Three days of live music, 4th of July Fireworks at Waterfront Park are easy to reach by bus or MAX
The Waterfront Blues Festival returns over the Independence Day weekend at Tom McCall Waterfront Park!
TriMet is the best way to get to and from Downtown Portland’s Waterfront. The MAX Blue and Red lines stop just a block west of the park, with all other MAX lines and many bus lines also running nearby.
Don’t miss the 4th of July Fireworks or the world-class musical acts coming to Waterfront Park from Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4.
Learn more at waterfrontbluesfest.com, and plan your trip now at trimet.org!
Go by TriMet
The Oak/SW 1st Ave, Old Town/Chinatown and Yamhill District MAX stations, located on the MAX Blue and Red lines, are about a block away from Waterfront Park.
You can also stroll a few more blocks from stations on the MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines, as well as many Downtown Portland bus stops, or even cross the Steel, Burnside or Morrison bridges from transit stops on the east side.
Don’t live close to the bus or MAX line? No problem! TriMet has dozens of Park & Ride facilities all over the Portland metro area. Leave your car — parking is free for transit users, for up to 24 hours — and let us do the driving. It’s a great way to save on fuel and parking fees.
Your trip starts at trimet.org! With our popular trip planner, you can customize your trip and review different options, so you can choose the ride that’s right for you.
Festival information
The Waterfront Blues Festival is one of the marquee music festivals in the Pacific Northwest.
This year’s lineup is headlined by:
- Thursday, July 2 — award-winning New Orleans rockers The Revivalists, known for their chart-topping hit “Wish I Knew You” and other popular songs
- Friday, July 3 — R&B revival icons Durand Jones & The Indications, out of Bloomington, Indiana
- Saturday, July 4 — Grammy winners Tank and the Bangas, musical and spoken-word artists with an eclectic New Orleans sound
More than 40 bands and musical artists are scheduled to perform, covering genres as diverse as rock, soul, funk, jazz and cumbia, as well as blues.
The Blues Festival culminates with the annual 4th of July Fireworks over the Willamette River, starting at 10 p.m. Saturday.
Know before you go
All are welcome on TriMet!
We ask that riders read and respect our Rules for Riding. Following these simple rules helps keep everyone safe on TriMet.
Make sure to tap your debit or credit card, smartphone with digital wallet, or Hop Fastpass® before you ride. Green Hop readers are at every MAX station, as well as on board buses and streetcars.
To report suspicious or unwanted behavior, a cleaning or maintenance issue, or another safety concern, call or text 503-238-7433 (RIDE) or contact our Emergency Operations Center using one of our blue-light security phones. These phones can be found on most MAX platforms. Both 503-238-7433 and our security phones connect to TriMet’s security team 24 hours a day. In case of emergency, call 911.