Seattle Seafair 2025: Complete Guide to Dates and Events

“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. First held in 1949, Seafair festivities feature a torchlight run and parade, hydroplane races, and an aerial show, among many other events. Other Seafair highlights include a milk carton derby, triathlon competitions, a scholarship pageant, and a rock-and-roll marathon. Seafair activities are vibrant and varied, offering different experiences each week throughout Seattle’s summer. These events showcase various cultural celebrations, including African, Hispanic, and Filipino heritage, as well as local whaling and seafood traditions.

Seattle Seafair event details and dates:

• Seafair Torchlight Parade & FanFest
• Seattle Seafair Hydroplane Races
• Seattle Seafair Air Show
• Schedule of Seafair-Sanctioned Community Festivals (June through mid-July)
• Schedule of Seafair-Sanctioned Community Festivals (late July through August)
• Schedule of Signature Seattle Seafair Events

Seafair Torchlight Parade & FanFest

Seafair Torchlight Parade & FanFest
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Secure your spot along the downtown parade route for an unforgettable evening filled with Seafair royalty, marching bands, dance teams, and military units. The parade begins at Seattle Center and travels south down 4th Avenue to CenturyLink Field. Comfortable seating options are available for a fee through the official Seafair website.

The 2016 Seafair Torchlight Parade and FanFest will take place on July 30.

Seattle Seafair Weekend Hydroplane Races

Seafair Weekend Events
August 5-7, 2016
The unlimited hydroplane races on Lake Washington are among the most thrilling summer events in Seattle. Spanning three days at Genessee Park, the festivities offer food and beverage booths, general admission seating, a pit tour, a hospitality area, and family-friendly activities, making it a great experience for all attendees.

The 2016 Seattle Seafair hydroplane races will take place August 5-7.

Seattle Seafair Air Show

Seafair Air Show
August 5-7, 2016
Anticipation runs high each year for the inclusion of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, along with a selection of military, vintage, and specialty aircraft. Viewers can enjoy these impressive displays as they fly over South Lake Washington and the crowds at the hydroplane races at Genessee Park.

The 2016 Seattle Seafair Air Show, sponsored by Boeing, will take place August 5-7.

Seattle Seafair Community Events (June – mid July)

Seattle’s Seafair offers a month-long array of special events that celebrate various cultural aspects, from seafood to classic cars. The schedule of Seafair community events for June and the first half of July includes:

• Jun 21 – Make Music Seattle
• Jun 25-26 – Strawberry Festival in Bellevue
• Jun 25 – Greenwood Car Show
• Jul 2-4 – Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival
• Jul 8-10 – Kent Cornucopia Days and Parade
• Jul 9 – Wallingford Seafair Kiddie Parade and Street Fair
• Jul 9-10 – Mercer Island Summer Celebration
• Jul 9-10 – Ballard SeafoodFest
• Jul 9-17 – White Center Jubilee Days
• Jul 13-17 – Kla Ha Ya Days Festival & Parade
• Jul 16-17 – Chinatown/International District Dragon Festival
• Jul 16-17 – Seattle Bon Odori Festival
• Jul 16-17 – Covington Days Festival
• Jul 17-19 – Kirkland Uncorked

Seattle Seafair Community Events (Late July – August)

Seafair’s community fairs and festivals continue to highlight local culture and activities throughout the summer…

• Jul 22-24 – Des Moines Waterland Parade & Events
• Jul 22-24 – IKEA Renton River Days
• Jul 23 – West Seattle Grand Parade
• Jul 24 – Chinatown Seafair Parade
• Jul 26 – Lake City Pioneer Days
• Jul 27 – Greenwood Seafair Parade
• Jul 27 – Hispanic Seafair Festival (Seattle Center)
• Jul 29-31 – Tour de Terrace
• Jul 31 – Pista Sa Nayon
• Aug 5-7 – UmojaFest African American Heritage Festival
• Aug 5-7 – SalmonFest Seattle
• Aug 6-7 – Magnolia SummerFest, Art Show, and Parade
• Aug 12-13 – Kirkland Summerfest
• Aug 13-14 – Rainier Valley Culture Fest Weekend
• Aug 19-20 – Central Area Community Festival
• Aug 20-21 – Viking Days

Seattle Seafair Special Events Schedule

The Seafair schedule of special events for 2016 includes:

• Jun 18 – Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon at SEAFAIR
• Jun 25 – Pirates Landing (Alki Beach)
• Jul 16 – Milk Carton Derby (SW part of Green Lake)
• Jul 16 – Seafair Stand Up Paddleboard Competition (Green Lake)
• Jul 24 – Triathlon (Seward Park)
• Jul 30 – Seafair Torchlight Parade (Seattle Center to Qwest Field)
• Jul 30 – Seafair TorchLight FanFest (Seattle Center)
• Aug 2 to 7 – Seafair Fleet Week & Boeing Maritime Celebration
• Aug 5 to 7 – Unlimited Hydroplane Race (Stan Sayres Memorial Park)
• Aug 5 to 7 – Boeing Air Show – (South Lake Washington)

For more details, visit the official Seafair website.