Seafair Weekend Festival is back with Free Friday for all.
After a summer full of Seafair celebrations such as Fourth of July fireworks and the Torchlight Parade, the fun culminates at the Seafair Weekend Festival throughout the first weekend of August. This iconic Seattle festival is big, loud, and showy. There are boat races, exciting aerobatics, and more events set on the waters and shoreline of Lake Washington from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3.
Read on for all the details!
What are the Seafair Weekend Festival’s main events?
Some of the highlights this weekend include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performing aerobatics in the Boeing Seafair Air Show, hydroplanes racing at over 220 MPH in the HomeStreet Bank Cup, a classic car show, a BMX stunt show, beach parties, and more.
What time do the Blue Angels fly?
The Blue Angels will take to the skies for their air show performances from 3:35 to 4:50 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They will also be doing practice runs on Thursday, July 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Are tickets required?
Not necessarily; there are ways to enjoy the festival and see the Blue Angels fly without purchasing tickets. The festival has free general admission for all ages on Friday. Note that Free Friday does not include parking or access to the festival’s “Premium Experiences” such as reserved seating areas. There is open seating for viewing the hydroplane races and Blue Angels near South Turn Beach that is first come, first serve.
If you just want to see the Blue Angels without going to the festival, you can enjoy the show for free from your own chair or blanket along the shoreline of Lake Washington. Here are some more locations where you can watch the Blue Angels fly for free:
- Seward Park
- Kerry Park
- Jefferson Park
- Colman Park
- Leschi Park
- Madrona Beach
- Madison Park
- Mount Baker Beach
Otherwise you can purchase Seafair Weekend Festival tickets that guarantee you a grandstand seat with a great view of the races and air show. For those who want the VIP experience, the Captain’s Club ticket tier will get you food and drinks as well as reserved seats in the shade.
Do kids get free admission?
On Friday, all ages get into the festival for free. On Saturday and Sunday, kids age 5 and under have free general admission.
Is there free parking?
Parking passes cost $55. There is also a first-come, first-served ADA parking lot located on 43rd and Genesee that fills up fast.
If you take the Link Light Rail, get off at the Columbia City station and take the free round-trip shuttle service to the park. The shuttle operates Friday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where is the entrance to the festival?
There are three entrances to the festival at Genesee Park:
- Main entrance: Genesee Park & Playfield at the corner of 43rd Ave S & S Genesee St.
- North Entrance: Lake Washington Blvd S and Lake Park Dr S.
- South Entrance: 49th Ave S and Lake Washington Blvd S.
Will there be food?
Yes, there will be food available to purchase—from local vendors to as fair food—as well as beer gardens with live entertainment.
To purchase tickets and see a detailed schedule of the weekend’s events, plus more information, visit the festival website.
Seafair Weekend Festival
When: August 1-3, 2025
Where: Genessee Park and Lake Washington
Cost: $50+ for adults (Friday GA is free!)