August is the month when we can’t take summer for granted. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been in school for years, decades even; memories of summer vacation rolling toward an impending “back to school” season are strong. But we know we still have this month of bright mornings, long days, and late sunsets, so we jump all the way in (no toe dipping, no wading knee-deep here). Tacoma feels it too, feels the change coming, so it goes ahead and pulls out all the stops, flies its summer flag, and asks us to get out, to camp out, to sing along, dream along, and celebrate another month of summer.
In the spirit of summer celebration, take a look at our list of Tacoma events, find what fits, and join the sun-loving party!
Image from Metro Parks Tacoma
1. Campout at Owen Beach
Fridays, August 2nd & 23rd
7 pm - 8:30 am
Owen Beach, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
$50 + tax for 4 person tent space, $75 + tax for 6 person tent space, $100 + tax for 8 person tent space
Register by Wednesday, July 10th at 4 pm by calling Tacoma Nature Center: (253) 404-3930
The campout includes snacks, ranger led events, games, free time, and a sunrise breakfast
Campers provide their own tent and supplies
One of our favorite Tacoma makers, KdBird filled a booth together with the lovely Marigold & Pearl at last year’s fest!
2. Proctor Arts Fest
Saturday, August 3rd
10 am - 5 pm
Extending from N. 26th & Proctor, Tacoma
Free
Over 150 arts and crafts vendors (with lots of Tacoma makers!) - pottery, fiber arts, prints and paintings, jewelry, soap and candles, photography, and more - 3 live music stages, sidewalk sales from Proctor businesses
Plenty of food and drink at local restaurants, cafes, and the Proctor Farmers’ Market and LaPaloma Market happening at the same time!
The Blue Mouse Theatre shows a free family film at 12 pm
Image from Live Loud Music & Arts Festival
Image from Stephanie Anne Johnson - Tacoma’s Stephanie Anne Johnson is headlining!
Saturday, August 3rd
5 - 10 pm
Outside Anthem Coffee Co. Downtown, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free
Live music, arts, food vendors, latte art competition, and a beer garden
On the Stage:
5:00-5:40 Hannah Cho
6:00-6:45 Planet B
7:00-8:00 Katie Kuffel
8:30-9:30 Stephanie Anne Johnson
Beer garden: Vote for your favorite signature brew from one of several South Sound breweries to help determine who will win the Peoples Choice Award
Image from L’Arche Tahoma Hope
4. Tie Dye Class with L’Arche Tahoma Hope
Monday, August 5th
1 - 3 pm
L’Arche Tahoma Hope Welcome Center, 12302 Vickery Ave E, Tacoma
$15
Bring a t-shirt or pillowcase and learn to make a bright, vibrant, summery design that transforms it into something way more fun!
The L’Arche Welcome Center has fun classes and social events throughout the month - visit their calendar to check out the other opportunities!
Please RSVP to welcomecenter@larchetahomahope.org OR 253-535-3178 (prefer your RSVP 5 days in advance in order to have enough supplies for all participants)
5. Lunch and Learn: City of Tacoma Affordable Housing Update
Tuesday, August 6th
12 - 1 pm
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, 4824 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma
Free - please register here
Presented by the Tacoma/Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium
Coffee, tea, and water provided - bring your own lunch
Learn about the City of Tacoma’s Affordable Housing Action Strategy
Jacques Colon from the City of Tacoma will share about reconvening the Technical Advisory Group and plans for policy implementation - time for questions will follow
Image from the Washington State History Museum
6. History Pub: Shipwrecks, Legends, and Lost Treasures - Historical Archaeology on the Coast
Tuesday, August 6th
7 - 9 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)
Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, Tacoma
Image from the Spanish Ballroom
Free - all ages
Castaways, shipwrecks, deserters, and pirates - they’re not all just tall tales
Lead archaeologist for the Maritime Archaeological Society's Beeswax Wreck Project, Scott Williams is the History Pub speaker this time around. He’ll tell us about the 10-year effort to find the Beeswax Wreck, a Spanish Manila galleon that wrecked in Tillamook County. He’ll also share about archaeological evidence of other shipwrecks and survivors in the PNW.
Drinks and pizza available in the Spanish Ballroom
Event presented by McMenamins Elks Temple and Washington State History Museum
7. Fircrest National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6th
6 - 9 pm
Fircrest Park, 471 Electron Way, Fircrest
Images from National Night Out Fircrest
Free
National Night Out is a community event foster neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships for safer communities
Entertainment and fun with Point Defiance Pirates, Kapowsin Skydivers, K-9 demonstrations, WSP, Tacoma Fire Dept, Rhubarb, and local businesses
Purchase dinner for $1 - hotdog, beverage, and chips!
