Plan your boat show like your passagemaking adventure—it’s worth it!
Bruce Hedrick
Few people in the Pacific Northwest know the Seattle Boat Show better than Bruce Hedrick. Since first stepping into the show in 1968, he has either worked at or attended every single one for 50 consecutive years. When he wasn’t on the show floor, he was covering it—most notably during his 17 years as managing editor of Northwest Yachting.
Bruce understands the Seattle Boat Show from every angle. He served on the NMTA Board (producers of the show) and later as chairman, gaining a deep appreciation for what it takes to produce the West Coast’s largest boat show. His industry leadership earned him the NMTA’s Jerry C. Bryant Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the regional marine community.
With more than a half-century of boat show expertise and a lifetime on the water, Bruce is the ideal guide to offer insider perspective and practical tips for navigating the Seattle Boat Show in this inaugural issue.
The simple reason to plan your show like a multi-day cruise on your boat is that the Seattle Boat Show is huge! It is the largest boat show on the West Coast and the third largest show in North America. It only happens once a year, so planning will help you get the most out of your Show experience.
There are two locations for this epic show. The main show is at Lumen Field, home of the Seahawks, Sounders, and Reign. Here, the show takes over the North Hall (adjacent to the actual football field), the Lumen Field Event Center (the West Hall), the Concourse (where you enter the show from the 200 level of the Parking Garage), and the East Hall. The In-The-Water Show is at the Bell Harbor Marina, a short free shuttle ride from Lumen Field. To keep track of all this, take a look at the chart online or in your entrance materials.
Needless to say, a lot is going on at each location, so let’s take a look at the Seattle Boat Show 2026 by the numbers:
- Total number of square feet used by exhibitors: 235,000+ sq ft, or almost 5.5 acres. Not counting Bell Harbor.
- 264+ Exhibitors.
- 39 New Exhibitors this year.
- 163 Different Boat Brands on display.
- 144+ Free Seminars, 38 fishing and 106 boating topics.
- 36 Boat Show University Seminars, not free but worth every dollar.
- Hotel Partners if you’re coming in from out of town. For more details, visit https://SeattleBoatShow.com/hotels/.
- The Silver Cloud, right next to Lumen Field
- Embassy Suites Pioneer Square
- Courtyard Pioneer Square
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront, right next to Bell Harbor
- Live Bands at the new Seattle Boat Show After Dark, 5-9 pm on Friday Nights.
- 3,460 kids under 17 attended in 2025.
- 3,600 linear feet of red carpet used at Lumen Field Event Center. The equivalent of the Space Needle stacked on top of itself six times!
- Don’t forget, this is usually where you can find the best deals of the year on boats and equipment!
Now, the bad news:
- You only have nine show days.
- The show is only open for a total of 80 hours at Lumen Field and 57 hours at Bell Harbor.
You see why you have to plan your cruise to the big Seattle Boat Show. So, like when you go cruising, you have to decide what you want to see and do. If learning a particular skill is at the top of your list, then take a look at the seminar schedule and plan the day or days you need to be at the show. Not surprisingly, you may need to go for more than one day.
Heads up! Lumen Field has updated security screening. Everyone will pass through metal detectors and bags will be inspected. Lines may move a little more slowly at peak times, so you can help keep things moving by bringing only essential bags, like what you’d bring to a concert or sporting event.
You also need to remember that there are a handful of fraudulent ticket sellers out there. So even if you enter the URL SeattleBoatShow.com, make sure that you are getting to the actual website. The Seattle Boat Show uses only Interactive Ticketing for secure online ticket purchases for the 2026 Seattle Boat Show, and there are no Seattle Boat Show-approved or authorized resellers of online tickets.
What about parking?
Always a sticky question, however, there are a variety of good options. The easiest option at Lumen Field is the parking garage at $20.00/day. If you’re an Exhibitor, remember you can use your Seattle Boat Show Exhibitor Dashboard to buy your Parking Passes, Guest Tickets, and extra badges. All of which you can pick up when you check in for Seattle Boat Show 2026. The next closest parking venue is the T-Mobile Parking lot, about a block south of Lumen Field on Occidental. After that, you can go to SpotHero.com to find all sorts of locations.
