know before you go
Are you ready for the 38th Waterfront Blues Festival? Summer is here, and this Fourth of July weekend is going to be an absolute blast! To make sure your festival experience is top-notch, here are instructions to help you prepare.
GETTing here
We’ve got lots of ways to get to the fest! We’re located in the beautiful Tom McCall Waterfront Park, just to the north and south of the Hawthorne Bridge on the west bank of the Willamette River, with the main festival entry located at 1400 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, OR 97201.
Rideshare: Use the roundabout at the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel
Public Transport: Take a TriMet bus, ride the MAX light rail or hop on a Portland Streetcar to make your way to the festival. Bonus – no need to worry about parking! Visit the TriMet website to plan your ride.
Bike Parking: located at the Columbia Street Gate
ENTRY
GA 1-DAY
As a GA 1-Day ticket holder, you are able to enter the festival at 12:00 pm. You may enter at the Columbia Street and Salmon Street Gate. If you are a superfan and plan to arrive before gates open, please ensure you are queuing in the correct line!
When you arrive at the gate, Afton Tickets staff will exchange your electronic or printed ticket for your festival entry. Please note your ticket does not come with re-entry. That means once you are in, you’re in! Again, GA 1-Day Tickets do not allow re-entry.
GA 2-DAY
As a GA 2-Day passholder, you are able to enter the festival at 12:00 pm. You may enter at the Columbia Street and Salmon Street Gates. If you are a superfan and plan to arrive before gates open, please ensure you are queuing in the correct line!
When you arrive at the gate, Afton Tickets staff will exchange your electronic or printed ticket for your festival wristband. Your wristband will be scanned every day upon entering the grounds. Please note your pass comes with re-entry, so you can come and go as you please. Woohoo!
GA+ EARLY ENTRY PASSHOLDER: EARLY ENTRY
As a GA+ Early Entry passholder, you are able to enter the festival at 10:30am, 30 minutes before general admission.
You may enter early at the Clay Street entrance ONLY. Please make sure that you queue up in the correct line for early entry.
The Clay Street entrance will close for entry at 12 pm. After 12pm you will be directed to enter at Columbia Street or Salmon Street. Please check out the map to familiarize yourself with the entries!
HOW TO GET YOUR WRISTBAND & COMMEMORATIVE BUTTON:
When you’re getting your ticket redeemed, Afton Tickets staff will exchange your electronic or printed ticket for your festival wristband and commemorative button. If you have any questions about the festival or your benefits, our staff will be happy to answer questions!
VIP 2-DAY & 1-DAY
As a Gold VIP Passholder, you are able to enter the festival at 11:30 am, 30 minutes before general admission.
VIP passholders will enter at an exclusive VIP & Sponsor Gate, located on Columbia Street and SW Naito Parkway. This gate will be the only open gate for early access and the location where you need to pick up your VIP credentials.
WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR PASS
If you’re in town early, you may pick up your VIP Pass on Thursday, July 3 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm in the Columbia Room in the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront (1401 SW Naito Parkway).
July 4-5: All credentials will be available at the VIP and Sponsor Gate located on Columbia Street starting at 11:30 am.
When you arrive, Afton Tickets staff will exchange your electronic or printed ticket for your VIP wristband and coupons for your goodies.
GOLD VIP 4-DAY & 1-DAY + PLATINUM VIP PASSHOLDER: PARKING
Your benefits include daily parking at any SmartPark location. 1st and Jefferson is the closest lot to the festival. Other parking garages can be found here.
No special ticket is needed upon entrance to the SmartPark garage. You will pick up a voucher on-site at the festival at the Hospitality Lounge that you will use upon exiting the garage. You will need both your original garage ticket and your SmartPark validation from Waterfront Blues to exit the garage without payment.
VIP 2-Day & 1-Day POP-UP SHOWS
Another amazing benefit of VIP 2-Day and VIP 1-Day are exclusive invites to pop-up performances throughout the fest! Make sure to keep an eye on your email so you can RSVP. Space is limited, and each event is first-come, first-served.
