Photo by Erik Holsather.
Vending at Waterfront Park
Scroll through this page to learn about vending opportunities, resources, and more.
Waba Korean Festival. Photo by Adam Lu.
Photo by Tosin Arasi.
Waba Korean Festival 2021. Photo by Adam Lu
Vendor Program Vision
In the fall of 2023, Friends hosted 11 roundtables with 148 programming and community partners to co-envision the future of the park, which culminated in the Cultural Master Plan, launched in June of 2024. This plan has been instrumental in shaping our work and will be our guiding star as we continue to develop vending opportunities along the park.
Check out our Cultural Master Plan here.
Friends’ vending program is dedicated to addressing economic disparities that Seattle communities face. We highly encourage people from disenfranchised or under resourced communities to join opportunities that may arise (including, but not limited to: BIPOC, WMBE, disabled, refugee, immigrant-owned businesses). We hope this platform will support a vibrant community of businesses and entrepreneurs who have been historically disenfranchised and displaced from the Waterfront to thrive and achieve economic self-determination. Through the enticing blend of food, art, and captivating experiences, we create an immersive journey that showcases the city’s unique cultural heritage.
Photo by OutsideThinc.
Photo by OutsideThinc.
Photo by Adam Lu.
Vending at Waterfront Park
At Waterfront Park, we strive to create a vibrant and enjoyable experience for all visitors. To ensure a safe and harmonious environment, it is important to note that vending along the park is NOT permitted unless explicitly approved by Friends of Waterfront Park, in designated areas or at specified events.
There will be limited opportunities for vending in 2024 due to ongoing construction, but we are actively planning for 2025.
If you are interested in vending at Waterfront Park, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter here to learn more about active opportunities and vendor programs that we will be piloting. Our dedicated team works closely with vendors to provide opportunities that align with the park’s vision and enhance the visitor experience.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we strive to create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Mural by Bill Pfeifer Jr. (Tlingit) seen on our Promenade Pop-up kiosk. Photo by Growing By Media.
Pilot program: Promenade Pop‑Ups
Friends is excited to announce the launch of our “Promenade Pop-ups,” a Vendor Pilot Program bringing eight small businesses to the Waterfront Park Promenade at the Seneca and Spring Street intersections of Alaskan Way in 4 semi-permanent kiosks. Designed to complement the range of existing dining, retail, and other offerings and experiences at the historic Seattle waterfront, this program provides a unique platform to bring more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) small businesses downtown.
Africatown's Soul on the Waterfront event in 2022. Photo by OutsideThinc.
Additional Resources
City of Seattle Vending resources
Markets Happening in Seattle
- 210 Seattle Night Market
- Aqui Mercado
- Downtown Seattle Association Events
- Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets
- 206 Night Markets
- Pike Place Market Guest Vendor Opportunities
- South Lake Union Saturday Market
- Market returns on May 4th through Sept. 28th, 2024
- Urban Craft Uprising
Storefront Opportunities
Resources and Networks
FAQs
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In the fall of 2023, Friends of Waterfront Park embarked on an exciting journey to develop our inaugural Cultural Masterplan, a guiding framework that would shape the park’s future. We hosted 11 roundtables, bringing together 148 programming and community partners. Through these collaborative sessions, we were able to co-envision and gain a profound understanding of the unique cultures that define our city.
This inclusive and participatory process played a crucial role in defining our initial vision for the vending program. 2024 will be just the beginning phase of this program, which we hope to continue expanding year over year.
By listening to the diverse perspectives and experiences shared by our community, we gained a deeper understanding of how Waterfront Park could become a place of belonging, where everyone feels safe and welcome. The invaluable input received during these roundtables guided us in designing a vending program that celebrates Seattle’s cultures, fosters connections, and provides a delightful experience of discovery and connection for all who visit.
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2024: Due to ongoing construction, we regret to inform you that the number of events and vending opportunities will be limited.
2025: We are actively planning events and vending opportunities for 2025. Please stay tuned by visiting this website or signing up for this newsletter as we will be posting those opportunities here when they become available in Q4 of 2024.
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Friends of Waterfront Seattle is currently on track to pilot a new vendor program along the Promenade (sidewalk) of Waterfront Park in 2024. These unique vending opportunities will offer a longer-term presence for vendors, allowing them to showcase their offerings beyond specific events. At this time, the application process for vendors is not open.
To keep you informed and involved, we will be sharing regular progress updates in this newsletter. These updates will provide you with insights into the development of the pilot program, ensuring you stay well-informed about the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We appreciate your enthusiasm and patience as we work diligently to bring this program to fruition.