Insider Tip: Parking at Bell Street Pier Garage is available for only $5, plus tax. Enter at 2323 Elliott Ave., Floor 5, then take the Sky Bridge to cross over Alaskan Way and turn left to walk to Bell Harbor Marina. Show your coupon from the Bell Harbor Marina box office (across the street) on your way out of the garage. NOTE: Vehicle height limit is 6’6”. You can then take the FREE Shuttle to travel between the Bell Harbor Marina Pier and the Lumen Field Event Center.
Free shuttle service runs continuously between both locations. Shuttle service is available every day at both locations, one hour before the show opens until one hour after Lumen Field Event Center closes (Bell Harbor closes earlier at 5 p.m. daily). The shuttle departs from the North Parking Lot of Lumen Field and the Conference Center adjacent to Bell Harbor Marina. Look for the white tents and signage.
Insider tip: If the weather is nice, go to Bell Harbor first. Boats won’t be crowded, and the brokers and dealers will be able to spend more time answering your questions. Also, if you are seriously interested in a vessel, call your favorite broker or dealer in advance and make a reservation to meet at the boat. They may also be able to provide you with a free Boat Show Ticket.
The other reason to go to Bell Harbor first is that on weekdays from 12-3 PM, you can get a FREE cup of hot clam chowderhowder at Anthony’s. Perfect for those cold, rainy days.
Want to learn more about particular aspects of boating or fishing? Check out the Seminars!
No one does it better than at the Seattle Boat Show. There is an excellent variety of topics with classes led by experts. Check out the entire schedule to plan ahead. What caught our eye this year was the number of topics to help take the stress out of boating. Here are some of the topics in that category: Running Your Boat with CONFIDENCE: Let’s Relax and Have Fun!; No Impact Docking: The Basics; Docking: Two People, One Line, Any Conditions, Full Control; The Skippers Mindset: A Workshop for Cruisers Who Want Less Stress & More Fun with Family & Friends; Women at the Helm: Confidence Through Competence; Couples Handling the Boat Together: Tips for Making it Work.
Nautical Northwest magazine also takes the Seattle Boat Show, Stage #1, for the first time on Sunday, February 1, at 1600 hours as part of the publication’s big launch of its inaugural issue. Get Published! The Turning Adventures and Dreams into Reality emceed by this publication’s editor-in-chief Norris Comer features panels of professional, Pacific Northwest-based marine photographers and magazine editors offerings tips both about the art and business of photography and writing. Time will be made for Q&A, where attendees are encouraged to pitch their story ideas for invaluable feedback.
Nautical Northwest magazine is proud to launch its “Best of the Northwest” writing and photography contest at the event. This annual contest will be an opportunity for aspiring writers and photographers to be published in a future issue of Nautical Northwest and win category prizes. Of course, this session is also a great time to meet the people behind the new marine magazine of the greater Pacific Northwest. You can also engaged with us at the Nautical Northwest booth (E1014) in the East Hall.
The other great part of the Seminars is the Boat Show University classes, sponsored by Boat Insurance Agency. They are longer and offer more in-depth instruction, available in person at Lumen Field Event Center during the show. These classes require a purchased ticket, available only online, and, as a bonus, include show admission.
264+ Exhibitors: Where to go first?
Just like when cruising, make a list of what you want to see, then go to the Show layout to see where these exhibitors are located. Put an X on the chart so you can plot your course around the Boat Show and minimize the time you spend wandering in the wrong direction. Remember that the Show is so big that being inside the Lumen Field complex can sometimes be a bit disorienting. Of course, if you have the multiday Big Pass, it’s fun just to wander up and down the aisles to see what’s new.
