Seafair Seattle 2026: Your family guide to parades, hydros & air shows

July 22, 2026 Update: The Blue Angels practice and air show schedule has been released! Full details here. 

Wondering what Seafair is all about? Seafair Seattle 2026 is the city’s ultimate summer celebration — a monthlong series of family-friendly events that ends in a sky-shaking, water-splashing finale. Here’s what families need to know to make the most of it.

The biggest fun kicks off with the Torchlight Parade on July 25 and culminates with the Blue Angels and hydroplane races during Seafair Weekend from July 31 through August 2. But that’s just the start. Here’s your guide to the full Seafair Seattle 2026 schedule.

Official Seafair Weekend Events (July 25 – August 2)

These are the official Seafair Seattle 2026 events — the biggest, loudest, and most iconic parts of Seattle’s summer festival.

Saturday, July 25

• Torchlight Parade | Saturday, July 25 | 7:30 pm | Seattle Waterfront | Free | The parade will take place along Seattle’s renovated waterfront. They are expecting more than 100 entries, from dragon dancers to drill teams, marching bands, and prancing horses. Learn more about the route and more details here. They will be starting the day off with their Kaiser Permanente Seafair Torchlight Run!

Tuesday, July 21 through Friday, July 24

• Fleet Week & Boeing Maritime Celebration | July 21-24 | Hours vary | Multiple locations | Free | Go to the Seattle waterfront at Pier 62 to see a parade of ships from the US. The Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Seattle Fire Department fire boat parade around Elliott Bay before docking at Pier 46. Then come aboard for free ship tours, displays, and exhibits (located at Pier 46). More information here about ship tours and parade.

Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2

• Look up! It’s the Blue Angels!| July 31-August 2 | Genesee Park | Tickets here | The prestigious and always exciting Navy precision flying team will be visible in the skies over the Seattle area several times over the weekend. The Boeing Seafair Air Show also features incredible displays by civilian pilots, vintage aircraft, and parachute demonstrations. Here is the 2026 schedule, subject to adjustment, of course. Buy tickets here.
• Seafair Weekend Festival | July 31-August 2 | 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Genesee Park | Youth (0-12): Free, Seniors (62+): $23, GA: $55 | Tickets here | This is the biggie, where fans pack Genesee Park and the log boom to watch the hydroplane races on Lake Washington and the Blue Angels performance overhead each afternoon. features live music, a car show, food and beverage options, and various family-friendly activities. On Friday, admission is free for everyone courtesy of Windermere.

 Saturday, August 2 through Sunday, August 3

• Jet Blast Bash |August 1-2 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | The Museum of Flight | Tickets here | See the Blue Angels planes and pilots up close. This event offers fast planes, live music, food and a beer garden with the closest seats in Seattle to the thunder of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ takeoffs and landings (Viewing of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ take-offs.

Seafair Sanctioned & Community Events 2026

Beyond the official Seafair Seattle 2026 events, there are more events sanctioned by Seafair or promoted alongside it, taking place across the region from late June through early September. They include local parades, art fairs, cultural festivals, and more — many of which are perfect for families.

July Highlights (Pirates, Parades, Kiddie Events)

Friday, July 4

• Seafair 4th of July  | Friday, July 4 | 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. | Gas Works Park & SLU Park | Free | Tickets here | Both locations have both free and reserved seating options, food trucks, adult beverages, and a view of the fireworks. Gas Works also has a Kids Zone, interactive displays, hydration stations, a vendor marketplace, a “howitzer blast-off ceremony” and a glow-in-the-dark dance party.

Friday, July 10

• Seafair – Ballard SeafoodFest | July 10-12 | Hours vary | Ballard | Free | Offers live music, family fun, local restaurants and vendors and a craft beer showcase. The usual fanfare will kick off the event – a block party in downtown Ballard.
• Kent Cornucopia Days  | July 10-12 | Hours vary | 207 W Meeker St, Kent | Free |  Enjoy a variety of vendor booths, including homemade items, a food court, a grand parade, crafts and activities for the young ones, a car show, and live entertainment. View the full schedule and all locations here.
• West Seattle Summer Fest | July 10-12 | Hours vary | West Seattle Junction | Free | West Seattle’s 3-day summer festival features music, food, arts & crafts, a beer garden for 21+, and a kids area, including inflatables, STEM activities, sports activities and more!

