Bumbershoot, Sept. 4-6, Seattle Center.
Bumbershoot, which bills itself as North America’s largest urban arts festival, celebrates its 40th year as a Seattle Labor Day tradition with an array of music, film, comedy, dance, theater and visual arts this Saturday through Monday. With headliners including Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Hole, Weezer, and The Decemberists, Bumbershoot expects more than 100,000 visitors at Seattle Center.
Ticket prices and policies are new this year, with Economy one-day admission not including mainstage shows in Memorial Stadium. Standard, Gold and Platinum tickets guarantee admission to mainstage shows; sales are limited to stadium capacity. Mainstage Upgrades will be available for Economy ticket holders on site on a space-available basis for an additional fee.
Free admission for kids has been expanded to ages 10 and younger this year, with “Youngershoot” creative activities all day at the Kids Pavilion in the Center House and other locations, and concerts at 1 p.m. daily at the Northwest Court Stage. Paid Mainstage Upgrade passes are required for kids to attend mainstage shows. All performance venues and exhibition areas at Bumbershoot are open to all ages; parents and guardians should use their own discretion to determine what’s suitable for their children. Free wristbands to reunite lost children with their guardians will be available.
Passes are recommended but not required for comedy performances at indoor venues with limited seating. The Comedy Pass distribution booth at the northwest corner of Center House will hand out passes while supplies last, beginning at 11 a.m. each day. A standby line for people without a comedy show pass is available 15 minutes before each show on a space-available basis.
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Beer gardens, a variety of food vendors and the Indie Market of regional and international crafts are available around the Center grounds.
Visitors may bring their own food and beverages, but no bottles or cans. Disposable plastic water bottles are allowed on Center grounds, but only reusable, nondisposable water bottles are allowed in Memorial Stadium.
Other prohibited items at the festival include chairs, large coolers, wagons, large backpacks, cameras with detachable lenses, audio/video devices with external microphones, animals, laser pointers, weapons and alcohol.
The details
Time: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Entry closes 10 p.m. daily.
Cost: $22/day advance, $30/at the gate, Economy ticket, no mainstage access; $40/day advance, $50/at the gate, includes mainstage shows; $250-$450/3-day VIP entry. Advance tickets through Ticketmaster only, through Friday. Ages 10 and younger free, but must have a ticket for mainstage shows. On-site Mainstage upgrade, $30/day.
Location: Seattle Center. Tickets available at entrances on Mercer Street between Bagley Wright and Intiman Theatres and on Thomas Street just south of EMP/SFM.
Getting there: Seattle Center Monorail, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily; 206-905-2620 or www.seattlemonorail.com. Seattle Center hotline for traffic and parking: 206-233-3989. Free bicycle parking; bring a lock. Seattle Center parking lots discount for vehicles with three or more occupants. Street parking metered Saturday, free Sunday and Monday.
More information: 206-816-6444 or www.bumbershoot.org