Pierce County Events Calendar

Pierce County Events Calendar

This calendar is the place to find fun events happening throughout Pierce County, including Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood and beyond.

Have an event that isn’t listed? Please email events@SouthSoundTalk.com with the following information:

  • Name of Event
  • Date, time and location (name of business if applicable and complete address)
  • Organizer(s) name
  • Cost
  • URL to purchase tickets
  • Website URL
  • SHORT description of the event
  • Photo

Our editors will review and post within a few business days.

Dec
6
Fri
Festival of Trees Tinsel on the Town @ University of Puget Sound, Tennis Pavilion
Dec 6 @ 6:00 pm
Festival of Trees Tinsel on the Town @ University of Puget Sound, Tennis Pavilion

Every year, Mary Bridge Children’s Festival of Trees raises funds for critical programs and services, improving the health and well-being of children throughout Washington state. This year’s Festival of Trees theme, Magic Lives Here, will ring in 38 years of championing world-class pediatric health care. Tinsel on the Town includes pre-event live entertainment and raffle, auction, and an after-party with the Northwest’s favorite party band. Tickets include valet parking, hosted bar, dinner and dancing and are available to those 21 or older. Proceeds raised during Festival of Trees will help build the new MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital campus.

Dec
7
Sat
Festival of Trees Gala @ University of Puget Sound, Tennis Pavilion
Dec 7 @ 6:00 pm
Festival of Trees Gala @ University of Puget Sound, Tennis Pavilion

Every year, Mary Bridge Children’s Festival of Trees raises funds for critical programs and services, improving the health and well-being of children throughout Washington state. This year’s Festival of Trees theme, Magic Lives Here, will ring in 38 years of championing world-class pediatric health care. The gala includes pre-event live entertainment and a raffles; Fund-A-Need and a live auction featuring 25 beautiful themed trees with unique experiences and items; and an after-party with with one of Western Washington’s premier Funk, R&B and Soul bands. Tickets include valet parking, hosted bar, dinner and dancing and are available to those 21 or older. Proceeds raised during Festival of Trees will help build the new MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital campus.

Dec
14
Sat
Experience an 1861 Christmas @ Historic Fort Steilacoom
Dec 14 @ 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm

An affordable event for families: Experience an 1861 Christmas at Historic Fort Steilacoom on Dec. 14

Step back in time and experience Christmas as it was celebrated in 1861! Join Historic Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., as living historians bring the holiday season to life in the same buildings where it was celebrated 163 years ago.

Visitors will walk through candlelit scenes of re-enactors singing, dancing, dining, and exchanging gifts, just as the residents of Fort Steilacoom might have done in the first U.S. military post in Puget Sound. Visitors from 2024 will walk past and witness scenes as if the visitors are silent time travelers.

Though 1861 marked the beginning of the U.S. Civil War, Christmas at Fort Steilacoom was a time of celebration and social gathering, where soldiers, families, and friends came together in a festive spirit.

Ticket Information

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth. A family of up to two adults and four youth pays $12. Proceeds support the maintenance of Fort Steilacoom’s historic buildings. Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-at-historic-fort-steilacoom-1861-in-2024-tickets-1086615178249?aff=oddtdtcreator

This popular event often sells out, so advance purchase is highly recommended. You can check the Fort Steilacoom Facebook page for updates about tickets.

The final tour group departs at 7:10 p.m.

Fort Steilacoom is on the grounds of Western State Hospital, located at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98498. Be sure to use this address to locate the fort, as GPS may direct you to nearby Fort Steilacoom Park. After entering Western State, turn right, and look for the cannon shelter and lights. Tours start at the building furthest right of the four.

About Fort Steilacoom

Fort Steilacoom was the first U.S. Army post in Puget Sound, operating from 1849 to 1868. Now managed entirely by volunteers, it holds an essential place in the settlement and early history of Washington Territory. The Historic Fort Steilacoom Association is dedicated to preserving this heritage, acknowledging the complex history of the Fort, and including diverse perspectives in its storytelling.

Learn more at www.historicfortsteilacoom.org

Jan
9
Thu
HistoryTalks! The Evergreen Ballroom @ Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers
Jan 9 @ 6:30 pm
HistoryTalks! The Evergreen Ballroom @ Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers

The Evergreen Ballroom story is an immigrant story, a local community story, and a music lovers’ story. From the time it was constructed to the last day that music played, the dance hall saw a number of people cross its stage who would go on to musical fame. In this presentation, Rebecca Sanchez will cover her research from a series of local history articles published on Thurston Talk.

Hybrid Format: Come in person or join online.

