Join us for the West Coast’s Biggest Boat Show, February 02 through February 10, 2024.
From kayaks to luxury cruisers and everything in between, there’s lots for all the boaters in the family to take in at the Seattle Boat Show, Friday, Feb. 2 through Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, indoors at Lumen Field and afloat at Bell Harbor Marina. But the show is not just for mom and dad to shop for the boat of their dreams or attend one of 125 free seminars. There’s also a special Youth Boating Center and tons of free activities for kids of all ages throughout the show’s indoor location at Lumen Field Event Center.
Going to the show won’t break the piggy as kids 17 and under get in for free.
Fun family activities include:
● Groundhog Day (Friday Feb 2)
Meet Boat Show Bill, Punxsutawney Phil’s cousin. Phil might be looking for his shadow in Pennsylvania but is the weather there really a good indicator of what we can expect in the Pacific Northwest? Instead, kids can meet the show’s very own groundhog, Boat Show Bill. He will be roaming the halls and making his predictions for spring and summer boating.
Groundhog Day Scavenger Hunt
Find a photo of Bill Murray, star of the 1993 classic movie “Groundhog Day” for a chance to win a Groundhog Day-themed gift basket.
● Free Lemonade (Saturdays and Sunday)
Entrepreneurs and sisters Kate (13) and Quinn (10), founders of Lake Union’s floating lemonade stand, Lemons For Good, will be serving free lemonade from their battery powered lemonade stand built atop marine dock floats.
● Dogs on Deck Day (Thursday Feb 8)
Families can bring their furry friends for some tail-wagging fun, get a photo in the photo booth and have a custom dog tag made. Additionally Eba, the celebrity orca-poop-sniffing dog will be at the photo booth from 4-6:00pm. Eba has been featured on The Age of Nature on PBS, the Netflix special Connected, and It’s A Dog’s Life on DisneyPlus. Eba’s efforts contribute to life-saving work by nonprofit Wild Orca to help protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
● Aqua Paddlers (Daily)
Kids can enjoy time on the water using the Aqua Paddler paddle boats. Life jackets will be provided.
● Toy Boat Building (Daily)
Kids can build their own toy boat and decorate it to show their own unique personality. They will be able to float and tow their boats in the Aqua Paddlers pool. Volunteers from local maritime nonprofits with programs of interest to kids and families will be on hand to help with the toy boatbuilding and talk about their programs in the nearby Nonprofit Spotlight booth!
● Youth Sailing Center (Daily)
The Seattle Sailing Foundation and sailing nonprofits will be on hand to educate families on all the local opportunities to get into sailing and will also be offering daily fun hands-on activities.
● Pedal Boat Cup: Seattle Boat Show's Hydro Challenge (Daily)
In this nod to Seattle’s iconic hydroplane races, contestants will pedal and drive human powered ‘hydroplanes’ — pedal boats on wheels — and navigate the ‘waters’ of Lumen Field Event Center, competing against other pedal boats for the fastest time around the approximately 200+ foot special race course. Competitors can choose to race Miss Ranger Tugs, Miss Cutwater or Miss Tug Nuts. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Prizes include Seafair tickets and pit passes.
● Small Craft Boat Kit “Live Build” (Daily)
A Duckworks Scout 10’ rowing/sailing dinghy will be built from a plywood kit during the show, demonstrating how stitch-and-glue boat kits are a great project for families to work on together. Volunteers from local boatbuilding organizations will be helping with the build, showing how building your own boat is a fun way to get involved in the boating lifestyle. Additional bonus for one lucky family: the boat will be raffled off at the conclusion of the show.
● Wakesurf Simulator (Daily)
Kids (and parents) interested in wakesurfing—the hottest trend in water recreation—can stop by the Northwest Inboards booth and test their balance and skills on a wakesurf balance board video game simulator.
2 Locations:
LUMEN FIELD EVENT CENTER – 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134
Friday, February 2
10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday, February 3
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday-Thursday, February 4-8
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday, February 9
10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday, February 10
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
BELL HARBOR MARINA – (Pier 66): 2203 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121Open Daily
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
