Seafair Weekend 2025: Where Water Meets Sky- Seafair’s Weekend of Wonder!
- Linda Lowry
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
By Linda Lowry
Seattle’s skyline will once again echo with the roar of hydroplanes and Blue Angels as Seafair Weekend Festival returns August 1–3 to Genesee Park. With deep ties to tradition, transformation, and community pride, this year’s Seafair invites residents and visitors alike to gather for three days of celebration, spectacle, and storytelling.
Festival Hub: Genesee Park -4316 S. Genesee Street, Seattle, WA
Apollo Mechanical Cup Hydroplane Races
Heats all weekend with Sunday finals. Includes H1 Unlimited and Grand Prix America classes.
Daily performances by:
U.S. Navy Blue Angels
F-35B Lightning II
F-16 Falcon
C-17 Globemaster III
Aerobatic pilots Melissa Burns and Torrey Ward
Parachute and vintage aircraft demonstrations
Live Music & Cultural Exhibits
Featuring Navy Band Northwest, Army Band, and local performers.
Park Amenities
Food trucks, beer gardens, shaded seating, and classic car displays.
Accessibility
Free shuttle from Columbia City Light Rail Station (9 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Wheelchair-accessible viewing zones available
Admission
Friday, August 1: Free general admission, courtesy of Windermere Real Estate
Saturday & Sunday: Tickets start at $50
VIP & Pit Passes: Available through Seafair.org
Civic Events:
July 29 – August 3
Parade of Ships: July 29 at 1 p.m.
Ship Tours at Pier 46 (Thursday–Sunday; REAL ID required)
Military Exhibits and Navy Band performances
Fleet-Week night at the Mariners: August 3
July 31 | King County International Airport
Gourmet brunch and signature cocktails
Up-close Blue Angels "walk down" experience
Live auction supporting youth, arts, and civic programming
Details via Seafair Charitable Foundation
Neighborhood & Partner Events:
Torchlight Parade & Run – July 26
Costumes, floats, and civic pride in downtown Seattle
Magnolia Summerfest – August 2–3
Art, music, and food vendors
Umoja Fest – August 2–4
Celebrating African American heritage, healing, and unity
Classic Car Show – August 2–3
Antique vehicles near the hydroplane finish line
Jet Blast Bash at Museum of Flight – August 2–3
Closest public viewing of Blue Angels’ takeoffs and landings.
Includes:
WWII aircraft displays
Beer garden, food trucks, and live music
Aviation presentations by pilot Will “Psycho” Ward
Admission covered with a general museum ticket
More info: museumofflight.org
A celebration of local music, stunning views, and summer magic. Presented by Seafair, Columbia Tower Club, Trek Ferry, and Own the Night Productions.
Music in the Sky
Location: Columbia Tower Club, 75th Floor
Address: 701 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Dates: Friday evenings, July 18 – September 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Admission: Free with RSVP (open to the public, ages 14+)
Highlights:
Live performances by emerging and established local artists
Panoramic views of Seattle, Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier
Light bites and beverages available for purchase
A rare opportunity to experience Seattle’s premier private club in a public setting
Opening night features Josiah Bogle on July 18
Reservations and artist lineup available at Seafair Summer Music Series
Music on the Water
Location: Trek Ferry, boarding at 1100 W Ewing St, Seattle, WA 98119
Dates: Wednesday evenings, July 16 – September 10, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (boarding begins at 5:30 PM)
Admission: $65 per person (ages 14+)
Highlights:
Floating concert cruise through Lake Union and Montlake Cut
Intimate performances from beloved Northwest artists
Scenic sunset views and a relaxed, summer ambiance
Onboard food and drink available for purchase
Featured artists include:
July 16: Aaron Crawford
July 23: Jennifer Rae
July 30: Massy Ferguson
August 6: Brian James
August 13: Sean Lewis
August 20: Kris Orlowski & Matt Bishop
September 3: Kara Hesse & Friends
September 10: Brittany Danielle
Ticket details and boarding instructions available at Seafair Summer Music Series
Q&A with Queen Alcyone:
Seattle’s former police chief and 2025 Seafair Royalty, Queen Alcyone, shares reflections on civic duty and community storytelling.
SMB: Queen Alcyone is a symbol of strength and grace. How does that title resonate with your journey?
Queen Alcyone: The title of Queen Alcyone embodies the qualities I strive to uphold both personally and professionally; strength, resilience, and grace. My journey as Seattle’s former police chief and community advocate has been one of unwavering dedication to service, justice, and fostering trust. Embracing this symbol reminds me that true leadership combines resilience with compassion, and that guiding with integrity can inspire positive change. It’s an honor to carry this emblem of empowerment as I continue to serve and uplift our community.
SMB: In a festival that honors tradition and transformation, what message do you hope to share with young women in leadership?
Queen Alcyone: I want young women to know that their voices matter and that they are powerful agents of change. Seafair’s celebration of tradition and transformation mirrors the journey many women undertake in leadership: embracing their heritage, overcoming challenges, and stepping into roles of influence with confidence. My message is to encourage resilience, authenticity, and courage. Leadership begins with believing in oneself, and I hope to inspire a new generation to pursue civic leadership with boldness and pride.
SMB: What role does Seafair play in uniting Seattle’s diverse communities?
Queen Alcyone: Seafair’s fusion of myth and celebration serves as a vibrant tapestry that highlights our city’s rich cultural diversity and collective spirit. Its most powerful role is in creating a space where stories, both traditional and contemporary-intersect, fostering understanding and unity. By embracing myth, history, and community narratives, Seafair fosters a shared sense of identity and pride. It reminds us that despite our differences, we are all part of a larger story, one of resilience, joy, and hope, that binds us together as Seattle’s vibrant and inclusive community.
Seafair 2025 is not just making waves; it’s sustaining the rhythm of the city all season long. As jet trails ripple across the blue August sky and laughter fills Genesee Park, Seattle comes alive with movement, meaning, and shared joy. Neighbors, families, and festival-goers flock to parks, marinas, and music halls, drawn by the sunshine, civic spirit, and unmistakable energy of summer in the Northwest.
At the heart of it all are the legendary Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron, dazzling Seafair crowds for the 53rd year with their precision and power. Flying Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets at speeds approaching 700 mph and flying just 18 inches apart, their choreography over Lake Washington transforms the sky into a breathtaking display.
Yet, Seafair’s excitement doesn’t end with August. As the city transitions into fall, the celebration continues with events like the Columbia Tower Club’s Summer Music Series, floating concerts aboard Trek Ferry, and the October return of the Salmon Days Festival in Issaquah, where community traditions and regional pride take center stage. Whether you’re soaking up the vibrant waterfront atmosphere, catching glimpses of Queen Alcyone and King Neptune’s radiant presence, or strolling through a harvest market in the crisp autumn air, Seafair 2025 embodies the spirit of Seattle—bold, connected, and unforgettable long after the final cheer.
Photo credits: Linda Lowry, Seafair.
