Our signature summer fundraiser, Pier Party is back! We’re doing what we do best— bringing together the artists, neighbors, performers, and partners who make Waterfront Park feel like home. Save the date for Friday, July 17 for a night of live music, immersive art, local food and drinks, and the kind of togetherness that reminds you why this place matters. And this year’s theme: Disco! Put on your best shimmer to meet us at Pier 62.

So, what does Friends of Waterfront Park actually do?

Great question—and one worth taking a moment to answer because it’s at the heart of why Pier Party exists.

Waterfront Park is a new kind of public space—one that was built with the intention of being genuinely welcoming to everyone who lives in and loves this city. But a beautiful park doesn’t automatically become a community space. That takes intention, relationships, and ongoing work.

That’s where Friends comes in. We work alongside artists, small businesses, performers, and community partners to create experiences that make the park feel alive and accessible. Think free outdoor concerts. Cultural celebrations. One-of-a-kind programming and activations that reflect the full diversity of Seattle. Moments that invite you to slow down, stay awhile, and feel like you belong here. We also work in more direct ways: staffing the restroom at Pier 62 and adding small touches like flowers.

None of it happens without financial support—and that’s where you come in.

Pier Party is a highlight of our year and it’s one of the most meaningful ways our community comes together to invest in this work. Every ticket purchased helps fund the free programming, community partnerships, and everyday experiences that keep Waterfront Park welcoming and vibrant for all of Seattle.

A night with Friends on Pier 62

From the moment you arrive, Pier Party is designed for you to experience our secret sauce at Friends: Connection. Every part of the evening reflects the same community-centered approach that shapes everything we do year-round. Expect:

• Live music to move you

• Immersive art experiences throughout the pier

• Local food and drinks from community vendors

• Space to connect, dance and simply enjoy being together

It’s the essence of what Waterfront Park can be: welcoming to all, joyful and full of energy.

Pier Party wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible partners who help bring it to life. This year, we’re proud to celebrate alongside these local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our entertainment lineup brings together some of Seattle’s most dynamic voices in music, art and movement.

• KEXP’s DJ Riz sets the tone with hip-hop, soul, gospel and funk;
• Gudemami, a local open-format DJ, weaves together house, disco, R&B, soul and global bass sounds;
• Dope Girl Movement, a dynamic dance production company, brings their celebrated vision of hip-hop as an expansive, community-centered art form.

To give us a sense of cultural connection, we’ll have delicious food and beverage from new and returning partners:

• De La Soil, Chefs Cody and Andrea Westerfield bring their Mexican and Swedish heritage to life through beautifully blended flavors;
• Gold Coast Ghal, owner Tina Girl Fahnbulleh shares Liberian and Ghanaian-inspired dishes that turn every bite into a moment of connection;
• Creamy Cone Cafe, owner Ashanti Mayfield brings Rainier Beach-based desserts that are as joyful as they are delicious;
• Feed the People, Chef Tarik brings a food philosophy rooted in community, memory and opportunity;
• 1988 Cocktail Lounge bar, innovative Asian-inspired cocktails that are anything but ordinary;
• And Natoncks Metsu, a beloved Pier Party staple, owner and chef Vickers returns with traditional and new Indigenous foods and drinks.

Together, we’re building something bigger than any one organization could do alone—a waterfront that truly belongs to everyone. When you come to Pier Party, you’re not just attending an event. You’re part of how this place stays alive.

Early bird tickets are now available through April 30 ($125).

COME PARTY WITH US!