Seattle Seafair 2016 Information: Highlights

"Connecting and celebrating the community spirit of Puget Sound" is the mission of Seafair, Seattle's summer series of special events that begins in June and runs well into August. Held annually since 1949, Seafair festivities include a torchlight run and parade, hydroplane races, and an air show. Other scheduled Seafair events during the summer include a milk carton derby, an air show, a triathlon, a scholarship pageant, and a rock-n-roll marathon. The Seafair fun continues throughout much of Seattle's summer, providing a selection of different things to do each week. The revelry includes festivals, parades, and community events, held in locales throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. These special events celebrate everything from African, Hispanic, or Filipino culture to whaling and seafood.

Seattle Seafair event details and dates:

Seafair Torchlight Parade & FanFest
Seattle Seafair Hydroplane Races
Seattle Seafair Air Show
Schedule of Seafair-Sanctioned Community Festivals (June thru mid July)
Schedule of Seafair-Sanctioned Community Festivals (late July thru August)
Schedule of Signature Seattle Seafair Events

01 of 06

Seafair Torchlight Parade & Run

Seafair Pirates on Torchlight Parade Float — Courtesy of the Seafair Archive

Seafair Torchlight Parade & FanFest
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Stake out a spot along Seattle's downtown parade route to get your fill of Seafair royalty, marching bands, dance teams, and military units. The route for this Saturday evening parade starts at Seattle Center and moves south down 4th Avenue to CenturyLink Field. You can reserve a comfortable parade view in the form of bleacher seats or grandstand seats, available for a fee through the official Seafair website.

The 2016 Seafair Torchlight Parade and FanFest will take place on July 30.

02 of 06

Seattle Seafair Weekend 2016 Hydroplane Races

Seafair Weekend Events
August 5-7, 2016
The unlimited hydroplane races on Lake Washington are among the most thrilling of Seattle's summer events. Held at Genessee Park, the racing and associated events cover three days. Seafair Weekend guests can take advantage of food and beverages booths, general admission seating, a pit tour, a hospitality area, family-friendly activities, and the log boom for boaters.

The 2016 Seattle Seafair hydroplane races and related events will take place August 5-7.

03 of 06

Seattle Seafair 2016 Air Show

The Blue Angels and the Seattle Space Needle — Getty Images/Stephen Ehlers

Seafair Air Show
August 5-7, 2016
At this time, the annual Air Show schedule includes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The Seafair Air Show also showcases other military, vintage, and specialty aircraft, which can all be seen flying over South Lake Washington and the hydroplane race spectators at Genessee Park.

The 2016 Seattle Seafair Air Show, sponsored by Boeing, will take place August 5-7.

04 of 06

Seattle Seafair 2016 Schedule of Community Events

BBQ Salmon is a perennial favorite at Seafair community festivals — Getty Images

Seattle's Seafair includes over a month of special events and community fairs and festivals, celebrating everything from seafood to classic cars. Here is the schedule of Seafair community events that will take place during June and the first half of July in 2016:

Jun 21 - Make Music Seattle

Jun 25- 26 - Strawberry Festival in Bellevue (Eastside Heritage Center)

Jun 25 - Greenwood Car Show

Jul 2 - Jul 4 - Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival

Jul 8 - 10 - Kent Cornucopia Days and Parade (Downtown Kent)

Jul 9 - Wallingford Seafair Kiddie Parade and Street Fair (N. 45th St. at Wallingford)

Jul 9 - 10 - Mercer Island Summer Celebration (Town Center/Mercerdale Park)

Jul 9 - 10 - Ballard SeafoodFest (NW Market St. - Ballard)

Jul 9 - 17 - White Center Jubilee Days (White Center)

Jul 13 - 17 - Kla Ha Ya Days Festival & Parade (Downtown Snohomish)

July 16 - 17 - Chinatown/International District Dragon Festival (Hing Hay Park)

Jul 16 - 17 - Seattle Bon Odori Festival (Seattle Buddhist Church)