A new all-day Pride festival and soccer watch party is coming to Ballard this summer.
The Ballard Alliance announced plans for Ballard Regnbue (pronounced “RAYN-boo-uh,” meaning “rainbow” in Norwegian and Danish), a free community event scheduled for Friday, June 26, in downtown Ballard.
The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature live performances, televised soccer matches on a jumbo screen, vendors, family activities, and community art projects in the center of the intersection of 22nd Ave NW & Ballard Ave NW.
Regnbue will begin with appearances by Sativa The Queen and music by DJ SummerSoft. Soccer matches scheduled for broadcast include Norway versus France at noon, Uruguay versus Spain at 5 p.m., and the Pride Day Match between Iran and Egypt at 8 p.m.
Other planned activities include a drag show, a vendor market featuring Ballard businesses, youth soccer activities led by Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC, and kids’ activities hosted by Illumination Learning Studios and the National Nordic Museum.
Festivalgoers will also be invited to participate in a community-painted mural project inspired by Pride Match Day designs from local artists Sharon Blyth-Moss and Shayla Hufana.
Organizers say attendees are encouraged to bring low-profile chairs, beach loungers, or blankets for seating in front of the stage and screen area, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event will require street closures from 5:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26, through 2 a.m. on Saturday, June 27. Ballard Avenue NW between NW Market Street and Vernon Place, along with 22nd Avenue NW between NW Market Street and Shilshole Avenue NW, will be closed to vehicle traffic during that time.
The Ballard Alliance says the event is supported by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture and community partners.
Other pride events in Ballard include the annual Ballard Farmers Market Pride Parade (more to come on that) and Reuben’s Brews Pride Fest event on June 13.
More information and a full schedule are available at Visit Ballard.
Photo: Ballard Farmers Market Pride Parade 2025