Grand Opening Celebration

All 20-acres of Waterfront Park | Free
Saturday September 6, 11 am–9 pm

Join us for this historic moment as we celebrate the Grand Opening of Waterfront Park!

Family Friendly

Pier 62. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Pier 62. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Meet Me at Waterfront Park for the Grand Opening Celebration on September 6!

Join us on September 6 for family-friendly programming and community connection celebrating the completion of Waterfront Park! Be part of this historic moment as the full 20-acres are activated for the first time, featuring performances, interactive experiences, art installations, beer gardens, food trucks, and more!

Planning on attending? RSVPing helps us understand how our community uses Waterfront Park, and shapes future events and park experiences. 

Save the Date: September 6, 2025

Don’t miss this once-in-a-generation event to celebrate Seattle’s historic transformation alongside the communities who helped make it happen. Sign up for our newsletter for updates and future announcements!

Salish Steps and Overlook Walk

Spotlight at Waterfront Park. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Overlook Walk. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Overlook Walk. Photo by Jo Cosme.

A covered pavilion provides a dry place for your all-weather event.

Movement and History at Salish Steps and Overlook Walk:

Event Schedule

11:00 am Energetic Double Dutch fun with Double Dutch Divas

1:30 pm Central District Music Showcase curated by LANGSTON featuring Afreesha (Welcome), Elnah Jordan Experience, Zaina The Phenom, Afreesha (DJ Set), and Da Qween of Everything

3:30 pm Hip Hop Music Performance by King Khazm

3:30 pm Pop-Up Talks with Jennifer Ott, focused on Waterfront stories, ecology, and gems

4:00 pm M.E.N.A presents Seattle Dabke Dance and DJ

5:00 pm Pop-Up Talks with Jennifer Ott, focused on Waterfront stories, ecology, and gems

5:30 pm Japanese American Taiko Ensemble by Seattle Kokon Taiko

7:00 pm Learn Hustle dance with Hustle & Soul

 

Ongoing Activities on Overlook Walk:

Selfie Station I Pop-Up Talks with David B. Williams I Share your Waterfront Story and letter to the future with Shelf Life Story Project

Artists & Partners

Double Dutch Divas

A whole lot of fun happens during Double Dutch Divas sessions! We’re energetic, empowering, and full of joy. Here’s what makes us such a blast:

About Double Dutch Divas:

Double Dutch Divas LLC was established in 2021 by Angie Mosley, with a mission to promote the sport of Double Dutch while fostering health, fitness, and community engagement. The organization focuses on providing an inclusive environment.

Hustle & Soul

Hustle, a dance form created by Puerto Ricans in the South Bronx that spread and peaked during the days of disco, is having a comeback.

King Khazm

King Khazm is an emcee, producer and community organizer who has become a prominent figure in the Hip-Hop community within Seattle and around the world. His work to engage and empower communities is demonstrated through over 25 years of music, art and community service.

LANGSTON

M.E.N.A.

Seattle based dancers Parmida Ziaei and Elham Lawson along with DJ Dancing Faraz. Join us for a cross-cultural performance of song and dance which will captivate your senses.

Seattle Kokon Taiko

Seattle Kokon Taiko (SKT) formed in 1980 and is Washington’s first performing taiko ensemble. SKT is based in the local Japanese American community and has performed at schools, arts festivals, street fairs, community programs, corporate events and in concert throughout WA.

Pier 62

Visitors enjoying a Spotlight at Waterfront Park event on Pier 62. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Meet Me at Waterfront Park 5K. Photo by Hannah Te.

Pier 62. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Art and Culture at Pier 62:

Event Schedule

11:00 am Columbia City Arts Show featuring Black and Tan, Steppers Unite, Inc., Tish Productions, Zhanea June & Mach X, Royal Room, Royal Esquire, Columbia City Beatwalk, and Funk E Fusion

1:00 pm Festival Sundiata Presents Waterfront Strut Procession featuring the Electronettes Highsteppers, Buffalo Soldiers, Daughter of Royalty Drill Team, and the Analog Brass Band

1:15 pm Dream-pop and Rock Music Performance by La Fonda

3:00 pm Blues, Rock, and Punk Music Performance by The Black Tones

4:15 pm Lively Regional Mexican Music by Banda Vagos

5:00 pm World-Renowned Break Down with Massive Monkees

6:00 pm Jellyfish Lantern Evening Procession featuring Brasil in Motion and Caribbean Seafest from Stadium Plaza to Pier 62

6:45 pm Caribbean Cutural Performances by Caribbean SeaFest

7:00pm Brazilian Rhythms and Dance by Brasil in Motion

8:15 pm Latin Funk Afro Soul Sounds with Reposado

 

Ongoing Activities:

Emcee Adra Boo I Seattle Paint Party I Seattle ReCreative

Artists & Partners

Banda Vagos

Banda Vagos is Seatile’s premiere and most beloved Bandạ.Featuring outstanding musicians of Mexican and American descent, we show that music truly has no bounderies. Spreading love and Banda throughout the Northwest for 25 years.

