Today, Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Arts & Music Festival along with non-profit Third Stone and other community partners, announces its highly anticipated return to the Seattle Center this Labor Day weekend, September 2 – 3, 2023. This year’s event marks the festival’s 50th anniversary, cementing its legacy as one of the oldest recurring festivals in the United States. This year will see curator and producer New Rising Sun bring their expertise in immersive programming to the festival –  an experience that amplifies the art, music, food, technology and culture that permeates the region. “We are thrilled to be back and leading with an arts program that reflects the founding principles of Bumbershoot,” says Steven Severin, co-president & Director of Music Programming.  “We heard from our community and took action – fulfilling our promise of affordability and inclusivity. When re-imagining our festival for this return, we examined everything through an arts lens and expanded upon what art is and can be. We look forward to sharing our vision this Labor Day weekend.” 

To celebrate its golden anniversary, Bumbershoot has teamed up with Amazon to announce a special early bird $50 single day and $85 two-day general admission ticket, 50% lower than when the event was last held in 2019, and creating an opportunity for more of the Pacific Northwest community to enjoy the festival by turning back the clock significantly on ticket prices. Together with Third Stone, Amazon is also supporting the distribution of 5,000 free tickets directly to nonprofits and communities that have been underserved. “The Bumbershoot Festival is a legendary cultural institution in the Pacific Northwest, and we’re proud to support its 50th anniversary as the festival returns to its roots, creating an inclusive celebration of Seattle’s artist community,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon Senior Vice President and long-time Bumbershoot fan. “As ticket prices steadily climb for concerts and events around the globe, we’re excited to support reduced and free ticket prices, creating opportunity for more of our community to enjoy the diversity of Seattle’s creative ecosystem, participate in Bumbershoot’s exciting education programs, and immerse themselves in the arts.”

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, February 24 at 10:00 AM PT via bumbershoot.com. Fans are encouraged to purchase in advance as these tickets will sell quickly.

Bumbershoot today reveals a sneak peek of its multi-disciplinary lineup, leading with its eclectic and visionary arts program which marks a momentous return to the festival’s original mission to gather the community with art and education at the center. “The long-awaited return of Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival will bring new energy and inspiration to Seattle, showcasing the creativity that helped put our city on the map,” says Mayor Bruce Harrell. “As we activate and revitalize our downtown, I’m particularly excited about the next generation of artists, who will use this space at our cultural heart of Seattle Center to showcase their craft. Beyond a set of fantastic shows, Bumbershoot is a critical opportunity to grow our city’s creative economy and embrace our One Seattle vision — bringing communities together through shared experiences.” Marshall Foster, Seattle Center’s Interim Director, adds: “From its inception, Bumbershoot has been an expression of our values at Seattle Center – bringing community together through music, arts and the one-of-a-kind culture that is Seattle.” 

New Rising Sun principal, artist, and producer Greg Lundgren leads a curatorial team presenting an array of creative visual offerings and mediums. A highlight of Bumbershoot’s 2023 arts programming is Out Of Sight, a large-scale group exhibition in Fisher Pavilion and throughout Seattle Center. The group show represents an annual survey of contemporary visual arts from throughout the Pacific Northwest that will blend commercial and non-commercial art and showcase artists assembled by a team of regional curators. The Art Not Terminal will house the Bumbershoot  50th Anniversary Retrospective: a visual and atmospheric reflection on Bumbershoot’s half century of history as told through crowd-sourced photography, posters and memorabilia. Bumbershoot asks the public to participate in the retrospective and share their documentation of the festival to help compile a colorful and celebrated audience-driven portrait.  

Additional creative zones will include: A Fashion District, focused on the Pacific Northwest’s design community with creators working in beauty, apparel and body art such as regional fashion designers Fuchsia Lin and Janelle Abbott, a Nail Art Dome curated by Peka Grayson, runway programs by Laura Cassidy, Nahaan, Mona Real and Ellie Fein, plus Burleskaraoke curated by Ruby Mimosa. The Recess District will redefine the word “play” and blur the lines between performer and performance featuring SOS Professional Wrestling and Roll Around Seatown plus agility performances and more. Some additional offerings include a large-scale sculpture from renowned local artist Wolf Deluxe, and a witch temple curated by Ylva Mara Radziszewski and Kiki Robinson of The Living Altar, featuring tarot, past-life, astrology and palmist readings. The AERO Space and Ascendance Studios will curate a pole dancing program that breaks stereotypes and celebrates pole dancers from throughout the region and prepare to be amazed by BEYOND, the art and technology program curated by Sandy Cioffi and Gretchen Burger of Fearless.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for exciting announcements in the upcoming months, which include large-scale installations, culinary arts, and a comprehensive music lineup. 

Please visit www.Bumbershoot.com for more information. 

Ticket Pricing 

$50 early bird 50th Anniversary GA single day ticket made possible by Amazon

$85 early bird 50th Anniversary GA two day ticket made possible by Amazon
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$65 Tier 2 GA single day ticket

$110 Tier 2 GA two day ticket
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$85 Tier 3 GA single day ticket

$130 Tier 3 GA two day ticket