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Ballard is a waterfront neighborhood in the northwestern area of Seattle. In 1971, the first Ballard SeafoodFest was held with the goal of promoting the fishing industry and the area’s Scandinavian heritage. It began as a two hour barbecue to raise money for a financially strapped Chamber of Commerce. The festival officially began in 1974.
Today, the SeafoodFest is a 3 day event that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Over the decades, entertainment has been added along with other activities and food vendors cater to a much larger audience. However, the core of the festival is Ballard’s seafood offerings and celebrating the community’s cultural heritage.
SeafoodFest Hours
- Friday, July 11: 5 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday, July 12: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Sunday, July 13: 11 AM – 8 PM
Enjoy a three-day celebration of free outdoor live music on the MainStage courtesy of community sponsors.
Music Schedule
Friday, July 11
- 6 pm to 7 pm: DJ
- 7 pm to 7:30 pm: #All4Doras
- 7:45 pm to 10 pm: Nite Wave
Saturday, July 12
- 1 PM – 2 PM: School of Rock
- 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Lovely Colours
- 4 PM – 5 PM: Balcony Bridge
- 5:30 PM – 6 PM: Spirit Award
- 7 PM – 8 PM: Skating Polly
- 8:30 PM – 10 PM: Illuminati Hotties
Sunday, July 13
- 11 AM: ZUMBA with Ballard Health Club
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Phinney Ridge Steel Pan Band
- 2 PM – 3 PM: Cumulus
- 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Jaws of Brooklyn
- 5 PM – 6 PM: Mega Cat
- 6:30 PM – 8 PM: Sir Woman
On Saturday and Sunday, there will also be live music and family fun at Ballard Commons Park!
The heart of the festival is the Salmon BBQ and it’s located in the heart of the festival area at 22nd Avenue and Market Street. Trident Seafoods’ Applewood Smoked Salmon are prepared by festival workers and grilled to perfection. Accompanying the salmon is cole slaw and a roll. Your mouth will thank you!
All proceeds from the Salmon BBQ will go to Ballard Alliance, a non profit organization dedicated to the growth and vitality of the neighborhood.
The Ballard SeafoodFest will have a Beer + Cocktail Garden. It has an extensive selection of Ballard brewed beers, handcrafted cocktails, cider, hard seltzer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Kids Deck is the ultimate festival destination for children. It has the infamous purple slide, arts & crafts, storytelling and much more.
Kids Deck Schedule
Saturday, July 12
- 11 AM: Parent & Me Music Class with Baby Jam (includes a visit from the Seattle Fire Department)
- 12 PM: Kamino Temple Saber Guild – Learn the way of the Jedi
- 12:30 PM: Drum Along with Seattle Percussion Works
- 1 PM: Encore Training with Kamino Temple Guild
- 1:30 PM: Dance Fremont Performance
- 2:30 PM: Song Writing with Style
- 3 PM – 4 PM: Soulful Kids Mad Scientist Table
Sunday, July 13
- 11 AM: Luau Storytelling with Huraiti Mana
- 11:30 AM: Puppet Show with Thistle Theatre
- 12:30 PM: Family Dance Class with Creative Dance Center
- 1:30 PM: Song Writing with Style
- 2 PM – 4 PM: Youth Open Mic
Festi-Bowl
Festi-Bowl is an all ages, all abilities skateboard event that will be happening on Saturday, Saturday, July 12, 2025. This event is inclusive of all. Whether you’re learning the first turns or mastering bowl tricks, all are welcome.
