Fall is settling into Downtown Tacoma, and the calendar is full of reasons to get out and enjoy it!
This October brings glass pumpkins, free museum visits, live performances and an early dose of holiday shopping, along with plenty of Halloween fun. From ghost tours and costume concerts to trick-or-treating on Antique Row, here’s what’s happening throughout the month.
All Month: Tacoma Arts Month
Throughout October | Events across Tacoma
Celebrating 25 years, Tacoma Arts Month shines a spotlight on the artists and cultural organizations that make our city such a creative place. Explore music, dance, theater, visual arts, literary readings, workshops, film screenings and interactive experiences, with free events for all ages throughout the month.
Find something new to experience on the Tacoma Arts Month event calendar.
Fridays and Saturdays: Downtown Ghost Tours
Throughout October | Pretty Gritty Tours
Explore downtown’s haunted history with Pretty Gritty Tours. This outdoor walking tour follows Tacoma’s historic Whiskey Row, sharing ghost stories and true crime tales tied to stops along the way.
Dress for the weather, bring your curiosity and leave time for a drink at a local brewery after the tour.
October 10: Glass Pumpkin Festival
Museum of Glass Grand Plaza
Find a fall keepsake at the Museum of Glass Pumpkin Patch Festival. Shop locally made glass pumpkins, watch artists make pumpkins live in the Hot Shop, and enjoy festive crafts, face painting, a bouncy house and more on the Grand Plaza.
It’s a chance to support local artists and celebrate the season with the whole family.
October 15: Third Thursday
Museums across Downtown Tacoma
Enjoy free museum admission across Downtown Tacoma on Third Thursday! Explore art, history and the waterfront at these participating museums:
- Museum of Glass: 5–8 p.m.
- Tacoma Art Museum: 5–8 p.m.
- Washington State History Museum: 3–8 p.m.
- Foss Waterway Seaport: 4–8 p.m.
- Children’s Museum of Tacoma also offers its usual donation-based admission from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Pick a favorite or visit somewhere new, then make a day or evening of it with friends or family.
October 15–18: Tacoma Holiday Festival
Holiday shopping in October? At the Tacoma Holiday Festival, that’s half the fun.
The Tacoma Dome fills with gifts to browse, festive food to try and entertainment that makes the season feel a little closer. Come for the early dose of holiday cheer and leave with a few names checked off your list.
October 23: Boo Five Three Beer Festival
Tacoma Armory | Presented by Tacoma Arts Live
Tacoma’s longest-running beer festival returns to the Tacoma Armory with a Halloween twist. Presented by Tacoma Arts Live, Boo Five Three brings Washington craft breweries together on the historic parade floor, with local food trucks serving up bites outside.
Check out the breweries’ Halloween booth decorations, then show up in costume for a chance to win a prize of your own.
October 25: A Night at the Movies Costume Concert
Pantages Theater | Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
Movie magic meets live music at the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association’s annual A Night at the Movies Costume Concert. Young musicians will perform familiar film scores dressed as movie characters, and the audience is invited to wear costumes too.
It’s a fun way to introduce kids to the orchestra while hearing music the whole family will recognize.
October 29: The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
Sing along with Jack, Sally and the rest of Halloween Town at a special screening of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Costumes are encouraged, and the whole audience can join in on favorites like “This Is Halloween” and “What’s This?”
Whether you’re Team Halloween, Team Christmas or somewhere in between, get ready to add your voice to this movie-night favorite.
October 31: Downtown Tacoma Trick-or-Treat
3–5 p.m. | Antique Row | Free
The Downtown Tacoma Trick-or-Treat on Antique Row is an annual tradition hosted by the Downtown Tacoma Partnership. Bring your little ghosts and goblins downtown for candy from neighborhood shops, a live DJ, photo ops and more festive surprises.
Costumes are encouraged for this free, family-friendly celebration!
October 31: Downtown Tacoma Pet Costume Contest
During Downtown Tacoma Trick-or-Treat | Antique Row
Why should humans have all the Halloween fun? This year’s Downtown Tacoma Trick-or-Treat will also feature a pet costume contest, inviting pets of all kinds to show off their Halloween best.
Start planning your companion’s costume and watch for more contest details from the Downtown Tacoma Partnership.
October 31: ’90s/Y2K Halloween Party
Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins Elks Temple
Halloween is going full throwback at the Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins Elks Temple. Dance to the ’90s and Y2K hits of Britney, *NSYNC, Destiny’s Child and more, with plenty of room for a dramatic singalong.
Break out the butterfly clips, Scream masks or your favorite pop-culture costume and make it a Halloween night straight out of TRL.
October 31 and November 1: Dracula by Tacoma City Ballet
Spend Halloween weekend at the Pantages Theater with Tacoma City Ballet’s Dracula: The Romantic Ballet. This original production pairs dramatic dancing with live music from the Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra, lavish costumes and a haunting score.
All ages are welcome, and audiences are encouraged to come in costume!
