Sure, baseball fans are pouring into Seattle this week for the momentous occasion of seeing some of the best MLB stars converge on T-Mobile Park.

But even if the small ball sport is not your game, there will be plenty of activities to keep you busy this week – from commissioned art work and movie classics, to local spirit tastings.

The main attractions take place at T-Mobile Park and neighboring Lumen Field, but there are other attractions in the neighborhood to get you into the game including satellite art exhibits like MLB commissioned murals. In the heart of Pioneer Square, Railspur Public Art Alley will be displaying baseball-themed art created by local artists including Brandon Vosika, Dozer aka Crick Lont, Mary Anne Carter, Perry Porter and more.

Catch a bus or other metro public transit (which is free for all riders on Monday and Tuesday) to South Lake Union. MOHAI has brought together a winning collection of jerseys, bats and other ephemera from the icons of baseball – Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Roberto Clemente, and Willie Mays to name a few. Plus, don’t miss your chance for an all-star selfie in front of the giant baseball on the museum’s terrace.

Local businesses, like Copperworks Distilling, will also get in the game. Just show your ticket to any of the week’s events at its tasting room located on the Seattle waterfront and get 50% off a tasting flight. Sounds like a homerun.

Or, dig into the Dave Niehaus “My Oh My Burger” at Lil Woody’s. In recognition of the late, great Mariners play-by-play announcer this burger on rye comes loaded with Genoa Salami, Swiss cheese and spicy Mama Lil’s pickles. My Oh My, indeed.

The 2023 All-Star Week festivities kick off July 7, but the Seattle Mariners started a few days early with their presence at Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony at Seattle Center. For the 501 new American citizens who were sworn in, the Mariners handed out ball caps and tickets to a Mariners’ game down the road. After all, what’s more American than taking in a game of America’s national pastime?

Here’s what to expect over the course of the next several days

Friday, July 7

Head over to T-Mobile for the HBCU Swingman Classic. This inaugural events highlights the student-athletes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Fifty of the top HBCU players will be on hand who were selected by a committee including former Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr.

Saturday, July 8 – 11

Here’s a chance for the whole family to get involved in the All-Star festivities. During a four day stretch, The ‘Play Ball Park’ will be the place to be for demos, VR activations, food, and autographs and photos with baseball greats like Edgar Martinez, Bret Boone and Mike Cameron.  The action takes place inside and outside of Lumen Field and event Center. It’s 35 bucks to get inside, but there are also plenty of fun attractions set up outside the park that are absolutely free.

July 9

This day is set aside for the hardcore baseball fan. If you know all about first round picks, compensatory round(s) and competitive balance rounds, then head to Lumen Field at 4pm to see what teams will be fielding the stars of the future.

Speaking of stars, later that night there will be over 600 stars (of sort) strategically hovering near the Space Needle. Starting at 10pm, six hundred lighted drones will put on a baseball-theme spectacle that should have baseball fans, and the unsuspecting passerby buzzing for days. This 18-minute show is set to baseball classic music can best be seen from the International Fountain Lawn at the Seattle Center and is free.

It’s grand salami time

July 10

We all love the long ball, and this slugfest is sure to entertain. Seattle Mariner Julio Rodriquez will be back once again this year (hopefully without injury) to put ‘em out of the park. It’s the always entertaining, Home Run Derby. This time we have a front row seat at T-Mobile Park to watch all of the power hitters the MLB has to offer.

And, if you’re still juiced after that display, head to Seattle Center for a baseball-themed movie night. On July 10 you can catch the classic “The Sandlot” at the Mural Theater, and on July 11 grab a blanket and settle in to watch “A League of Their Own.”

July 11

The MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park. It’s the main attraction – the reason for all of the week-long hullabaloo. The MLB All-Star game was last in Seattle 22 years ago, so here’s your chance to catch all of the greats in the Emerald City.