,

It's July in Tacoma - 15 Community Events You'll Love!

,
This is us, the Duggans: Dandie, Gretchen, and Michael ready for summer fun in Tacoma!

This is us, the Duggans: Dandie, Gretchen, and Michael ready for summer fun in Tacoma!

You might remember our recent article about all kinds of events around our city in June. If you didn't make it to a single June event, don't fret! If you don't make it to any of these July events, no biggie. August will bring other opportunities. In a world where there's always something to be at, always something to be missing, we don't want to freak you out even more. But, we do want you to know a bit about what's out there so you have a chance, when you want one, to take a historical walking tour, or celebrate the birthday of Tacoma's weirdest most beloved dive bar, or take your kid to story time, strengthen and focus with some outdoor yoga, or settle onto your picnic blanket for some weekly live music in the park. If you find yourself with an itch to be out in the community this month, just come back to this list and see what's up.

Our list starts with one-time/once-a-month/annual events and moves into a weekly events section. Take a deep breath, accept that you can't do it all, and have a look.

1. Family Fun Night at Fort Nisqually History Museum

Friday, July 6th
6 - 9 pm
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum at Point Defiance Park
Fun circa 1855, music, races, saltwater taffy fires from a cannon!
$0-10

2. Tacoma Night Market

Saturday, July 7th
5 - 10 pm
734 Pacific Ave
Food, music, local vendors
Free

Image from @tacomanightmarket

3. Art on the Ave

Sunday, July 8th
11 am - 7 pm
6th Ave, from State St to Alder
Tacoma's biggest arts focused festival, 3 stages for live music, booths galore, fun in the street!
Free

Save the date! Our 9th anniversary bash is Saturday, July 14th 🍻 * * #9thanniversary #7seasbrewing #gigharbor #tacoma #bestofthesouthsound

141 Likes, 5 Comments - 7SeasBrewing (@7seasbrewing) on Instagram: "Save the date! Our 9th anniversary bash is Saturday, July 14th 🍻 * * #9thanniversary #7seasbrewing..."

4. Blueberry Festival at PLU

Wednesday, July 11th
11 am - 1:30 pm
Red Square at Pacific Lutheran University
Live music, fresh berry dessert, low key
$2.50 for dessert, free with student ID

5. 7 Seas Brewing 9th Anniversary Bash!

Saturday, July 14th
2 - 8 pm
7 Seas Brewing Co, 3006 Judson St, Ste 110, Gig Harbor
Brews, food trucks, live music, tie dye, games
Note: this is NOT IN TACOMA, be sure to go to 7 Seas in Gig Harbor, their original location!
$4

Image from @7seasbrewing

If you missed this morning's storytime, you can still bring your kids by the Cabin this afternoon for a fun apple craft. Supplies will be available until 4pm. #AppleCraft #kidscrafts #ExploreTacoma

5 Likes, 1 Comments - Job Carr Cabin Museum (@jobcarrcabin) on Instagram: "If you missed this morning's storytime, you can still bring your kids by the Cabin this afternoon..."

6. Craft Saturdays Job Carr Cabin

Saturday, July 14th
12 - 4 pm
2350 N 30 St, Old Town Park 
Fun and simple crafts aimed at kids ages 3 - 9 and their families
Free

Image from @jobcarrcabin - follow them on Instagram for more summer events!

7. Jazz Under the Stars at PLU

Ticket reservations for the 10th annual Living History Cemetery Tours are now available! Call us at (253) 472-3738, email at info@tacomahistory.org, or stop by to see us at 919 Pacific!

30 Likes, 1 Comments - Tacoma Historical Society (@tacomahistoricalsociety) on Instagram: "Ticket reservations for the 10th annual Living History Cemetery Tours are now available! Call us at..."

Thursday, July 19th: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto
Thursday, July 26th: LaVon Hardison
7 - 9 pm
Mary Baker Russell Outdoor Amphitheater at Pacific Lutheran University
Live jazz in the fresh air, never cancelled due to weather - just moves indoors
Free

8. 10th Annual Living History Cemetery Tour at Tacoma Cemetery

Friday, July 20th: 6 - 7:40 pm
Saturday, July 21st: 5:40 - 7:40 pm
Tours start every 20 minutes
Tacoma Cemetery, 4801 S Tacoma Way
Presented by Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma Historical Society, and The Northwest Room of the Tacoma Public Library
$15, Advance Reservation Required: (253) 472-3738 or info@tacomahistory.org

Image from @tacomahistoricalsociety

9. Blooms & Brews by Tacoma Hops & Alice's Table 

The perfect afternoon! Join us for our collaboration with @alicestable.tacoma for this unique event. Beer, food and flower arranging, it's the triathlon for the creative eating type!

51 Likes, 7 Comments - @tacoma_hops on Instagram: "The perfect afternoon! Join us for our collaboration with @alicestable.tacoma for this unique..."

