Ballard’s long-running summer festival is back this weekend, with three days of live music, food vendors, and family activities planned throughout the neighborhood.
Ballard SeafoodFest kicks off Friday evening, July 11, and runs through Sunday, July 13. Now in its 51st year, the festival has evolved from a small community salmon barbecue into one of the largest free events in north Seattle, drawing thousands of people to the heart of Ballard each summer.
The festivities begin Friday at 5 p.m. with a free concert featuring the 1980s cover band Nite Wave, along with food trucks and a 21+ beer and cocktail garden. The full festival opens Saturday and continues through Sunday, with vendors, music performances, kids’ activities, and other scheduled events.
Live music will anchor each day of the festival, with performances on the MainStage near the intersection of Ballard Ave and NW Vernon Place. Saturday night’s headliner is Illuminati Hotties, a Los Angeles-based indie rock band currently on tour. Other performers across the weekend include Sir Woman, Skating Polly, Spirit Award, Mega Cat, and the Phinney Ridge Steel Pan Band.
On Sunday, Ozzie’s International Lutefisk Eating Competition returns at 2 p.m. Participants will gather at NW Market Street and 22nd Avenue NW to see who can consume the most of the traditional Scandinavian fish dish, which is known for its gelatinous texture and divisive flavor. The entry fee is $10, and spots are limited to 12 contestants.
On Saturday, Festi-Bowl will take over the Ballard Commons skate bowl from noon to 8 p.m. The all-ages skateboarding event is now in its tenth year and is open to both beginners and experienced skaters. Organizers have brought back the festival’s unofficial mascot, the “Gnarly Cod,” in honor of the anniversary.
For families with younger kids, the Illumination Learning Studio Kids’ Deck will offer crafts, face painting, storytelling, and play activities in Ballard Commons Park throughout the weekend. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
In addition to music and activities, visitors can expect a familiar spread of festival features:
- Dozens of food trucks and seafood vendors
- The Trident Seafoods Alder-Smoked Salmon Barbecue
- Local arts and crafts booths
- A vintage car show with 25 vehicles
Street closures
Several streets in central Ballard will be closed to vehicle traffic during the festival:
- Ballard Ave NW (from NW Market to Vernon Place) and 22nd Ave NW (from Market to Shilshole) will close at 6 a.m. Friday, July 11, and remain closed through Sunday night.
- NW Market St (between 24th Ave NW and 20th Ave NW) and Leary Ave NW (between NW Vernon and NW Market) will close at 10 p.m. Friday.
- All streets are expected to reopen by 1:30 a.m. on Monday, July 14.
Festival hours are:
- Friday, July 11: 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 12: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 13: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Ballard SeafoodFest is organized by the Ballard Alliance. More details, including the full music lineup and event map, are available at seafoodfest.org.
Photo: Ballard SeafoodFest