Here’s what to know about Ballard’s Syttende Mai celebrations this weekend

Ballard’s annual Syttende Mai celebration returns this weekend, bringing a full day of events, cultural celebrations, music, food, and the neighborhood’s signature 17th of May parade.

The celebration commemorates the signing of Norway’s constitution in 1814 and remains one of Ballard’s biggest annual traditions.

The largest event of the day is the 17th of May Parade, which draws thousands of spectators. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at NW 62nd St and 24th Ave NW. It then travels south on 24th Ave NW to NW Market St, then travels east to Bergen Place where it turns right onto 22nd Ave NW, and then continues southeast on Ballard Ave to its end at Ballard Ave and Ione (see map below).

The Sons of Norway – Leif Erikson Lodge will host a Syttende Mai Open House from noon to 4:30 p.m. Organizers say the event will include Norwegian food, coffee, music, dancing, and cultural entertainment.

Skål Beer Hall will host live music, food specials, aquavit, and beer throughout the day. Organizers say the outdoor area will be open to all ages, while the indoor space will be 21 and older on Sunday with a cover charge after 3 p.m. Skål will also serve parade snacks from its front service window beginning at 11 a.m., and will hold a pre-celebration event on Saturday.

The Ballard Alki Odd Fellows will host an all-ages post-parade after party and open house from 7–9 p.m. at 1706 NW Market St. Organizers say the event will include music, drinks, and a photo area.

Meanwhile, Bergen Place Park will host live music performances from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Because the 17th of May falls on a Sunday this year, organizers say the schedule offers a full day of celebrations throughout Ballard.

Street closures

Street closures will start at 4 p.m. Here’s more from SDOT:

• Street closed and no parking along the parade route (4 p.m. to 8:30 pm):
  • 24^th Avenue from NW 65^nd Street to NW Market Street.
  • NW Market Street from 24^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • 22^nd Ave NW from NW Market Street to Shilshole Ave
  • Ballard Ave NW from NW Dock Place to NW Market Street
  • 20^th Avenue NW from NW Market Street to Shilshole Ave
  • NW Vernon Place from Leary Way to Shilshole Ave
• Street closed around the parade for staging (4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.):
  • NW 64^th Street from 26^th Avenue NW to 22^nd Avenue NW
  • NW 63^rd Street from 26^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • NW 62^nd Street from 28^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • NW 61^st Street from 26^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • NW 60^th Street from 26^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • NW 59^th Street from 26^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • NW 58^th Street from 26^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • NW 57^th Street from 26^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW
  • NW 56^th Street from 26^th Ave NW to 22^nd Ave NW

King County Metro bus reroutes

Route 40

Route 40 will be rerouted from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sun May 17.

Affected stops:

• Stop #18720 Leary Avenue NW & NW Vernon Place (Northbound)
• Stop #18740 NW Market Street & Ballard Avenue NW (Westbound)
• Stop #19510 24th Avenue NW & NW 57th Street (Northbound)
• Stop #19530 24th Avenue NW & NW 61st Street (Northbound)
• Stop #19320 24th Avenue NW & NW 65th Street (Southbound)
• Stop #19340 24th Avenue NW & NW 61st Street (Southbound)
• Stop #19360 24th Avenue NW & NW 57th Street (Southbound)
• Stop #18120 NW Market Street & Ballard Avenue NW (Eastbound)
• Stop #18145 Leary Avenue NW & NW Vernon Place (Southbound)

For Route 40 to Northgate get on/off at:

• Stop #18152 Leary Avenue NW & NW Dock Place (Northbound)
• The temporary stop on 20th Avenue NW just south of NW Market Street (Northbound)
• The temporary stop on 20th Avenue NW just north of NW 59th Street (Northbound)
• Stop #19550 24th Avenue NW & NW 65th Street (Northbound)

For Route 40 to Downtown Seattle get on/off at:

• Stop #19300 24th Avenue NW & NW 70th Street (Southbound)
• The temporary stop on NW 65th Street just east of 24th Avenue NW (Eastbound)
• The temporary stop on 20th Avenue NW just south of NW 59th Street (Southbound)
• The temporary stop on 20th Avenue NW just south of NW Market Street (Southbound)
• Stop #18151 Leary Avenue NW & NW Dock Place (Southbound)

Route 44

Route 44 will be rerouted from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Affected stops:

• Stop #29680 NW Market Street & 11th Avenue NW (Westbound)
• Stop #29700 NW Market Street & 15th Avenue NW (Westbound)
• Stop #29720 NW Market Street & 20th Avenue NW (Westbound)
• Stop #18740 NW Market Street & Ballard Avenue NW (Westbound)
• Stop #18120 NW Market Street & Ballard Avenue NW (Eastbound)
• Stop #29213 NW Market Street & 20th Avenue NW (Eastbound)

For Route 44 to Ballard get on/off at:

• Stop #29660 NW Market Street & 8th Avenue NW (Westbound)
• The temporary stop on 15th Avenue NW just south of NW Market Street (Southbound)
• The temporary stop on NW Leary Way just west of 15th Avenue NW (Westbound)
• The temporary stop on Shilshole Avenue NW just south of NW Dock Place (Northbound)
• The temporary stop on Shilshole Avenue NW just north of 22nd Avenue NW (Northbound)
• Stop #18760 NW Market Street & 28th Avenue NW (Westbound)

For Route 44 to UW Medical Center get on/off at:

• Stop #18100 NW Market Street & 28th Avenue NW (Eastbound)
• The temporary stop on Shilshole Avenue NW just south of 22nd Avenue NW (Southbound)
• The temporary stop on Shilshole Avenue NW just north of NW Dock Place (Southbound)
• Stop #29215 NW Market Street & 15th Avenue NW (Eastbound)