Black and Tan

Benjamin Hunter, Artistic Director of Northwest Folklife, is a Seattle-based creative & cultural entrepreneur and advocate, and an award winning multi-instrumentalist & composer.

Brasil in Motion

Brasil in Motion’s dynamic and engaging performance will showcase several music and dance traditions from Brazil. Get ready to dance, sway and smile as we inviteyou to move with us to Brazil’s captivating and uplifting rhythms. Fun for the whole family!

About Brasil in Motion:

Brasil in Motion, an award-winning Brazilian Arts organization based in Seattle, provides classes, events, performances, workshops, educational outreach and annual cultural immersion tours to Salvador, Brazil.

Carribean Seafest

The purpose of the Seattle Caribbean Festival is to bring together the culturally and linguistically diverse members of the Caribbean Community in the Pacific Northwest

Funk E Fusion

Funk E Fusion is collection of some of the best young musicians and vocalist in the Northwest

La Fonda

La Fonda is an indie rock band fronted by Filipino-American sisters, Valerie and Veronica Topacio. La Fonda creates sonically atmospheric, shoegaze-inspired tracks falling somewhere between dream-pop and alt-rock. They are joined by Jesse Cole on guitar and Bryan Dever on Bass.

Massive Monkees

Massive Monkees is a world-renowned hip-hop crew consisting of DJs, emcees, and most notably, over 30 b-boys and b-girls. The crew began in the summer of 1999 when four teenage b-boys from two different groups came together in South Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. Shortly after, a wave of artist friends joined as well, helping to create a unique mixture of energy, creativity, and charisma within the crew. This brilliant chemistry propelled Massive Monkees into a long streak of winning local, national, and multiple world championships, TV appearances, global tours, and they were directly involved with breaking’s inclusion in the 2024 Olympics.

Reposado

Reposado is dedicated to using the power of music to connect and transcend. Bringing heart and inspiring all to get on their feet, this is music to honor the past, present, and future with hope, respect, and celebration.

Steppers Unite

Ms. Anna Owner/Founder of Steppers Unite Inc. Dance Organization has been teaching Soul Line Dancing for over 22 years. Her classes at Garfield Comm Ctr & Southeast Seattle Sr Ctr are fun, energetic & has a sense of family.

The Electronettes

The Legendary Electronettes Hi-Steppers Drill Team & Drumline celebrate an incredible 45yrs of empowering youth and dazzling communities. Led by Director ViTina Patterson and Dorothy this talented team will captivate you with shimmering uniforms and precision movements.

Tish Productions

My name is Tish Gallow, a self-made and dedicated Event Curator/Producer for Mizz Tish Productions and Columbia City Beatwalk.

Zhanea June & Mach X

Zhane Juniea, (Zha-nay Juneee-ah) is an American singer-songwriter and inspired actress who performed and won various singing and dancing competitions captivating the hearts of those who heard her.

Pier 58

Pier 58. Photo by Jo Cosme

Pier 58. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Pier 58. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Live DJs and Family Fun at Pier 58:

Event Schedule

11:00 am Honoring our Tribal Partners with the Suquamish Tribe and Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

12:00 pm Chinese Cultural Music and Dance Performance by Melody Institute

1:00 pm Seattle Public Library presents Drag Queen Story Time with Alexa Manila

1:30 pm Folklórico showcase featuring Joyas Metistaz, Danza Monarcas, and Baliadores de Bronce

3:00pm Totem Star DJs

3:30 pm K-Fest featuring Morning Star Korean Ensemble and a K-Pop performance

4:30 pm Totem Star DJs

5:00 pm Break Dancing by Massive Monkees

6:15 pm Join the Jellyfish Lantern Evening Procession with your jellyfish lantern as it heads to Pier 62

6:30pm Dynamic Indigenous Beats with DJ Cutz

7:00pm ZULU RADIO 20 Showcase featuring DJ WD4D, Beatbox Panda, DJ Sean Malik, Silver Shadow, DJ Zeta Barber, and Showcase feat. Abyssinian Creole, Shakiah, and Rell Be Free

 

Ongoing Activities:

Seattle Public Library Story Trees I Build Your Own Jellyfish Lantern with Urban Artworks I Face Painting with Hoopla Face Painting

Artists & Partners

Baliadores de Bronce

Bailadores de Bronce, founded at the University of Washington in 1972, shares the beauty of Mexican culture through dance. Rooted in the Chicano movement, our all-volunteer group builds community, breaks barriers, and thrives through the passion and unity of our dancers.

