual Weiner dog race on Saturday.

On Saturday, Carnation Farms is offering its first Oktoberfest from 3pm to 7pm. Celebrate with local beer and organic foods such as Bavarian sausages, cabbage, pretzels, beer cheese and homemade grain mustard.

The Bacon and Beer Classic, held at Seattle’s Jefferson Park Golf Course, is just what it says on the tin. The fairway lines the fairway with local chefs and some of the best craft beer brews, and features over 50 different craft beers paired with bacon-inspired dishes including fried pork belly, flying pig bacon pizza, bacon your hear Donuts and pork slider with bacon jam. General admission includes seven hearty dishes, two sweet treats, eight strips of bacon, beer and cider samples, a souvenir glass, live music, games, activities, and freebies.

Art exhibition

Dusan Stankovic / Getty Images

Art exhibitions: from the ridiculous to the sublime

On Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Chateau St. Michelle will present its Artist Series Art Walk & Wine Tasting such as wine tastings, hearty snacks and discussions with well-known artists and vintners, accented by the music of wandering musicians.

Here’s something you don’t see every day: The Pancakes & Booze Art Show. This LA-based “famous underground art show” has popped up across Europe and North America, including here at El Corazon. On Saturday, starting at 8 p.m., the non-stuffy event serves up an odd combination of free all-you-can-eat pancakes and beer alongside hundreds of original artwork and live music

Tickets: Upcoming events to plan now