The heart of Ballard will once again fill with live music, seafood, vendors and thousands of festivalgoers next weekend as Ballard Music & Seafoodfest returns for its 52nd year.
The free three-day festival, running July 10–12, marks the debut of the event’s new name, reflecting a greater emphasis on live music while continuing the neighborhood tradition of seafood, arts and crafts, family activities and community celebrations. Organizers expect more than 75,000 people to attend throughout the weekend.
This year’s event builds on changes announced earlier this year, when the longtime Ballard SeafoodFest was renamed Ballard Music & Seafoodfest. The Ballard Alliance said the rebrand reflects the festival’s evolution over the past five decades, with live music becoming a central part of the weekend alongside its longtime seafood traditions. The refreshed branding also includes a new logo and updated visual identity inspired by Ballard’s maritime heritage.
The festivities begin Friday evening with a neighborhood kickoff party featuring live music on the Blundstone Seattle Main Stage, a beer and cocktail garden, food trucks and a VIP lounge. By Saturday morning, Ballard Avenue will transform into the full festival, with dozens of food vendors, an arts and crafts market, children’s activities and live performances continuing throughout the weekend. Sunday’s lineup also includes the Ballard Farmers Market and the annual lutefisk eating contest.
Here’s a look at what to expect.
Festival highlights
This year’s festival includes:
- Alder-smoked salmon barbecue, steamed mussels, clams, fried shrimp and other seafood
- More than 50 food vendors
- More than 50 arts and crafts vendors
- Beer & Cocktail Garden
- Kids Deck and Kids Cove
- Giant slide and bounce houses
- VIP Lounge
- Ballard Farmers Market (Sunday)
- Lutefisk eating contest (Sunday)
Ballard Music & Seafoodfest schedule
Here’s a full schedule of events:
Friday, July 10
- Festival: 5–10 p.m.
- Music, beer & cocktail garden and select food trucks
Saturday, July 11
- Festival: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Music and beer & cocktail garden: Noon–10 p.m.
- Food vendors: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. (salmon barbecue until approximately 9 p.m.)
- Arts & crafts market: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Kids Deck: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (giant slide and bounce houses until 8 p.m.)
Sunday, July 12
- Festival: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Music and beer & cocktail garden: Noon–8 p.m.
- Food vendors: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (salmon barbecue while supplies last)
- Arts & crafts market: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Kids Deck: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (giant slide and bounce houses until 7 p.m.)
Ballard Music & Seafoodfest concert lineup
This year’s festival will kick off with a Seafoodfest regular, NITE WAVE. Here’s what to expect on the mainstage, located near the bell tower at 22nd Ave NW and Ballard Ave.
Friday, July 10
- 8–10 p.m. — NITE WAVE
- 7:15–7:45 p.m. — #All4Doras
- 6–7:15 p.m. — DJ Dance Dance
Saturday, July 11
- 8:30–10 p.m. — Built to Spill
- 7–8 p.m. — Low Cut Connie
- 5:30–6:30 p.m. — The Dusty 45s
- 4–5 p.m. — Coral Grief
- 2:30–3:30 p.m. — The Maya Experience
- 1–2 p.m. — Joyla Red
Sunday, July 12
- 6:30–8 p.m. — Wild Rumours
- 4:30–6 p.m. — Seattle’s Last Waltz
- 3–4 p.m. — BeatleConcert
- 1:30–2:30 p.m. — School of Rock
- Noon–1 p.m. — Phinney Ridge Steel Band
- 10:30–11:30 a.m. — Zumba with Ballard Health Club
Ballard Music & Seafoodfest street closures
Expect several street closures throughout the festival weekend.
Beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, July 10, Ballard Avenue NW between NW Market Street and Vernon Place NW and 22nd Avenue NW between NW Market Street and Shilshole Avenue NW will close to vehicle traffic.
At 10 p.m. Friday, closures will expand to include NW Market Street between 24th and 20th avenues NW and Leary Avenue NW between NW Vernon Place and NW Market Street.
All streets are expected to reopen by 1:30 a.m. Monday, July 13.
Photo: Ballard SeafoodFest