Labor Day weekend is looking to be a lively one. Don’t miss this weekend’s events – all accessible by transit.
To get where you need to go, we suggest using some of the official trip planners ahead of time. Event- and location-specific guidance may be available for some events as well.
Bumbershoot
Seattle Center
Aug. 30-31 | All ages | 2-Day GA is $175.25, Single Day GA is $142.26
Bumbershoot, Seattle’s longest-running independent music and arts festival, is returning to Seattle Center for its 52nd year. The two-day event happening Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend will feature music acts from the popular to the niche, drag performances, a series of visual and performing arts ‘districts’, pro (?) wrestling, a cat circus, and much more.
Bremerton Blackberry Festival
Bremerton Boardwalk
Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 | All ages | Free admission
Big fan of blackberries wanting a weekend away from the big city? Visit Bremerton’s oldest festival! Grounds open and activities begin at 11 a.m. each day, and end at 8 p.m. on Saturday, 7 p.m. on Sunday, and 6 p.m. on Monday.
If traveling from Seattle, Kitsap Transit 403 pedestrian ferry is the best way to get there without a car. The 30-minute fast ferry ride launches from Seattle’s Pier 50 Terminal and docks at the Bremerton Fast Ferry Dock. Bremerton Boardwalk is only a four-minute walk from the dock. Ferry tickets can be purchased at the Pier 50 tollbooth as ORCA cards cannot be used for WSDOT-operated ferries.
Encanto Music Festival – Somos Arte
Pier 62 – Seattle, WA*
Aug. 31 | 2-8:30 p.m. | All ages | Free admission
The Encanto Music Festival will be celebrating music, culture, and community from all the Americas – Latin America, South America, and Caribbean – with seven acts featuring music throughout these regions, a dance performance, a salsa lesson, and delicious food. Admission is free and does not require a ticket.
Madaraka Festival
Pier 62 – Seattle, WA*
Aug. 30 | Noon-9:30 p.m. | All Ages | 2 for 1 GA tickets come out to $25.31 each
Madaraka Festival is celebrating 11 years of bringing people from all walks of life across Washington State together to experience African art, music, culture, and community. This weekend’s event will feature artists from over 18 countries across the African diaspora, a rotation of live performances and DJ sets, a Kids Village, and a nighttime ‘after-party’. General admission and VIP tickets are available and must be purchased in advance.
PAX West
Seattle Convention Center
Aug. 29 – Sept. 1 | All ages | Single-day badges start at $75
PAX West is swinging by the Seattle Convention Center this Labor Day weekend with hundreds of exhibitors, game demos, live celebrity interview panels, talented creators, musicians, artists, vendors, gaming influencers, competitions, tournaments, and more. Hundreds of gaming studios, from the popular to the super niche, will be present throughout the weekend.
Find the best route to the Seattle Convention Center ahead of time using the new multi-agency Sound RideGuide beta trip planner.
UW Huskies Football Game at Husky Stadium
Husky Stadium – Seattle, WA
Aug. 30 | 6 p.m. tailgate; 8 p.m. kickoff | All ages | Tickets start at $10
The Huskies kick off the 2025 college football season with a home game against the Colorado State Rams.
The University of Washington Link light rail station lets out just a few-minute walk from the stadium. Sound Transit and King County Metro run several bus lines that drop off close to the stadium. Plan your trip ahead of time using the Sound RideGuide beta trip planner.
Washington State Fair
110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98371
Aug. 29 – Sept. 21 (Closed Tuesdays, and Sept 3)
125 years later, the Washington State Fair is still going strong. Enter through the freshly renovated Gold Gates now dawning a grand, gleaming, golden “W”. Indulge in your favorite fair foods, treats, live entertainment, amusement park rides, farm animal visits, family-friendly activities, and more before the summer comes to a close.
Opening weekend of the fair (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1) grants free admission to all attendees 18 and under. On opening day only, free admission will be granted to attendees of all ages who bring a suggested donation of a non-perishable, non-expired food item between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. On military appreciation Mondays (Sept. 1, 8 and 15), admission is free for all active, reserve, and retired military and their dependents
Sounder trains will run on a special event schedule on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Saturday, Sept. 13.
Art to the People
Pier 62 – Seattle, WA*
Sept. 1 | 12-3 p.m. | All ages | Free Admission
Art to the People’s pop-up mobile art studio van is making its final summertime stop at Pier 62 on Monday, Sept 1, from 12 to 3 p.m. Join the Vivid Matter Collective for hands-on art activities and creative workshops hosted by Black and Brown artists from the Seattle area.
Guests are asked to RSVP ahead of time so there are enough supplies and treats for everyone.
*The best way to get to Pier 62 is to take Sound Transit or King County Metro to Seattle Center and hop on the Free Waterfront Shuttle from there. Find the best route to Seattle Center ahead of time using the new multi-agency Sound RideGuide beta trip planner.
The Free Waterfront Shuttle runs daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., arrives every 15-20 minutes, and has a designated stop for Pier 62. An FAQ and a live shuttle tracking are available with more information.