There are 39 new exhibitors this year (or exhibitors returning after a hiatus). This shows just how much confidence businesses have in the Seattle Boat Show as the perfect medium to meet customers and prepare for what should be an outstanding year for the recreational marine industry.
| Aircare International – Lafferty Ems |
| Arc Boat Company |
| Boating Beans |
| Bracewell Yachts |
| CDR Marine LLC |
| Coastal Craft Yachts |
| Costa |
| Dagmar’s Marina |
| District 16 US Power Squadrons |
| Elliott Bay Marina |
| Evercor Decking |
| Ferguson Enterprises LLC |
| Flagship Maritime LLC |
| Hurley Marine, Inc. |
| Innotech Marine |
| Island Packet Yachts |
| Marine Surveyor Alliance Northwest |
| Marlon Recreational Products USA, Ltd. |
| Moorbuoys |
| Nautical NW Magazine |
| Navan |
| North River Boats |
| Olympia Yacht Club |
| Port Of Bellingham |
| PSC Marine |
| Riviera Yachts |
| Shearwater Resort |
| Smart Plugs Systems LLC |
| Spanish Castle Resort & Spa |
| Sun Country Marine Group |
| Sunseeker |
| TCM Sales |
| Tide Craft Boats |
| True Kit USA |
| Tuff Trailer USA, Inc |
| Vasa Marine |
| Willie Boats |
| Yamaha Motor USA |
| Zhao Yang Boats |
Just like when you are cruising, plan ahead. The Boat Show may be an ideal time to make reservations at your favorite cruising destination. Or if you have specific questions for any exhibitor, don’t hesitate to call them before the show and make an appointment to see them at the Show.
Insider tip: It’s always busier on weekends, so respect the exhibitors’ time and don’t expect them to spend much time with you then. Instead, go to the Show during the opening hours on weekdays.
Food and Refreshments at the Show.
The food at Lumen Field can be hit or miss, mostly miss, and always expensive. However, there are many more selections for you to try than there have been in the past. This year, there will be Anthony’s, Ivars, Starbucks, Mister Softee, Grab-n-Go options (by the Tunnel Club), Tutta Bella pizza, Bang Bang Chicken, and chicken and shrimp skewers. And two for $10 street tacos from T’Juana Tacos on Tuesday. Also, don’t forget, Lumen Field is a cashless venue, so plan accordingly.
Insider tip: Check out the street vendors on Occidental Ave as an alternative. Exit the Show at the west side of the West Hall (be sure to get a wristband so you can get back in). There you will find a variety of freshly cooked hot dogs, bratwurst, and sausage, all with the usual condiments. My favorite on Occidental Ave is the Pioneer Tacos & Tequila Cantina. They offer a wide variety of tasty street tacos, as well as nachos. However, if you’re there in time for breakfast, check out the Brunch Street taco or the Pioneer Breakfast taco (both include Uli’s famous chorizo!)
2026 Seattle Boat Show, don’t miss this great event. Just spend a little extra time planning your voyage to the Show, and you will have a great time. To get the latest information, go to SeattleBoatShow.com.
NEW for 2026: Seattle Boat Show After Dark
This year there’s a whole new glow at the show on the two Fridays, January 30 and February 6.
For the first time ever, the West Hall of the Lumen Field Event Center will take on an evening vibe—think soft blue lighting, warm magenta accents, and a moody, after-dark ambience perfect for date night or a fun outing with family and friends.
And while the West Hall sets the tone, the energy doesn’t stop there. Pour stations and live music in all three halls—West, East, and North—ensure the nighttime vibe follows you wherever you roam.
Here’s what to expect on these special nights:
- Moody, atmospheric lighting throughout the West Hall
- Three specialty pour stations serving a curated selection of beverages (beer, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic beer)
- Live performances from standout local musicians in each hall
- A festive, night-out ambience that invites you to explore boats in a whole new light
This is your chance to stroll the aisles with a drink in hand, discover the latest boats and gear, soak up the evening energy—and experience the Seattle Boat Show like never before. Only two nights. Only after dark. Friday January 30 and Friday, February 6, 2026, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
