☕ Good morning! It's Thursday, October 15th
Twelve giant Thomas Dambo troll sculptures officially debut across Point Defiance Zoo and Northwest Trek this week. Plus, this weekend brings the Tacoma Halloween Parade in Proctor, Zoo Boo, the Tacoma Holiday Festival at the Dome, and free Third Thursday museum night.
Here is your quick guide.
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🧌 Giant Trolls Take Over Point Defiance Zoo & Northwest Trek
Thomas Dambo’s Trolls Arrive in Pierce County
Renowned Danish recycle-artist Thomas Dambo debuts TROLLS: A Field Study this Thursday, October 15, running through January 24. Twelve giant, handcrafted troll sculptures (standing 7 to 9 feet tall and made from pallets, twigs, and scrap wood) are tucked into habitats and gardens across both sister parks.
Where to Find Them: Meet 4 trolls (Boge, Larke, Poppy, and Birch) along paved paths at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, and trek out to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville to find the other 8 (Taks, Anja, Wilde, Bignut, Lilnut, Hasse, Kirse, and Valle).
Special Ways to Visit: Book an early morning Wild Zoo Tour to see them before gates open, bring your pup on designated Dog Days, or catch Boge, Poppy, and Birch illuminated during Zoolights this winter.
Etiquette & Access: Guests are encouraged to touch, hug, and snap photos with the trolls, but climbing is strictly prohibited. All sculptures are ADA-accessible from paved pathways.
Admission: Included with standard general admission or membership at each park.
📰 Community / News
Tacoma: Hour-Long Delays Expected for Narrows Bridge Repairs
Westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge commuters should expect delays of an hour or more later this month, as WSDOT closes the two right lanes around the clock for up to 14 days to install an expansion joint. The start date is TBA; carpool or travel off-peak.
Tacoma: The Tacoma Flea Market (Oct 17–18)
Shop vintage apparel, decor, art, and small furniture at The Tacoma Flea, back at Waterfront Market at Ruston (5101 Yacht Club Rd) this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission and parking, 45 regional vendors, a $10 fill-a-bag thrift booth benefiting local charities, and on-site coffee, matcha, and baked treats.
Tacoma: Café Yumm Expanding to West End in Early 2027
Oregon-based fast-casual chain Café Yumm is heading to Tacoma's Westgate North Shopping Center (2601 N. Pearl St.), with an opening planned for early 2027. The spot will feature customizable rice and salad bowls topped with their signature Yumm! Sauce, alongside wraps, quesadillas, bento boxes, and soups.
🎟 Events
Thursday 15
Free Third Thursday and Downtown Artwalk | 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Museum District, Tacoma
Date: Thursday, October 15th, 2026
Price: Free
Description: Enjoy free evening admission across Tacoma's museum district, including the Washington State History Museum, Foss Waterway Seaport, Tacoma Art Museum, and Museum of Glass, alongside open downtown art galleries.
3rd Annual Filipino American History Month Commemoration | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Washington State History Museum, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Explore the historical role of land through cultural performances, hands-on demonstrations, community vendor booths, and interactive history talks.
Seattle Football Watch Party: Seahawks vs. Broncos | 4:15 pm
Location: EQC, Tacoma
Price: Free admission; seating is first come, first served (Ages 21+)
Description: Watch the Seattle Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos on massive screens at the EQC Event Center alongside fellow fans.
Brewery District Makers Market | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: 7 Seas Brewing Tacoma Taproom
Price: Free admission
Description: Shop goods from dozens of local vendors, receive flash tattoos or tarot readings, and enjoy craft beer, coffee, and food bites.
Haunted Trails | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Thelma Gilmur Park, Fircrest
Price: $3 to $5 (tickets)
Description: Walk a spooky outdoor trail featuring staged Halloween scenes and attractions.
Friday 16
Halloween Hullabaloo | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Steilacoom Community Center (2301 Worthington St), Steilacoom
Price: $10 Family Pass (tickets)
Description: A joint community Halloween event presented by the City of DuPont and Town of Steilacoom, featuring trick-or-treating, a magic show, seasonal crafts, activities, and treats.
Saturday 17
Zoo Boo | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma
Date: Saturday October 17th to Sunday October 18th
Price: Free with zoo admission or membership
Description: Celebrate Halloween with seasonal animal enrichments, costume parades, trick-or-treat games, and live underwater pumpkin carving demonstrations.
3rd Annual Haunted Market | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Historic Parkland School, Parkland
Price: Free
Description: Shop over 50 local vendors and visit food trucks alongside tarot card readers, massages, selfie stations, and roving Halloween characters.
3rd Annual Tacoma Halloween Parade & Spooky Street Fair | 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Proctor District, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: An all-ages Halloween festival featuring a street market, food trucks, live stage entertainment, a kids' carnival and market, the "Creep It Real" costume contest at 6:15 pm, and an evening parade at 7:00 pm.
Stock Your Cellar – Wine Tasting Event | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Chambers Bay Grill, University Place
Price: $49 (tickets)
Description: Sample a selection of local wines poured directly by visiting winemakers, accompanied by paired hors d'oeuvres and small bites under the seasonal tent.
Tacoma Night Market | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: The Mothership (5407 S Washington Street), Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Browse goods from local Tacoma artists and makers during an evening market featuring food, drinks, and live music.
All Hallows: Creepy Creatures | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Lakewold Gardens, Lakewood
Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026; Sunday, October 18th, 2026; Saturday, October 24th, 2026; Sunday, October 25th, 2026
Price: $15 adults, $10 youth, 5 and under free (tickets)
Description: Explore nighttime gardens with hidden sculptures, microscope viewings, science experiments, and crafts, plus a haunted vendor fair. Costumes encouraged.
Sunday 18
Behind the Screams at Haunted Woods | 10:30 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Maris Farms, Buckley
Price: $33 (tickets)
Description: Take an actor-free, behind-the-scenes walkthrough of Haunted Woods to examine elaborate sets, an abandoned 1940s hotel, and detailed horror scenery without live jump scares.
Sunday Drag Market | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: The Mothership (5407 S Washington Street), Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: Explore a daytime vendor market at The Mothership showcasing regional creators, crafts, food, and entertainment.
🎸 Music
☀ Weather
🖖 Before we go
Tacoma Holiday Festival at the Tacoma Dome
The Tacoma Holiday Festival takes over the Tacoma Dome October 15–18, with hundreds of vendors selling handmade gifts, boutique fashion, gourmet treats, and festive decor. Santa photos, a 25-foot living spruce, adoptable pups on Puppermint Lane, craft workshops, and live entertainment round out the experience. Doors open daily at 10:00 am.
Friday Ladies Night (5–7 pm) features $5 admission, $10 parking (4–6 pm), live jazz, and drink specials. Parking is $20 cashless; avoid I-5 Exit 133.
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.