Seafair Torchlight Parade debuts new location, kicks off Saturday

Jul 23, 2025, 5:03 AM

KIRO Newsradio Meteorologist

The Seafair Torchlight Parade is this weekend, Saturday, July 26, in a totally new location and time period. Returning to its 1950 evening roots, the parade start time will be at 7:30 p.m. The annual parade is also moving from 4th Street in downtown Seattle to the thoroughly remodeled waterfront.

The new parade route is set to start at Pier 70 on Alaskan Way and move south to Yesler Way, finishing near 10:30 p.m.

Officially named the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade, the parade is scheduled to have many of the favorites, including marching bands, colorful floats, performances, and more, including, of course, the Seafair Pirates.

Prior to the parade will be the Torchlight Run that will proceed along the parade route starting at 6 p.m.

Earlier in the day, the Bite of Seattle will be at the Seattle Center, featuring over 300 food and retail vendors, wine and beer gardens, musical performers, and more.

Weather for Seafair Torchlight Parade

The weather forecast for all these downtown Seattle festivities on Saturday can simply be put as comfortable. Some morning marine clouds are expected to give way to sunshine and mild temperatures. Highs along with the waterfront will be in the lower 70s with a light evening northwest wind coming off Elliott Bay.

Temperatures during the parade time period of 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. will ease down into the 60s. So a light jacket or sweater may be handy, along with sunglasses and a hat, until the sun sets over the Olympics just prior to 9 p.m.

Seafair Torchlight Parade kicks off Seafair week

The Seafair Torchlight Parade helps kick off all the remaining Seafair activities the following week. Seafair Fleet Week begins on July 29 along Seattle’s waterfront, which will include tours of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels. The Navy’s Blue Angels also arrive early in the week, landing at Boeing Field.

Seattle’s Summer Festival – Seafair – finishes with the Lake Washington hydroplane races and airshows on Friday, August 1, through Sunday, August 3. For all the details about Seafair and ticket information, visit Seafair’s website.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky. Read more of his stories here.

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