☕ Good morning! It's Thursday, June 18th
We’re celebrating Juneteenth with major community events, cheering on the USA in the World Cup, and stuffing our faces with fresh soup dumplings. From local artwalks to country proms, here is your ultimate guide to the town.
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✊ Juneteenth Celebration: A Road to Economic Freedom
Head to LeMay – America's Car Museum this Friday (June 19) for Tacoma's Juneteenth Celebration, a free outdoor festival focused on freedom, culture, and community wealth. Runs 12:00-6:00 pm on the Haub Family Field.
Main Stage: Live sets from local artists, youth talent, and national acts Lyfe Jennings, Erica Campbell, and Crystal Aikin.
Taste of Juneteenth: Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, and culinary creators from across the Pacific Northwest.
Car & Bike Show: Custom rides and bikes in the adjacent parking lot.
Vendor Marketplace: Local artisans, makers, and small businesses alongside finance and education resources.
Kids Zone & Beer Garden: Five bouncy houses and STEAM activities for kids, plus a fenced 21+ beer garden with drinks and hot dogs.
Free and open to all ages
🥟 What's New
Supreme Dumplings Opens Ahead of Schedule at Tacoma Mall
Bellevue-based chain Supreme Dumplings opened early last Saturday, June 13, at The Village at Tacoma Mall. The new spot specializes in Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), pan-fried dumplings, and noodle dishes.
Important note: To ensure a smooth rollout, they are currently operating by reservation only; make sure to book your table online before heading out.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
🎭 Tacoma Events
Thu 18
Free Third Thursday and Downtown Artwalk | 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Washington State History Museum - 1911 Pacific Ave (and surrounding Museum District)
Description: Free museum admission across Tacoma's Museum District for Third Thursday. Washington State History Museum (3-8 pm), Foss Waterway Seaport (4-8 pm), Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass (5-8 pm), plus open downtown art galleries.
2026 Juneteenth Commemoration | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Washington State History Museum
Description: Part of the "We the People" lecture series, featuring storytelling, music, and performance from Eva Abram, Jason Turner, Naby Camara, Baba Kauna Mujamal, and Kamau Ron Taplin. All ages welcome.
Art Class: Meditative Painting | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum
Description: A mini-retreat exploring meditative watercolor techniques for all skill levels. Learn to slow down, embrace the flow of paint, and make space for creativity.
Sat 20
Inaugural Elks Bayside Brewfest | 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm (tickets)
Location: McMenamins Elks Temple
Description: Break out your best Hawaiian shirt for a summer-themed brewfest featuring 24 beers and ciders, rum, whiskey, cocktails, and Hawaiian food specials. Enjoy live music, a photo booth, and special keepsakes.
Price: $35 advance | $40 day of
Go Skate Tacoma | 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Alchemy Skateboarding
Description: Celebrate Go Skate Day with a hill bomb on S 7th, launch ramps, a pop-up skatepark in Opera Alley, and a community fair on Court C. Free boards, helmets, and pads available. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Tape Loop Workshop with Tacoma Porchfest | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Public Library (Main Branch, Olympic Room)
Description: Learn to make tape loops using supplied materials and synthesizers. Participants are invited to a follow-up session on June 27 and a live ambient/Musique concrète performance fundraiser at Lumora that evening.
Tipsy Portraits | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (tickets)
Location: Steel Creek, Tacoma
Description: A hilarious, no-experience-needed paint night where you and a partner paint "questionable" portraits of each other while enjoying food and cocktails.
3rd Annual Pendleton Whisky Country Prom | 9:00 pm (doors open at 5:00)
Location: Steel Creek, Tacoma
Description: A country-themed prom night with line dancing, a photo booth, a Prom Royalty contest, and $8 Pendleton Whisky pours from 9:00 pm to midnight. Country attire encouraged. 21+ only.
Price: Free before 9:00 pm | Free before 10:00 pm with Prom Attire | $10 cover after 9:00 pm
⏭ Outside Tacoma
Rhubarb Days | Saturday 20 and Sunday 21
Location: Downtown Sumner
Description: A massive street festival with 200+ vendors, a dozen food trucks, two live music stages, a beer garden, and a kids zone. Fresh rhubarb, pies, and rhubarb-infused craft beer throughout. Market hours: Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm. Beer Garden: Sat 12-8 pm, Sun 12-4 pm.
