Where to watch Seattle fireworks and the Lake Union show change
Seattle fireworks on Saturday, July 4, 2026, explode over Lake Union starting around 10:20 p.m. during Seafair's dual-park celebration. The headline change: Gas Works Park now requires free advance tickets, while Lake Union Park stays open without them. FOX 13 Seattle will broadcast the show live as Seafair's new official TV partner.
America's 250th birthday gives this year's Seafair Fourth of July extra significance across the Puget Sound. Organizers expect roughly 45,000 spectators between Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park for a choreographed, music-timed display—the region's marquee Seattle fireworks event.
Key Takeaways
- Seafair's Lake Union fireworks run July 4, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the show near 10:20 p.m.
- Gas Works Park requires a free online ticket; Lake Union Park does not.
- FOX 13 Seattle is Seafair's new official broadcast partner and will air the show live.
- Reserved seating is available at both parks, plus a 21+ fireworks cruise on Lake Union.
- Other Western Washington displays include Bellevue, Everett, Kent, and Kenmore.
What Is the Big Change to the Lake Union Fireworks Show?
For the first time, Gas Works Park is gated and requires a free general-admission ticket booked in advance at seafair.org. Admission remains free, but entry is capped and first-come, first-served—tickets do not guarantee a spot if the park fills.
Lake Union Park, on the south shore, stays ungated and open to the public without a ticket. That split is the major shift for this year's show, according to The Seattle Times.
Another first: FOX 13 Seattle becomes Seafair's official broadcast partner, televising and streaming the fireworks plus the Torchlight Parade and Seafair Air Show later this summer. The station partnership effectively brings the Lake Union spectacle to living rooms across the region.
Where Can You Watch Seattle Fireworks in Person?
Gates at both parks open at 3 p.m. Free-ticket holders at Gas Works Park (2101 N. Northlake Way) must enter by 8 p.m. Premium reserved seating at either park extends Gas Works entry until 10 p.m.
Lake Union Park (860 Terry Ave. N.) offers flat, paved surfaces and dedicated ADA seating—organizers recommend it over Gas Works for guests with mobility needs. You can also catch the display from South Lake Union and other waterfront spots around the lake.
Daytime programming includes All-American games, live music, food vendors, and beer gardens. Seafair also offers a 21+ Fireworks Cruise aboard the Trek Ferry with a DJ, private bar, and Jack's BBQ catering.
How Can You Watch Seattle Fireworks on TV?
If you skip the crowds, tune in to FOX 13 Seattle for live coverage of the Seafair Fourth of July fireworks. The station's new partnership covers all three signature Seafair events this summer, from the holiday display through August's air show.
Live broadcast access matters for families who cannot reach the lake by the 8 p.m. Gas Works cutoff. For more on how major events reach audiences through new distribution deals, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.
Where Else Can You See Fireworks in Western Washington?
Beyond Seattle, KIRO 7 lists celebrations across the region on July 4. Bellevue Family 4th launches fireworks at 10:05 p.m. Everett's Thunder on the Bay fires at 10:30 p.m. from four free viewing sites after an 11 a.m. downtown parade.
Closer options include Kenmore's Log Boom Park and Kent's Fourth of July Splash, both at 10 p.m., plus Issaquah's Lake Sammamish show and Snoqualmie's Red, White and Boom at 9:45 p.m. Marysville and Arlington also host evening displays at 10 p.m.