Registration required for online attendance only https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lS3QWnAcTpmwaTU6tf5sVQ#/registration

Jan
13
Mon
Sumner Blood Drive @ Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Jan 13 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sumner Blood Drive @ Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Donate & Win a $3,000 digital gift card – Donate & Win – Bloodworks Northwest

Did you know only 3% of people give blood, yet it takes thousands of us donating every day to ensure blood is available for our community? This January, make a difference with Bloodworks and donate! As a thank you, you have a chance to win a $3,000 prepaid digital gift card!
Go to www.bloodworksnw.org/win to book an appointment near you and complete your online entry.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to commit to your next donation and set a goal to donate every time you’re eligible! Join Bloodworks in celebration of National Blood Donor Month!

It takes 1,000 donors a day to maintain a safe and reliable blood supply in the Pacific Northwest.

Jan
14
Tue
Sumner Blood Drive @ Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Jan 14 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sumner Blood Drive @ Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Donate & Win a $3,000 digital gift card – Donate & Win – Bloodworks Northwest

Did you know only 3% of people give blood, yet it takes thousands of us donating every day to ensure blood is available for our community? This January, make a difference with Bloodworks and donate! As a thank you, you have a chance to win a $3,000 prepaid digital gift card!
Go to www.bloodworksnw.org/win to book an appointment near you and complete your online entry.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to commit to your next donation and set a goal to donate every time you’re eligible! Join Bloodworks in celebration of National Blood Donor Month!

It takes 1,000 donors a day to maintain a safe and reliable blood supply in the Pacific Northwest.

Feb
19
Wed
Open House @ Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center
Feb 19 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Open House @ Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center

Stop by Rebuilding Hope’s new Hilltop headquarters to enjoy celebratory refreshments, tour the building, and learn about expanding healing services for victim-survivors.

Apr
5
Sat
Golden Gala @ Rust Mansion
Apr 5 @ 7:00 pm
Golden Gala @ Rust Mansion

Join Tacoma Historical Society for our Golden Gala at the Rust Mansion. Enjoy a magical night at the historic residence, complete with live music, drinks and a curated selection of local foods.

Special guest Peter Altmann will speak about his great aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer, who was Gustav Klimt’s Woman in Gold. Learn about the person, the painting, the artist, the movie and its journey through time. He will talk about his mother, Maria Altmann, who escaped the Nazis and then had to fight for the return of her painting.

Peter graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a minor in Art History and has spoken at museums, schools and organizations around the globe.

Guests are encouraged to wear formal attire. Thematic gold is admired, but not required.

The evening will also include a silent auction. All proceeds from this event support Tacoma Historical Society’s mission to preserve, present, and promote Tacoma’s history by connecting generations to the many stories of our city’s past.

Apr
19
Sat
14th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap @ Tacoma Community College (Lot A)
Apr 19 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
14th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap @ Tacoma Community College (Lot A)

The 14th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap is a FREE family-friendly community event put on by Ride Together Pierce, where anyone can sell or buy used bicycles and bicycle parts. We encourage you to bring a helmet if you plan on test-riding bikes.

At the Bike Swap, Ride Together Pierce is planning on providing:

  • ??BIKE CORRAL: Buy a bike or sell a bike at our Bike Corral. If you have 1-2 bikes to sell, this is the recommended route. There are no listing or selling fees. You do not need to sell a bike to buy, or trade. Come find your new-to-you ride!
  • ?QUICK FIX: Make sure your future bike is safe to test ride by taking it through a quick safety check first by a professional bicycle mechanic.  A mobile bike repair shop will also be onsite for more complex repairs.
  • ??BIKE TEST RIDE AREA: Test out your potential new ride on a secure, short route through the Swap.
  • ??LOW-COST HELMETS: Provided by Downtown on the Go, bicyclists can purchase affordable helmets and get a proper helmet fitting.
  • ??BIKE MAP MASTERS: Discuss best biking routes with seasoned local riders at the Bike Map Masters station.
  • ?BIKE SKILLS PRACTICE AREA: Folks of all ages and abilities can practice safe riding skills such as balancing, scanning, stopping, turning, and more.
  • ?FOOD TRUCKS: Enjoy delicious sweet and savory food from local food trucks.
  • ?BIKE INDEX AND BICYCLE BENEFITS STICKERS: With a Bike Index sticker, you can add security to your bike by registering it to the Bike Index directory. A Bicycle Benefits helmet sticker can be used to receive discounts at participating businesses in Pierce County (and nationwide).
  • ??VENDORS: We are inviting local bike shops and bike-related organizations to show off their products and share the latest information with you on bicycling in Pierce County. If you have several bicycles or bike parts to sell, we recommend you register as a vendor. There are no vendor fees. Registration open now!
Apr
25
Fri
‘The Things They Brought Home’ Opening Reception @ Washington State History Museum
Apr 25 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Join us for the opening of the new exhibition, The Things They Brought Home, which honors the wartime experiences of Washington’s Vietnam veterans. Curators Erik Flint and Megan Nishikawa will present information about the development of the exhibition.