The view of downtown from Gas Works Park. Photo credit: SDOT Flickr. The first half of September this year is huge for music, arts, food, and sports! With so much happening around the city, take this as your guide to getting around Seattle with construction, road closures, and end-of-summer events.
At-a-Glance: Click on the links below to read more!
- September 1–3:
- September 9 & 10: Seattle Slam basketball tournament in downtown Seattle
- September 14: Beyoncé Concert at Lumen Field
- September 16 & 17: Pickleball For All in downtown Seattle
- September 2–17: Home sports games
- Known construction
- September 1–17: Sound Transit delays
- September 8–10 & 15–18: WSDOT I-5 ramp/bridge closures in SODO
Top Events
September 1: Waterfront Block Party
Returning for the third year, the Waterfront Block Party will take place on September 1 from 1 PM to 8 PM at key locations around Olympic Sculpture Park, Pier 62, and Occidental Park! This celebration is free for all and offers live music, dance performances, food, family-friendly crafts, and a parade. You can view a full map of event activities and performances here.
If you can, skip driving to the event, save yourself the stress and cost of parking, and let the free Waterfront Shuttle transport you between events! With stops between the Seattle Center and King St station, it is the easiest way other than walking or rolling to get between the different Block Party locations.
If you’re traveling through the area, slow down and watch for pedestrians moving between event locations, as well as parade-related detours along the Central Waterfront.
September 2 & 3: Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival at Seattle Center
The 50th anniversary of Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Arts & Music Festival is happening September 2– 3 at Seattle Center! With an extensive music, arts, and culinary lineup, this milestone event will be big, so plan ahead whether you’re attending the festival or just traveling through the area.
The Seattle Center is easily accessible by transit with King County Metro buses. The monorail, easily accessible from Westlake Station, will also take you right there.
If you’re traveling on the streets around Seattle Center, slow down and watch out for festival crowds traveling to and from the event.
September 9 & 10: Youth 3×3 Basketball Tournament
Come out to play and support Seattle’s youth! The Seattle Slam 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament – a special Seattle Downtown Activation event – will take place September 9 and 10. This event is free and open to teams of 3 or 4 players between the ages of 8 and 13. Registration is still open, so sign up for free giveaways and the opportunity to meet Northwest basketball legends!
The event is taking place downtown at 551 Denny Way. It will close part of 5th Ave between Denny Way and Wall St, as well as a portion of Vine St between 4th Ave and Denny Way (see event map above). Free parking is available in Amazon Buildings nearby but may be limited. Expect some travel delays and bus detours, as well as many children and other attendees in the area. If you must drive, slow down and watch for pedestrians.
If you’re participating in or attending the event, consider getting to and from the area by light rail, streetcar, or bus. Remember, all youth 18 years and younger can ride transit for free!
You can read more about the tournament on Seattle Parks and Recreation’s blog.
September 14: Beyoncé Concert at Lumen Field
In major concert news, Beyoncé is performing at Lumen Field on Thursday, September 14. Whether you’re going to the concert or just plan on driving through the area by the stadium, you should expect concert-related traffic and travel delays in SODO and Pioneer Square on Thursday night with large crowds walking, biking, and scooting through the Stadium District.
Headed to the concert? Skip the headache of driving and parking by choosing another way to travel! There are plenty of options other than driving to get to Lumen Field:
- Save money and avoid the challenges of parking and traffic by taking transit to the concert. Seattle has an amazing public transit system designed to get you around downtown and the stadiums quickly.
- Click here to learn more about all the great ways to get around Seattle and to Lumen Field.
- Find a park and ride location near you for Sound Transit, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit.
- Ride a bike or scooter! Find your preferred route to and from the event with our online Bike Web Map.
- Don’t own a bike or a scooter? No problem! Sign up for a bike or scooter share to get around Seattle on two wheels.
- We’ve been working to make it easier and more enjoyable to bike and scoot through the downtown area and along the central Waterfront, a great way to get to the stadiums. As part of larger, ongoing efforts, we’ve been cleaning bike lanes throughout the downtown area and repairing road damage such as potholes on streets, including any damage to bike lanes.
Remember, all youth 18 years and younger can ride transit for free!
If you must drive, give yourself plenty of extra time, drive slowly and safely, and be on the lookout for people walking, rolling, and biking. Check the Seattle Travelers Map or follow @SDOTTraffic on Twitter before you leave for the latest updates and road detours.
September 16 & 17: Pickleball for All
The first-of-its-kind Pickleball For All clinic and competition is happening September 16 and 17! Seattle Parks and Recreation is partnering with the Seattle Parks Foundation to offer this free community event with provided rackets and balls! All ages and abilities are welcome. Register for games and free coaching from Seattle Metro Pickleball Association, then stick around for a lineup of food trucks and music.
This City of Seattle Downtown Activation Event will take place on ten temporary courts at the intersection of 5th Ave and Vine St. There will be wheelchair-accessible courts and anyone is welcome to show up for drop-in play.
Learn more about the event schedule and registration here.
Expect event-related road closures along 5th Ave and Vine St. If you’re participating in or attending the event, consider getting to and from the area by light rail, streetcar, or bus. Remember, all youth 18 years and younger can ride transit for free!
If you’re traveling through the area, expect some travel delays and bus detours, as well as many children and other attendees in the area. If you must drive, slow down and watch for pedestrians.
Seattle Sports Home Games
- September 2: Sounders, 7:30 PM (Lumen Field)
- September 3: Ol Reign, 3:00 PM (Lumen Field)
- September 6: Ol Reign, 7:00 PM (Lumen Field)
- September 10: Seattle Storm, 12:00 PM (Climate Pledge Arena)
- September 11: Mariners, 6:40 PM (T-Mobile Park)
- September 12: Mariners, 6:40 PM (T-Mobile Park)
- September 13: Mariners, 1:10 PM (T-Mobile Park)
- September 15: Mariners, 7:10 PM (T-Mobile Park)
- September 16: Mariners, 6:40 PM (T-Mobile Park)
- September 17: Mariners, 1:10 PM (T-Mobile Park
Travelers around the stadium district and Climate Pledge should plan for delays before and after games. If you plan to go to a game, please consider taking transit, as the stadiums are served by light rail (Stadium Station) and by a variety of bus routes.
Known Construction
Now through September 17: Sound Transit light rail delays
Sound Transit platform work at Othello and Rainier Beach Stations will continue through at least September 17, causing delays. Trains are expected to run every 15 minutes during this work, so riders should allow a little extra time when planning on taking the light rail.
September 8-18: I-5 Ramp Closures in SODO
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will be starting their I-5 ramp/ bridge repairs in SODO on September 8.
- From September 8–10, the I-5 east-south ramp will be closed from 10 PM Friday to 8 AM Sunday.
- From September 15–18, the Albro bridge over I-5 will be closed in two stages. The westbound closure will occur between 10 PM Friday to 1 AM Sunday. The eastbound closure will occur between 3 AM Sunday and 5 AM Monday.
To view other upcoming construction and planned activities that may impact travel in Seattle, visit our Upcoming Construction & Events page which is updated weekly.
Know before you go
Want to choose the best mode of transportation for you? Get real-time traffic information with these resources: