Seafair, Seattle’s signature celebration of community and maritime culture, and ExplorePNW on Monday announced the launch of Seafair Winter by the Water, a new waterfront festival presented by the Downtown Seattle Association.
The event marks Seafair’s first major expansion beyond its traditional summer season. Winter by the Water invites residents and visitors to rediscover Seattle’s waterfront as a year-round destination combining exploration, entertainment, and local flavor in a celebration of winter in the Pacific Northwest.
“Seattle winters are full of life, coziness, and connection, and we want to celebrate that,” said Emily Cantrell, President and CEO of Seafair. “Winter by the Water flips Seattle’s no umbrella reputation on its head and invites everyone to embrace our city’s rain-soaked magic together. It’s about community, color, and joy, even in the gray.”
Participants will journey along the waterfront, collecting stamps in a Seafair Winter Passport at iconic stops that feature food, music, and experiences. Along the waterfront route, attendees can sport a Seafair + ExplorePNW umbrella, or bring their own, to transform the promenade into a moving “Umbrella Parade.” The route concludes at Pier 66, where a live concert will serve as the festival’s finale.
Seafair is producing its first-ever winter festival in partnership with ExplorePNW, a digital media publication and content platform owned by Formidable Media, that is focused on encouraging people to get out and explore the Pacific Northwest.
“Seattle’s beauty doesn’t fade when the skies turn gray — it transforms,” said Emily Parkhurst, Founder & CEO of Formidable Media and owner of ExplorePNW. “Through Winter by the Water, we’re inviting people to experience the waterfront in a whole new light. It’s about celebrating the spirit of the Pacific Northwest — creative, connected, and unafraid of a little rain.”
Anthony’s at Pier 66 is proud to be one of the sponsors of this new waterfront event for the Seattle community. “The waterfront is such an important part of Seattle’s identity,” said Amy Burns, CEO of Anthony’s Restaurants. “We’re excited for an event that brings people back together to enjoy the flavors and traditions that make this place special. We hope to see everyone there."
Anthony’s at Pier 66 will host events as part of the Winter by the Water festival. Photo courtesy Anthony’s Restaurants
Winter by the Water is designed to reflect Seafair’s mission to create inclusive, community driven experiences across the region. By blending the familiar energy of Seafair with the cozy vibrancy of Seattle’s winter culture, the organization aims to make this event an annual tradition.
Event Details:
What: Seafair Winter by the Water
When: February 21, 2026 [event times to be announced in January 2026]
Where: Seattle Waterfront
Activities: Passport adventure, live music, food and beverage stops, Umbrella Parade, and Pier 66 concert celebration
Admission: Free and paid experiences
About Seafair: Founded in 1950, Seafair is one of Seattle’s most beloved nonprofits, attracting nearly two million participants each summer to events including the 4th of July Celebration, Boeing Seafair Air Show, Apollo Mechanical Cup Hydroplane Races, and the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade. Seafair is extending its mission to create memorable, inclusive experiences that connect the region’s people, culture, and waterfront all year long.
About ExplorePNW: ExplorePNW is a product of Formidable Media, a Seattle-based digital media company that produces content and events to engage, entertain and excite audiences across the region and beyond. The ExplorePNW publication is produced in partnership with Anthony’s Restaurants, Gourmondo Co., HarborFoodservice and Columbia Hospitality.
For more information, visit seafair.org or @SeafairFestival on social media, and explorepnw.net and @the.explorepnw on social media.