Festi-Bowl elements include
- Youth Bowl Event
- Women’s Event
- The Sonic Boom – Spin to Win 360 Contest
- All new “No Push” Race
- Open Contest
This year’s Festi-Bowl bands include
- 2 pm – Seattle School of Rock
- 3:30 pm – Bridge Kids
- 5 pm – Dead Streets
- 6:30 pm – Midpak
Vendor Market
Food & Beverages
- Flaco’s Seafood
- LBee’s Filipino Deli
- Sabor Boricua
- Sami’s Crab Mac & Cheese
- Where You At Mac
- Puffle Up
- Lobster Shack
- Hot Dogs Del Sur
- Cute Dumpling
- Big Island Poke
- 36 Streets Vietnamese Coffee
- Galileo’s Mobile Pizzeria
- Happy Seoul Korean Corn Dogs
- Paella House
- Original Chimney Roll
- Luke’s Lobster
- Kaleenka Piroshky
- Giant Lemon & Lobster Pretzels
- Character Cotton Candy
- Bea May’s Seafood Gumbo
- FioreMarias Italian Ice
- Stizzy’s Oyster House
- True North Coffee
- Raspados Del Sur
- Epic Foods
- Breakthrough HuliHuli
- Seattle Pops
- Tea Purrson
- Glow Tea/Bao Box
- Choco Frutti
- Lemonade Guy
- Sully Eats
- La Marea
- Black Jack Grill
- Vega Cuisine
- Simple Soulful
- Swirly Spuds
- Biringer Farms
- Giant Lemon
- Margosteen
- Off The Rez
- Scoop Wagon
- T Willy Seafood Bites
- Truly Med
- Kornman
- Elotador
- Komman
Arts & Crafts
Vendors
Here’s a list of vendors:
- Bling Bling
- Glowstone Candles
- Hampsan
- Nature Bound Soap Company
- Toffee O!
- Over The Line Art
- Little Paws Collection
- Pacari
- Mandala Moon Candle Co.
- Alyson Storms Fine Art
- Funky’s Hot Sauce Factory
- Predatory Perennials
- Arrows Aim
- Ultrafino
- Stitches ‘N’ Beads Loft
- Original Baby Bundle Mixed Metals
- MeerCatArt
- Gilday Designs
- El Fuego Pepper Sauce
- Heidi Khrane
- Mary Powers Art
- Fresh Perspective
- Awesome Arts
- Wild by Design
- Teal.Moonbeam
- Shakes & Speares
- Seciwa’s Native Jewelry
- Psychedelic Lens
- Portland Syrups
- Nomad Boxing Club
- AEN
- Calicoco Shops
- Crystal Gallery & Psychic Studio
- Native Creations
- Pacific Gyotaku
- Atelier Adesso
- Capable Father
- Pike Street Nuts
- Salty Provisions
- Sketches by the Sea
Ballard
While you’re in Ballard, check out the National Nordic Museum and Woodland Park Zoo, Book your combined tickets here and you can save $2.35 on each ticket.
Seafood
If you enjoyed the seafood at the festival and would like to learn more about cooking seafood, try these cookbooks. And use our links to see how you can save on them.
- “For The Love Of Seafood, 100 Flawless, Flavorful Recipes That Anyone Can Cook” by Karista Bennett
- “The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook: Salmon, Crab, Oysters and More” by Naomi Tomky
- “Foolproof Fish: Modern Recipes” by America’s Test Kitchen
Or you can enjoy seafood at the 15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Seattle as chosen by the users of TripAdvisor.
- Rockcreek Seafood & Spirits
- Chinook’s
- Shucker’s Oyster Bar
- Market Grill
- Pike Place Chowder
- All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar
- Duke’s Seafood & Chowder
- Salty’s on Aiki Beach
- Ivar’s Fish Bar
- AQUA by El Gaucho
- Shaker + Spear
- Ivar’s Acre of Clams
- Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar
- Rays
- The Walrus & the Carpenter
If you love seafood but can’t get to those restaurants one night, you can get seafood from Pike Place Chowder delivered by DoorDash. Check out their menu.
Seattle Hotels
If you’d like to visit Seattle for the SeafoodFest in Ballard, you should consider one of these hotels. They are offering discounted rates which will save you money on your stay.