The Bloodmobile will be there for anyone who’d like to donate blood and there’s a silent auction to support National Night Out
8. Fighting Displacement on Hilltop for Homeowners
Wednesday, August 7th
6 - 7:30 pm
Tacoma Urban League, 2550 S Yakima Ave, Tacoma
Free - please register here
Learn about tools and resources to help Hilltop homeowners stay in their homes and avoid displacement
Topics include rental income, refinancing, and tax relief for low-income, disabled, or veteran homeowners ages 61 and older, with time for a question and answer period as well
Light refreshments available
Presented by the Tacoma/Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium
Image from Old Town Summer Concert Series
9. Old Town Summer Concert Series
Wednesdays in Summer
August 7th, 14th, & 21st
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Old Town Park, 2350 N 30th St, Tacoma
Free
Live music every Wednesday - check out the line up here
Pack a picnic, bring your blankets, lawn chairs, friends, and kids
Old Town Park is just a couple of blocks from Ruston Way, so stretch your legs or visit the beach before the music starts. You could also drop-in at The Spar if you didn’t have time to eat dinner (they have a family friendly seating area too).
10. Music & Heart in Wright Park
Saturday, August 10th
11 am - 7 pm
Wright Park, 501 S I St, Tacoma
Free
Live music with close to 20 bands
Local art, craft, vintage, and food vendors from LaPaloma Marketplace
Beer garden and Bliss Creamery too!
This event raises funds for H.O.P.E. Victims Advocacy Foundation supporting victims of domestic violence and trauma and raises awareness of youth homelessness through The Coffee Oasis
Image from Tacoma Public Library
11. Summer Reading Block Party!
Saturday, August 10th
1 - 4 pm
Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, 1102 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma
Free
All ages fun! Live entertainment, games, a bounce house, face painting, carnival games, community booths, and a photo booth with Mayor Victoria Woodards!
Performances by Vision Step Team, Tacoma Refugee Choir, and Bubbleman!
Image from Tacoma Arts Live
12. 7th Annual Brew Five Three: Tacoma's Beer & Music Festival
Saturday, August 10th
1 - 8 pm
Tacoma Arts Live, 901 Broadway, Tacoma
Admission $30 ($35 day of ) includes 6 tasting tickets and a tasting glass, 21+ - get tickets here
$10 Designated Driver Admission (no tasting glass or tastings, but does include free non-alcoholic beverages, 21+
Block party between 9th & 11th on Broadway
Over 40 Northwest beers & ciders, live music, and food trucks
This festival marks the beginning of Tacoma Beer Week - check out Tacoma Beer Week events here
13. Spanish Story Time with Miss Mia at Curious Bear
Thursday, August 15th
11 - 11:30 am
The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop, 2061 Mildred St W, Fircrest
Free
Miss Mia uses songs, movement, and games to help participants learn and engage and it’s all in Spanish
Learn more about Casita Mia on her site
This is a monthly event with Casita Mia, so keep an eye out for future story times to put on your calendar
Image from Handmade PNW Events
14. 4th Annual Kid Maker Market at 3rd Thursday TAM
Thursday, August 15th
4 - 7 pm
Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free - register here if you’d like an e-mail reminder (no ticket necessary to attend!)
Kid Maker Market is in the TAM lobby where you’ll find over 20 artists and makers ages 3-18, plus free snacks and free kid craft AND a raffle to raise money for TAM’s Summer Camp Scholarship Fund
Bring cash as not all our Kid Makers accept credit cards
TAM is FREE from 5-8pm!
Presented by Handmade PNW Events
Image from McKinley Hill Street Fair
15. McKinley Hill Street Fair
Saturday, August 17th
10 am - 5 pm
McKinley Neighborhood, 3500 McKinley Ave, Tacoma
Free
Artists, food trucks, music, new culture and dance stage, free youth carnival, 4 beer gardens, chalk art zone, superheroes and princesses in attendance too!
Day starts with a giveaway of 1200 stuffed backpacks
Get more good information at www.mckinley253.com
16. Antique Row’s Summer Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, August 17th
11 am - 5 pm
Antique Row, 734 Broadway, Tacoma
Free (items for purchase, of course :)
Shop sidewalk bargains all along Antique Row - it’s a treasure hunt, you never know what you might find!
