Seattle Seafair: 2025 Family Guide

Seafair is the high point of a Seattle summer. For 76 years, Seattleites have enjoyed seeing the Blue Angels fly overhead, hearing the roar of hydroplane engines, watching parades around the region and visiting ships. It’s downright fun. Whether or not this is your first Seafair, it’s easy to see that this summer event is one of the city’s most family-friendly traditions!

Let’s do a flyover of all the Seafair Week fun and festivities taking off soon.

Main Seafair schedule of events

Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade

Date and time: Saturday, July 26, 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Location: Seattle Waterfront along Alaskan Way, Intersection of Alaskan Way and Broad Street, Seattle

Start Seafair with a super-charged parade! Your kids will love the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade, a fun summer tradition that celebrates the cultural diversity and traditions of the Pacific Northwest. This annual spectacle is free and open to the public with over 100 entries — from dragon dancers to precision drill teams and marching bands to prancing horses and more. This year’s parade returns to its original roots with a later start time and a new route along the Seattle Waterfront.

If you want some pre-parade fun, sign up for the Kaiser Permanente Seafair Torchlight Run or cheer on runners as they race along the parade route, starting at 6 p.m. The Torchlight Parade launches at 7:30 p.m. from Alaskan Way and Broad Street and travels south to Yesler Way. If you want a front-row seat, start pretty early to stake out a place along Alaskan Way with your blankets and chairs. Want to get a reserved seat instead? You can purchase an upgraded seating option, including the TV Grandstands, that will move you closer to the action.

Seattle Fleet Week Maritime Celebration

Date and time: Parade of Ships, Tuesday, July 29, 1 p.m.; Fleet Week, Tuesday–Tuesday, July 29–Aug. 5, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Seattle Waterfront, 928 Alaskan Way, Seattle

Seafair has hosted Fleet Week on the Seattle Waterfront since 1950, honoring the men and women who serve our country. Seattle Fleet Week launches with the Parade of Ships through Elliott Bay on Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Seattle Fire Department will sail into town and dock at the waterfront.

Families can also view the parade from viewpoints around Elliott Bay like Myrtle Edwards Park, Jack Block Park on Harbor Island, or from Discovery Park in the Magnolia neighborhood. If you want a unique perspective, try a trip to the Space Needle for a bird’s-eye view of the parade from this iconic landmark.

For Fleet Week, the public is invited to Pier 46 to meet the sailors and guardsmen, enjoy free music, and take ship tours.

Seafair Weekend Festival

Date and time: Friday–Sunday, Aug. 1–3, 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Genesee Park, 4316 S. Genesee St., Seattle

The Seafair Weekend Festival is Seattle’s premier boating event, air show and festival all rolled into one for the last 76 years. One of the can’t-miss events of this summer tradition is the flying of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. For roaring engines on the ground and water, Seafair Weekend also showcases hydroplanes and classic cars, live music, a beer garden, and a vibrant array of food options.

Seafair Air Show

Date and time: Friday–Sunday, Aug. 1–3, 2025, times vary
Location: Genesee Park, 4316 S. Genesee St., Seattle

The Seafair Air Show runs Friday through Sunday, and it’s where you can witness the amazing flying aerobatics from the best of the best — the Blue Angels — above Lake Washington’s beautiful backdrop. Kids will be starstruck by this adrenaline-pumping aerial performance (but if they are sensitive to noise, be sure to put the noise-canceling headphones in your bag). In addition to the Blue Angels, the air show includes displays by civilian pilots, vintage aircraft and aerial acrobatics. Note that while the Blue Angels conduct their practices over Lake Washington, the I-90 bridge will remain open and pedestrians and cyclists can access the I-90 bridge pathway.

Seafair Air Show Schedule

Friday, Aug. 1

• 12:20 p.m. – U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demo
• 12:40 p.m. – PBY-5A Catalina with Water Takeoff
• 1 p.m. – Torrey Ward’s Microjet Demo
• 1:15 p.m. – U.S. Marine Corps F-35B
• 1:40 p.m. – U.S. Air Force F-16 with Heritage Flight P-51 Mustang
• 2:10 p.m.– U.S. Army AH-64 Apache Helicopter Demo
• 2:20 p.m. – U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III
• 2:30 p.m. – KC-135 Stratotanker Refuel Demo with C-17
• 3:30 p.m. – Melissa Burns Aerial Acrobatics and Hydro
• 3:45 p.m. – U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Saturday, Aug. 2

