Bumbershoot Festival FAQ

Tickets & Stuff

Who needs a ticket to Bumbershoot?

Anyone aged 6 and over will need a ticket to enter Seattle Center grounds during the Festival. Accompanied children 5 and under do not need a ticket. Please see Tickets for complete pricing information for Bumbershoot tickets, including single day-specific tickets, 3-Day passes, Gold and Platinum passes, and discounted tickets for children, seniors, and patrons with permanent disabilities.

How much do tickets cost?

Please see Tickets for complete pricing information for Bumbershoot tickets, including single date-specific tickets, 3-Day passes, Gold and Platinum passes, and discounted tickets for children, seniors, and patrons with permanent disabilities.

Where can I get Bumbershoot tickets in advance and save money?

• Advance single day-specific tickets and 3-day passes always go on sale first at bumbershoot.org. Sign up to be a BumberFan to be notified first of ticket sales details. "Advance" tickets cost less than regular price tickets. Regular ticket prices take effect on August 22.
• Advance single day-specific tickets and 3-day passes go on sale at Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000 beginning July 21. Regular ticket prices take effect on August 22.
• Each year, BumberFans have the opportunity to buy early and get exclusive "Insider Deals" not available to the public. Insider Deal tickets are even cheaper than "advance" tickets! To learn about these exclusive discount ticket offers you have to be a BumberFan. Sign up now—it's free!

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Where can I buy tickets during the Festival?

There are no phone or online sales after September 2—all transactions must be in person. You may buy tickets at Bumbershoot beginning at 10:30 AM each Festival day. The box offices will sell tickets for entry for that day ONLY. (There are no advance ticket sales of any kind.) Tickets will be sold at box offices located at the following two (2) gates:

• Thomas Street (just south of EMP|SFM)
• Mercer Street (between Bagley Wright and Intiman Theatres)

View a map of the grounds for more information.

You may also buy tickets in person at Ticketmaster outlets.

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What methods of payment are accepted at the Festival box office?

We accept cash, Visa or Mastercard. We DO NOT accept American Express, checks, money orders or foreign currency.

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Where can I buy tickets for kids, seniors, or patrons with permanent disabilities?

A Special Entry (discounted) ticket for seniors 65 and over, patrons with permanent disabilities and kids aged 6–10 (when accompanied by a paying adult) will be available for $15 at Festival gates, on the day of the event ONLY. (There are no advance ticket sales of any kind.)

Tickets will be sold at the following two (2) gates:

• Thomas Street (just south of EMP|SFM)
• Mercer Street (between Bagley Wright and Intiman Theatres)

View a map of the grounds for more information.

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I want to buy a one-day ticket. May I use it any day of the Festival?

Tickets are sold by day, and are good only for the specific day noted on your ticket. Please study the Festival performance schedules (available in July) carefully before purchasing your single day-specific tickets.

Please also check your tickets carefully before departing for the Festival. There are NO REFUNDS or EXCHANGES, and tickets for the incorrect day will not be accepted at the gate.

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Where can I pick up my Will Call tickets?

Will Call is located at the Mercer Arts Arena Box Office on Mercer Street, two blocks west of 5th Avenue. Tickets and passes ordered for Will Call will be available for pick-up on Friday (the day BEFORE the Festival) between 11 AM and 7 PM, or during the Festival (Saturday through Monday) between 10:30 AM–9:30 PM.

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Where can I get a free pass for the Mainstage evening shows?

A free Mainstage pass is required for entrance to each of the following evening shows (one Mainstage pass is good for both artist performances that evening):

• SATURDAY: Old 97's / Sheryl Crow
• SUNDAY: Michael Franti & Spearhead / Jason Mraz
• MONDAY: Franz Ferdinand / Modest Mouse

A limited quantity of free Mainstage passes are available each day for that evening's show at three outdoor information booths located on Festival grounds. (Mainstage passes are not available at the information booth inside the Center House.) One Mainstage pass will be available per person/ticket, per day, while supplies last. The three outdoor information booths are located:

1. Roadway between the Bagley Wright Theatre and Intiman Theatre
2. On the south end of the Fun Forest Pavilion, across from the IMAX Dome
3. On the east side of the Center House, north of the Monorail

View a map of the grounds for more information.

Please note: special entrance privileges will be provided to Platinum Pass and Gold Pass holders, who do not need to pick up a free Mainstage pass. Platinum and Gold Passes are available for purchase at bumbershoot.org prior to the Festival, while supplies last.

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Where can I get a free pass for the comedy shows?

A limited quantity of free passes are available each day at the Comedy Pass Distribution booth, located at the northwest corner of the Center House see map for more details) One comedy pass per person/ticket, per day will be available, while supplies last.

Comedy passes are not required but recommended to secure a seat in one of the comedy performances. These show-specific comedy passes will guarantee entrance to the specified show 15 minutes prior to the performance (after this time, admission is no longer guaranteed). Each comedy show will also feature a stand-by line, offering patrons without a comedy pass the opportunity to attend. Admission for patrons in the stand-by line will begin 15 minutes prior to the performance, as space is available.

Please note: special entrance privileges will be provided to Platinum Pass holders, who do not need to pick up a free comedy pass. Platinum Passes are available for purchase at bumbershoot.org prior to the Festival, while supplies last.

Important details about the free comedy pass system and stand-by admission is available in the How Does the Comedy Pass Work? section of this FAQ.

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What if a performer I want to see cancels?

We will do our best to notify attendees of all changes and cancellations in advance, however all events are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. There are NO TICKET REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES, even in the event of an artist cancellation.

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