Thursday,
☕ Good morning! It's Thursday, September 10th
The 14th Annual Tacoma Moon Festival lights up Chinese Reconciliation Park this Saturday with food trucks, global performances, and a waterfront lantern parade. Plus, this weekend brings Bark by the Bay, big comedy sets from Kathy Griffin and Mike Epps, and the Puyallup Rodeo.
Here is your quick guide.
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🌕 14th Annual Tacoma Moon Festival
Lanterns, global performances, and food trucks along the waterfront
14th Annual Tacoma Moon Festival
The Tacoma Moon Festival returns this Saturday, September 12, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chinese Reconciliation Park (1741 N Schuster Pkwy). The free waterfront celebration brings together music, dance, and food trucks to celebrate East Asian Mid-Autumn traditions and Tacoma’s diverse heritage.
Live Performances: Chinese Lion Dancers kick things off at 1:00 PM, followed by Cambodian classical dance, Bollywood dancers, Hispanic fusion, Island reggae, and Scandinavian folk music.
Food & Crafts: Local food trucks and artisan booths open throughout the park.
Lantern Parade (6:45 PM): A sunset parade led by the Moon Princess caps off the evening.
📰 Community Updates
Gig Harbor: New Fall Farmers Market Debuts (Tuesdays, Sept 8–29)
A new Tuesday evening fall farmers market in Gig Harbor, running September 8–29 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at B's Bagels & Butters (3308 Uddenberg Ln). About a dozen vendors offering late-season produce, local seafood, artisan sauces, and fresh pasta alongside live music.
Tacoma: Rustico Coffee & Bakery Opening This Fall in North End
A new family-owned café and bakery is coming to the North End this fall. Rustico Coffee & Bakery is moving into the former Dave's Meat & Produce space, with a team connected to family-run food businesses in Honduras. Expect fresh baked goods and espresso with deep culinary roots. Opening date TBA.
Tacoma: Wooden City Team Debuting "The Loyal" on Pacific Ave
The team behind Wooden City is transforming their original downtown space (714 Pacific Ave) into The Loyal, an intimate 21+ bar and restaurant coming later this year. Expect raw and roasted oysters, martinis, sparkling wine, and acclaimed chef Dre Neeley's (Gravy) signature gluten-free fried chicken.
🎟 Events
Thursday 10
The Witching Hour: An Enchanted Market | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Volunteer Vern Pavilion at Sehmel Homestead Park, Gig Harbor
Price: $25 (tickets)
Description: An atmospheric evening market welcoming the new season with 20+ artisan vendors selling crystals, apothecary goods, gothic art, and oddities. Includes a welcome drink and small bites, plus a botanical spell bar, optional tarot readings, and flash tattoos.
Thursday Night Football Watch Party: 49ers vs. Rams | 5:35 pm
Location: Tacoma Comedy Club (6th & Proctor)
Price: Free admission
Description: An NFL watch party screening the 49ers vs. Rams Thursday Night Football matchup, with food and drinks from the club lounge.
Free Thursday Neighborhood Nights | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Ave)
Price: Free
Description: Free weekly evening admission to TAM with gallery access, hands-on activities in the TAM Studio, community programming, and food and drinks at TAM Cafe.
Harborcade: Women’s Pinball Tournament | 6:00 pm
Location: Locust Cider, Gig Harbor
Price: $5 entry
Description: An official IFPA-sanctioned monthly women's pinball tournament held in the Harborcade taproom arcade, featuring competitive match play, prizes, and giveaways alongside fresh cider on tap.
Friday 11
OCB Night Market | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Off Camber Brewing, Puyallup
Price: Free admission
Description: An open-air evening market from South Sound Makers Market with 15+ local artisan booths, specialty food, handcrafted goods, live entertainment, and craft beers on tap.
Kathy Griffin: New Face, New Tour | 7:00 pm
Location: Pantages Theater, Tacoma
Price: Starting at $35 (tickets)
Description: Emmy and Grammy-winning comedian Kathy Griffin brings her fearless, uncensored pop-culture satire to the historic Pantages Theater.
Cosmic Legacy: Tribute to Queen | 7:00 pm
Location: Pierce College Science Dome, Lakewood
Price: $15 (tickets)
Description: An immersive full-dome planetarium laser and visual show set to the legendary discography of Queen, featuring classics like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "Love of My Life."
Saturday 12
Model-T Experience | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: LeMay Collections at Marymount (325 152nd St E), Tacoma
Price: $175 (tickets)
Description: Learn the mechanics of Henry Ford’s Model T and drive one across the historic Marymount campus; includes museum admission, t-shirt, and certificate (18+, license and insurance required).
5th Annual Bark by the Bay | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Chambers Creek Regional Park, University Place
Price: Free admission
Description: A dog festival featuring off-leash play areas, splash zones, agility demos, pet vendors, food trucks, and a pet food drive.
Pacific Northwest Night Market | 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Point Ruston, Tacoma
Price: Free admission
Description: A waterfront market celebrating PNW pride with local artisan vendors, handmade goods, and PNW-themed flash tattoos. Free face painting, kids' crafts, a spray park, and playground on site. All ages and dog-friendly.
Mike Epps | 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm, and 9:45 pm
Location: Tacoma Comedy Club Downtown (933 Market St), Tacoma
Price: $76 (tickets)
Description: Nationally touring stand-up set from actor and comedian Mike Epps, star of Netflix's The Upshaws and classic comedy films like Next Friday and The Hangover.
Sunday 13
Artist Market Series | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Real Art Tacoma (5412 S Tacoma Way)
Price: Free admission
Description: An all-ages community makers market featuring dark, gothic, and alternative artists and vendors. 21+ beverages available next door at Beyond ThunderDome Café.
Salsa Social | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: The Sandbar & Grill, Tacoma
Price: No cover
Description: A bi-weekly Latin dance social with water views, drinks, and casual dancing for all levels. Optional $15 private instruction or open dancing with a partner.
🎸 Music
🧑🌾 Farmers’ Markets
☀ Weather
🖖 Before we go
Puyallup Rodeo & Dancin’ in the Dirt
The Puyallup Rodeo returns to the Washington State Fair Event Center this Thursday, September 10, through Sunday, September 13. Evening shows kick off at 6:30 PM with PRCA action followed immediately by the free "Dancin’ in the Dirt" concerts, featuring Gretchen Wilson on Thursday, Dylan Marlowe on Friday, and Chase Rice on Saturday.
Every evening rodeo ticket includes same-day Fair gate admission (up to an $18 value). Tickets are required for ages 2 and up—just bring footwear ready for the arena dirt!
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.