Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival announces its 2024 return to Seattle Center over Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 1), with a preview of its ambitious and inventive arts programming. Producers at New Rising Sun, in collaboration with their non-profit partner Third Stone. “Last summer, 40,000 people took the leap with us to usher in a new generation of Bumbershoot,” said New Rising Sun principal, artist, and producer Greg Lundgren. “Built on a promise to return to the original mission of the festival, we broke the stereotypes around who we celebrate, assembling a wide cast of the artists, makers and performers who call the Pacific Northwest home. Bumbershoot is our moss-covered Mardi Gras, and we are thrilled to create a festival lineup that is a vibrant and diverse celebration of our region’s robust arts community.”

Last year some of the musical artists that performed included Sunny Day Real Estate, The Dandy Warhols, Jawbreaker, Band Of Horses, Sleater-Kinney and many more. The first wave should be announced soon.

This year, Bumbershoot is reinforcing its commitment to the regional community with the return of fan favorites like the Fashion District, Out of Sight exhibit, and film program while also introducing new programming like a unique partnership with NASA, a Bigfoot deepfake animation competition, and a Comedy Dome curated by Seattle comedian, writer, and disability rights activist Dan Hurwitz.

Bumbershoot’s 2024 arts lineup includes:

Century 21 District: The Century 21 District at the Pacific Science Center will bring a transcendent and awe-inspiring experience to Bumbershoot attendees. In the iconic mid-century designed courtyard, a “Sculpture Parking Lot” will populate the outdoor space with large-scale contemporary sculpture. “Songs for Space,” in partnership with NASA, will project James Webb Space Telescope images in the PACCAR IMAX theater alongside a range of different vocal groups, including gospel, opera and Gregorian chanting. Inspired by The Golden Record which NASA placed on the Voyager 1 and 2 launched in 1977 – “Songs for Space” creates the immersive environment of deep space paired with live vocalists meant to convey the depth and diversity of Earth’s many cultures and our relationship to the heavens.

Animation District: The newly launched Animation District will introduce a Bigfoot Deepfake Competition. This creative, international competition welcomes people to submit their best deepfakes of Bigfoot, as a comedic and harrowing portrait of current deepfake technology. Also in the Animation District, experimental animator and artist Stefan Gruber directs Rock, Paper, Scissors – a material-based group film program. Other programs in this district include virtual and augmented reality, gaming, contemporary art animations and film screenings.

Recess District: The Recess District presents the art of performance, featuring roller-skating, gymnastics, breakdancing, double-dutch jump rope, and cheerleading. Seattle Skate Shop 35th North leads a skateboard competition on a newly commissioned half pipe by Dope Planet. Bumbermania! wrestling showcase returns to the festival under the curation of Grit City Wrestling School.

Fashion District: Despite outdated stereotypes, our region is brimming with apparel designers and bold fashion talent. The Fashion District returns to Bumbershoot with a wide range of performances, vendors and runway shows. Expect vintage to the avant-garde, hair and nail art, jewelry and a slew of choices to inspire and transform you.

Out Of Sight: Out Of Sight is a large-scale group exhibition of contemporary art in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the Fisher Pavilion and throughout the Seattle Center, the group show represents an annual survey of contemporary visual arts from throughout the Pacific Northwest that blends commercial and non-commercial art, installation and new media presented by a team of regional curators.

Geodesic Domes: This constellation of micro-environments includes a new Comedy Dome curated by Seattle comedian, writer and disability rights activist Dan Hurwitz. Back by popular demand, the Cat Circus will return with new death-defying stunts and the Pole Pavilion celebrates the art of pole dancing throughout the region. Those seeking an immediate transformation can head to the surreal Wig Farm and pick a new head of hair from a garden of wigs.

If You Know You Know: Art Not Terminal Gallery presents If You Know You Know – a group photography exhibit documenting three underground music communities from the Pacific Northwest.

Exceptionally Underrated: Bumbershoot TV (BTV) invites regional musicians to submit original music videos as part of the Exceptionally Underrated film series at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). There is a $5,000 cash prize for best in show.

Free-Range Artists: Artists will be roaming the grounds of Bumbershoot. From traditional Lion Dancing to contemporary performance, you’ll discover a variety of performances and installations woven into the fabric of the audience. “Kind of Important Seating” and a Kissing Booth round out this spontaneous and interactive program.

Also returning after its debut last year is the tuition-free Bumbershoot Workforce Development Program, designed to create a pipeline to support the next generation of music industry professionals and lay the groundwork for a more equitable and inclusive music scene. You can find more information on the program.

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