Bumbershoot Festival FAQ

Policies & No-Nos

What items are prohibited at the Festival?

Persons entering the facility and their bags may be subject to search for the following, all of which are expressly forbidden on the Event premises and subject to confiscation:

weapons
projectiles
alcohol
cameras with detachable lenses
audio/video recording devices with external microphones
glass bottles
cans
wagons or carts
coolers larger than 14" x 15" x 10"
backpacks larger than 17" x 12" x 10"
chairs
cane umbrellas
laser pointers
air horns or other noisemakers

In the addition to the above, the following items are prohibited at the Memorial Stadium Mainstage shows:

skateboards
bottles of any type, except reusable, non-disposable water bottles (such as CamelBak, Nalgene, Klean Kanteen)
animals, except service animals

Skateboards may be checked at the bag search/ticket scan canopy at the end of the Mainstage line, right before you enter Memorial Stadium.

Are you going to search my bag?

Persons entering the facility and their bags may be subject to search for prohibited items.

What is the camera policy at Bumbershoot?

Cameras with detachable lenses are not allowed at the Festival. No photos of the artists or their work can be taken without prior approval and a sanctioned Bumbershoot photo pass. Photo passes are issued to working media only, and must be requested in advance viaonline application.

May I bring audio or video recording equipment to record the events?

Audio and video recording equipment with an external microphone is not allowed at Bumbershoot—please leave this type of gear at home.

Are cell phones allowed at Bumbershoot?

Cell phones are allowed on Festival grounds, but as a courtesy to artists and other patrons, we ask that you please turn your phones off during performances, especially at the indoor venues.

May I bring food or beverages on to Festival grounds?

You are permitted to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages into the Festival, but please don't bring glass containers or cans.

Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine may be purchased inside the Bumbershoot beer gardens with proper ID.
Absolutely NO glass bottles are allowed inside Festival grounds.
Absolutely NO outside cans are allowed inside Festival grounds.
NO bottles of any type are allowed inside the Stadium, with the exception of reusable, non-disposable water bottles (such as CamelBak, Nalgene, Klean Kanteen).
NO BEVERAGES MAY BE TAKEN OUT OF THE BEER GARDENS (all liquids, whether brought in or purchased in the beer garden, must be consumed or discarded prior to exiting the garden). Bag checks will be enforced.

Can I take my water or soda bottle into Memorial Stadium?

Although disposable plastic bottles are allowed on Seattle Center grounds, they are NOT ALLOWED in Memorial Stadium due to concerns for public and artist safety. If you bring a disposable plastic bottle in the Stadium line, you will be asked to recycle the bottle at one of the large recycle bins located before the venue entrance.

You may, however, carry your reusable, non-disposable water bottles (such as CamelBak, Nalgene, Klean Kanteen, Sigg, or other styles) into the Stadium. There are free water stations where you can refill your water bottle at no charge are available in Memorial Stadium. We also provide paper cups at the stations to those who need them (please reuse and recycle).

Please keep in mind that bottled beverages may be purchased in the Stadium, but vendors are required to pour your drink into a cup.

Is beer or wine allowed at the Festival?

Beer and wine are available for purchase inside the Bumbershoot beer gardens. You must be 21+ and you MUST present valid and acceptable ID to enter the beer garden.

We're sorry, the Washington State Liquor Control laws prohibit outside alcoholic beverages from being brought on to Festival grounds.

What are acceptable forms of ID to purchase alcohol at Bumbershoot?

Acceptable forms of identification include a current state-issued driver's license or ID card, a current Canadian driver's license or ID card, military ID, or a valid passport. International driver's licenses are not accepted (excepting Canada). Expired ID cannot be accepted.

What are the legal restrictions on the beer garden?

The following rules are set by the Washington State Liquor Control Board and we are required by law to enforce them:

All patrons, regardless of age (whether you're 21 or 101!), MUST present valid and acceptable ID to enter the beer gardens. No ID = no entrance, no exceptions.
No one under the age of 21 is allowed into the beer garden. Children, including babes-in-arms, may not enter the beer garden under any circumstances.
Non-alcoholic beverages may enter Festival beer gardens (see below note for exit rules), and are available for sale in beer gardens.
NO BEVERAGES MAY BE TAKEN OUT OF THE BEER GARDENS (all liquids, whether brought in or purchased in the beer garden, must be consumed or discarded prior to exiting the garden). Bag checks will be enforced.
Smoking is not allowed inside the beer gardens, as they are workplaces for beer garden staff. Local health departments enforce compliance with this public law. For more information about RCW 70.160, see metrokc.gov/health/tobacco.

Budweiser encourages you to enjoy Bumbershoot responsibly. If you drive to Bumbershoot, make sure you have a designated driver. Designated drivers who register at the Sound Attitudes booth in the International Fountain Lawn or Broad Street beer gardens will get a special thank-you gift, courtesy of Budweiser.

Is smoking allowed at Bumbershoot?

Washington State law (RCW 70.160) prohibits smoking in all public indoor places, all workplaces, near all doorways, windows and air ventilation systems associated with any public building. This means:

Smoking is not allowed inside any of the indoor venues.
Smoking is not allowed inside the beer gardens, as they are workplaces for beer garden staff.
Smoking is not restricted at any of the outdoor areas of Bumbershoot, but we do ask that you try and be courteous of fellow Festival attendees. We also ask that you dispose of all smoking-related garbage (butts, packages, etc.) in the appropriate receptacles.

Local health departments enforce compliance with this public law. For more information about RCW 70.160, and for information regarding the workplace smoking ban and smoking cessation programs, contact the King County Health Department's Tobacco Prevention Program at (206) 296-7613 or metrokc.gov/health/tobacco.

What happens if it rains?

Bumbershoot will go on, rain or shine!

May I bring an umbrella to the Festival?

Small (non-cane-style) umbrellas are allowed on the Festival grounds; cane-style umbrellas are prohibited.

May I bring my pet to the Festival?

While pets are not prohibited on Seattle Center grounds, we strongly encourage you to leave them at home. Warm weather, lots of people, and stressed out pets are not a happy combination. Please leave your pets at home where they will be safe, relaxed, and comfortable

Please note that NO animals are allowed within Memorial Stadium for Mainstage shows.

Service animals are always welcome. Please see Bumbershoot Access Guide for Persons with Disabilities for detailed information (available in July).

May I hang a banner or a sign at the Seattle Center during Bumbershoot?

Banners and signs from anyone other than our sponsors, vendors, and approved participants are prohibited on Seattle Center grounds during Bumbershoot.

May I gather signatures, distribute political information, or conduct other political activities at Bumbershoot?

Yes, but the activities are subject to restrictions to maximize the safety of those who attend the Festival. Political activists must review, complete and sign the Political Activity Rules or obtain the form at any of the information booths during the event prior to engaging in any political activities.