Stop for donuts and coffee at Original House of Donuts on 9th (open 8 am to noon), then explore to your heart’s content
Image from Tacoma Night Market
17. Tacoma Night Market: August Edition
Saturday, August 17th
5 - 10 pm
Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free and open to all ages
Art, vendors, community, live music, and DJ
The rooftop is open this summer too for lounging above the fray
Food and drink available from special vendors as well as from Honey and Matriarch on site
If you love the Tacoma Night Market, make sure you’re following the Gig Harbor Night Market too, hosted by 7 Seas Brewing across the bridge!
Image from NEON Art Party
18. 4th Annual Spaceworks NEON Art Party 2019
Saturday, August 17th
7 pm - 12 am
Normanna Hall, 1106 S 15th St, Tacoma
Admission $30 ($35 at the door), $50 VIP, Student $15 ($20 at the door), Ages 12 and under free, Just Dance $15 - get tickets here
Spaceworks Tacoma benefit event!
Live performances, art gallery, pop-up market, dance party
All ages activities and performances from 7 - 10 pm, Dance Party with DJ Semaj 10 pm to midnight
Image from OGMuscle
19. 2nd Annual Summer Vegan Market
Sunday, August 18th
11 am - 3 pm
People’s Community Center, 1602 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma
Free
Vegan farmers market style event in Hilltop to celebrate vegan lifestyle and promote businesses supporting vegan options
Food vendors, cosmetics, apparel, and local animal welfare organizations
Spread the word!
Image from Creative Colloquy
20. 4th Annual Creative Colloquy Soirée
Monday, August 19th
7 pm
Green Space at Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free
This is a fundraising event for the Creative Colloquy Crawl - so go to town on the silent auction
Literary readings by selected writers (no open mic tonight) who submitted 1st person narratives with the Tacoma Reads selection There There as their muse
Food and wine, and brews from the no host bar
Come at 6 to join a discussion on Tommy Orange’s novel There There!
Image from The Tacoma Women of Color Collective
21. Business 101 Workshop Series
Thursdays, August 22nd, 29th, & September 5th
6 pm
Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St, Tacoma
Free - donation based admission - please register here
This is a 3 part series given by The Tacoma Women of Color Collective with the Tacoma Urban League
Business mindset, small business accounting, obstacles faced by People of Color, and special strengths People of Color bring to the entrepreneurial world
Light refreshments included
Images from the Hilltop Action Coalition
Saturday, August 24th
11 am - 7 pm
Martin Luther King Junior Way, Tacoma
Free
Martin Luther King Jr Way is all about people and pedestrians for the day - expect food, family fun, live music, dancing, a parade, car show, entertainment, kids activities, and information booths
Plan to see people you know - over 20,000 people visit the Hilltop Street Fair!
Presented by the Hilltop Action Coalition
Image from LeMay-America’s Car Museum
23. Drive-In Movie at America’s Car Museum
Saturday, August 24th
Parking starts at 4:30 pm
Movie showtime by 9 pm
LeMay-America’s Car Museum, 2702 E D St, Tacoma
Free
Watch Captain Marvel outdoors on the 40 foot screen with Downtown Tacoma’s cityscape beyond
Arrive early to reserve your spot
Bring a picnic or get dinner at the concessions on site
Image from YWCA Pierce County - SHEnlightens Project founded by Amanda L. Gamble
24. SHEnlightens: A Women’s Collaboration Art Project
Sunday, August 25th
12 - 2 pm
YWCA Pierce County, 405 Broadway, Tacoma
Free
Art exhibit to celebrate and honor progressive female contributors to society (past and present!) and to share the portrait work of female artists from the greater Tacoma area
Enjoy light refreshments and meet the artists
This 2 hour art reception is in Sunshine Hall
Image from EarthCorps
25. Tacoma Open Spaces - Fern Hill Restoration
Saturday, August 31st
10 am - 1 pm
Fern Hill, S 82nd St & Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma
Free - volunteer opportunity - please register here
Help EarthCorps and the City of Tacoma begin restoration work in the Fern Hill Open Space
No specific skills necessary - bring a water bottle and wear long pants and closed toed shoes
EarthCorps supplies gloves, tools, water and snack bars and leadership for the day’s work
Youth under 14 must be accompanied by an adult (ages 14-17 without an adult require a waiver)
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