April was a big month in Tacoma. There was Tacoma Wayzgoose weekend, the Lincoln High School Plant sale, and of course McMenamins Elks Temple opened! May comes in hot on its heels!
May your May be filled with just the right mixture of adventure, community, Tacoma shenanigans, celebration, sunshine, rest, and I guess we’ll throw work in there too. Work is also good. In the spirit of composing a May of variety, we’ve compiled another list of 20 Tacoma community events that we absolutely hope will inspire you to reach out into the city we share.
You’ll find an abundance of markets (farmers, vintage, local makers, and more), historical walking tours, lots of ways to taste wine and beer, cooking classes, kids crafts, outdoor excursions, Japanese American Remembrance events, a fix-it fair, and chances to volunteer.
Wishing you all the best for another month of spring. Now on to the list!
Images from Tacoma Farmers Market
1. Broadway Farmers Market Opening Day
Thursday, May 2nd
10 am - 3 pm
Downtown at 901 Broadway, Tacoma
Free
Celebrate! It’s the season of Tacoma Farmers Markets again and we couldn’t be happier!
5 hours of fresh produce vendors, hot food vendors, local supplies, beautiful blooms, live music, and mingling in the streets
KNKX Public Radio will be the Music at the Market Sponsor
Image from Broadway Artisan Market
2. BAM Broadway Artisan Market - Every Weekend!
Fridays, 6 - 10 pm
Saturdays, 12 - 10 pm
Sundays, 12 - 4 pm
On Antique Row at 728 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free
A new weekend market showcasing local goods
Find things like jewelry, leather bags, sound healings, blown glass, personal readings, art pieces, children’s book, soaps and more
Set on Antique Row between the new McMenamins Elks Temple and the Pantages Theatre
Get this recurring event on your calendar for Fridays - Sundays this season!
Image from the Tacoma Historical Society
3. Historic Homes of Tacoma: Silver Anniversary Tour
Saturday, May 4th: 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, May 5th: 1 - 5 pm
Central Lutheran Church, 409 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma
$25 - find your tickets here
Self-guided tour featuring Union Club, Saint Patrick Catholic Church, and six historic homes in Tacoma's Stadium District and North Slope area
Locations are in walking or easy driving distance
Central Lutheran Church serves as the reception center where you’ll find complimentary snack and drinks - but no food or beverages are allowed inside the homes on this tour
Docents will be available to answer questions, provide information, and tell stories at each location
This annual event showcases different homes and landmarks each year and is a fundraiser of the Tacoma Historical Society
Image from Tacoma Public Library
4. Celebrate Star Wars on May the Fourth with Tacoma Public Library
Saturday, May 4th
10:30 am - 5 pm
Fern Hill Branch, 765 S 84th St, Tacoma
Free
Activities for all ages including an all-day scavenger hunt! Movies, photo booth, story time, trivia, bingo, snacks, costumes (don’t forget your COSTUMES!)
Get the schedule for the day here and don’t miss it!
Image from Tacoma is for Lovers
5. Tacoma is for Lovers Artist Craft Fair
Saturday, May 4th, 11 am - 4 pm
Sunday, May 5th, 11 am - 4 pm
King’s Books, 218 St Helens Ave, Tacoma
Free
Come to Tacoma’s favorite book store along with Jankuland and Destiny City Comics to shop from over 20 vendors!
Different vendors each day, so you can come Saturday and Sunday to catch it all
Handmade, vintage, arts, crafts, Tacoma-style!
Image from Tacoma Brewing Co.
6. 2nd Annual Mad Hat Tea Beer Fest at Tacoma Brewing Co.
Saturday, May 4th
2 - 9 pm
Tacoma Brewing Co., 1116 Court E, Tacoma
Free entry - all ages welcome
Taste local Tacoma Brewing Co. brews infused with Tacoma’s Mad Hat Tea - you’ll encounter flavors you might remember like Jasmine Moli Chun Hao IPA, Cremesicle Honeybush IPA, Mad Chai Stout, Tobin Palmer Lemonade. But don’t miss the new combinations: Mad Coconut Pale Ale, Campfire Lapsang Souchong Stout, Mad Blackberry Red Ale, Mad Black Currant Red Ale, Very Berry Rooibos IPA
BBQ2U will be on site to keep you well fed!