Fest 4 All Gig Harbor Make Music Celebration | 11:30 am – 8:00 pm - Sunday 21
Location: Uptown Gig Harbor
Description: Celebrate the Summer Solstice with a community-driven music festival kicking off with an Opening Ceremonies Promenade. Enjoy live outdoor music, entertainment, and dining across multiple venues throughout Uptown Gig Harbor.
🎸 Music
Events marked with ($) are paid events
Thu 18
Dunce | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)
Ronnie and The Redwoods & Tylor and The Trainrobbers and Walker Sherman | Jazzbones - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)
Lung Duster, Boundless Joy, Sharkeologist | Real Art Tacoma - 6:30 pm ($)
Slim Wizzy | Cockrell - Puyallup - 5:00 pm
Open Mic with Lawrence Lambert | Kimball Coffeehouse Gig Harbor - 7:00 pm
Fri 19
INXS, The Police & Duran Duran Tribute Night | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 8:00 pm ($)
Daz, Deion and DJ Taber Present: JUNETEENTH | Jazzbones - Tacoma - 9:00 pm ($)
Sister Nancy & The Rootsonic Band | Airport Tavern - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
Body Shot, Killspree, Mad Choice, Curbside Carnage, These Break Before They Bleed, Madddawg | Real Art Tacoma - 6:30 pm ($)
Ghost in the Willow | Bob’s Java Jive - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)
Tori Whitten & Scott Gots | Cockrell - Puyallup - 5:00 pm
The Profits | Kimball Coffeehouse Gig Harbor - 8:00 pm
Yelm, Cool Dudes Club, Wheelies | The Valley - Tacoma - 8:00 pm ($)
Sat 20
DISCO WONDERLAND: 70s & 80s Boogie Night | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 8:30 pm ($)
Black Royalty Presents: Synergy R&B Vibearoke | Jazzbones - Tacoma - 9:30 pm ($)
Monolord | Airport Tavern - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)
Nolan Garrett | The Spar - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)
Heather Jones & The Groovemasters | Rock the Dock Pub & Grill - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)
Sun 21
Carson Daniel (Single Release Party) | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 6:00 pm ($)
Big Road Blues | The Spar - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)
⚽ Sports
USA vs. Australia Match & Weekend Events
Here is where to catch the game and celebrate local World Cup events in Tacoma:
Doyle's Public House (Daily): The neighborhood home base for soccer fans, broadcasting every single World Cup match. It is the premier spot in town to meet and watch games alongside supporters of all international teams.
EQC Event Center Watch Party (Friday, June 19, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm): Free, all-ages viewing party at Emerald Queen Casino featuring the match on the big screen.
McMenamins Elks Temple Viewing (Friday, June 19, Doors 11:30 am, Kickoff 12:00 pm): Free, all-ages match screening with pub food and drinks available.
Commencement Bay Cannabis Party (Friday, June 19, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm): Free, 21+ official Puyallup Tribe viewing party at the 72nd Street East location.
World Cup Pow-Wow (Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21): Free, three-day public cultural gathering at the Puyallup Tribal Administration Building featuring intertribal dance, drumming, and competitions.
😆 Comedy
Jim Jefferies: Son Of A Carpenter Tour | 8:00 pm (Doors at 7:00 pm)
Location: EQC Event Center, Tacoma
Description: Australian stand-up powerhouse Jim Jefferies brings his fearless, thought-provoking, and provocative humor to the stage for a night of no-holds-barred comedy. This event is strictly 21+.
Price: Tickets start at $65.50
🧑🌾 Farmers Market
Tacoma Farmers Market | 9th & Broadway, Thursdays 10 am - 2 pm
Waterfront Farmers Market | Skansie Brothers Park, Thursdays 1 - 6 pm
DuPont Farmers Market | Clocktower Park, Thursdays 3 - 7 pm
Tacoma Proctor Farmers' Market | Corner of N. 27th St. &, N Proctor St, Tacoma, Saturdays 9 am - 2 pm
The Village Farmers Market | Frontier Park, Sundays 10 am - 3 pm
☀ Weather
🖖 Before we go
Washington State Summer Con takes over the Puyallup Fair and Events Center this Friday through Sunday (June 19-21). Pop culture, retro gaming, comic books, and cosplay. Daily tickets run $40-$55; doors open at noon Friday and 10:00 am Saturday and Sunday. Enter through the Blue Gate (110 9th Ave SE) for free parking. Tickets and schedule at wasummercon.com.
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.