Originally posted on July 26th | Updated on August 3rd
“Seafair” has a magical ring to it. To newbies, it might sound like Seafair involves carnivals on Puget Sound or clowns juggling on jet skis. That’s not exactly what Seafair is—although it’s not far from that.
Seafair Weekend happens yearly in Seattle (except for the pandemic years when it didn’t). It’s older than the Space Needle, and it’s become a collection of citywide parties that celebrate Seattle and its “seas,” Lake Washington and Elliott Bay. The fest is technically ten weeks long, with events throughout the summer —but when many people say “Seafair,” they’re referring to the roaring Blue Angels and racing hydroplanes and docked Navy ships.
All of that goes down the first week in August. Here’s what’s happening this year.
🇺🇸 Torchlight Parade @ Westlake Park
📸: Seafair
📆 Saturday, July 29th
⏰ Festivities start @ 1 pm | Parade starts @ 3 pm
📍 Along 4th Ave + Westlake Park: 400 Pine St, Seattle
🎟️ Free + Reserved seats starting @ $40 | More info here
While it’s the weekend before Seafair Weekend, the Torchlight Parade that passes by Westlake Park kicks off a very busy week of maritime-adjacent partying. Expect over 100 “luminous entries,” according to organizers, which includes presenting partner Alaska Airlines. Athletes, military bands, and, of course, pirates will be in attendance. Show up a little early for the pre-parade festival at Westlake Park.
🎖️ Fleet Week @ Seattle Waterfront
📸: Seafair
📆 Saturday, July 29th
⏰ Festivities start @ 1 pm | Parade starts @ 3 pm
📍 Along 4th Ave + Westlake Park: 400 Pine St, Seattle
🎟️ Free + Reserved seats starting @ $40 | More info here
📆 Tuesday, August 1st – Sunday, August 6th
⏰ Times vary
📍Seattle waterfront: Pier 46, Pier 62, Pier 66
🎟️ Free ship tours | More info here
Luckily for us Emerald City citizens, we can enjoy the splendor of sailors invading the city yearly during Fleet Week. A part of Seafair, the Seattle Fleet Week Boeing Maritime Celebration has been held at the waterfront since 1950. What is it? Well, it’s when US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard ships that have been deployed return to dock in major cities for one week.
@theticketsea Ahoy sailors and Seattleites, it’s Fleet Week ⚓️ A part of Seafair (@seafairfestival), the Seattle Fleet Week Boeing Maritime Celebration has been held at the waterfront since 1950. What is Fleet Week? It’s when US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard ships that have been deployed return to dock in major cities for one week. The sailors get a chance to enjoy the city, and they also offer us an opportunity to tour their fleet. Below is a list of some tour dates and times. See a full list by clicking our link in bio 🫡 ⚓️ PIER 46 ⚓️ 🚢 US Navy Ship Tours 🚢 August 3rd, 4th, and 6th: Tours 9:30 am – 3 pm August 5th: Tours 9:30 am – 11 am 🚢 US Coast Guard Ship Tours 🚢 August 4th – 6th: Tours 9:30 am – 3 pm ⚓️ PIER 62 ⚓️ 🚢 US Coast Guard Ship Tours 🚢 August 1st: Tours in the afternoon ⚓️ PIER 66 ⚓️ 🚢 US Coast Guard Ship Tours 🚢 August 2nd: Tours 9:30 am – 3 pm August 3rd: Tours 9:30 am – 11 am Tours are free and open to the public. On Tuesday, Pier 62 was the place to be for the Parade of Ships and performances by US Navy Band Northwest! Ships featured were the USS Barry, HMCS Yellowknife, and HMCS Edmonton. 🖊️ @patheresa_ #theticket #fleetweekseattle #seafair ♬ original sound – TheTicketSeattle
Fleet Week starts with a Parade of Ships on August 1st at 1 pm when all the ships make their way to dock. The sailors unload to explore, and we can take a peep at multiple piers. Below is a list of tour dates and times.
PIER 46
🚢 US Navy Ship Tours 🚢
Thursday, August 3rd – Friday August 4th: 9:30 am – 3 pm
Saturday, August 5th: 9:30 am – 11 am
Sunday, August 6th: 9:30 am – 3 pm
🚢 US Coast Guard Ship Tours 🚢
Friday, August 4th – Sunday, August 6th: 9:30 am – 3 pm
🚢 Royal Canadian Navy 🚢
Thursday, August 3rd: 9:30 am – 3 pm
Friday, August 4th: 9:30 am – noon
Saturday, August 5th: Noon – 3 pm
PIER 66
🚢 US Coast Guard Ship Tours 🚢
Wednesday, August 2nd: 9:30 am – 3 pm
Thursday, August 3rd: 9:30 am – 11 am
Tours are free and open to the public. Note there’s a security checkpoint, and a government-issued ID is required. Backpacks, strollers, and open-toed shoes are prohibited.
🪵 The Log Boom @ Lake Washington
📸: Seafair
📆 Friday, August 4th – Sunday, August 6th
⏰ All day
📍 Lake Washington
🎟️ $625 – $875 for boats| More info here
Okay, now to the yearly Seafair Weekend Festival. It’s a multifaceted fest that happens around Lake Washington and Seattle’s Genesee Park from Friday to Sunday, August 4th through 6th. Core events include hydroplane racing and the Seafair Airshow (see below), but Seafair Weekend also includes an annual giant boat party, fondly referred to as a log boom. (Think this but with people.) The fest calls it the “largest floating party in 2023,” and boaters can register at Seafair’s site. Sections sell out fast, so vroom vroom, or whatever sounds boats make.