Image from Downtown Tacoma Market
7. Downtown Tacoma Market - Spring Edition
Sunday, May 4th
11 am - 4 pm
Court House Square, 1102 A St, Tacoma
$1 entry
40 + makers and small businesses with handmade and vintage goods - jewelry, clothes, sneakers, plants, and prints
Sit down for brunch at en Rama, pick-up to-go food at Outpost Kitchen, and get coffee at Lift Bridge, then explore the market!
Image from Job Carr Cabin Museum
8. Craft Saturday - Spring Flowers at Job Carr Cabin Museum
Saturday, May 11th
1 - 4 pm
Job Carr Cabin Museum, 2350 N 30th St, Tacoma
"Pay as you can” admission - all are welcome
Crafts aimed at kids ages 3 - 9 and their families
Decorate a flower pot, plant spring seeds, then take it home and see what grows
Craft Saturdays are a monthly event, so keep an eye on what’s coming up
Image from 6th Ave Tacoma
9. 2nd Annual 6th Ave Wine Walk
Saturday, May 11th
2 pm - 6 pm
6th Ave Business District, from State to Alder
$25 - register here (or $30 day of)
Ticket includes 9 drink tokens, a map of participating businesses, raffle tickets, and a coupon book for 6th Ave bars and businesses
Wineries set up tasting rooms in some of 6th Ave’s favorite spots, so you can take it at your own pace, taste, shop, and explore the 6th Ave District
Image from Metro Parks Tacoma
10. Beginners Family Paddle: Mothers Day Outing
Sunday, May 12th
10 am - 12 pm
Foss Waterway, 1930 E D St, Tacoma
$35 per person - register here
Outdoor Adventures is part of the Tacoma Nature Center and you’ll find more paddling adventures and other outdoor activities from them throughout the year
Kayaks and equipment provided, you just show up and paddle the Foss Waterway and get views of the glass museum and other downtown sights and sites while you kayak under the 11th St Bridge
If you’ve worked up some hunger in the kayaks, visit downtown Tacoma restaurants for Mothers Day Brunch, or head to the TAM for the brunch provided by Pacific Grill Events & Catering
Image from Pacific Grill
11. The Walls Winemaker’s Dinner at Pacific Grill
Wednesday, May 15th
6 - 9 pm
Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
$125 per person (includes tax and service charge) - reserve your spot here, limited to ages 21+
6 course menu by Pacific Grill Chefs paired with wines from award winning Walla Walla winery The Walls
Special guests from The Walls: Mike Martin, Owner + Ali Mayfield, Head Winemaker
Sure to be a delicious and decadent night-out to remember
Image from Washington State History Museum
12. 4th Annual Japanese American Day of Remembrance
Thursday, May 16th
3 - 8 pm
Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free
Special programming and exhibits free and open to the public to commemorate Executive Order 9066 which ordered over 700 people of Japanese ancestry in the south Puget Sound to report to Union Station, right here in Tacoma, for forced removal from their homes to federally-constructed concentration camps
Learn to fold paper cranes, participate in a Town Hall discussion, experience Within the Silence - the story of a teenage girl sent to the concentration camps, and join a commemorative procession to Union Hall
View the full schedule of events here
Image from the Tacoma Night Market
13. Tacoma Night Market: (One Year Anniversary) Edition at Alma Mater
Friday, May 17th
Saturday, May 18th
5 - 10 pm
Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free and open to all ages
Art, vendors, community, live music, and DJ
Food and drink available from special vendors as well as from Honey and Matriarch on site
This is a monthly event, so keep your eyes open for the June markets (or come back to our list, we’ll let you know!)
