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.
Enjoy a rainbow of colors and bushels of fun at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden’s Fall Foliage Festival and Plant Sale on October 26-27
Join us for this free event featuring garden tours and plant talks, kids’ scavenger hunt, a food truck, or search for the perfect spot to take that quintessential fall photo. Also shop RSBG’s biggest sale of the year! Discover an immersive wonderland of sights, sounds, and sensations – from cool breezes to rustling leaves and the quiet swaying of golden-brown maple trees.
The garden’s annual Fall Foliage Festival and Plant Sale is sure to please garden enthusiasts and nature lovers of all ages. For plant hunters looking for something special, featured pop-up vendors will bring their cultivated collections to the Rutherford Conservatory terrace.
Dig into a savory dish from a food truck before heading to the Gift Shop for unique garden gifts or peruse the books in the Visitor Center to learn about the beloved Rhododendron species and the natural history of the Pacific Northwest. Our collection of Japanese maples, deciduous azaleas, and other deciduous species never fails to produce a large range of bright colors right before we head into the dark and grey of winter.
Tacoma Farmers Market creates vibrant marketplaces where local farms, small businesses, and organizations connect directly with the community.
Broadway on Thursdays May 2 – Oct. 31, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
We accept cash, credit cards, EBT/SNAP and WIC/SFMNP
Free Family Friendly Event
THE VIKINGS ARE COMING! We are happy to present our 2nd annual Viking Days. You’ll find Vikings, crafts, gifts, music, dancing, meatballs etc…! Did anyone say meatball sundaes? Aquavit, mead, wine & spirits tastings. Full lineup to be shared later. All Veterans enjoy a free food punch card on Sunday for your services. Show your ID. Two floors of fun for the whole family!
Indulge, a Sip & Savor Experience, is the signature fundraiser to benefit the Gig Harbor Senior Center. Attendees will indulge in an evening of savory and sweet bites whipped up by local chefs, locally produced beverages, auctions, games, music and more! Join in making a difference for our community’s seniors.
THE VIKINGS ARE COMING! We are happy to present our 2nd annual Viking Days. You’ll find Vikings, crafts, gifts, music, dancing, meatballs etc…! Did anyone say meatball sundaes? Aquavit, mead, wine & spirits tastings. Full lineup to be shared later. All Veterans enjoy a free food punch card on Sunday for your services. Show your ID. Two floors of fun for the whole family!
Gayla! is our biggest fundraiser of the year, featuring a live and silent auction. All funds raised go directly to the community through better resources, more events, and improved amenities at Rainbow Center for community use. Every dollar raised makes a difference to our work, and we want you to make that difference! Plus, we’ll provide entertainment, food, drinks, and dancing to close the night. Gayla! will be the party of the year, and you don’t want to miss it!
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.
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.
The beloved Tacoma Santa Parade is back for its 11th year, bringing holiday cheer, community fun, and endless festive activities to historic South Tacoma Way on Saturday, December 14th. This year’s event promises an unforgettable experience for all ages, with the day’s festivities kicking off at noon and leading up to the exciting parade at 4:30 PM.
Event Highlights:
? Street Festival (Noon – 6:00 PM): South Tacoma Way between 50th and 56th will transform into a bustling holiday street festival, featuring a wide range of vendors selling handmade gifts, bath and body items, home goods, jewelry, including a Creepmas Market and more—perfect for holiday shopping!
? Food Vendors: Satisfy your seasonal cravings with comfort foods from local vendors, including Pacific Islander delicacies, soul food, pizza, kettlecorn, baked goods, hot cocoa, and more. Enjoy the tastes of the holidays while exploring all the festival has to offer.
? Stage Entertainment: A full lineup of live performances will celebrate the season with music and dance. Don’t miss the Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest at 4:00 PM on the main stage—bring your most outrageous festive attire and compete for prizes!
? Parade (4:30 PM): The grand Tacoma Santa Parade will step off in style with local cheer teams, dance clubs, marching bands, decorated floats, and, of course, Santa’s Elves. The parade will end with the arrival of Santa Claus himself, spreading holiday cheer to all in attendance.
Join Us as a Sponsor or Parade Participant:
To make this year’s event truly magical, we are still welcoming sponsors and parade participants who wish to join in spreading holiday joy. Interested businesses and community groups can visit our website at www.tacomasantaparade.org to complete an application and become part of this cherished Tacoma tradition.
Sponsors and Community Support:
This year’s event is proudly supported by local businesses and sponsors dedicated to making the holiday season brighter for the Tacoma community, including Pierce Transit, Stellar Soirees Event Creation, SEO2000, Partytime Parcels, Cascade Home Builders, Tapco Credit Union, Liz Ann Johnson Elder Law, Guild Mortgage and the Asian Pacific Cultural Center. Their support and commitment to community spirit help make this cherished event possible.
Join Us for the Magic of the Holiday Season:
The Tacoma Santa Parade & Street Festival has become a favorite annual tradition, bringing together families, friends, and neighbors to celebrate the holiday season with warmth, joy, and Tacoma’s signature community spirit. With fun for all ages and something for everyone, the 11th Annual Tacoma Santa Parade promises a day filled with festive cheer.
For more information, follow our event updates or reach out to Event Coordinator Jennifer Day at tacomasantaparade@gmail.com. We look forward to celebrating with you and ringing in the holiday season together in the heart of Tacoma!
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