✈️ Seafair Airshow @ Genesee Park + Lake Washington
📸: Seafair
📆 Friday, August 4th – Sunday August 6th
⏰ 9 am – 6 pm
📍 Genesee Park and Playfield: 4316 South Genesee St, Seattle
🎟️ General Admission: Free (Friday Only), $15 – $85 (Saturday and Sunday) | More info here
What’s the roaring you hear every August? It’s this, the Boeing Seafair Airshow. The unmistakable roar of the US Navy’s Blue Angels is a yearly feature, but those beasts are just one part of the show. Head to Genesee Park for the main action. Friday general admission is free.
BOEING AIRSHOW SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
11:10 – 11:45 am, US Army Golden Knights
1:05 – 1:35 pm, US Navy EA18- Growlers
1:35 – 1:50 pm, US Air Force C-17
1:50 – 2 pm, PBY – Catalina
2:05 – 2:20 pm, Brad Wursten – MXS-R
2:25 – 2:40 pm, US Army Helos
2:45 – 2:55 pm, B-17 Sentimental Journey presented by Belle Harbour
2:55 – 3 pm, B-25 Maid in the Shade presented by Belle Harbour
3:05 – 3:20 pm, US Coast Guard – MH65 Search and Rescue
3:20 – 3:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels Fat Albert C-130
3:30 – 4:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels
SATURDAY
10:50 – 11:05 am, US Coast Guard – MH65 Search and Rescue
11:05 – 11:15 am, PBY – Catalina
11:45 – 12:20 pm, US Army Golden Knights
1:05 – 1:35 pm, US Navy EA18- Growler
1:35 – 1:50 pm, US Air Force C-17
1:50 – 2:05 pm, Brad Wursten – MXS-R
2:50 – 3 pm, B-17 Sentimental Journey presented by Belle Harbour
3 – 3:10 pm, B-25 Maid in the Shade presented by Belle Harbour
3:10 – 3:20 pm, US Army Helos
3:20 – 3:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels Fat Albert C-130
3:30 – 4:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels
SUNDAY
10:30 – 10:35 am, Opening Ceremonies
10:35 – 10:45 am, US Coast Guard- MH65 Search and Rescue
10:45 – 11:00 am, US Army Helos
11:55 – 12:30 pm, US Army Golden Knights
1:05 – 1:35 pm, US Navy EA18 Growlers
1:35 – 1:50 pm, US Air Force C-17
1:50 – 2:10 pm, PBY – Catalina
2:10 – 2:25 pm, Brad Wursten – MXS-R
2:55 – 3:05 pm, B-17 Sentimental Journey presented by Belle Harbour
3:05 – 3:15 pm, B-25 Maid in the Shade presented by Belle Harbour
3:15 – 3:20 pm, Boeing 737-9 Flyover
3:20 – 3:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels Fat Albert C-130
3:30 – 4:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels
🌊 Hydroplane Gold Cup Race @ Lake Washington
📸: Seafair
📆 Friday, August 4th – Sunday, August 6th
⏰ 9 am – 6 pm
📍 Lake Washington
🎟️ More info here
While the airshow has people’s heads in the clouds, the hydroplane racing has them craning their necks across Lake Washington. Culminating with the HomeStreet Bank Gold Cup Race, hydroplanes race at over 220 MPH during shows throughout Seafair Weekend. Peep the schedule below.
H1 HYDROPLANE RACING SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
9 am – Gates Open
8:55 – 10:30 am, H1 Testing
10:30 – 10:50 am, J Hydro Heat 1
10:50 – 11:10 am, Vintage Hydroplanes
11:45 am – 1:05 pm, H1 Qualifying
3:30 – 4:30 pm, Blue Angels
6 pm – Gates Closed
SATURDAY
9 am, Gates Open
8:55 – 10:25 am, H1 Testing, and Qualifying
10:25 – 10:45 am, J Hydro Heat 2
11:20 – 11:40 am, Vintage Hydroplanes
12:30 pm, H1 Heat 1A Start
12:55 pm, H1 Heat 1B Start
2:20 pm, H1 Heat 2A Start
2:35 pm, H1 Heat 2B Start
3:30 – 4:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels
6 pm – Gates Closed
SUNDAY
9 am, Gates Open
8:55 – 10:05 am, H1 Testing
10:05 – 10:25 am, J Hydro Final
10:30 – 10:40 am, Opening Ceremony
11:10 am, H1 Heat 3A Start
11:25 am, H1 Heat 3B Start
11:35 – 11:50 am, Vintage Hydroplanes
12:40 pm, H1 Heat 4A Start
12:55 pm, H1 Heat 4B Start
2:35 pm, HomeStreet Bank Cup Final and Gold Cup Race
3:30 – 4:30 pm, US Navy Blue Angels
4:35 – 4:45 pm, HomeStreet Bank Cup, and Gold Cup Awards Ceremony
👀 Jet Blast Bash @ The Museum of Flight
📸: The Museum of Flight
📆 Saturday, August 5th – Sunday, August 6th
⏰ 11 am – 4 pm
📍 The Museum of Flight: 9404 E. Marginal Way S, Seattle
🎟️ Included with Museum admission: $18 – $26 | More info here
Want to watch the Blue Angels right as they take off? The Museum of Flight is the spot, located near where the Blue Angels are stationed at the King County International Airport terminal. In addition to the up-front view, the Museum’s Jet Blast Bash features food, a beer garden, family activities, DJs, and Blue Angels history talks. The fest is also an opportunity to check out the Museum in general, which we definitely recommend.
