☕ Good morning! It's Thursday, October 8th
Oktoberfest Northwest takes over the Puyallup fairgrounds this weekend with German biers, wiener dog races, and stein-holding showdowns. Plus, this weekend brings the Tacoma Greek Festival, UP’s own Oktoberfest, The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Blue Mouse, and the Haunted Farmers Market.
Here is your quick guide.
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🍻 Oktoberfest Northwest
Washington’s largest Munich-style Oktoberfest returns to the Washington State Fairgrounds this weekend, October 9–11. The 21st annual celebration packs the Festhalle with traditional music, games, and German biers served in classic steins.
Food & Drinks: Authentic German staples across the grounds, including schnitzel, bratwurst, flammkuchen, pretzels, and traditional rotisserie chicken, alongside ice-cold imported German biers.
Contests & Games: Watch the Wiener Dog Races, take on Hammerschlagen, and see top contenders battle in the WA State Stein Holding Championship and Bavarian Bier-Lympics.
Live Entertainment: Non-stop oompah music from the Bavarian Beer Garden Band, Enzian Schuhplattler traditional dancers, and evening party bands keeping the hall rocking after dark.
All-Ages Fun: All ages are welcome during the daytime, while evenings shift into a 21+ party atmosphere.
📰 Community / News
Tacoma: Halal Eatery Chopan Restaurant & Cafe Coming This November
Chopan Restaurant & Cafe is coming to Tacoma this November, bringing halal Afghan, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and Persian cuisine, including kebabs, dumplings, fresh-baked breads, and tea in a family-friendly space. Location and opening details coming soon.
Tacoma: Tanoor Lebanese Grill & BBQ Opening in South End
Tanoor Lebanese Grill & BBQ is coming to Tacoma Place (1905 S. 72nd St.) in early 2027, taking over the former Famous Dave's space. Known for locations in Sammamish, Seattle, and Bellevue, the restaurant will serve halal grilled meats, mezze, fresh flatbreads, vegetarian options, and smoked meats with a Lebanese twist.
Tacoma: The Snug Family Pub Opens in Proctor
The Snug Family Pub has officially opened in the Proctor District after nearly two years of construction. The family-friendly Irish-American spot from locals Andrea and Paul Evans features three distinct spaces and a menu with Guinness on tap, pub classics, and creative bites like rattlesnake sausage pasta. Stop in and check it out.
🎟 Events
Thursday 8
Free Thursday Neighborhood Nights | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum
Price: Free
Description: Free evening museum admission featuring open gallery access, hands-on artmaking in TAM Studio, and programming with local community partners.
Live Painting: Creating Art in Real Time with Barry Johnson | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum
Price: Free
Description: A live painting demonstration and interactive Q&A session with artist Barry Johnson hosted by The Current, An Artist Award, alongside viewing of their featured work Never Harm a Crow.
Friday 9
Mottet Library: Horror Hour – Apocalyptic Horror | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Public Library Mottet Branch, Tacoma
Price: Free (Ages 18+)
Description: A casual discussion group exploring apocalyptic horror across films, books, and video games, with featured conversation around titles like The Walking Dead and 28 Days Later.
University Place Oktoberfest | 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Market Square (3609 Market Place W), University Place
Price: Free admission
Description: An all-ages fall community celebration featuring live polka music, a beer garden, food trucks, the South Sound Makers Market, kids' activities in the Civic Building atrium, and roaming entertainers.
Tacoma Opera: DIE WALKÜRE | 7:00 pm
Location: Pantages Theater, Tacoma
Price: $34 to $295 (tickets)
Description: A fully staged Tacoma Opera production of Wagner's epic masterpiece featuring an international cast, live orchestra, and iconic moments including the "Ride of the Valkyries."
Saturday 10
Defiance 50K, 30K & 15K | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Owen Beach, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
Price: Registration required (Entry fees vary by distance/relay)
Description: A scenic trail race featuring 50K, 30K, 15K, and 3-person relay options routed on single-track loops through Point Defiance Park's old-growth forest and Puget Sound shoreline.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Run/Walk | 9:00 am
Location: Bradley Lake Park, Puyallup
Price: $30 (tickets)
Description: A costume-friendly dog run and walk partnered with Firehouse Pets featuring custom finisher medals, treat swag bags, themed bandanas, costume contests, and an on-site pet food drive for Metro Animal Services.
Switch Saturday | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Swasey Library (7001 6th Ave), Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: A casual monthly gaming session featuring big-screen projector multiplayer, open handheld play, library-provided consoles with games like Smash Bros and Minecraft, and browsing of the branch's circulating video game collection.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Live Shadowcast | 11:00 pm
Location: Blue Mouse Theatre, Tacoma
Price: $19 (tickets)
Description: Screening of the cult classic featuring live shadowcast performance by The Blue Mousketeers, pre-show games, costumes, callbacks, and full audience participation.
Sunday 11
The Haunted Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: S 54th St & S Tacoma Way, Tacoma
Price: Free admission
Description: An outdoor supernatural-themed market featuring over 150 vendors offering oddities, crystals, flash tattoos, tarot readings, taxidermy, macabre apparel, horror collectibles, and handcrafted spooky goods.
Adult Late Skate | 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Armory, Tacoma
Price: $15.41 (Ages 18+)
Description: An adults-only open roller-skating night hosted by Tacoma Arts Live, featuring upbeat music, an open rink floor, and a welcoming session for all experience levels.
🎸 Music
☀ Weather
🖖 Before we go
Tacoma Greek Festival
The annual Tacoma Greek Festival returns to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (1523 S. Yakima Ave) this Friday through Sunday, October 9–11.
Dig into savory specialties from the church kitchen, sip traditional drinks, and stock up on homemade authentic pastries. A flavor-packed celebration of Greek heritage and community hospitality.
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.