TrekUnity
When
August
Attendance
~150,000 over the weekend
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
Seafair is Seattle's signature summer festival, a season of events peaking in early August with the Boeing Air Show — headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels — roaring over Lake Washington while unlimited hydroplanes race on the water below and crowds pack the shoreline and log-boom.
The Blue Angels practice and perform over the city for several days, closing a floating bridge and turning the lakefront into one enormous viewing party. It's a quintessential Pacific Northwest summer spectacle.
Want to go? Turn Seattle Seafair into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
First weekend of August (Seafair season runs all summer)
Admission
Ticketed lakeside grounds · free viewing from many shoreline parks
Parking
Very limited near the lake — use transit, bike, or rideshare; many watch for free from Seward Park and Lake Washington Blvd.
Nearest airport
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) — ~25 min
Typical weather
Warm, dry Seattle summer — 70s–80s °F and usually sunny; the best weather of the year here.
Official website
Location
Seattle, WA
Where to stay
The Edgewater
Iconic hotel over the water on the Seattle waterfront.
Hotel Sorrento
Historic boutique hotel on First Hill.
Columbia City / South Seattle stays
Closer to the Lake Washington viewing areas.
Where to eat & drink
Pike Place Market
The classic Seattle market — grab lunch and watch the fish fly.
Paseo
Beloved Caribbean sandwich spot.
Columbia City eateries
Walkable neighborhood near the lake.
Nearby attractions
Seward Park
Lakefront peninsula — a prime free air-show viewing spot.
Space Needle & Seattle Center
The iconic tower and surrounding museums.
Pike Place Market
The historic public market on the waterfront.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + waterfront
- •Fly into SEA
- •Afternoon: Pike Place + waterfront
- •Evening: dinner downtown
2Air show day
- •Morning: stake out Seward Park
- •Afternoon: Blue Angels + hydroplanes
- •Evening: Columbia City dinner
3City + depart
- •Morning: Space Needle + Seattle Center
- •Head to SEA
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Grab a free spot at Seward Park or along Lake Washington Blvd.
- Go car-free — lake-area parking vanishes on show days.
- Catch a weekday Blue Angels practice for smaller crowds.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Blue Angels at Seafair?
The Boeing Air Show weekend is the first weekend of August, with Blue Angels practice flights in the days beforehand.
Can you watch for free?
Yes — shoreline parks like Seward Park and Lake Washington Boulevard offer free viewing; lakeside grounds tickets get you closer.
How do you get there?
Parking near the lake is scarce — take transit, bike, or rideshare.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Seattle Seafair or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.