Aquafest 2025 Kicks Off Today, Celebrating 56 Years of Lake Stevens' Signature Summer Celebration

We've got the complete chronological schedule of events for you, including pricing and hours for the returning carnival. Feel free to share this complimentary post.

LAKE STEVENS — Aquafest kicks off a little earlier than usual today, with The Children’s Parade moving through downtown at 6:00 pm serving as the unofficial main event today. However, it’s hard not to mention the carnival’s return to Lake Stevens, given that’s the reason why organizers shifted the date two weeks in advance of its traditional “last weekend in July” home. The carnival is open until 11:00 pm both tonight and tomorrow. All the info on pricing, locations and hours is included below. At the bottom of the post, we’ve also included a day-by-day chronological breakdown of events and locations. This post is free, go ahead and share it. This year’s Aquafest theme is"56 Years of Lake Stevens Pride", which organizers say is “a testament to community spirit, being ‘run by the community, for the community’".

Highlights for 2025 include the aforementioned "Return of the Carnival," offering rides, games, and family entertainment. The festival also boasts all the usual hits: the Saturday Grande Parade, a moving spectacle through downtown Lake Stevens and the usual diverse array of Food and Craft Vendors. Live music and entertainment will grace the Main Stage throughout the weekend, promising a lively atmosphere, see bottom of this post for specifics. Visit www.aquafest.com for more info.

---

Aquafest 2024 Photo Gallery — 2025 Schedule Continues Below

---

Aquafest 2025 - The Carnival Returns

For the first time in several years, Aquafest 2025 features the return of the carnival, featuring rides, games, assorted midway pastimes. Aquafest partnered with Davis Shows NW, a family-operated traveling carnival with over 70 years of experience with a reputation for “providing safe, family-friendly rides, games, and quality food concessions,” according to an Aquafest release.

Carnival Dates and Times:

Hours of Operation: Friday, July 11 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Saturday, July 12, 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM. Sunday, July 13, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Carnival Locations: The “big rides” will be located in the Boat Launch area downtown. The “little rides” will be at the Boys & Girls Club on Main and 16th St..

Carnival Pricing: Friday and Saturday July 11-12: Armbands are $42.00 each or $30.00 with a valid Military ID. Sunday, July 13: Armbands are $35.00 each.

Individual Tickets: $7.00 per ride per person. Special: Get 5 rides for just $30.00 per person. Armbands are available now at The Mill, Main Street Downtown.

Disclaimers: Some attractions have height restrictions and safety rules. Certain rides do not allow open-toed shoes. All safety instructions must be followed at all times. Parent/guardian supervision is required for young children.

---

Aquafest Schedule of Events

Below is a chronological guide to the exciting events planned for Aquafest 2025:

Friday, July 11: Official Aquafest Opening Day

The Children's Parade makes its way down Main Street - 6:00 PM

Friday Schedule

10:00 AM: The Official Opening Ceremony takes place at North Cove Park.

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Soulded Out performs on the Main Stage.

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM: El Loco performs on the Main Stage.

10:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Movie Night features "Clueless".

6:00 PMThe Children's Parade makes its way down Main Street.

---

Saturday, July 12: Main Festival Day.

The Grande Parade marches down Main Street - 1:00 PM

The Boat Parade floats on Lake Stevens - 4:00 PM

Fireworks Over the Lake - 10:00 PM

Saturday Schedule

7:00 AM: Waterski Tournament is scheduled.

7:00 AM - Noon: The Firefighters Pancake Breakfast is served at Fire Station 81.

7:00 AM: Participate in the Aquarun on Main Street.

10:00 AM: The Vendor Marketplace and Carnival open; The Pop Up Museum is open at The Mill, Hartford Hall; The Library Book Sale continues at The Mill, Hartford Hall.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Lake Stevens Community Band performs on the North Cove Stage.

12:00 PM: The Diaper Dash takes place on the North Cove Stage (registration begins 30 minutes before the event).

1:00 PM The Grande Parade

3:00 PM: The Pie Eating Contest is held on the North Cove Stage (registration begins 30 minutes before the event).

3:30 PM: Stomping Ground (Band) performs on the North Cove Stage.

4:00 PM: The Boat Parade floats on Lake Stevens

4:30 PM: The Watermelon Eating Contest is on the North Cove Stage (registration begins 30 minutes before the event).

5:00 PM: The Guy Johnson Band performs on the North Cove Stage.

6:00 PM: A Young-In Taigon Taekwondo Demo is presented on the North Cove Stage.

6:30 PM Rockaroke (Band) performs on the North Cove Stage.

8:30 PM: A-List Playlist (Band) performs on the North Cove Stage.

10:00 Fireworks display.

---

Event info from Aquafest organizers.

---

Sunday, July 13: Family Day

Aquafest Vendors and Carnival open 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Proud Pet Show is held on North Cove Lawn East - 10:00 AM.

The Family Funfest is open on North Cove Lawn - 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Sunday Schedule

7:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Firefighters Pancake Breakfast continues at Fire Station 81.

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM: The Car Show is held at Mt Pilchuck Playfield.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: A Dog Agility Demonstration takes place on North Cove Lawn East.

9:30 AM: Proud Pet Show registration starts at the Information Booth.

10:00 AM: The AquaHunt begins at the Information Booth - The Mill.

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Try your hand at Try Rowing at the Lake Stevens Rowing Club Boat House (North Cove Boat Launch).

11:00 AM: Justin Muckelstone (Band) performs on the North Cove Stage.

11:30 AM: Simon Says takes the North Cove Stage.

12:00 PM: The Cornhole Tournament begins.

12:00 PM: Wholesale (Band) performs on the North Cove Stage.

1:30 PM: Under the Puddle (Band) performs on the North Cove Stage.

3:00 PM: Jackie and the Holograms perform on the North Cove Stage.

5:00 PM: Aquafest closes - Until Next Year!

---

Previously: