☕ Good morning! It's Thursday, October 29th
The 22nd Annual Día de los Muertos Festival returns to the Tacoma Art Museum this Sunday with community ofrendas, sand paintings, and live performances. Plus, this Halloween weekend brings Dracula at the Pantages, The Rocky Horror Show, trick-or-treating, and late-night costume bashes.
Here is your quick guide.
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💀22nd Annual Día de los Muertos Festival
Community ofrendas, sand paintings, live music, and hands-on art in Downtown Tacoma
TAM
Tacoma Art Museum partners with Mi Centro to host its 22nd Annual Día de los Muertos Festival this Sunday, November 1, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The free, family-friendly celebration honors loved ones and Mexican heritage through art, dance, and cultural traditions.
Altars & Art: Explore community ofrendas created by local artists and families, alongside a traditional tapete (intricate sand painting).
Entertainment & Crafts: Live music and dance performances run throughout the day, paired with all-ages, hands-on art-making stations.
Vendors: Shop local artisan goods and grab traditional bites on-site.
Admission: Free / pay-what-you-can, but advance timed-entry registration is required (once inside, you can stay as long as you like).
Limited free parking is available directly behind the museum (1701 Pacific Ave), but spots fill quickly; consider taking the T Line light rail to Union Station for direct drop-off.
📰 Community / News
Pierce County: Council Approves $11.4M for Affordable Housing
The Pierce County Council unanimously approved $11.4 million to build and preserve ~220 affordable homes across Tacoma and DuPont for lower-income families, seniors, and unhoused residents. Funded by the county's dedicated 2023 sales tax, the allocation includes nearly $5 million for a 113-unit project in DuPont, pushing the program's countywide total past 1,500 units.
South Tacoma: Trick-or-Treat on South Tacoma Way (Oct 30)
Bring the family down to South Tacoma Way for neighborhood trick-or-treating this Friday, October 30, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Participating businesses between South 52nd and South 56th streets will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters along the corridor. Costumes are highly encouraged for this free, family-friendly community event.
Tacoma: Stewart Heights Harvest Festival (Oct 31)
Celebrate Halloween at Stewart Heights Park (5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln) this Saturday, Oct. 31, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Hosted by Vivian’s Community Center and BLK Summer Run Club, this free event includes a fun run/walk, trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, local vendors, and a coat drive.
Tacoma: University of Puget Sound Launches $150M Campaign
The University of Puget Sound has launched the public phase of "Greater, We Ascend," an ambitious $150 million fundraising initiative, with more than $102 million already secured. Coinciding with President Isiaah Crawford’s final year, the campaign will fund student scholarships and financial aid, hands-on experiential learning, and expanded alumni mentorship networks.
🎟 Events
Thursday 29
Neighborhood Nights at TAM | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Enjoy free evening admission to the galleries, explore hands-on artmaking in the studio, and grab a drink at the cafe.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-A-Long
Location: Theatre on the Square, Tacoma
Description: Sing along with Jack Skellington and the Halloween Town crew on the big screen. More info
Night at the Museum: Spooky Specimens | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Puget Sound Museum of Natural History, Tacoma
Date: Thursday, October 29
Price: Free
Description: Explore curious natural history artifacts and weird specimens after dark at UPS's annual Halloween museum open house.
Grit City After Dark: An Evening of True Crime Tales
Location: McMenamins Elks Temple, Tacoma
Date: Thursday, October 29
Description: Gather at dusk for an evening of true crime tales shared campfire-style, minus the actual fire. More info
Friday 30
T-Town: City Services Expo and Trades & Hiring Fair | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Dome, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Explore trade apprenticeships, meet local employers, and check out interactive city equipment and trunk-or-treating inside the dome.
Hoot 'N' Howl at Northwest Trek | 5:00 pm
Location: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Eatonville
Description: Put on a costume and explore Northwest Trek lit up after dark, complete with trick-or-treat stops and nocturnal animal keeper chats. More info
The Rocky Horror Show
Location: Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma
Date: October 30 – November 8
Description: Tacoma Musical Playhouse stages Richard O’Brien’s cult musical classic just in time for Halloween weekend. More info
Boo's and Brews Halloween Bash | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Redd Dog Brewing Co., Tacoma
Description: Kick off Halloween weekend with music by DJ Credo, craft pours, and a cash-prize costume contest.