Danza Monarcas

We are a Seattle-based dance group, celebrating and reimagining Mexican folklórico traditions con orgullo.

DJ Cutz

DJ Cutz 1 is a dynamic Indigenous DJ hailing from Seattle, WA, known for his electrifying sets that blend house, electronic, hip-hop, and global rhythms. With a deep connection to his cultural roots.

Hoopla Face Painting

We are a group of Face painters & Balloon Artists

Melody Institute

Melody Institute was founded by Melody Xie, and is dedicated to the teaching & understanding of Chinese culture, dance & language for all ages in the Puget Sound. Title: The Charm of Chinese cultureChina has a long history with different ethnic groups & cultures. This performance will showcase the vibrant & profound beauty of Chinese culture through dance & music. Melody Xie will teach audience Chinese dances with props during the show. region. Her dance students have been performing Chinese folk, traditional, modern, and ethnic dances in the state.

Morning Star Korean Cultural Center

Morning Star Korean Cultural Center is committed to enriching lives through artistic expression, educational opportunities, and cultural appreciation. We proudly serve a global community to promote awareness and encourage positive cultural exchange.

Seattle Public Library

Join The Seattle Public Library for story times with mermaids, pirates and drag queens as well as family-friendly crafts and activities throughout the day!

About Seattle Public Library:

The Seattle Public Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people’s lives. With 27 locations and a Mobile Services unit, a digital and physical collection of 2.9 million items, and thousands of programs a year, we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and empower community.

206 Zulu

206 Zulu is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing accessible spaces while serving communities through the upliftment, preservation, and celebration of Hip Hop culture.

Park Promenade

Waterfront Park Promenade. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Waterfront Park Promenade. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Waterfront Park Promenade 2024. Photo by Erik Holsather

Music and Dance along the Park Promenade:

Event Schedule

1:00 pm Festival Sundiata presents the Waterfront Strut Procession

6:00 pm Jellyfish Lantern Evening Procession

Ongoing Activities:

Entangled Oceans Interactive Hopscotch Activity I Made Space Seattle / Central District Art Walk I Art Installation by Brandi Douglas (Puyallup Tribe)

Spring Stage

11:30 am Spoken Word, Visual Art, and Traditional Indian Dance with Rohena Alam Khan

2:00 pm Dance Performance by Northwest Tap Connection

4:00 pm Lion and Dragon Dance by Mak Fai Lion and Dragon

5:30 pm Capoeira Performance by Union Cultural Center

Seneca Stage

11:30 am Live Art by Sam Sneke

2:00 pm Jazz and Blues Performance by Rhapsody Project Songsters

3:30 pm Upbeat Jazz Trio Performance featuring D’Vonne Lewis Band

5:00 pm African Cultural Music, Dance, and Song by ADEFUA

7:30pm Movement Stories of Identify, Resilience, and Beauty by Portraits in Motion curated by David Rue

7:30 pm R&B Music Performance by ParisAlexa

 

Artists & Partners

ADEFUA

ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop, is a non profit organization. This year in celebration of 40 years in service. We’ve been providing West African Cultural Arts Experiences to youth, families in Rainier Valley, by teaching and celebrating African Music, Dance, Song, Rites of Pa

D’Vonne Lewis Band

D’Vonne Lewis was named the 2013, 2018, 2021 and 2023 NW Instrumentalist of the Year and is the grandson of 1950s-60s Northwest organ legend Dave Lewis, the ‘Godfather’ of rock and roll/soul. Lewis composes for his own bands, Northwest D’Lux and LIMITED EDITION.

Acclaimed drummer D’Vonne Lewis brings together some of the best jazz musicians in Seattle for an energetic and upbeat trio performance at the Seattle Waterfront. The group will perform a set of jazz standards, favorites, and original compositions.

Entangled Oceans Art

Experience the waterfront opening with an interactive chalk art mural showcasinggrowth and acknowledgement of our coastal waters and sea life.

Meet Entangled Oceans Art:

Katana Sol is a Seattle-based artist, musician, and educator uplifting youth through art, design, and ancestral storytelling. Entangled Oceans is her creative firm in which she showcases self-actualization and environmental awareness through textiles and public artworks.

