Best Places to See the Blue Angels in Seattle

The Boeing Air Show during Seattle Seafair Weekend is a must see for all families and thrill seekers. For many across the Pacific Northwest, summer and Seafair reach their pinnacle as the pilots behind the yokes of the "Blue" Boeing F/A-18 Hornets make their thunderous and spectacular appearance over the skies of Seattle.

Elsewhere on our website, find more information about Seafair history and events.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels amaze the Seafair audience with their knife-edge passes and dynamic maneuvers directly overhead boaters on Lake Washington. The F/A-18 can reach speeds just under Mach 2 (almost twice the speed of sound or about 1,400 MPH).

Love our cheap ideas? Get our FREE email newsletters.
Choose from daily, weekly, and monthly lists:

Click here to subscribe

Blue Angels Seafair show schedule

In 2019, the Blue Angels flight area over Lake Washington shifted a bit south, so the I-90 Bridge and Seward Park remain open to vehicle traffic and closed to pedestrians for viewing.

Schedule of Blue Angel performances (Subject to change)

The 2021 Blue Angels schedule lists performance days as August 7-8, 2021. They usually arrive in Seattle by Wednesday and can be seen in the skies prior to the weekend. A practice show over Lake Washington usually occurs on Thursday and a full show on Friday. We'll keep an eye on the Seafair page and update the schedule as August approaches

Thursday: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Blue Angels practice
Thursday: 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Blue Angels practice
Friday: 3:00-4:00 pm, Boeing Seafair Air Show – Blue Angels Performance
Saturday: 3:00-4:00 pm, Boeing Seafair Air Show – Blue Angels Performance
Sunday: 3:00-4:00 pm, Boeing Seafair Air Show – Blue Angels Performance

No I-90 closure

A new flight path established in 2019 will allow the Blue Angels to soar over the Seattle area during the Seafair Air Show without closing the Interstate 90 floating bridge to vehicle traffic.

The FAA requires a safety zone around and below the area where the Blue Angels practice and perform. These horizontal and vertical restrictions are in place to protect the public, property and pilots. This zone, also called "the box," covered part of Lake Washington and the floating bridges – hence the closure. The new flight path has changed the location of "the box," eliminating the need for the I-90 bridge closures.

With traffic flowing normally on I-90 this year, Washington State Patrol will be conducting speed and distracted driving enforcement. Remember: it is illegal to park your vehicle in a lane or on the shoulder unless for an emergency.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to access the bridge's pathway for the duration of the flights. However, it may not be used for stopping and viewing the Blue Angels. The path is a heavily used route for commuters and should be viewed similarly to a roadway. Please use caution if cycling through the area.

The SR 520 floating bridge will remain open to traffic and tolls will be collected as usual.

More info: https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/event-closures/seafair-blue-angels

Seafair 2010 Boeing Air Show acrobatic plane Photo by Carole Cancler

Places to watch the Blue Angels for free

Note: There is FREE FRIDAY admission to Seafair; however it is unclear for 2021 whether the Blue Angels will perform that day–however, we will be able to confirm as the day approaches.

The Blue Angels usually arrive in Seattle Tuesday or Wednesday, as evidenced by fly-bys over Puget Sound. (You usually hear them before you see them. They typically perform a practice show over Lake Washington on Thursday and perform the full air show on Friday during the Seafair Weekend Festival.

The parks listed below are good vantage points for watching the show during shows over Lake Washington.

Parks along Lake Washington with good viewpoints, from north of the Seafair boundary at S Massachusetts St, or south of the Seafair entrance at 49th Ave S and Lk Wash Blvd S

Mt Baker Ridge Viewpoint, 1403 31st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 (map)
Mount Baker Park Bathing Beach, 2521 Lake Park Dr. S, Seattle, WA 98144 (map). (Note that this option is available only to walk to–no parking–as there is a fenced boundary north of Colman Park at S. Massachusetts Street, though the Seafair entrance is south of Mt. Baker Beach)
East Portal Viewpoint, 1400 Lake Washington Blvd. S (map)
Day Street Boat Ramp, 1402 Lakeside Ave. S (map)
Colman Park, 1800 Lake Washington Blvd. S (map). (Note that this option is available only to walk to–no parking–as there is a fenced boundary north of Colman Park at S. Massachusetts Street, though the Seafair entrance is south of Mt. Baker Beach)
Seward Park, 5895 Lake Washington Blvd. S (map)
Pritchard Island Beach, 8400 55th Ave. S (map)

