The classic, the original. They don’t even bother putting “July” in the event name, because everybody knows what’s up. This is Seafair’s annual big-ass fireworks show at Gas Works Park, with the pyrotechnics exploding up above Lake Union and “choreographed” (that’s so cute) to a very loud pre-recorded musical score. There’ll also be two beer gardens, scads of food vendors, live bands, and a glow-in-the-dark dance party that ends when the fireworks begin. As long as it doesn’t rain—not our fault if it does!!—this event will almost certainly be a mob scene, so you may wanna get a fresh COVID booster beforehand and definitely wear your mask, even though it’s outside. The park spans 19 acres, though, so maybe you can find a secret nook with a visible patch of sky to watch the show from. Gas Works is the best place in the city to find sexy secret nooks, for real.

If standing around at Ground Zero of Seattle fireworks isn’t your thing, Lake Union Park on the opposite side of the water offers a picture-perfect view of the same show, and probably the same caliber of mob scene. Masks, please. There’ll also be DJ music, food trucks, and a beer garden, plus you can walk to about a million restaurants and bars. FWIW, the promo copy claims that this vantage point offers a darker view of the sky, facing north, and therefore a brighter, more vivid view of the fireworks than the south-facing Gas Works Park party, which… is this true? Because of the light pollution from downtown? Or the location of the moon? Or some other reason?? We had no idea, but we’re delighted to know it.