Mak Fai Lion and Dragon Dance

Mak Fai is Seattle’s premier lion dance troupe performing hundreds of shows year-round and also compete in national and international lion dance competitions.

They aim to enrich and promote lion dancing in the Greater Seattle area and keeping the tradition alive by teaching the younger generations in the community.

Made Space Seattle / CD Art Walk

Featured Black Artists and creatives representing the Central District Art Walk throughout the day including an installation by artist Stephanie Morales

Northwest Tap Connection

Northwest Tap Connection (NTC) is a race and social justice dance studio that was founded and deeply rooted in rhythm tap. In addition to tap, NTC cultivates a broad spectrum of dance styles, such as African, jazz, modern, ballet, swing, ballroom, and hip-hop.

ParisAlexa

Parisalexa is an R&B-jazz powerhouse vocalist and songwriter who seemlessly blends cutting edge topline with 90s soul. Seattle’s standout voice, she penned aespa’s platinum hit “Supernova” and is now crafting her next highly anticipated solo era, fully embracing her soul roots.

The Rhapsody Project Songsters

The Rhapsody Songsters play a wide mix of American music reflecting the cultural heritage of each of the members of this youth ensemble. With a range that extends from blues and jazz to folk and klezmer music, this music will make you want to party and teach you new things, too!

Rohena Alam Khan

Rohena Alam Khan/1971 is a Seattle-based interdisciplinary artist. Born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she studied Journalism and Fine Art during her undergrad years at Winthrop University in South Carolina. Upon embarking on a career as a copywriter at McCann Erickson, she completed another degree in Graphic Design from Raffles International College in Bangkok, Thailand. Rohena has written for brands such as Facebook, Nescafe, Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, American Express and designed for Bartell Drugs, SDOT, The Gates Foundation and more. Rohena’s work has a deeper focus on social issues plaguing the universe and can take the shape of a poem, painting, dance, documentary film or rap song. Her painting style combines abstract expressionism with narrative storytelling. Rohena’s paintings have been exhibited in galleries of America, Thailand and Bangladesh and her murals can be seen in various locations in Seattle. After taking a 20-year break, Rohena relearned “Bharatanatyam” an ancient classical Indian dance form and she often inaugurates her art exhibitions with an auspicious dance performance. Rohena is currently working on a documentary short called “A Dancer in Dhaka” based on her dance guru, Priyanka Sarker. Rohena plans to dedicate her craft to continuing to create media harboring the essence of modern Bangladesh.

Sam Sneke

Experience live art from a graffiti and hip-hop veteran.

About Sneke:

Sneke is a 35 year veteran of the graffiti and hip hop scene – still rockin fresh w no years off. He has also ventured into eyewear design and is working on his 1st release.

Union Cultural Center

Silvio Dos Reis is a Master lever teacher of Capoeira Angola, known to his students as Mestre Silvinho. He started the practice of Capoeira in his hometown of Belo Horizonte, Brasil in 1986. He moved to Seattle in 2004 to direct the branch of International Capoeira Angola. We will be presenting a Capoeira “roda,” the “circle” of Capoeira where two people enter the circle and “play” capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that encompasses elements of fight, dance, singing, and improvised body dialogue between two people.

Pioneer Square Habitat Beach

Pioneer Square Habitat Beach. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Pioneer Square Habitat Beach

Storytelling and Indigeniety at Pioneer Square Habitat Beach and Washington Street Boat Landing:

Enjoy the water and views at Pioneer Square Habitat Beach

11:00 am Unkitawa Showcase featuring Stories, Music, and Songs

3:00 pm Pop-Up Talks with David B. Williams

5:00 pm Pop-Up Talks with David B. Williams

Artists & Partners

Unkitawa

Unkitawa designs and hosts events for women, men, and families to promote ancestral healing through Indigenous culture, ceremony, and arts.

Stadium Plaza and Railroad Way South

Photo of artwork by Kimberly Saladin (Muckleshoot) on display at Stadium Plaza. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Photo by Time Rice courtesy City of Seattle.

