Friends of Waterfront Seattle (Friends) is excited to announce its 2023 calendar of arts, culture, and movement programming on Pier 62, all open to the public. With over 80,000 attendees at events held last year, Friends has been working with dozens of program partners to bring together a 2023 calendar that highlights Seattle’s diversity of cultures, depth of artistic talent, community-focused organizations, all while honoring and centering the Indigenous roots, cultures, and histories of our waterfront.

As the non-profit partner to the City of Seattle, Friends leads fundraising, programming, and long term stewardship of Waterfront Park now and for generations to come. Friends is committed to building a sense of place, connection, and belonging between the people of Seattle and this new civic space. Friends’ partnership and collaboration with the City of Seattle and dozens of institutional and community partners has been instrumental to ensuring the new park is a beautiful, safe, and welcoming place for everyone.

Said Joy Shigaki, President & CEO of Friends of Waterfront Seattle: “Friends is thrilled to bring more people to Pier 62 this summer and connect to this new civic space. Waterfront Park will serve as a catalyst for the downtown revitalization to welcome communities, families, and individuals from all over the region to experience our world-class programming.”

Said Yoon Kang O’Higgins, Director of Public Programs at Friends of Waterfront Seattle: “We are honored to be working with such an amazing range of local partners this year. We are excited to collaboratively create an inclusive culture in a space that is changing the way we experience our city.”

Programming begins with the launch of Spotlight on the Waterfront on May 18, a weekly performance series Thursdays from 5-7pm that features different local artists each week on the downtown waterfront. On May 27, Friends partners with Seattle’s own Massive Monkees to host the kickoff for Massive Monkees Day weekend, where attendees can watch break dancers from across the region battle it out to earn a spot at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

In June, free health and fitness classes begin with the return of Parkour on the Waterfront with Parkour Visions, Zumba classes with We Move to Give, Kickboxing led by Indigo Movement, Skateboarding workshops with Skate Like a Girl, and a brand new Qigong and meditation series with Heru Health & Wellness.

Large-scale cultural programming and concerts are set to kick off in July with a youth-focused program by Red Eagle Soaring. Then Pier Sounds, a two-day concert event July 28-29, will feature some of the biggest names in the local music scene, hosted by KEXP’s El Sonido Podcast. KEXP will also return to the waterfront with Beats & Eats, featuring live KEXP DJs and roller skating on Pier 62.

The remainder of the summer features more health and fitness classes, plus big events like Waba Korea Festival, Hip Hop 50th Anniversary hosted by 206 Zulu, Coolout Network, Dope Culture, On The Block, and the return of Caribbean Seafest, celebrating Caribbean culture with performances, food, and vendors.

In September, Friends will host the annual Waterfront Block party on September 1st and the Dia De Muertos Committee will return for their third year of Latine cultural programming on September 9. September also heavily features Indigenous programming, with yəhaw̓ hosting We are Water, a weaving workshop, carving demonstration, and teachings about the land and ecology, as well as a three-day Salmon Homecoming event with the Salmon Homecoming Alliance, a celebration and ceremony honoring the return of salmon to our inland waters.

Said Jordan Remington (Quileute), Friends of Waterfront Seattle’s Curator of Indigenous Programs: “At Friends, and at Waterfront Park, we honor the strong Indigenous ties that this land holds. Part of this work is through Indigenous-centered programming. We’re so excited for the return of programs like Indigiqueer and Salmon Homecoming, and to be hosting new programs with talented artists by partners like yəhaw̓ and Red Eagle Soaring.”

With over 100 individual events and programs, over 50 different program partners, and iconic views of the city, the Puget Sound, and the mountains beyond, Pier 62 at Waterfront Park is once again slated to be the place to be for great arts, culture, and community fun this summer.

About Waterfront Park: The future Waterfront Park will span 20 acres along Seattle’s downtown shoreline. A constellation of lush, open public spaces linked together by a pedestrian-oriented promenade, Waterfront Park marks the largest investment in public space in Seattle since the 1962 World’s Fair. Stretching from the Pioneer Square to Belltown neighborhoods, Waterfront Park reactivates Seattle’s exceptional urban shoreline, creating a new public place that reconnects the city to its surrounding natural environment. The first pieces of the park, Pier 62 and the Union Street Stairs and Pedestrian Bridge, are currently open to the public, with additional pieces of the park including Habitat Beach and Railroad Way opening later this year. The City of Seattle will complete construction on the park in 2025.

About Friends of Waterfront Seattle: Friends of Waterfront Seattle is the nonprofit partner to the City of Seattle responsible for helping to fund, steward, and program Waterfront Park — today and into the future. Friends is conducting a $200 million fundraising campaign for park construction and to support public safety, operations, and free public programming. The first pieces of the park — the rebuilt Pier 62 and Union Street Stairs and Pedestrian Bridge— are now open while the rest of Waterfront Park is under construction. Visit waterfrontparkseattle.org for more information on Friends of Waterfront Seattle and upcoming public events and programs at Pier 62.