There are plenty of fun and spooky activities to do in Tacoma this month and we are excited to share them with you!
Enjoy Tacoma Arts Month with hands-on workshops, performances, and the beloved Studio Tour, celebrate St. Nicholas 100 year anniversary at Greek Fest, help keep the city lush on Green Tacoma Day, return for thrills at the 2nd Annual Halloween Parade & Street Fair in Proctor, lace up your sneakers for the Wicked Fast 5K & 10K, honor tradition at the colorful Día de los Muertos Celebration on Sixth Ave, wrap up the month with the eerie Old Town Lantern Ghost Tour, or join in one of several free trick-or-treat events in neighborhoods across the city on Halloween night. Tacoma’s October lineup has something for everyone—art lovers, history buffs, and Halloween fans alike!
Celebrate Tacoma Art’s Month this year with events all over this artsy city. Festivities kick-off on October 4th with Kaleidoscope, an all ages event full of music, story-telling, art, and hands-on demonstrations. Then check out the calendar, a compilation of arts and music events and activities, most of which are year round or seasonal. From museum exhibits to dance classes, and ukulele lessons to Dia de las Muertos celebrations, you're sure to find something you'll love. The big event we come back to every year though is the studio tour. On October 11th and 12th artists across Tacoma open up their studios for a glimpse into the process. Check out the map here!
October 3rd – 5th
It’s a monumental year for Tacoma’s beloved St. Nicolas Parish as they celebrate 100 years!
What better way to commemorate such a stupendous anniversary than attending the 62nd annual Greek Festival. This free and family friendly event is full of food, traditional dance, and fun activities. Enjoy fresh gyros, Greek fries, traditional Spanakopita, and delicious baklava straight from the St. Nicholas kitchen. Then grab a seat for one of the many shows featuring local musicians and dancers performing traditional Greek pieces. You'll definitely be letting out an "Opa!" while you're there!
October 11th
Take part in what keeps our Grit City lush! Green Day Tacoma is a city wide day of service to plant, restore, and clean various Tacoma parks and green spaces. Green Tacoma Partnership has brought together organizations like Parks Tacoma, UW Tacoma, Tacoma Tree Foundation, and more, to set up all-ages project sites all over the city. Projects include removing invasive species, planting native plants, spreading mulch, removing waste, and more. Each space will have tools, training, and snacks. No experience necessary! Check out a full list of events and register online here.
October 18th
The Proctor District comes alive for Tacoma’s 2nd Annual Halloween Parade & Street Fair. The fun kicks off at 4 PM with a spooky street fair full of vendors, food trucks, trick-or-treat bingo, and live entertainment. At 7 PM, the “Creep It Real” costume contest invites ghouls and goblins of all kinds to compete for prizes, followed by a glowing parade of floats, decorated vehicles, and creepy characters at 7:30 PM. Free and open to all ages—join the frightful fun!
October 25th
Tacoma’s Wicked Fast Run 5K & 10K brings a spirited mix of fitness and fun to Tacoma’s fall season! Runners and walkers of all levels can hit the scenic waterfront course in their best Halloween gear, racing toward the finish line while soaking up festive vibes. Registration includes and event t-shirt and Halloween themed medal. Be sure to stick around after the race for the costume contest with both and adults and kids category. Whether you’re chasing a new personal record or just out for some spooky fun, this event offers treats, cheers, and a wickedly good time!
October 26th
Celebrate life, art, and community at the Tacoma Día de los Muertos Celebration on Sixth Avenue! This free event honors the rich cultural traditions of the Day of the Dead while blending in a vibrant, modern twist from local artists. Enjoy a lively Skeleton Parade led by the Hilltop Heritage Middle School drumline, explore artisan vendors featuring handmade crafts and delicious food, and take part in interactive art and ofrenda displays that bring the community together in remembrance and joy. Leading up to the big day, weekly arts and education classes invite everyone to learn traditional crafts and connect through creativity. It’s a beautiful day to remember the dead and celebrate the living—Tacoma style!
October 30th
Step back in time and experience Tacoma’s haunted past on the Old Town Lantern Ghost Tour, where history and ghost stories come alive by flickering lantern light. This immersive evening adventure leads guests through Old Town Tacoma to uncover the lingering spirits of the city’s earliest settlers. Begin your journey at the Job Carr Cabin Museum, where you’ll meet “Rebecca Carr,” brought to life by living history performer Karen Haas, and be greeted by the cabin’s animatronic Job Carr himself—the city’s first postmaster and mayor. From there, your guide will take you on a walking tour through some of Old Town’s most haunted sites, sharing tales of the frontier days, eerie encounters, and the ghosts said to still wander the streets. Tours depart at 6, 7, and 8 PM, offering a spine-tingling way to explore Tacoma’s past and connect with its most spirited residents.
Trick-or-Treat Events
October 25th
Where: Center at Norpoint in NE Tacoma
What: Free crafts, treats, carnival games, and trick-or-treat parade.
October 31st
Where: Antique Row - Broadway between 7th and 9th
What: Free trick or treating at local shops along Broadway.
October 31st
What: Free trick or treating at local Proctor businesses
October 31st
Where: Lincoln District s 38th St
What: Free trick-or-treating at participating businesses (look for balloons), live DJ performance, and photo booth.
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