Saturday, July 21st
2:30 - 5:30 pm
Tour 3 breweries, eat some bites, make your own floral arrangement
$65/pp includes 3 breweries, 2 food pairings, 1 bouquet

Image from @tacomahops

10. Old Town History Walk - Immigrant Influences

#bobsjavajive #bobsjavajivekaraoke #karaoke #karaoketacoma @mercyme_253

9 Likes, 1 Comments - World famous Bob's Java Jive (@bobsjavajive) on Instagram: "#bobsjavajive #bobsjavajivekaraoke #karaoke #karaoketacoma @mercyme_253"

Saturday, July 21st
11 am - 12 pm (arrive 10 minutes early)
Start at the Job Carr Job Carr Cabin Museum at 2350 N 30 St, Old Town Park 
Learn about Tacoma's early residents - rain or shine!
Free

Follow @jobcarrcabin for information on upcoming history walks.

11. Bob's Java Jive's 63rd Anniversary

Saturday, July 28th
8 pm - 2 am
2102 S Tacoma Way
Karaoke, costumes, drinks, celebration
No cover

Weekly Events

Sunset Slow Flow every Wednesday at 7pm on the roof of #AlmaMaterTacoma. Drop-in donation options: $10, $5 or Good Vibes😁

37 Likes, 3 Comments - Yoga Wild (@beyogawild) on Instagram: "Sunset Slow Flow every Wednesday at 7pm on the roof of #AlmaMaterTacoma. Drop-in donation options:..."

12. Yoga Wild Drop-in Classes

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday
$5, $10, or "good vibes" 

Tuesdays & Thursdays
9:30 am at Baltimore Park - North End
11:15 am at Sunset Terrace Park - West End

Wednesdays Sunset Flow Rooftop Yoga
7 pm at Alma Mater Tacoma - Downtown

This morning's storytime is all about pioneer food. Join us at 11am for children's stories and crafts. #Storytime #PioneerFood #ThingsToDoInTacoma #TacomaKids

8 Likes, 3 Comments - Job Carr Cabin Museum (@jobcarrcabin) on Instagram: "This morning's storytime is all about pioneer food. Join us at 11am for children's stories and..."

Saturdays Rise & Shine Rooftop Yoga
7:30 am Alma Mater Tacoma - Downtown

Image from @beyogawild - follow them on Instagram!

13. Summer Storytime at Job Carr Cabin

Fridays, July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th (and every Friday for the summer!)
11 am  
2350 N 30 St, Old Town Park 
For children ages 3 - 9 and their families
Free/Pay As You Can

Have you heard? Point Ruston will be hosting 10 weeks of amazing music down on the Waterfront. 🎤🥁 Go to the link in our profile to learn more!

45 Likes, 2 Comments - Point Ruston (@pointruston) on Instagram: "Have you heard? Point Ruston will be hosting 10 weeks of amazing music down on the Waterfront. 🎤🥁..."

Image from @jobcarrcabin where you'll find all kinds of events and images for all things Old Town. 

14. Point Ruston Summer Concert Series 

Saturdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th (and every Saturday through September 2!)
5 - 7 pm
Grand Plaza at Point Ruston, 5005 Ruston Way
Fresh air, water views, live music, community fun!
Free

The Old Town Summer Concerts begin tomorrow! And the Cabin will be open until the music starts at 6:30pm. #Tacoma #TacomaMusic #ThingsToDoInTacoma #SummerInTacoma #SummerConcerts #OldTownTacoma #ConcertsInThePark #CityOfDestiny #GritCity #LocalMusic

13 Likes, 1 Comments - Job Carr Cabin Museum (@jobcarrcabin) on Instagram: "The Old Town Summer Concerts begin tomorrow! And the Cabin will be open until the music starts at..."

15. Old Town Summer Concert Series at Old Town Park

Wednesdays July 11th, 18th, & 25th
(and onward through August!) 
6:30 - 8:30 pm
2350 N 30 St, Old Town Park 
Live music in the open air - bring a blanket, bring snacks, bring a friend
Free

Image from @jobcarrcabin 

See you out there!

We're normal people, so naturally we don't make it out to all these events. But we do like giving things a try, getting outdoors, people watching, food eating, walking, and community, so we'll be out there, and we hope to send you a smile if we see you. Here's to finding the summer you want to experience!

You can also follow us on Instagram for Tacoma living, community events, and some real estate too.

There’s change in the air across Tacoma, the return of things once lost, the reopening of places once closed, the transformation of one restaurant into another, the creation of brand new places to gather, shop, eat, and drink. We’ve been
From Sunday to Tuesday we joined almost every single person from @windermereabode for a retreat at @seabrookwa. We entered a time of camaraderie, visioning, personal exploration, and so many hugs. I don’t know how many realtor retreats are full
We took our two hearts out for an impromptu lunch at @threeheartstacoma today and we suggest you do the same. When we read the news that they’re extending their soft launch and staying open for the week instead of closing until next Tuesday we
Slipping a few coins in the parking meter’s a small price to pay for such a nice spot to sit. If you haven’t visited @outerdarkcoffee yet go before all the leaves fall. They’re very good company outside the huge windows. If you miss
As we celebrated their closing day yesterday our clients shared that after our first day of searching they weren’t sure if buying a home in Tacoma could actually happen for them. Less than two moths later we had the joy of handing them the keys
I’m marveling at all the colors that come from just one backyard maple tree (Michael’s heard enough). But, as Anne of Green Gables says, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers…Look at these maple branch
Over a year ago we first met our client here on the patio of @cider_cedar and today we celebrate her closing day! Home searches sometimes ebb and flow with really active times and seasons when a buyer takes a break, reimagines, and continues to sense
Featured
What's New, Tacoma? 17 New Businesses + 3 Coming Soon
What's New, Tacoma? 17 New Businesses + 3 Coming Soon

