Bumbershoot is held on the campus of Seattle Center, a 74-acre park located in the lower Queen Anne neighborhood, at the north end of downtown. The park was chosen as the site for the 1962 World’s Fair and was featured in the film, “It Happened at the World’s Fair,” starring Elvis Presley.
Where can I park?
Seattle Center is surrounded by a generous amount of public and private parking. However, due to the popularity of the Festival, parking can sometimes be difficult to find, especially in the afternoons. A few tips:
- Consider using public transportation or coming on foot or bike to Bumbershoot—no parking to worry about
- Carpool to Seattle Center’s official parking lots—offering discounted carpool parking to Festival-goers
- Find a buddy to carpool on King County Metro’s Event Match.
- Allow yourself plenty of time to find parking
- Some of the pay lots are “cash only” and some are unattended, so come prepared with cash in all bill sizes
- Please be considerate of the folks who live in the neighborhood surrounding the Seattle Center—obey posted parking rules, don’t block driveways, and drive slowly on residential streets
- Visit the Seattle Center website for more information on parking options
Driving to Bumbershoot? Offset your transportation with a $3 carbon offset from Green Mountain Energy Company.
How can I get there by public transportation?
Let Metro do the driving! Hop the Bumbershoot Shuttle at the Northgate Transit Center, and get dropped off at the Festival — no hassle. Shuttles leave every 20 minutes starting at Northgate at 10:00 AM and Seattle Center at 10:32 AM. Last return (northbound) trip leaves Seattle Center from Mercer Street at 11:32 PM each day. The fare is $2.50 each direction. Exact fare required, and transfers, bus passes and ORCA cards are not accepted. Kids 5 and under ride free!
King County Metro offers many regular routes that run to and from the Seattle Center and surrounding areas. Please see the Metro trip planner for routes that service the Seattle Center. Please remember the Sunday schedule (reduced service) will be in effect on both Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5, due to the holiday.
Ride the Monorail! The Monorail runs daily every 10 minutes between Westlake Center and Seattle Center. Festival extended operating hours are 9 AM to 11:30 PM Saturday – Monday. For more information visit the Monorail website.
Is there a place to store my bike?
Bumbershoot is located within biking distance from many of Seattle’s great neighborhoods. Bumbershoot’s bike parking is located on 5th Avenue and Thomas Street between EMP and the Space Needle. Bicycle parking is free and highly encouraged. Don’t forget to bring a bike lock!