Seafair

Celebrating the Sea, the Sky and Culture of Seattle

“Connecting and celebrating the community spirit of Puget Sound” is the mission of SEAFAIR, Seattle’s summer series of special events that begins in June and runs well into August. Held annually since 1949, SEAFAIR festivities include a torchlight run and parade, hydroplane races, and an air show. Other scheduled SEAFAIR events during the summer include a milk carton derby, an air show, a triathlon, a scholarship pageant, and the fleet arrival and tour.

SEAFAIR revelry also includes weeks of different festivals, parades, and community events, held in locales throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. These special events celebrate everything from African, Hispanic, or Filipino culture to whaling and seafood.

SEAFAIR Community Festivals

Jul 27 – 29 – IKEA Renton River Days (Liberty Park and other Renton parks)

Jul 27 – 29 – Tour de Terrace (Mountlake Terrace)

Jul 27 – 29 – Silverdale Whaling Days (Silverdale)

Jul 28 – 29 – Kirkland Classic Car Show & Dance

Jul 28 – Seafair Scholarship Program for Women Coronation

Jul 28 – SEAFAIR Torchlight Parade & Run (Seattle Center to Qwest Field)

Stake out a spot along Seattle’s downtown parade route to get your fill of SEAFAIR royalty, marching bands, dance teams, and military units. The Torchlight Run, with 5K and 8K options that both include the parade route, precedes the parade; participate in the race and you’ll enjoy the opportunity to run in front of 300,000 fans. Awards go to the fastest runners and wheelchair racers, and to the most creatively costumed runners.

Jul 29 – Hispanic SEAFAIR Organization Festival (Seattle Center)

Jul 29 – Pista Sa Nayon (Seward Park Amphitheater)

Aug 1 – 5 – SEAFAIR Fleet Arrival and Tours (Downtown Seattle Waterfront)

Aug 3 – 5 - SEAFAIR Hydroplane Races (Stan Sayres Memorial Park)

The unlimited hydroplane races on Lake Washington are among the most thrilling of Seattle’s summer events. Held near the shores of Stan Sayres Memorial Park, the racing and associated events cover three days. Park guests can take advantage of food and beverages booths, general admission seating, a pit tour, a hospitality area, and the log boom for boaters.

Aug 3 -5 – SEAFAIR Air Show – U.S. Navy Blue Angels (South Lake Washington)

When the Blue Angels take off from Boeing Field and fly in varying formations over Lake Washington, all eyes are glued to the sky. The SEAFAIR Air Show also features other military, vintage, and specialty aircraft, which can all be seen flying over South Lake Washington and the hydroplane race spectators.

Aug 3 – 4 – Magnolia SummerFest & Seafair Parade (West Magnolia Play Field)

Aug 3 – 5 – Umoja Fest African American Heritage Festival

Aug 4 – Lake City Pioneer Days Festival

Aug 5 – Shoreline Classic Car Show

Aug 11 – Taste of Hood Canal

Aug 18 – Central Area Community Festival and Parade (Garfield Community Center)

Aug 18 – 19 – Rainier Valley Culture Fest