• Noon–3 p.m. – “Can You Ride It” presented by Best Day Brewing (South Turn)
• 12:40 p.m. – PBY-5A Catalina with Water Takeoff
• 1 p.m. – Torrey Ward’s Microjet Demo
• 1:15 p.m. – U.S. Marine Corps F-35B
• 1:40 p.m.– U.S. Air Force F-16 with Heritage Flight P-51 Mustang
• 2:10 p.m. – U.S. Army AH-64 Apache Helicopter Demo
• 2:20 p.m. – U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III
• 2:30 p.m. – KC-135 Stratotanker Refuel Demo with C-17
• 3:20 p.m.– U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demo
• 3:30 p.m. – Melissa Burns Aerial Acrobatics and Hydro
• 3:45 p.m. – U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Sunday, Aug. 3

• 10:35 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies with King County Helicopter Flag Presentation
• 10:45 a.m. – U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demo
• 12:10 p.m. – PBY-5A Catalina with Water Takeoff
• 12:30 p.m. – Torrey Ward’s Microjet Demo
• 1:05 p.m. – U.S. Marine Corps F-35B
• 1:30 p.m. – U.S. Air Force F-16 with Heritage Flight P-51 Mustang
• 2:00 p.m. – U.S. Army AH-64 Apache Helicopter Demo
• 2:20 p.m. – U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III
• 2:30 p.m. – KC-135 Stratotanker Refuel Demo with C-17
• 3:20 p.m. – Melissa Burns Aerial Acrobatics and Hydro
• 3:35 p.m. – Boeing 777-9 Fly-By
• 3:45 p.m. – U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Where to watch the Seafair Air Show and Blue Angels

Aubrey Davis Park, Mercer Island

Location: 2030 72nd Ave. S.E., Mercer Island

Aubrey Davis Park is a stellar spot to watch the air show with spectacular views of Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains, and Seattle’s skyline as the backdrop. Just off the I-90 bridge, Aubrey Davis Park offers quite a bit of space to roam around with ball fields and two playgrounds. Before you watch the Blue Angels, stretch your legs on the walking trails throughout the park. Make a day of it!

Chism Beach Park, Bellevue

Location: 9600 S.E. 11th St., Bellevue

It will be planes galore at Chism Beach Park in Bellevue. This scenic lakeside sandy beach with a lawn makes it an ideal location for your family to kick back and enjoy the sweeping Blue Angels performance. Plus, this park is expertly designed with a play structure built right on the beach. Kids are free to roam around and never miss a beat of playing and planes, while you can do the same.

Colman Park, Seattle

Location: 1740 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle

Adjacent to Mount Baker Park, bring the kids here to walk the green trails and picnic along the waterfront space before any airplane action begins. Colman Park offers amazing views of Lake Washington for the Blue Angels daredevil show.

Medina Beach Park, Medina

Location: 501 Evergreen Point Rd., Medina

Set up a chair or picnic blanket here and gain a panorama view of Lake Washington, the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier. This lakefront park offers a sandy beach for your kiddos to play or you can simply splash around in the water while getting an awesome view of the Blue Angels. Summer is truly sweet.

Meydenbauer Bay Park, Bellevue

Location: 419 98th Ave. N.E., Bellevue

Meydenbauer Bay Park gives way to gorgeous views of Seattle and a hilltop spot for viewing the jets. Adjacent to downtown Bellevue, here you’ll also find ample Lake Washington beachfront with a swimming platform, a pedestrian pier, boat rentals, picnic areas, a playground and beach house with restrooms and changing rooms.

Mount Baker Park, Seattle

Location: 2521 Lake Park Dr. S., Seattle

While small, this beach park is a prime vantage point for watching the Blue Angels. Beyond gazing at the jets in the sky, there is a roped-off swim area with a lifeguard, space to spread out your picnic and a kid-friendly zip line. This park is near the Seafair epicenter, so it’s not a secret and parking is limited. Be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds and enjoy some pre-flight playtime.

Pritchard Island Beach, Seattle

Location: 8400 55th Ave. S., Seattle

At Pritchard Island Beach, you’ll be close to the action without the full-scale noise and bustle of festivities at Genesee Park. Just a few blocks away from the hydros and hubbub, you’ll find a little beach where kids can splash around in the roped-off swim area, sunbathe on the grassy space, and enjoy both the boats and planes at your leisure. (This is a good freshwater beach option any time of the summer.)

Seward Park, Seattle

Location: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle

Here you have space to view the planes by land or sea. Seward Park boasts 300 acres of beautiful forests and hiking trails, a nearly 2.5-mile bike and walking path, and beachfront shoreline for the kids to splash around. But if you want to go by sea for a truly unique view, use a small boat, paddleboard or canoe to watch from the Bailey Peninsula, where the 50 feet of shoreline at the northern tip of the park is only accessible by boat.