Monster Mash Bash | 6:00 pm
Location: PenMet Parks, Gig Harbor
Price: Free
Description: Dress up in costume and head out to PenMet Parks for an evening of free community Halloween games and treats.
Maris Farms Haunted Woods | 7:00 pm
Location: Maris Farms, Buckley
Description: Brave over a half-hour of twisted indoor hallways and dark corn mazes at one of the area's favorite autumn haunts. More info
Pretty Gritty Tours: Downtown Tacoma Ghost Tour | 7:30 pm
Location: Downtown Tacoma, Tacoma
Description: Explore downtown Tacoma's historic Whiskey Row on an outdoor walking tour diving into local ghost lore and dark history. More info
Saturday 31
EQC After Dark: Midnight Manor | 8:00 pm
Location: EQC Event Center, Tacoma
Description: EQC’s late-night Halloween bash features live music, dancing, and a costume contest with $12,000 in cash and prizes. More info
Tacoma City Ballet: Dracula
Location: Pantages Theater, Tacoma
Date: October 31 – November 1
Description: Catch Tacoma City Ballet's annual Halloween tradition as they bring the dark drama of Dracula to the Pantages stage. More info
Washington State Toy Show | 10:00 am
Location: Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup
Date: Saturday, October 31
Description: Browse vendor tables packed with vintage and modern toys, comics, LEGO sets, and retro collectibles. More info
LeMay Trunk or Treat | 3:00 pm
Location: LeMay – America's Car Museum, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Check out elaborately decorated car trunks, enjoy local food trucks, and vote on your favorite display.
Live at the Eleanor with Bandit Improv Theater
Location: Tacoma Armory, Tacoma
Description: Spend your Saturday night enjoying long-form, game-based comedy from the Pacific Northwest improv troupe. More info
Point Defiance Mushroom Hike | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Fort Nisqually, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Explore the vibrant fungi of the Pacific Northwest during an adult guided walk through old-growth woods.
Halloween Candy & Wine Pairing | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Prohibition Cellars, Tacoma
Description: Pair your wine flight with classic Halloween candy or test your palate with a five-glass mystery red blind tasting. More info
Tacoma Night Market | 5:00 pm
Location: The Mothership, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Browse regional makers, sip local drinks, play games, and check out open karaoke at The Mothership.
Halloween Bar Crawl | 4:00 pm
Location: Multiple venues, Tacoma
Date: Saturday, October 31
Description: Tour Tacoma nightlife in costume with waived covers, drink deals, and an after-party. More info
2026 Wicked Fast Halloween Run | 8:00 am
Location: Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
Date: Saturday, October 31
Description: Lace up for a fast waterfront 5K or 10K around Dune Peninsula, complete with themed medals and plenty of costume-clad racers. More info
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda
Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma
Date: October 31 – November 2
Description: Visit a special Día de los Muertos altar created with SAMi students to honor and remember beloved animals. More info
Author Courtney Gould: Horror-Fest | 12:30 pm
Location: Main Library, Tacoma
Date: Saturday, October 31
Price: Free
Description: Hear author Courtney Gould discuss her new gothic horror novel, followed by a Q&A, book signing, and silent reading. More info
Sunday 1
Day of the Dead Celebration | 12:00 pm
Location: LeMay – America's Car Museum, Tacoma
Date: Sunday, November 1
Description: Celebrate Día de los Muertos at LeMay with community festivities honoring loved ones.
Sunday Drag Market | 11:00 am
Location: The Mothership, Tacoma
Date: Sunday, November 1
Price: Free
Description: Support regional artists and makers while catching vibrant live drag performances at The Mothership.
🎸 Music, Karaoke, Bingo, and Trivia
☀ Weather
🖖 Before we go
Downtown Tacoma Trick or Treat
Antique Row (Broadway between 7th & 9th) hosts its annual Halloween trick-or-treat this Saturday, October 31, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Over a dozen storefronts will hand out treats alongside a live DJ, photo ops, and eats from The Corn Doggery.
Bringing a dog? Check in for the new pet costume contest outside Cafe Bostwick between 3:00 and 3:45 PM (judging at 4:00 PM). Admission is completely free!
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.