There’s change in the air across Tacoma, the return of things once lost, the reopening of places once closed, the transformation of one restaurant into another, the creation of brand new places to gather, shop, eat, and drink. We’ve been experiencing this change across the city and wanted to pull some of it together in one place. What follows is a list of 17 new, renewed, and returned businesses along with 3 coming soon. See if you can enjoy and support something new this month; if you do, we’d love to hear about it!

Tacoma Community: 15 Things to Do in October
Tacoma Community: 15 Things to Do in October

We’ve rounded-up and narrowed-down 15 ways to get out into community this October. Don your most intellectual scarf and hat combination for a literary night, dance and eat with the Greeks, step into a candlelit tour our 1855, get psyched up about cycling (and bicycle fashion), try forest bathing, don your most eccentric scarf and hat combination for the film festival, write letters for fun, tour art studios, hear from Latinas who experience being The Firsts in so many ways, take a local art walk, and celebrate Día de los Muertos. We’ve got some ways to volunteer in here too—lend a hand with Habitat for Humanity, pick up litter, or pull weeds and plant seeds at a favorite park to keep Tacoma green.

Get Out of Town: Puget Sound Day Trips
Get Out of Town: Puget Sound Day Trips

Once in a while, we all need to get out of town. This month we’re sharing about Port Townsend and Vashon Island, two places we go again and again when a change of scene is calling. They’re places where the beach is always near, where parking is easy, where woods and trails beckon us away from the sidewalks. Places where small, local bakeries, coffee roasters, independent bookstores, and one of a kind shops outnumber chains by far. We’ll share some of the ways we pass the time and how we fill our stomachs (never a problem). Don’t worry too much about planning; these destinations are so close to Tacoma, you can show up again and try what you missed. Wake up one morning and just decide to go!

Tacoma High 5 - July 2024
Tacoma High 5 - July 2024

Tacoma High 5 is our way to nudge you (and us!) toward what we love about Tacoma. It’s a short list with a commitment to the local—it embraces the season, invites delight, encourages a spirit of exploration and some generosity as well. This month’s list includes Tacoma Pride, an all ages neighborhood music festival, a game that gets you supporting small businesses (and winning prizes), Swedish-style baked goods, and the chance to help out Habitat for Humanity or spend Friday afternoons watering trees to keep Tacoma (and its future) healthy and shaded.

  1. Community Event

  2. Sweet Treat

  3. Exploration & Adventure

  4. Local Love

  5. Volunteering & Sharing

Tacoma Outdoor Dining Guide
Tacoma Outdoor Dining Guide

Want to go out and really be out—out in the open air, beneath a colorful umbrella, on a shaded patio, beside a bustling sidewalk, seated on a deck overlooking the water, pulled up to a bar counter by the street? We’ve gathered over 60 of Tacoma’s outdoor dining spots by neighborhood to get you started. Take a look at our list of restaurants, cafes, and bars with outdoor seating, then get yourself away from the screen, out the door, and into the life of Tacoma’s summer. See you out there!

What's Happening, Tacoma? 21 May Events
What's Happening, Tacoma? 21 May Events

May is Bike Month. May is Historic Preservation Month. May holds Affordable Housing Week. May is the month for a lightsaber battle, for live music and crafts in Old Town Park, for night markets, plant sales at your local high school, hands-on printmaking and paper arts, and locally made short films. It’s the month to learn about the history of Tacoma, and even contribute your own story at events like the Eastside Story Fest. It’s the month to pick-up litter with a bunch of nice people, the month to set out nutritious foods for your mail carrier to share with the food bank, the month to take time to learn more about affordable housing. It’s the month to tune up your bike and join a group ride.

Out on the Town 2024: Tacoma Tuesdays
Out on the Town 2024: Tacoma Tuesdays

Tacoma, Tuesdays, Trivia, Tacos, Talent. It’s the truth, there’s stuff to do. We have 19 of those things listed right here (twenty would have sounded so good) and not all of them start with “t.” There’s ballet and book club, wine and film, story time and bingo. So dust off your dancing shoes, clean your spectacles, strap the baby in a stroller, study up on random facts, warm up your vocal chords, and work up an appetite; it’s Tuesday in Tacoma!

Hi, I'm Michael Duggan, a licensed broker with Windermere Abode. I would love to help you through the home buying or selling process. Please contact me to set up a meeting and get things started.