Over 50,000 people are expected to visit Seattle’s revamped Waterfront Park on Saturday, where an all-day grand opening celebration will cap off its inaugural season of events.
The celebration, happening 11 a.m.-9 p.m. across the 20-acre waterfront, will include live entertainment, local food vendors and community events. It’s the culmination of a decadeslong, $806 million renovation project to what the city has dubbed its next landmark.
“Many people have not been back since construction started, or since the pandemic,” said Joy Shigaki, president and CEO of Friends of Waterfront Park, the nonprofit responsible for managing the park’s programming. “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with over 60 different partners to bring this to life in a really meaningful way.”
The grand opening follows the completion of a few key elements along the waterfront, according to city officials. The new Pier 58, which has a playground and elevated lawn, opened in late July. Plus, new public artworks were installed over the last few weeks, including Ann Hamilton’s “Guests” under the Overlook Walk pedestrian bridge and the bulk of Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson’s “Family” on the Park Promenade adjacent to Pier 58. Installation of some remaining interpretive and wayfinding signage and artwork by the MTK Matriarchs are also coming later this year.
“We are excited for this once-in-a-generation celebration honoring the largest collection of civic projects built in Seattle since the 1962 World’s Fair,” Angela Brady, director for the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects and Sound Transit, said in a statement.
On Saturday, dozens of events are scheduled on and near the waterfront, including the Central District Music Showcase from 1:30-3 p.m. on Overlook Walk, live DJs and cultural performances at Pier 58, and two community parades: the Waterfront Strut Procession at 1 p.m. and the Jellyfish Lantern Evening Procession at 6 p.m. Just steps from the waterfront, you can find an interactive mural at Pike Place Market, happy hour deals at nearby restaurants and more. See the full list of events at waterfrontparkseattle.org.
Looking for more things to do at the city’s newest attraction? Check out our waterfront guide, where you can learn about the city’s history, art, places to eat, outdoor recreational events and more.
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A walking tour of Seattle’s waterfront
- Overlook Walk: A revitalization of the waterfront has done more than transform the city’s downtown core. What do you mean it wasn’t always like this?
- Visual guide: Get a seagull’s-eye-view of all of the waterfront’s new features with our illustrated visual guide of each attraction you need to visit, including a new jellyfish-inspired playground, a public space for live music and the new segment of the Elliott Bay Trail.
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Where to eat on Seattle’s waterfront
- Restaurants: The waterfront offers plenty of restaurants with excellent views of Elliott Bay. And there are several spots on the water with great food, even if you have to jostle for space with tourists. Here’s where to eat if you’re looking to stick around the waterfront.
- Critics’ picks: Willing to walk a few blocks away from the waterfront for the best food? Our food team recommended six places to grab a bite or drink nearby.
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Things to do on Seattle’s waterfront
- Public art: Take a walk along the Waterfront Park promenade, and you’ll encounter works from more than a dozen artists. They encompass artistic traditions from local Native American tribes, graceful steel sculptures, playful takes on utilitarian coastal protection structures and much more.
- Itineraries: Got two hours? Or four, six or eight? Here are the best itineraries for each of those schedules — or mix and match — for a perfect day on the waterfront, from the tourist’s do-not-miss experience to an all-day on-the-water adventure.
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How to park and get around Seattle’s waterfront
- Transportation: From boats and buses to walking and biking, here’s how to reach and move around the waterfront. Plus, where to find parking, elevators and restrooms.
- Bike path: Interested in seeing the Seattle waterfront on two wheels? Bicyclists are in luck: Soon, you’ll be able to bike from Alki Beach in West Seattle, through the waterfront, all the way to Smith Cove.
- Cruises: The cruise industry has made a major comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Seattle is expecting an uptick in the number of ships passing through the port, and cruise passengers will find new delights in the waterfront.
- Security: To keep Waterfront Park safe, clean and accessible, the city is using a four-tiered “humanistic” approach.
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History of Seattle’s waterfront
- History: The story of the waterfront goes back centuries. To understand Seattle’s past and present — what makes this city special and why — you have to understand the history of the downtown waterfront and its politics.
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