Saturday, July 11

• Wallingford Kiddie Parade | Saturday, July 11 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Free | Meridian Playfield, Seattle | Everyone is welcome to join in the Wallingford Kiddie Parade fun. This is a Kiddie Parade, designed to bring amusement to kids of all ages! (Dogs are ok, too).

Wednesday, July 15 

• Kla Ha Ya Days  | July 15-19 | 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Downtown Snohomish | Free | The City of Snohomish’s Kla Ha Ya Days, is a “good, old-fashioned” summer fair that includes a pancake breakfast, a Frogtastic Kids Fair, a parade, a balloon glow, a Street Fair and much more.

Friday, July 17

• Seafair Clown Arrival | Friday, July 17 | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Seattle Aquarium | Free | Join the celebration as the Seattle Seafair Clowns will provide entertainment for children of all ages with stickers, buttons, balloons, and candy.
• Alki Beach Art Fair | July 17-19 | Hours vary | Alki Beach Park | Free | All ages | Alki Beach comes to life with artist booths, live music, interactive kids’ activities, food carts, and more at this family-friendly art fair. The art fair offers lots of fun and creative activities for kids
• Seafair Indian Days Powwow | July 17-19 | Hours vary | Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center | Free | Come and enjoy dance, music, Native arts and crafts, and traditional foods as the tribes proudly celebrate and share their culture.

Saturday, July 18

• West Seattle Grand Parade | Saturday, July 18 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 4556 California Ave SW, Seattle | Free | The West Seattle Grand Parade includes pirates, clowns, marching bands, drill teams, floats, pageantry, community organizations, and the fun of summer!
• Covington Days Festival  | July 18-19 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 27100 169th Pl SE, Covington | Free | The festival kicks off with a parade, and then festival grounds come alive with arts and crafters, family activities, on-stage entertainment, inflatable toys, a watermelon eating contest, and more.

Sunday, July 19

• Bon Odori Festival | July 19-20 | 2-3 p.m. | Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple | Free | A traditional summer festival that features Japanese food booths and refreshments, live music, taiko and martial arts performances, and craft exhibits and demonstrations.

Friday, July 31 

• Magnolia Summerfest | July 31-August 2 | Hours vary | Magnolia | Free | Join the free 3-day festival filled with fun family activities, live music, a beer/wine garden, inflatable houses/rides, craft booths, and more. The annual Seafair parade welcomes all kids to join.

August and Beyond (Festivals, Cultural Celebrations, Final Events)

Friday, August 1

• Umoja Fest NW  | August 1-2 | Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday 12-7 p.m | Judkins Park | Free, Register | This two-day festival celebrates the best of the African American community and African Diaspora culture in the Northwest with music, food, culture, and family fun (a children’s village with performances, dance, and more).

Saturday, August 15

• Cajun & Creole Fest | Saturday, August 15 | 1 to 7 p.m. | Burlington Green Park, Kent | Free | Tickets here | Traditional food and drink, live music, and dancing will keep festival-goers entertained throughout the day with high-energy performances of Zydeco and blues.

Sunday, September 13

• Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival | Sunday, September 13 | Times TBD | Seattle Center | Free | The Festival features Native Hawaiian cultural roots and contemporary influences of Hawai’i through music, hula, food, marketplace, workshops, and more.

Tips for Navigating Seafair With Kids

Planning to experience Seafair Seattle 2026 with your family? Here are some tips to make it smoother:

• Arrive early to get stroller-friendly spots and avoid crowds
• Use public transit or bikes for easier access
• Pack ear protection for young children during the Blue Angels shows
• Bring water and snacks to avoid long food lines
• Many Seafair Seattle 2026 events are free or low-cost — check listings for ticket details

Whether you’re dancing with pirates on Alki or marveling at jets over Lake Washington, Seafair Seattle 2026 offers unforgettable family moments all summer long. Don’t miss a beat of the action!