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.

May
4
Thu
New Washington State Poet Laureate: Passing of the Laurel to Arianne True @ Washington State History Museum
May 4 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us on May 4 in Tacoma as we welcome the new Washington State Poet Laureate.

Current Laureate Rena Priest will “pass the laurel” to the new Laureate Arianne True.
Poets from around the state will share poems that speak to our shared places and culture.

The Washington State Poet Laureate program is jointly sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and Humanities Washington.

May
25
Thu
State of the Urban Forest @ University of Washington - Tacoma
May 25 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for a special in-person conversation focused on tree canopy and climate connections in Tacoma.

Kristi Lynett, City of Tacoma Sustainability Officer for the City of Tacoma, will discuss the impact that climate change is having in our community and the role of trees in making us more resilient.

Mike Carey, Urban Forest Program Manager for the City of Tacoma, will share about recent progress on tree policy and programs at the city level.

Lowell Wyse, Executive Director of Tacoma Tree Foundation (TTF), will talk about the many ways that TTF is working to educate the public about urban forestry and create “tree equity” across the South Sound.

This panel will be held at the University of Washington Tacoma and moderated by Pierce County Council Member Ryan Mello. Suggested donations of $15 or more will support Tacoma Tree Foundation programs.

Date: May 25

Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Location: UWT (exact room to be determined)

May
27
Sat
Queen Victoria’s Birthday @ Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
May 27 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

The tradition of celebrating the British Queen in the Puget Sound may surprise some, but it is not a new one. On May 25, 1846, Fort Nisqually took a holiday. A planned revue was canceled due to rain. The day before, the HMS Fisgard, a British 46-gunned frigate, fired a royal salute from the decks over the Puget Sound to commemorate her 27th birthday.

This year, the gentlemen and gentlewomen of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum plan to celebrate her birthday – rain or shine – with cannon fire and Victorian finery!

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Members receive complementary admission. Check in at the gate! More information about Fort membership can be found at fortnisqually.org.

May
28
Sun
Puyallup Memorial Day Remembrance Program @ Pavilion in Pioneer Park, Puyallup
May 28 @ 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm

Puyallup’s annual Memorial Day Remembrance Program in the Pioneer Park Pavilion. Free, ample parking, and for all ages. Performance by the Clan Gordon Pipe Band. The guest speaker is Michelle Black, a Gold Star Widow, author of “Sacrifice: The Green Berets, A Fateful Ambush, and a Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth”.

May
29
Mon
16th Annual Memorial Day Observance @ War Memorial Park
May 29 @ 11:00 am

Each year on Memorial Day, Tacoma Historical Society sponsors a service at War Memorial Park. 2023 marks our 16th annual event. The event is free and all are welcome to attend.

This year we will feature an All-City Junior ROTC Color Guard, representing all the JROTC units in the Tacoma School District, a brass ensemble from the 133rd Army Band from the Washington National Guard, a wreath laying by American Legion Post 2 in Spanaway, and a keynote speaker.

Jun
9
Fri
Tacoma Streetcars @ Tacoma Historical Society
Jun 9 @ 6:30 pm

Join Tacoma Historical Society for our June monthly program presented by the President of the National Railway Historical Society’s Tacoma Chapter, Mike Bergman. Mike will share the history of Tacoma’s streetcar system, from its inception as horse drawn trolleys to electric streetcars.

Refreshments will be provided. Doors open at 6pm for exhibit viewing, talk begins at 6:30pm. This event is FREE or by donation. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or at the door.

This event is generously sponsored by Tacoma Creates, the Port of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Utilities and Amtrak.

Jun
15
Thu
Juneteenth Commemoration @ Washington State History Museum
Jun 15 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Juneteenth Commemoration
Thursday, June 15, 5:30–8:00 PM
FREE

Commemorate Juneteenth at the Washington State History Museum, presenting members of the African American Writers Alliance.

Writers will compose and read original works reflecting on items from the WSHS collection and the historical significance of the holiday. In partnership with Write253, guests will also hear local youth writers read original reflections on the significance of Juneteenth, and have the opportunity to participate in letterpress printing.

Join us as we celebrate the official release of Black Washington, the first app to connect us with the inspiring stories, influential icons, and historic landmarks that have shaped Washington’s Black history.

Jun
17
Sat
Dine We Must @ Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Jun 17 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

An evening at Fort Nisqually filled with Northwest cuisine, drinks, and Victorian entertainment.

Jun
25
Sun
Suffrage Special Afternoon Tea @ Point Defiance Pagoda
Jun 25 @ 1:00 pm

Join Tacoma Historical Society for an outdoor tea party in celebration of the arrival of the Suffrage Special delegation to Tacoma in 1909.

Representatives of the National American Woman Suffrage Association boarded a Northern Pacific train going from Chicago to Seattle for the 41st Annual Convention. Along the way they stopped in several cities, gave speeches and picked up more passengers all in the pursuit for women’s right to vote. In June of 1909, they stopped in Tacoma where they were given a tour of Point Defiance Park, served dinner and gave speeches at the Tacoma Building.

O?ur tea party will include tea, sandwiches, scones with jam and tartlets. Following tea, THS curator Elizabeth Korsmo will give a talk about the historical events behind the Suffrage Special and Barbara Callander will give a special performance from the Washington Women’s Suffrage Centennial play. Supplies will be provided for guests to make their own suffrage sash.

Period costume is encouraged but not required.

Jul
14
Fri
Prairie Line Walk & Talk @ Tollefson Plaza
Jul 14 @ 6:00 pm

Join Tacoma Historical Society for a historic walking tour of the Prairie Line Trail in downtown Tacoma. The tour will be lead by renowned local historian, Michael Sullivan, who will share the history of how the Northern Pacific Railroad shaped the city we know today.

The walk will begin at Tollefson Plaza and cover approximately one mile. While the trail is accessible, the first portion of the walk is uphill. Paid public parking can be found along Pacific Avenue.

RSVP at Eventbrite.com

This program is FREE or by donation. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in-person at the event.

For questions call or email:
(?253) 472-3738
i?nfo@tacomahistory.org

For information about other events included in the Northern Pacific 150th Commemoration, visit us at www.NP150.org.

Sponsored by Tacoma Creates, Port of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Utilities, Amtrak & Puyallup Tribe of Indians