Winter in Seattle doesn’t have to mean hiding away — it means showing up despite the weather.
You might have visited Seattle’s new waterfront when it opened last summer, but Seafair’s first-ever Winter by the Water festival invites you to rediscover it on Feb. 21, 2026 — while supporting local businesses along the way.
This one-day festival is your excuse to get out of the house, pop into iconic local businesses and lean all the way into the season. Yes, it might rain — and that’s part of the fun.
How It Works
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Winter by the Water turns the waterfront into a walkable festival, with passport-only access to special experiences at participating businesses.
Expect:
-Exclusive tastings, warm bites and seasonal snacks
-Live entertainment
-Family-friendly moments, including visits from the Seattle Seafair Pirates and Seafair Clowns
-A hydroplane on display, bringing a little Seafair flair to the winter waterfront
-Plenty of places to step inside, warm up and linger awhile
-At 4 p.m., the celebration continues with a special indoor concert at Pier 66 featuring Smokey Brights and The Talbott Brothers, held at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center — so you can end the afternoon warm, dry, and on a high note.
This event is free and open to the public! Ticketed upgrades available.
General Admission — Great for walk-ups and casual waterfront visitors. (Free)
-Pier activities throughout the waterfront
-Access to the Vendor Hall
-Photo opportunities along the reimagined waterfront
-Option to purchase a festival passport on-site
