Our monthly events blog is back and what better way to start than with a fresh New Years January post!
This month we encourage you to explore Tacoma via an illuminated trail, dive into history with a few guided (and sometimes spooky) tours, enjoy a beautiful MLK performance, jump start that New Year's resolution of beginning a new hobby, and gain some great knowledge about maintaining your home.
We'll see you around, Tacoma!
December 31st – January 14th
Walk, drive, or ride to experience this free winter festival of light throughout Downtown Tacoma. From 5p – 9pm every night you can explore downtown and catch illuminated displays paired with music, storytelling, and poetry. You can also enjoy live performances of art, dance, and music in Tollefson Plaza, or catch one of the light trails featured events:
January 6th, Illuminated Ballroom
An evening of visual and auditory delight featuring projection art, dance, music, drinks, and more!
January 13th, T.U.P.A.C. Lit Up!
A joyful celebration of light art making, music, projection arts, and community talent, featuring an open mic!
January 6th
Home ownership can be daunting, especially if it’s your first one! The Tacoma Tool Library is here to lift some of that burden with this hour and a half long course. You’ll learn basic home maintenance, how to prevent major issues, what things might be easier to fix than you think, and how to catch a small issue before it becomes a big problem. This is a wealth of knowledge on one of the largest investments of your lifetime!
All Month!
We’ve all done it. Made a New Year’s resolution to take up a new hobby. You've even gathered all the necessary supplies but can never seem to get started. Let Craftopia help you take that hard first step, and go learn about the basic tools, terms, and methods to be the accomplished crafter you’ve always dreamed of becoming. Take a crash course in Crochet, scrapbook your heart out, pour your own custom bars of soap, get down to the basics of candle making, or play with clay to make your first custom pair of earrings!
View a full list of their array of courses here! https://www.craftopiawa.com/classes/
Enjoy a theatrical performance that brings to life Dr. King’s legacy. Tacoma Arts Live presents Where Blooming flowers Meet the Sky by Darryin B. Cunningham. This story features a young artist named Zhuli, who while writing a new book of poetry, is visited by 1960s civil rights era heroes. Come hear about their experiences, wisdom, and how they help Zhuli find her voice.
After the show, take the chance to explore the "Solidarity Now! 1968 Poor People's Campaign" traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian.
Tour the Town!
Join Pretty Gritty Tours and learn some interesting and sometimes spooky facts about Tacoma and the surrounding area.
January 19th
This tour is not for the faint of heart (as Catie has learned)! Hear tales of shipwrecks, sea monsters, and unfortunate endings while exploring the Foss Seaport Museum after dark.
January 20th
Experience the grandeur and history of this 1800’s French Chataeu style structure from the basement to the attic. This exclusive opportunity gets you INSIDE tour of the Tacoma’s Hogwarts, the beautiful Stadium Hight School.
January 26th
Explore, by lantern light, the life and lore of Fort Steilacoom. An important site for generations of the native community, a home to one of the first farms in the area and location of the old Washington State Hospital Asylum.