STAYING COOL AT THE FEST
While the Waterfront Blues Festival will continue rain or shine, we take our attendees, staff and performers’ safety very seriously. We have several accommodations in place at the festival to help our guests manage heat, including:
- Several tented and tree shaded areas
- Water misting cooling stations
- Unlimited free water at water stations throughout festival grounds. Factory sealed water bottles and empty refillable bottles are allowed inside the festival; and additional bottled water, reusable cups, and ice will be available on-site as well.
- Fully staffed and prepared first-aid tent to assist anyone feeling signs of heat-related concerns.
- Updated Umbrella Policy: the festival has adjusted its policy to ALLOW personal-sized umbrellas (up to 62”) for the 2024 festival. Group/patio umbrellas are still prohibited.
- In partnership with the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel, there will be a Waterfront Blues Festival Chill Center located on the second floor of the hotel. The Chill Center is air-conditioned and will be open to all festival attendees from 12 pm – 9 pm July 4-7. As a 2024 heat-related courtesy to our GA 1-Day ticketholders, guests may request a special wristband at all exit gates to visit the Chill Center and receive re-entry to the festival.
FEST MAP + SChedule
Before arriving, check out the Official 2025 Map to see the stages, find out where to grab food, plan entrance and exit routes, and more. Plus, make sure to check out the Official 2025 Schedule to see set times!
BAGS At the festival
Bring the correct bag size! All bags are subject to size restrictions and must not exceed 18” x 6” x 12”. Clear bags are encouraged, but not required. ALL bags will be searched before entry. The festival is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. The festival does not have storage for bags that are oversized and not allowed into the festival.
To speed up entry, get familiar with our allowed and prohibited items, or leave your bags at home.
food & beverage
Delicious Bites for Every Palate 🌮 We’ve got you covered with an array of mouthwatering local food and snacks. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, or just looking for some healthy eats, there’s something for everyone. New this year! We’re excited to introduce our new food court, Blues Bites — the ultimate spot to fuel up for the fest. We’ve gathered some of Portland’s favorite restaurants and food trucks so you can stop by between sets, chill with a cold drink, or grab a sweet treat while the music plays on. And for those looking to quench their thirst, we’ll have beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks available. Just remember, you’ll need a valid ID for all alcohol purchases.
Leave the Picnics at Home 🧺 Outside food and beverages are not allowed. But don’t worry, you can still bring in factory-sealed water bottles and empty reusable ones to stay hydrated! Look for our handy water stations by the Clay Street Exit and in the Blues Bites Food Court.
Got more questions about our food and drink policy? Visit our Festival Information page for more info.
grab your souvenir cup
Join us in reducing single-use plastic waste at Blues Fest! Support sustainability by grabbing a refillable souvenir cup at our Festival Merch booth.
Fest merch
Swing by our merch tent next near the Columbia Street Gate and snag some epic festival gear to commemorate your experience. From trendy tees to cool accessories, we’ve got everything you need to show off your festival pride in style!
even more fun at the fest
Wellness on the Waterfront with Knot Springs: We are offering new Wellness on the Waterfront morning classes at the Front Porch Stage Dance Floor on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 at 9:30am. Get your mind and body ready for the fest with Power Flow Yoga or Cardio Dance. Learn more and purchase tickets at our Festival Happenings page.
keep dancing all night
The music plays on after the fest gates close at our Official Late Night Shows! Bonus: all 4-day passholders get $5 off day-of door tickets to Late Night Shows – just show your wristband at the door. Advance ticket purchases recommended to guarantee your spot. All shows and ticketing are managed directly by the venue.
explore the great state of oregon
Looking to explore Portland’s food carts, bookstores and breweries? Check out Travel Portland for more info and things to do in the Rose City.
Wanna explore even more of the beautiful state of Oregon? Visit Travel Oregon for great ideas for the coast, Mount Hood, the Willamette Valley and more.
SOME FRIENDLY REMINDERS
- Be kind to the park — dispose of trash and recycling in designated receptacles
- Be kind to your neighbor — no physical or verbal harassment or abuse will be tolerated
- Keep on moving — please do not block aisles, walkways, esplanade or other public areas
- Be cool — please follow the guidelines and directions of the festival management team and its authorized contractors, as well as all posted signage
- No seriously, be cool — please follow all federal, state and City of Portland laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
- Lost an item? Please head to the Info Booth near the South Stage.
Enjoy the festival — we can’t wait to see you there!
The Blues Fest Team