Parks on Mercer Island with good viewpoints

Aubrey Davis Park (formerly Lid Park), 2030 72ND AVE SE, Mercer Island, Washington 98040 (map)
Groveland Beach Park, 7740 SE 58TH ST, Mercer Island (map)
~~Slater Park, 2835 60TH AVE SE, Mercer Island~~ (this option is no longer available as the park is closed to the public and used for official business during Seafair)

Other free viewing points around Seattle:

Many people ask whether you can see the Blue Angels from downtown Seattle. The answer is, it depends. You need someplace high with a fairly wide view of the sky. Here are some general recommendations. We have not personally checked these, but the views from these public parks is stunning, without or without jets flying about. You might make a summer project out of it (where will we watch the Blue Angels?) by visiting these locations earlier in the summer. Go during lunch, pack a picnic and bring a camera. You can also wait until Seafair weekend, and plan to visit a different spot each day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Beacon Hill: Twelfth Avenue South Viewpoint, 2821 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Beacon Hill: Jefferson Park, 3801 Beacon Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98108. Go to the north end by the skate park.
West Seattle: Hamilton Viewpoint Park, 1120 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
West Seattle: Don Armeni Boat Ramp, 1222 Harbor Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
West Seattle: Seacrest Park (aka Luna Park), 1660 Harbor Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126
West Seattle: Belvedere Park (aka Admiral Viewpoint), 3600 SW Admiral Wy., Seattle, WA 98126
West Seattle: Jack Block Park, 2310 Harbor Ave SW, Terminal 5, Seattle, WA 98127
West Seattle: Rotary Viewpoint, 4622 35th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126
Capitol Hill: Volunteer Park water tower, 1247 15th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98112 (view is obstructed by metal grate and trees, so not the best, and the rest of the park is relaxing and fun)
Capitol Hill: (Louisa) Boren Park, 1606 15th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98112
First Hill: Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122. The adjacent Yesler Terrace Park is still under construction. But the views south from the patio of the center are stunning.
Queen Anne Hill: Kerry Park (Franklin Place), 211 W Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98119
Note: The Seahawks VMAC is NOT open as a viewing spot, though sometimes it is falsely reported, especially on social media. If you go there, you will be turned away.

Possible paid viewpoints:

Downtown Seattle: Smith Tower Observatory, 506 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98104. 35th floor, 360 degrees views. Tickets: $12 with valid Washington State ID, otherwise $19.
Downtown Seattle: Sky View Observatory, Columbia Center, 700 4th Ave, Floor 73, Seattle WA 98104. 902 feet, 360 degrees views. Tickets: $22.
Downtown Seattle: Space Needle Observation Deck, 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109. 520 feet, 360 degrees views. Tickets: $29.
South of downtown Seattle: Museum of Flight (MOF) is the Blue Angels' headquarters and Seafair's Boeing Air Show aircraft. Jet Blast Bash is at the launch pad for most of these spectacular performers. The Museum of Flight's annual Seafair weekend outdoor festival-by-the-flightline. Fast planes, fast cars, music, food and beer with the closest seats in Seattle to the ceremony and thunder of the Blue Angels' takeoffs and landings. Free offsite parking and free shuttle. METRO Bus #124 makes a stop directly in front of the Museum. Free with museum admission: Adults $25, Senior (65+), Youth (5-17) $16, Child (0-4) free. Discounted tickets are available to active military & veterans, Boeing employees, AAA members

Get more information about Seafair history and events.

Love our cheap ideas? Get our FREE email newsletters. Choose from daily, weekly, and monthly lists. Click here to subscribe.

Upcoming Seafair Events in the Puget Sound region

(If nothing is listed below, there are no upcoming Seafair Events in our calendar. We usually update our calendar beginning in April or May. Most Seafair events occur June-August with a few promotional and fundraising events at other times of the year.)

Friday, July 8, 2022

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Friday, July 15, 2022

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Friday, July 22, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Saturday, July 30, 2022

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Monday, August 1, 2022

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Friday, August 5, 2022

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Sunday, August 7, 2022

But wait! There's more…

Seattle Seafair history: 1950 to present day
Seafair signature events and community festivals
Tickets and information for Seafair Weekend
Find more Cultural heritage festivals in the Puget Sound region.
More festivals of all kinds on our big list of annual festivals, fairs, and parades.
More free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page.

Love our cheap ideas? Get our FREE email newsletters. Choose from daily, weekly, and monthly lists. Click here to subscribe.

Blue Angels performance over Lake Washington at 2008 Seafair Boeing Air Show photo by Carole Cancler

Where to see the Blue Angels for free Seafair Weekend 2022

August 5, 2022

-August 7, 2022