Seattle Boat Show 2026 - Dates, Tickets, Highlights, and Attendee Guide
Alexandra
Dates, venue, and access
The event runs mid-February 2026 with provisional dates set for February 20–23. Expect four days of hands-on demos, dealer displays, and seminars along the harbor and Bell Harbor Convention Center complex. Show hours run 10:00 AM–6:00 PM daily, with late sessions on peak days. Access is centered in downtown Seattle, with parking garages nearby and convenient transit options from parks and waterfront districts. Final dates and the full floor plan appear on the official site, so confirm before you travel.
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Tickets and passes
Choose from several options to fit your plans. Online purchases are exclusively through the official site, and on-site sales are limited by capacity. Ticket types include:
- General Admission – covers full show floor access and standard presentations; price around $22.
- Premier Pass – includes early entry, VIP lounge seating, and priority pavilion access; price around $55.
- Group and youth packages are available for clubs, schools, and organizations; check the official shop for current terms.
Additional services such as guided tours, hands-on workshops, and demo signup are offered in limited slots. If you want to maximize value, pick a premier option and plan a few must-see demos in advance. Tickets can be browsed and bought at the shop during the week of the convention, with special deals posted in the run-up to opening day.
Highlights and exhibitors
The Seattle Boat Show showcases the latest in innovation across production boats, propulsion systems, and marine gear. Expect:
- New model launches from major builders and charter operators.
- Electric and hybrid propulsion demos, shore-power gear, and navigation electronics from top brands.
- On-water demos and dry-dock displays to compare handling, stability, and layout.
- A dedicated shop area for gear, safety equipment, and maintenance supplies.
- Specialist booths focusing on services for boats, from docking to routine upkeep.
In addition to gear, look for regional exhibitors from the peninsula and waterfront communities, plus travel partners showing routes to Alaska and Hawaii destinations for boaters planning longer trips. One notable feature: a coco-stand near the main aisles offering quick snacks for busy attendees.
Showcase areas to identify
Navigate by zones such as ports and harbor facilities, charter operators, maintenance and hull services, and the convention floor’s display lanes. If you want gear or services for a specific voyage, scan the map for booths located near the harbor edge and the orca-friendly parks zones along the waterfront.
Attendee guide and planning tips
- Plan a focused route: identify zones for ports, harbor services, and charter options, then align with the field of exhibitors you want to meet.
- Check the seminar schedule in advance and sign up for sessions that cover topics you want to explore, such as safety gear and coastal navigation.
- Bring essentials for a full day: a QR code for quick entry, comfortable footwear, reusable bottle, and a light jacket for early morning or late-evening sessions.
- Arrive early on peak days to reduce lines for popular demos and to secure preferred seating in premium areas.
- Use transit options to reach the harborfront and avoid parking bottlenecks; consider rideshare if you plan to visit multiple booths across zones.
Travelers coming from distant regions can coordinate stays near the harbor district or the peninsula for easy morning access. Visitors from Alaska and Hawaii may want to time their trip with the show’s primary exhibits, then continue onward to regional ports or cruise connections. The event team offers member resources and a dedicated help desk to assist with where to stay, how to identify the best routes, and which booths align with your boaters’ goals.
Departure plans should account for travel between venues and late-evening seminars. Seattle’s show layout is designed to keep a steady flow from the main hall to the water-treatment and maintenance sections, so you can cover a broad spectrum of exhibits without backtracking.
Seattle Boat Show 2026: A Practical Guide
Buy tickets online before you arrive to lock in your preferred time and the best weekends for your visit, giving you the whole show experience without lines.
On the floor, expect premier exhibitors and the latest innovations across landscapes of marine tech. Look for the princess line among premium sail and motor models, and note the legend of durable craftsmanship that travels booth to booth. Demo areas cover transmission systems, propulsion, and compliance checks, so you can compare between brands side by side.
Ticket tips and timing
Plan two options: a focused one-day visit or a longer weekend getaway. For couples and families, weekends offer the most sessions and demos. If you want a calmer pace, arrive early and target specific booths; if youre aiming to maximize takeaways, book a second session later the same weekend. Youre in control when you choose timed entries that suit your schedule.
Planning your travel, stays, and destinations
Consider travel from destinations such as hawaii, barcelona, andor, texas, then align flight times with your show plan. Look for hotel blocks near the convention center to ease a Saturday morning start, and add a Seattle stay that complements your whole trip. It works well for a couple seeking a quick getaway.
The show floor features decorations and interactive zones; keep an eye out for fireworks displays on select evenings, and ask staff about safety and compliance guidelines before any hands-on demos. For exhibitors and attendees, plan loading and transit time carefully, since transmission lines and gear movement affect setup.
