Photo courtesy of Seafair. 
This Thursday is the 4th of July, which means busy streets, busy sidewalks, and busy bodies. We want you to enjoy the holiday, so we’ve put together this guide to help you plan ahead and avoid traffic. No one wants to watch the fireworks through a line of bumper to bumper traffic – we’re here to help!
What moves you this upcoming 4th of July weekend? Below are some Independence Day events in Seattle!
Looking over I-5 from the Seattle Municipal Tower.
West Seattle 4th of July Children’s Parade
Photo courtesy of FIT4MOM West Seattle.
The Annual West Seattle 4th of July Children’s Parade will take place on Thursday. Estimated attendance: 1,000.
The parade will start at 10 AM on the corner of 44th & Sunset Ave SW and proceed to Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
Take King County Metro bus route 128 to this parade!
Seafair Summer Fourth
Photo courtesy of Seafair.
The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Seafair 4th of July Celebration includes a 20-minute fireworks show over Lake Union. Estimated attendance: 40,000.
The celebration is at both Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park, from noon to 11 PM, with fireworks starting at 10:15 PM.
Take King County Metro bus routes 32, 40, or 62 to Seafair!
Seattle Mariners vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Photo courtesy of T-Mobile.
Our Seattle Mariners play the St. Louis Cardinals on July 4. Estimate attendance: 20,000.
The game is at T-Mobile Park and begins at 1:10 PM.
Take Link light rail or check summer and holiday routes for King County Metro buses!
Art Marble 21 4th of July Block Party
Photo courtesy of Art Marble 21.
The Art Marble 21 4th of July Block Party will have drinks, games, food, and entertainment. Estimated attendance: 300.
The block party is at Westlake Ave N from 2 PM to 10 PM.
Take King County Metro bus routes 40, 62, RapidRide C Line, or the South Lake Union Streetcar!
Concerts at the Locks
Photo courtesy of MyBallard.
Hear the Seattle Civic Band perform as part of an ongoing summer concert series at the Ballard Locks.
The concert is at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard and starts at 2 PM.
Ride King County Metro bus routes 40 or 44 to the concert!
Check to see if your bus is being rerouted.
The following routes will be affected by 4th of July events: 40, 75, 128, 166, 180, 226, 234, 235, 238, 255,271, F-Line, 522, 550. Check King County Metro for alerts and updates.
Feeling a bit deterred by those event attendance estimates?
Get away from the crowds and enjoy a little breathing room. Check out our list of 12 Parks with Transit Options to Enjoy the Great Outdoors! And plan ahead for crowded hikes this weekend by taking Trailhead Direct, which allows you to take transit to popular hiking destinations along the I-90 corridor.
Remember to not drive impaired this holiday weekend.
Have a plan in place for getting home, such as having a designated driver, using Uber or Lyft, and walking. Help us keep Seattle streets safe for all, as part of our Vision Zero goal to end all traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030.