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Iconic music festivals for the whole family
There are a few things I look forward to every summer in Seattle: clear blue skies, warm summer sun and the irresistible sound of live music being played outside. Lucky for me, there are many outdoor music festivals scheduled this summer. Even better, they promise family-friendly fun with art, music, family activities and delicious local food.
So mark your calendars, put on your dancing shoes and get your tickets to one (or all) of these music festivals. Jump directly to your favorite pick or scroll through our list to discover something new.
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Timber Outdoor Music Festival
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BLASTFEST
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Pickathon
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CHOMP!
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THING Festival
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Bumbershoot
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Neighborhood block parties and summer fests
First up: Timber! Outdoor Music Festival
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018 and was most recently updated by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, on June 5, 2024. New music festivals were added, and all entries were fact-checked and updated with information for 2024.
Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, Carnation
When: July 25–27
Cost: Tickets cost $65–$95 per day or $180 for a weekend pass; camping is $60; parking is $25. Kids 12 and younger are free but still need a ticket.
Find it: Tolt-MacDonald Park, 31020 N.E. 40th St., Carnation
My jaw dropped when I saw what the folks at Artist Home had planned for this year at Timber! Outdoor Music Festival. This is consistently one of the best music festivals for Seattle families. This year, you can expect two special kids concerts, nature painting and art classes, nighttime bat talks and sightings, stargazing and storytime. There will also be an opportunity for kids to participate in recreational tree climbing with Tree Time LLC, where kids are harnessed up to climb a huge maple tree and learn about its ecosystem. This festival takes full advantage of its outdoor location, giving kids a chance to immerse themselves in nature through scavenger hunts and more.
Up next: BLASTFEST
BLASTFEST, Seattle Center
When: July 27
Cost: Tickets are $90 for general admission.
Find it: Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle
This Afrobeats festival celebrates music, culture and diversity with an impressive lineup of artists, including Davido, Ayra Starr, Shallipopi, Musa Keys, and Sarz. BLASTFEST hopes to inspire unity by showcasing Afrobeats and amapiano music. In addition to great music, you’ll find food vendors, free water stations, sponsored areas with giveaways and a beer garden (for the 21-and-older crowd).
Up next: Pickathon
Pickathon, Happy Valley, Oregon
When: August 1–4
Cost: A weekend pass for teens (ages 13–16) costs $200; adult weekend passes are $399; single day tickets cost $195–$220; parking is $65–$105. Camping included in weekend pass price. Kids 12 and younger are free but still require a ticket.
Find it: Pendarvis Farm, 16581 S.E. Hagen Rd., Happy Valley, Oregon
Pickathon is an unmatched festival experience with stages and artworks scattered through the fields and woods of Pendarvis Farm. For families, Pickathon promises an entire kids music festival inside the larger festival. This includes the family focused “Coyote Neighborhood” with an entire lineup geared toward kids. You can expect interactive performances from kindie artists, music classes and workshops, family yoga and other fun activities all weekend long. For parents who want time on their own to discover their new favorite artist, Cedarwood Waldorf School will be providing drop-off childcare sessions during the festival.
Up next: CHOMP!
CHOMP!, Redmond
When: August 17
Cost: Free
Find it: Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy. N.E., Redmond
For a full day of free family fun, CHOMP! delivers. There will be plenty of music, including a kids marching band with HONK! You can also expect a petting zoo, a scavenger hunt and storytime. I might be most looking forward to zucchini races, a chance for anyone to show their competitive side by decorating squash, adding wheels and racing against others. Kids can head to Earth School to learn about native plants, pollinators and how to build a healthy ecosystem. There will also be plenty of local food vendors, offering a wide variety of summer treats.
Up next: THING Festival
THING Festival, Carnation
When: August 9–11
Cost: Tickets cost $130 per day, $220 for a two-day pass, or $350 for a three-day pass; VIP ticket options available. Children 12 and younger free.
Find it: Remlinger Farms, 32610 N.E. 32nd St., Carnation
THING Festival moves to Carnation, Washington this year, meaning tickets include admission to my favorite local amusement park. Between spotting your favorite bands you can seek thrills on more than 25 rides and attractions, including a roller coaster, zip line, petting zoo, bouncy house and rock climbing wall.
When it comes to the music lineup, there’s something for everyone, however diverse your family’s musical tastes might be. There will also be community workshops that focus on dance, art, theatre, and music. Prepare to be amazed by immersive art installations like the Luminarium, with a main dome that features illuminations that changes with the sun’s direction. Or, spend the day decorating a paper lantern in preparation for the nightly lantern parade.
Up next: Bumbershoot
Bumbershoot, Seattle Center
When: August 31–September 1
Cost: Single day tickets cost $75; weekend passes are $125; and the deluxe package (which includes weekend admission, parking, a private entrance, re-entry and more) is $350. Ticket prices go up June 21. Children 10 and younger are free, but still require a ticket.
Find it: Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle
Ask someone which summer music festival in Seattle is a must, and you’ll likely hear Bumbershoot in response. This year, the iconic festival expands with more areas for families to explore. If you’ve never been with kids, our family-friendly guide has you covered. Kids will be amazed by wrestling, gymnastics and roller skating in the Recess District while budding fashionistas can see the youth-led catwalk in the Fashion District. Plus, local restaurant favorites like Ballard Pizza Co. and Dumpling Tzar will have booths set up for tasty treats.
Up next: Neighborhood block parties and summer fests
Neighborhood block parties and summer fests
When: Dates and locations vary
Cost: Usually free
When you’ve got kids in tow, sometimes the smaller festivals are better. Puget Sound–area summers are filled with neighborhood festivals that include live music staged adjacent to kids’ play zones and food booths. Some of them simply celebrate summer, while others have a specific focus, but they all deliver a good time. The Bothell Redfellow Music Festival fits 10 local bands into a single day. Keep an eye out for unexpectedly incredible lineups at events such as West Seattle Summer Fest at the Junction, Ballard SeafoodFest and Renton River Days.
And, we’d be remiss not to mention the classic summer block parties happening. The Capitol Hill Block Party is celebrating its 26th year in July. Expect tons of music, local food trucks and fun for all ages. The South Lake Union Block Party will have music, lawn games and a community fair. For those farther north, the Snohomish Block Party promises a lively street fair and dedicated kid zone.
