Today the festival draws thousands of people every July. In 2026, organizers retired the old Ballard SeafoodFest name and put music in the title, a nod to how the live concerts now carry as much weight as the seafood.
Dates and Hours
The 2027 festival runs Friday, July 16, through Sunday, July 18. Each day has its own rhythm, so it pays to know what is open when. The hours below are from the most recent festival and can shift, so check the official festival website before you head out.
- Friday: 5 to 10 p.m. Ease into the weekend with a lighter evening of music, the beer and cocktail garden and just a few food trucks.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Food vendors serve all day, the salmon BBQ runs until roughly 8 p.m., and the arts and crafts market closes at 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food vendors and the crafts market wrap up at 7 p.m., and the salmon BBQ keeps going while supplies last.
On both weekend days, music and the beer and cocktail garden get started at noon.
Free Concerts on the Main Stage
Every concert on the main stage is free and open to everyone. KEXP presented the 2026 lineup, a mix of touring names and familiar Seattle acts.
Headliners
- Nite Wave closes Friday from 8 to 10 p.m., following a DJ set and a short set from #All4Doras. The Friday show is all ages.
- Built to Spill headlines Saturday from 8:30 to 10 p.m., right after Low Cut Connie takes the stage at 7 p.m.
- Wild Rumours brings Sunday to a close from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Daytime Sets to Plan Around
Spend Saturday afternoon near the stage, starting with Joyla Red at 1 p.m. and rolling on through The Maya Experience, Coral Grief and The Dusty 45s. Sunday leans toward tributes and community acts, so catch the Phinney Ridge Steel Band at noon, then School of Rock, Beatleconcert and Seattle's Last Waltz. Up early? Join a Sunday Zumba session with Ballard Health Club at 10:30 a.m.
Salmon, Shellfish and More to Eat
Start with the alder-smoked salmon BBQ, the dish that launched the whole tradition, cooked on a grill run by Trident Seafoods. The same seafood area also serves steamed mussels, clams, and fried shrimp with fries.
How the Token System Works
Salmon BBQ and the other seafood items run on tokens instead of direct payment. Pick up tokens at the Info Booth, then bring them to the pickup area next to the BBQ. Every other food vendor takes cash and cards directly.
Throughout the festival you can pay with cash, credit card or Venmo, and ATMs are on site. On Saturday, get your salmon before evening, since the grill winds down around 8 p.m., and on Sunday, go early because it can sell out.
Lutefisk, Crafts and the Kids Deck
Ballard's Scandinavian side gets its moment at the Ozzie's International Lutefisk Eating Competition, a test of grit as much as appetite. It makes for fun watching even if you skip the fish yourself.
Browse the craft and art booths that line the streets alongside seafood stalls, treats and cold drinks. With kids in tow, head to the Kids Deck and Kids Cove, open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both weekend days. The Big Purple Slide stays open later and the bouncy houses run until 5 p.m., though some individual attractions charge a fee even with free festival entry.
Getting There, Street Closures and Accessibility
The festival covers NW Market Street between 20th and 24th Avenues NW, plus Ballard Avenue NW from Market down to 22nd Avenue NW. Plug 2208 NW Market Street into your map app or ride share, and look for the Info Booth at the corner of NW Market Street and 22nd Avenue NW.
Street Closures
Ballard Avenue from NW Market to Vernon Place and 22nd Avenue NW from Market to Shilshole close to cars from 6 a.m. Friday through Sunday. NW Market Street between 20th and 24th Avenues NW, along with Leary Avenue between Vernon and Market, closes starting at 10 p.m. Friday. Every street reopens by 1:30 a.m. Monday.
Wheelchair Access and ADA Parking
The festival grounds and all main stage concerts are wheelchair accessible, though crowds can be heavy. You will find some ADA parking on Tallman Avenue just south of Market, at the former Ballard Blossom lot at 1766 NW Market Street, and at the Bank of America lot at 20th Avenue NW and NW 56th Street.
Drinks, Dogs and Souvenirs
Alcohol is sold to guests 21 and older with valid ID. Drinks from the beer garden booths must stay inside its fenced area, and drinks bought at bars or restaurants cannot leave those businesses.
Well-behaved pets are welcome everywhere except the beer and cocktail garden. Bring water and watch their paws, since July pavement and cobblestones can get hot, and keep in mind that crowds and loud music may be hard on sensitive animals.
Take home a festival poster, t-shirt, hat or other keepsake from the Info Booth, open for souvenirs from Saturday at 11 a.m. through Sunday at 8 p.m.
Make a Day of It in Ballard
The festival sits right where the year-round Ballard Farmers Market usually sets up on Sundays, so check the market's plans for festival weekend. Along NW Market Street, stop by the 1904 Ballard Carnegie Library, a city landmark that now houses a pub.
For a quieter break, take in the bay views from Sunset Hill Park or head to the beach at Golden Gardens Park, which also has a dog area. Looking for more ideas? Browse our guide to things to do in Seattle.
