Seas the Solstice: Events to Start Your Summer
Ready or not, summer is officially crashing ashore this week—with the summer solstice rolling in on Friday, June 20. That’s the longest day of the year, folks! On the South Beach, sunrise will breach the horizon at 5:21 a.m., and you’ll still be catching a whisper of daylight at 10 p.m. That’s nearly 16 hours of daylight (or maybe 16 hours of coastal gray... depending on the weather forecast).
Whether you're sleeping in because school’s out, getting up early for a surf, or prepping for hopes of a busy tourist-filled weekend, don’t forget to take a moment to celebrate the summer season. Here’s a few fun ways to kick off summer this weekend.
Summer Solstice Party at Waves
SOLSTICE PARTY IN GRAYLAND
Friday, June 20 | 6–10 p.m. | Waves Reiki Retreat, Grayland
Grayland’s Waves Reiki Retreat is hosting a free community Summer Solstice Celebration, and everyone’s invited. Think live music, volleyball, a fire pit, tasty food, and activities for kids. Bring a picnic if you like, your favorite beverage, and maybe a hoodie—because, you know, it’s still the coast in June. Either way, there will be music, laughter, and maybe even a little barefoot dancing.
GET INSPIRED ON THE GHOST TOUR
Saturday & Sunday, June 21–22 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | All Over Grays Harbor
The Grays Harbor Open Studio Tour—or ghOST, for short—is back, inviting you to poke around the hidden creative nooks of our county. You’ll find painters, sculptors, photographers, woodworkers, and mixed-media wizards welcoming the public into their studios. Yes, it’s totally free, and yes, there will be demos.
One local highlight: South Beach Arts Association in Westport will feature artist Laveta Bowen. Want to plan your route? The full studio map is here: 2025 Studio Tour Map
World Music Day is June 21st in Aberdeen
COME AS YOU ARE—TO WORLD MUSIC DAY
Friday, June 21 | All Day | Downtown Aberdeen
Aberdeen’s World Music Day is back with a beat—and over 25 venues of live music, activities, and spontaneous entertainment. It’s a family-friendly festival where street performers and buskers are welcome.
Bring your guitar, tambourine, or just your curiosity and wander downtown. You never know what you’ll stumble into: a drum circle, an accordion solo, or maybe a saxophonist playing in front of your favorite coffee shop or pub.
Check out their Facebook page for updates, or visit the official website to view the music map and lineup of mainstage musicians.