Puppies and Mascots at Railroad Way South:

Event Schedule

11:00 am Visit Your Favorite Seattle Sports Team and their Mascot

1:30 pm Festival Sundiata Presents Waterfront Strut Finale featuring the Electronettes Highsteppers, Buffalo Soldiers, Daughter of Royalty Drill Team, and the Analog Brass Band

3:00 pm Puppy Yoga with Resilent Hearts

4:00 pm Seattle Barkery Food Truck featuring freshly baked dog treats

6:00 pm Jellyfish Lantern Evening Procession heads north to Pier 62

7:00 pm Glow Stick Zumba led by Meli Bless

 

Ongoing Activities:

“We are Water” Indigenous Art Installation by Raven Juarez

 

Artists & Vendors

Raven Juarez

In partnership with The Seattle Art Museum, Friends Of The Waterfront, and yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective, Raven Juarez presents “We Are Water: In Community with the Sky and Sound”, a public art installation of flags and beadwork. Inspired by the colors and sparkle of the Puget Sound, the water that defines our beautiful landscape here on the traditional lands of the Suquamish and Duwamish, Raven has facilitated two separate community events for children, elders, and all ages in between to express their connection to the land and waters that surround us. The first was an invitation to make the flags, where participants were invited to collaborate with the artist to assemble a collage of colored tissue paper, and the option to finish the composition with an offering of a raven stamp, hand carved and printed by Raven Juarez at the event. The second invitation was to create beaded strands, using a carefully curated selection of beads selected to highlight and compliment the colors of the landscape and catch and reflect the light to recreate the sparkle of sunlight rippling over deep blue waters. This is truly a collaborative work of art, not only in the community with the ones whose hands assembled the flags themselves, but also with the sky, sun, water, and wind, as the flags are displayed in harmony with the elements.

About Raven:

Born and based in Seattle, Raven Juarez is a contemporary native artist, teacher, and presenter.Juarez attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY and spent a year abroad in Florence, Italy, to study painting, drawing, and print-making as well as Italian art and film history. She graduated in 2013 with a BA in the liberal arts, with concentrations in Child Psychology/Development and Visual Arts. Raven shares her passion for art in her work as an early childhood educator and especially enjoys facilitating creative invitations for all ages in the greater Seattle area. You can see more of Raven’s work at ravenjuarez.com and follow her on Instagram, Raven_IntheTrees.

 

Resilent Hearts

Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit rescue in Fremont! Our mission is to save animals from high-kill shelters and match them with loving forever families in the Pacific Northwest. Come visit us and play with puppies in Fremont!

We Move to Give

We Move to Give was founded in 2017 with one simple mission: to break down the socioeconomic barriers to fitness. We know that fitness is an important part of an active, healthy lifestyle, and our goal is to create a space that is inclusive and safe for everyone.

Grand Opening Celebration Top Pier Sponsors
Grand Opening Celebration Park Anchor Sponsors
Grand Opening Celebration Beacon Builder Sponsors
Grand Opening Celebration Friends Sponsors
Project Partner Sponsors
Pier 62. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Pier 62. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Accessibility

Friends strives to ensure Waterfront Park, and our events are inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to everyone.

About the space: Waterfront Park is an outdoor space in downtown Seattle providing various amenities such as wheelchair accessible seating, shade, water stations, cooling fans, and ADA accessible restrooms.

Event Resources: Accessible seating, reserved priority seating, courtesy wheelchair, ASL interpretation, stage ramp, sensory tent, nursing station/tent, shade, charging station, closed captioning (QR), assisted listening devices, and sensory kits including noise-reducing headphones, ear plugs, blankets, scented and weighted neck wraps, fidget toys, etc.

Learn more about accessibility resources at Waterfront Park here.

Waterfront Park is still under construction until 2025, accessible routes/navigation may be impacted.

Please email [email protected] with any questions or specific accommodation requests for events.

Please fill out our park experience survey HERE with any feedback on how we can make your experience more comfortable and accessible.

Photo by Erik Holsather.

Overlook Walk Ribbon Cutting

Aeriel photo showing Overlook Walk extending over the highway below.

Overlook Walk. Photo by Erik Holsather.

People standing and dancing with tents and city skyline in the background.

Pier 62. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Six free standing art holders in a row in a large open courtyard area.

Public Art Exhibit at Railroad Way South. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Rainy evening with built in lights illuminating the Salish Steps and Overlook Walk pathways.

Salish Steps at Overlook Walk. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Overhead shot of a large gathering of people with pop-up tents and a stage on Pier 62.

Meet Me at Waterfront Park 5K. Photo by Hannah Te.

Aerial photo of Pioneer Square Habitat Beach with surrounding grenery and rocky beach access.

Pioneer Square Habitat Beach. Photo by Erik Holsather.

Renovated black Washington Street Boat Landing entrance with new Molly Moon's sign.

Molly Moons Opening at Waterfront Park. Photo by Jo Cosme.

Photo Looking down the bike path with greenery on either side.

Waterfront Bike Path. Photo by Hannah Te.

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