Where to see the Blue Angels for free Seafair Weekend 2022 (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

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. 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).

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Blue Angels Navy Jets over Lake Washington Seattle photo by Max Pixel (CC0)

Blue Angels Seafair show schedule

As of 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.

2024 Schedule of Blue Angel performances (Subject to change)

The Boeing Air Show runs August 2-4, 2024. U.S. Navy Blue Angels | Show Information lists show days as August 3-4, 2024. 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 with Blue Angels performance at the Boeing Air Show Friday-Sunday.

(Unconfirmed/Practice Schedule) Typically Thursday: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and/or 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
Friday: 3:35 PM, per Boeing Seafair Air Show schedule
Saturday: 3:35PM, per Boeing Seafair Air Show schedule
Sunday: 3:35 PM, per Boeing Seafair Air Show schedule
More info: Boeing Seafair Air Show – 2024 Schedule & Tickets — Seafair

I-90 closure status changed in 2019

In 2019, a new flight path allows the Blue Angels to soar over the Seattle area during the Seafair Air Show without closing the Interstate-90 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. Until the flight path change in 2019, I-90 was closed to traffic during Blue Angels flight times.

Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclist are reminded that the I-90 bridge across Lake Washington may not be used for stopping and viewing the Blue Angels.

With traffic flowing normally on I-90 during the air show, 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, the I-90 bridge 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. Use caution if cycling through the area.
The SR 520 floating bridge remains open to traffic and tolls are collected as usual.

Seafair 2010 Boeing Air Show acrobatic plane Photo by Carole Cancler

Places to watch the Blue Angels for free

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.

Note: There is FREE FRIDAY admission to Seafair. Last time we checked, the Boeing Air Show schedule lists a Blue Angels performance at 3:30PM. More info: 2023 Boeing Seafair Airshow — Seafair

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 for walk-up only—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 for walk-up only—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 for official business during Seafair)

Other possible 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 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
Seahawks VMAC is NOT open as a viewing spot, though is sometimes 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. Purchase advance ticket online. Tickets: $22.
Downtown Seattle: Sky View Observatory, Columbia Center, 700 4th Ave, Floor 73, Seattle WA 98104. 902 feet, 360 degrees views. Purchase advance ticket online. Tickets: $30 “Classic Access”; discount for WA residents.
Downtown Seattle: Space Needle Observation Deck, 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109. 520 feet, 360 degrees views. Tickets: $42.50.
South of downtown Seattle: Museum of Flight (MOF) is an official partner of the Boeing Seafair Air Show and the Blue Angels’ headquarters during Seafair Weekend. Jet Blast Bash is MOF’s annual Seafair weekend outdoor festival-by-the-flight-line. Enjoy fast planes, music, food, and a beer garden with the closest seats in Seattle to the thunder of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ takeoffs and landings. Jet Blast Bash activities are included with Museum admission. Parking is offsite. Museum admission: Adults $26, Senior (65+) $22, Youth (5-17) $18, Child (0-4) and MOF Members are FREE. More info: Hours & Admission (museumofflight.org)

U.S. Navy Blue Angels on the runway at Seattle Museum of Flight By U.S. Navy photo by Mate 2nd Class Eli J. Medellin. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

U.S. Navy Blue Angels on the runway at Seattle Museum of Flight U.S. Navy photo by Mate 2nd Class Eli J. Medellin. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. This file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights.

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