Have you all been enjoying the Gig Harbor Night Market too? There’s word of a 3rd Night Market in the works - stay tuned
Image from The Ikkatsu Project
14. The Ikkatsu Project - Tacoma Shoreline Survey (and cleanup)
Saturday, May 18th
8 am - 5 pm
Les Davis Pier, 3427 Ruston Way, Tacoma
Free - volunteer opportunity, please register here
A one day survey and clean-up of Tacoma’s 13 mile shoreline
Volunteers needed to complete this work of community stewardship and care for our schedule of events herecity’s habitat
Image from Fix-it Fairs - Tacoma
15. May Fix-it Fair at EB Wilson Apartments
Saturday, May 18th
1 - 4 pm
EB Wilson Apartments, 1202 South M St, Tacoma
Free
Volunteers are going to be ready to do their best to fix your item - Fix-it Fairs loves to know what you’re bringing ahead of time so volunteers can be prepared with the proper tools and supplies
Fix-it Fairs Tacoma are monthly events that change location each month to keep the fair accessible, and, shall we say “fair”?
What kind of items can be fixed? Jewelry, crockery, small appliances, clothing, toys, furniture - bring them in!
Items that we can not offer to fix: gas powered, cellphones, glass or anything leaking fluid - sorry!
Images from Molly’s Tamales
16. Dessert & Wine Cooking Class by Molly’s Tamales
Sunday, May 19th
11 am - 1 pm
1 pm - 3 pm
Stink - Cheese & Meat, 628 St Helens Ave, Tacoma
$65 - get your tickets here
Sip wine, sample Mexican sweet tamales and wine, get hands-on instruction, and learn about wine pairings for desserts
Go home with sweet tamales to steam and Molly’s secret recipe too!
Offered in 2 sessions on Sunday, but find more opportunities by following Molly’s Tamales
Also, if you’re more into savories, consider the Vegan Tamales Class with dates in May and June
Image from Allison Bishins Consulting
17. Modern Womxn: A Workshop on Womxn in Business
Sunday, May 19th
6 - 8 pm
Honey at Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
$40 - register here
Join the Allison Bishins Consulting and the wider community to explore the experience of modern womxn (cisgender and trans women) in the modern workplace and in art
Hear from the panel of speakers and spend time in a “nurture” group to further engage in how to support each other
Speakers include: T'wina Nobles, Tacoma Urban League and Ladies First: Boundaries Lead to Better Outcomes - Krista Perez, Tacoma Women of Color Collective: Imposter Syndrome and Self Care in the Workplace - Renee Simms, Associate Professor, African American Studies, UPS: "Me, Too" at Work - Bre Johnson + Tara Newton of the Rainbow Center: Rainbows & Unicorns: LGBTQ inclusion in the workplace - Kristy Fassio, Redhead Bopo Inspiration: Body Liberation
Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks included
This even is part of the month long Modern Womxn: An Exploration exhibit
Image from Pint Defiance Specialty Beers & Taproom
18. Alesong at Pint Defiance!
Wednesday, May 22nd
5 - 8 pm
Pint Defiance Specialty Beers & Taproom, 2049 Mildred St W, Tacoma
Free entry - beer for purchase, 21+
Alesong Brewing and Blending of Eugene Oregon makes a special appearance at Pint Defiance to share new brews from their May release
Taste and talk beer in the taproom
Image from Permaculture Lifestyle Institute
19. Inaugural Food Forest Festival at Swan Creek Park
Saturday, May 25th
12 - 5 pm
Gathering Circle, Swan Creek Park, 2299 E 42nd St, Tacoma
Free
Music, food, fashion, art, and community
Get to know the Swan Creek Park 1 acre Food Forest and the Community Garden
We can thank local Eastside residents, Ulysses Martin & Lisa Fruichantie for organizing this inaugural celebration
Images from Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
20. Homespun Happy Hour at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Friday, May 31st
6 - 9 pm
Fort Nisqually, 5400 North Pearl Street # 11 Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
$20 - get tickets here, ages 21+
This is a “make and take” event featuring 19th century crafts like scrimshaw, candle making, leatherwork, tinsmithing, and felting!
Food sampling, cash bar, live music
Explore Fort Nisqually and get into the spirit of 19th century times with the fort’s period enactors
Homespun Happy Hour is once in May, June, and July - we’re really hoping to get to one of them!
Here we are at the end of May. Tacoma events took us all the way to the final day of the month and there’s so much else that’s good, exciting, interesting, worthy, and wonderful that isn’t on the list. Get out and support something when and where you can. You won’t be sorry.
We hope to bump into you out there this May!
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