West Seattle gears up for Summer Fest 2025: A comprehensive guide to the Junction's biggest weekend
Tue, 07/01/2025
The West Seattle Junction Association has released its comprehensive guide for West Seattle Summer Fest 2025, promising the "biggest weekend of the year" from Thursday, July 10, through Sunday, July 13. The festival is set to transform the Junction into a vibrant hub of music, food, shopping, and family-friendly fun, with detailed schedules and activities now available for attendees.
Summer Fest Eve Kicks Off with a Locals-First Celebration
The festivities begin early with Summer Fest Eve on Thursday, July 10, from 5 PM to 8 PM, presented by Tito’s Vodka and Freight Beer. This "locals-first party" is dedicated to the West Seattle community, transforming the Junction into a summer night celebration. The streets will be closed, allowing attendees to wander, dance, and play freely.
Highlights for the evening include:
• Live music at nine locations starting at 6 PM.
• Stilt walkers roaming the streets from 6 PM to 8 PM.
• Local merchants extending their spaces with outdoor cafes and offering numerous drink, food, and shopping specials.
• Local gin and wine tastings.
• The evening also coincides with Art Walk Thursday, featuring glowing galleries and special offers from local shops, restaurants, and bars.
• Attendees can participate in a hands-on DIY bouquet workshop at John L. Scott (4445 California Ave SW) from 6 PM to 8 PM, costing $30 and including local flowers, guides, and expert tips.
Three Days of Festival Fun: Music, Vendors, and Family Activities
The main festival officially begins on Friday, July 11, from 1 PM to 11 PM, continuing through Saturday and Sunday.
Friday, July 11 – Summer Fest Day 1 (1 PM – 11 PM)
• Music on both the Main Stage and Westside Stage starting at 1 PM.
• Over 150 vendors and local shops, along with international eats in the food area.
• A beverage garden will be open all evening.
• The Kids Area offers "jumpy fun, arts & crafts, and video games".
• Main Stage Headliner: Jenn Champion, performing lush indie rock with big harmonies at 10 PM. She will close out the day with "synth-heavy indie pop and moody dancefloor beats".
• Westside Stage Performers: Student talent from WSMA/Kenyon, alt-pop charm from Rootbeer, vintage rhythm & swing from Birch Pereira & The Gin Joints, and jangly power-pop vibes from The Potholes9.
Saturday, July 12 – Summer Fest Day 2 (10 AM – 11 PM)
• Dubbed "the biggest day of the fest".
• Live music all day long, alongside the Kids Zone and Activity Booths.
• Local dance schools and the Bubble Man will be at the All-Ways intersection.
• A muralist will be painting LIVE near the Main Stage.
• The Beverage Garden opens at 11 AM, with merchants and makers spread throughout the festival6.
• Main Stage Headliner: Reignwolf, delivering "raw, electrifying rock" starting at 10 PM. Reignwolf is known for unleashing "a storm of blues-infused rock, fuzzed-out riffs, and a stage presence that’s pure fire".
• Other Main Stage Performers: Oh, Rose with emotionally charged indie rock; Fan Club bringing "bright retro-pop"; Monsterwatch with "high-octane punk energy"; The Dusty 45s with their "signature rockabilly-meets-horns explosion"; and New Constellations blending "synth-pop and soul into an ethereal set".
• Westside Stage Performers: Honky-tonk favorite Country Dave Harmonson, punk-grit with Dave Hates Chico, indie from The Everlovers, smooth jazz from the Reis & Cates Jazz Showcase, and a genre-jumping finale with asyouwish and Sour and the Krauts.
• Live Mural Painting: Local artist Cody Esp will paint a live mural on Saturday near the Main Stage and Seattle Fish, allowing attendees to watch her creative process.
Sunday, July 13 – Summer Fest Day 3 (10 AM – 5 PM)
• The final day offers a high note to end the weekend.
• Chill Sunday sets and smooth sounds on the Westside Stage all day.
• Dog-friendly fun (for pups comfortable with crowds) and family-friendly activities.
• Attendees have "one last day to soak it all in," with merchant updates and offers available.
• Westside Stage Performers: Acoustic duo Matt Benham & David Weidig, experimental alt-rock from Baby Crow Flight School, and high-energy Americana rockers Massy Ferguson.
Kids Zone and Transportation Tips
The Kids Zone is a highlight for younger attendees, featuring inflatables, games, and interactive fun for all ages14. Families can pre-order Kids Area tickets online to save time and money, with options for single-day passes or discounted family passes for two kids14.
To ease travel to the festival, attendees are encouraged to skip parking hassles and use LIME bikes, scooters, or gliders. LIME is offering 50% off rides for the first 300 riders with the code WSSF25, valid from July 10-13. For those biking, a new bike corral and extra designated bike parking have been added to accommodate personal bikes and LIME vehicles, making cycling "one of the best ways to get to West Seattle Summer Fest this year".
Beverage Options and Festival Amenities
The West Seattle Summer Fest bar will be fully stocked with a wide variety of drinks, starting at $7.
Offerings include:
• Beers: Elliott Bay Brewing’s Baja Lager, Reuben's Brews Hazalicious IPA and Czech-Style Pilsner, Georgetown Brewing’s Johnny Utah Pale Ale, Fremont Brewing’s Interurban IPA, and Freight Brewing’s American Lager.
• Ciders and Hard Agave: Seattle Cider Co.’s Honeycrisp and Fresh Peach, along with Thorntail Hard Agave’s Sea Salt Lime, Passionfruit Guava, and Pineapple Tangerine.
• Cocktails: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Strawberry Lemonade and Pursuit Spirits’ Apple Sidecar and Spiked Cold Brew.
• Wine: Darby Winery’s Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Non-Alcoholic: Fremont Brewing’s refreshing NA Orange Wit.
In response to attendee feedback, the festival has added plenty of shaded seating in key spots like the Food Court, Westside Stage area, and Beverage Garden.
To promote hydration and sustainability, four FREE filtered water stations will be available in the Food Court, at the All-Ways Intersection, inside the Kids Zone, and in the Beverage Garden1920. Attendees can bring their own bottles or purchase a limited-edition West Seattle logo insulated bottle ($30) or clear tumbler with straw ($15) to support the festival’s zero-waste program.
A Special Thanks to Sponsors
The West Seattle Junction Association extends its gratitude to the generous sponsors who make Summer Fest possible. Their investment in West Seattle helps keep the festival free, fun, and full of the magic that defines the neighborhood. While specific sponsors beyond Tito’s Vodka, Freight Beer, and John L. Scott are not individually listed in this guide, their collective support is crucial for the festival's success.
Prepare for a weekend packed with excitement as West Seattle Summer Fest 2025 promises something for everyone