Music fests return to 'hood

Very local Lot Rock 3 gets steamy Aug. 29-30, R-Day on tap Sept. 12

Soon enough, the skies will grow gray, and the rain will return sunny Seattle to its wet and overcast hibernation state.

But before then, Georgetown is going to rock!

Two free music festivals are planned in the coming weeks that are sure to aurally entertain. And they are right here in Georgetown.

First up is Lot Rock 3, an all-ages show with an ambitious two-day lineup of local acts on Aug. 29-30. For those who remember the past two editions of Lot Rock (2021 and 2023), the scene shifts from Flora Avenue S to the Georgetown Steam Plant.

Local rockers Benzo headlines on Saturday and Coool Babies returns on Sunday with its Talking Heads tribute act. For a complete band lineup and more information, click here. 

Then on Sept. 12, the annual R-Day festival takes over Airport Way S. (Drivers need to find alternate routes from 8 a.m. to midnight.)

Rainier Beer returns to where it started to celebrate its birthday and all things Rainier. Beer gardens and merch tents will be plentiful along the road, but there will be music, too. 

The bands include Dehd (Indie rock from Chicago), Telehealth (PNW post-punk/new wave), Kadabra (psychedelic fuzz rock from Spokane) and Lace Cadence (Seattle DJ). Doors at 4 p.m. 21+ only.

A pre-party is planned at Fantagraphics and post-parties will be at Post Pike and Jules Maes Saloon, all on Airport Way S.  

Between 6,000 and 7,000 people are expected to attend R-Day, organizers said. In response to the shooting at Bite of Seattle in July, organizers plan to implement more security measures and use more magnetometers at the north and south entrances on Airport Way. Lines for admission could take longer, so plan accordingly.