Other Seattle spots for watching the Blue Angels

If you don’t want to make a day of it, but just want to catch a quick glimpse of the planes (before or after naptime), try one of these viewpoints along Lake Washington:

• Day Street Boat Ramp, 1402 Lakeside Ave. S., Seattle
• East Portal Viewpoint, 1400 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle
• Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint, 1403 31st Ave. S., Seattle

Argosy’s Seafair Blue Angels viewing cruises

For a prime viewing spot on the water, you may want to splurge on one of Argosy’s Seafair Blue Angels viewing cruises. This four-hour cruise departs from Seattle or Kirkland, cruising around Lake Washington during the air show.

Additional Seafair events

Seafair Weekend Hydroplane Races

Date and time: Friday–Sunday, Aug. 1–3, times vary
Location: Genesee Park, 4316 S. Genesee St., Seattle

Where else can you see boats traveling at 220 miles per hour? The Apollo Mechanical Cup Hydroplane Race is a spectacle for kids and adults alike of the world’s fastest racing boats, though you might want to bring earplugs even if you don’t have noise-sensitive kiddos. Lake Washington hosts the iconic Seafair Festival Weekend hydro races and there are lots of ways to get close to the action — from visiting the pits to watching qualifying heats to seeing the winning boat cross the finish line on Sunday afternoon.

Hydroplane race event schedule

Friday, Aug. 1

• 8:30 a.m. – Testing and qualifying
• 12:05 p.m. – Jimmie Johnson special appearance with Blue Blaster
• 2:45 p.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 1A
• 3:00 p.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 1B
• 3:15 p.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 1C

Saturday, Aug. 2

• 8:45 a.m. – Testing and qualifying
• 10:15 a.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 2A
• 10:30 a.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 2B
• 10:45 a.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 2C
• 11:10 a.m. – Junior Hydros 1
• 11:25 a.m. – H1 Hydros Heat 1A
• 11:40 a.m. – H1 Hydros Heat 1B
• 11:55 a.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 3A
• Noon–3:00 p.m. – “Can You Ride It” presented by Best Day Brewing (South Turn)
• 12:10 p.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 3B
• 12:25 p.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Heat 3C
• 12:30–2:30 p.m. – Drivers Autograph Session (H1, Grand Prix, J Boats)
• 2:45 p.m. – H1 Hydros Heat 2A
• 3 p.m. – H1 Hydros Heat 2B

Sunday, Aug. 3

• 8:45 a.m. – Testing and qualifying
• 10:35 a.m. – Opening ceremonies
• 11:10 a.m. – Junior Hydros 2
• 11:35 a.m. – H1 Hydros Heat 3A
• 11:50 a.m.– H1 Hydros Heat 3B
• 12:45 p.m. – Junior Hydros Final
• 2:40 p.m. – Grand Prix Hydros Final
• 3 p.m. – H1 Hydros Final
• 5 p.m. – Award ceremony and contingency heats

Seafair Classic Car Show

Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 2–3, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: Lake Washington Boulevard, Seattle

The Seafair Classic Car Show on Saturday and Sunday is a huge display of 100 classic vehicles. You’ll see 90-year-old vintage antique cars, along with modified, custom and foreign classic cars. The Classic Car Show is located on Lake Washington Boulevard near the finish line of the hydroplane race course.

Museum of Flight Jet Blast Bash

Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 2–3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle

The Jet Blast Bash is a two-day event that offers families the opportunity to see the Blue Angels take off and land right in front of the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. Held from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., all activities are free with museum admission. In addition to airplane viewing, the Jet Blast Bash offers family workshops, informational talks, live music and a beer garden that the adults can enjoy. The Museum of Flight has limited amounts of free parking in the lot, so coming by public transit is a good idea.

Museum of Flight Jet Blast Bash schedule

• 10 a.m.–5 p.m., East Parking Lot — Art battle; community partner booths; family workshop; community mural; live on-site broadcast from C89.5 (Sunday only)
• 11 a.m.–noon, William M. Allen Theater – Blue Angels History Talk
• Noon–1:15 p.m., East Parking Lot – Live music from dance music cover band Brickhouse
• 1–1:45 p.m., Great Gallery — MiG-21 PFM Walking Tour
• 1:45–3 p.m., East Parking Lot — Live band performance by Mr. Pink
• 2–3 p.m., William M. Allen Theater — “Mach 2: Myths and Legends”

If you can’t make it to Lake Washington during Seafair Weekend (you never know what a day will hold with kids) never fear, you can still partake in the annual Seafair action remotely. Tune in to KONG TV for live coverage of the races and air show on Aug. 3 from noon–5 p.m. 

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2024. It was updated on July 18, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with details for this year’s Seafair events. 

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.