What to do in Tacoma August 2026
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August in Tacoma is packed with incredible local events and sunny community gatherings to help you ease into late summer in the PNW! Music lovers can soak in the fresh air with the Summer Concert Series, sip craft brews to local bluegrass at Nisqually Live, or groove with national icons at the Downtown Tacoma Blues Festival. Cultural celebrations abound as well, from the IN THE SPIRIT Festival and the waterfront E Komo Mai Hawaiian gathering to bustling neighborhood street fairs like Art on the Ave and the flavor-packed Lincoln District Food Fest. Movie fans can catch outdoor screenings at Motors & Movies or the Summer Bash park night at STAR Center, while theater fans can experience a killer live shadowcast of Little Shop of Horrors at the historic Blue Mouse Theatre. Here is your ultimate guide to everything you'll want to do in Tacoma this month!
August 5th – 8th
Grab a picnic blanket and your favorite snack and get ready for live music in some of Tacoma’s favorite park spaces. Tacoma Concert Band will be blessing listeners ears in the breeze and under the trees during this four-concert series. Each performance begins at 6:30pm and features both classic and contemporary pieces played by some of Tacoma’s finest musicians. This free and family friendly series is a must for local music lovers.
August 7th
Fort Nisqually is excited to announce their inaugural Nisqually Live celebration! Enjoy live PNW blue grass and folk music from Oly Mountain Boys and opener Pass the Lady Back. This 21+ event features beer and wine served by the Fort Nisqually Foundation, with proceeds going towards funding building improvements and restoration efforts at the fort. Try your hand at paper marbling and lavender sachet making or enjoy wandering the fort with a slice of A Pizza My Heart and hors d’oeuvres from Lancer Hospitality in hand. Parking at the museum is limited but there will be overflow parking at Point Defiance with shuttles running every 15 minutes.
August 8th
Enjoy a day of vibrant celebration at the In the Spirit Arts Market & Northwest Native Festival as they celebrate their 21st year! Hosted collaboratively by the Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and the Museum of Glass, this free community event honors diverse Native arts and cultures across the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can enjoy live music and dance performances, explore artisan vendor booths, attend interactive workshops, watch a dynamic fashion show, savor delicious food, and take advantage of complimentary museum admission all day long.
August 9th
As 6th Ave residents, we can safely say this is hands-down one of our favorite events of the year! Art on the Ave is Tacoma’s largest annual street fair, taking over 6th Avenue from Alder to State Street for an incredible afternoon of community celebration. With over 200 local artists, makers, bakers, and small businesses lining the blocks, there is so much to explore alongside live music stages, dance performances, delicious local food trucks, refreshing beer gardens, and a dedicated Kid Zone. It is truly a highlight for the neighborhood, and you definitely won’t want to miss out on all the fun on the Ave this year!
August 14th
Bring your appetite to Tacoma’s favorite street food festival, Lincoln District Food Fest! Enjoy a summery Friday night of local food trucks, exclusive restaurant specials, a buzzing beer garden, and pop-up market place in Tacoma’s historic Lincoln District. Chill out to some local tunes, with tasty bites in hand, and stick around for the surprise head liner. This celebration is free, family friendly, and totally walkable!
August 14th
Pack up some cozy blankets and gather family and friends for an evening under the stars at LeMay America’s Car Museum! This free Motors & Movies event features an outdoor screening of the thrilling, high-speed motorsport drama, F1 The Movie. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with field parking available on a first-come, first-served basis and delicious concessions ready to satisfy your movie-snack cravings before showtime at sundown. Whether you're rolling up in a classic ride or your everyday driver, it’s the ultimate summer night out to connect with fellow car lovers and enjoy a movie on the outdoor big screen! Register your vehicle here!
August 14th – 16th
Get ready to groove because the Downtown Tacoma Blues Festival is taking over Broadway! This free, three-day extravaganza kicks off with "Pre-Funk Friday" music and coffee at Ebony & Ivory Coffee, leading into an all-day outdoor block party on Saturday with two stages hosting powerhouses like Vanessa Collier, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, and Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, and finishes up with a soulful Sunday celebration inside the Hotel Murano Bar960. Organized in partnership with LTD Presents, the event features top-tier national blues icons alongside Northwest favorites, a late-night afterparty at Hotel Murano, and proceeds supporting local youth music education, making it an unforgettable weekend of community, rhythm, and soulful tunes!
August 20th
Get ready for a mean, green night out in Tacoma as Ethereal Chaos Productions, Friday Night Frights, and the historic Blue Mouse Theatre bring Little Shop of Horrors to life with an interactive live shadowcast! Step off Skid Row and into the cinema to watch actors perform right alongside the cult classic on screen, bringing Seymour, Audrey, and everyone’s favorite bloodthirsty plant from outer space straight to the stage. There will be games, prizes, trivia, and opportunities to get up and dance. It’s guaranteed to be a killer evening of sci-fi musical madness, just remember to bring your appetite for fun, and whatever you do, don't feed the plants! Grab your tickets here!
August 21st
Enjoy an exciting evening packed with games, face painting, food trucks, an obstacle course, bouncy houses, and even an outdoor film. This event is not only family friendly but free! Bring your snacks, blankets, and lawn chairs to settle in on the lawn as the sun goes down for an outdoor movie screening of Zootopia 2 (rated PG) at dusk. It is the perfect summer outing to gather with friends and neighbors for a night of food, fun, and entertainment under the stars.
August 23rd
Get ready to experience the ultimate warm welcome! Kikaha O Ke Kai and Tacoma Creates are hosting the 3rd annual E Komo Mai (meaning "welcome") celebration at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park. This free, family-friendly gathering brings the spirit of aloha straight to Tacoma's waterfront with live music, mesmerizing hula performances, hands-on cultural demonstrations, and delicious Polynesian food. Whether you're eager to learn about traditional Hawaiian heritage or just looking to enjoy a vibrant day by the sound, this lively waterfront festival opens its arms to everyone!
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