It’s time for us to wish you happiness at the start of a new year. And we do! We wish you happiness, new or continued. As you venture into 2019, if there’s a part of you saying “I want to do something new,” maybe you’ll find it here. Or, it could be you just want to keep-on keeping-on. That’s good too! This list invites you to take a day, or maybe a few weeks, or just an hour or two to step into the Tacoma community. Who knows what you’ll find.
1. New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge at Point Defiance Marina
Tuesday, January 1st
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
5912 N Waterfront Dr, Tacoma
Free
10:30 am registration, 11:30 am Cub Plunge (ages 10 and under), 12:30 pm Polar Bear Plunge
Heated tent, changing tents, hot drinks, and snacks for plungers
Lifeguards and SCUBA rescue swimmers on duty
$5 Polar Plunge t-shirts (these could go quickly!)
2. New Year’s Day First Tuesdays at Fawcett Hall with Yoga Wild
Tuesday, January 1st
7:30 - 8:45 pm
Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
$20 Supporter, $15 Sustainer, $10 Community, choose your payment level and reserve your space here
Evening yoga flow with live acoustic music by Big Sky Mind
Beginners are welcome
Bring water and a yoga mat if you can (there will be some extras)
3. Paint to Learn! at Tacoma Art Museum
Thursday, January 3rd
6 - 7 pm
1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free
For children 2 - 6 years old with a caregiver
Paint and develop math readiness skills to help kids be Kindergarten math ready
Shapes, numbers, measurements, and creativity!
3rd Thursdays, January - June
4. Butchering and Curing Workshop at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Saturday, January 5th
10 am - 4 pm
5400 North Pearl Street # 11, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
$100, Ages 16 and up - buy tickets here
Observation and learning with occasional hands-on opportunities
Instructors from Farmstead Meatsmith on Vashon Island
Heritage skills workshop using traditional 19th century techniques with no waste
Nitrate-free, whole muscle curing
Bring a sack lunch and your own recording device
5. Gig Harbor Night Market at 7 Seas Brewing Co.
Saturday, January 5th
5 - 10 pm
3006 Judson St, Ste 110, Gig Harbor
Free admission - all ages friendly
1st Saturdays - mark your calendars
Local artists and vendors galore
Music, food, drink, and local brews!
Hosted by the outstandingly popular Tacoma Night Market, and Gig Harbor Night Market
6. Engaging Businesses & Community in Ending Human Trafficking with Washington Trafficking Prevention
Tuesday, January 8th
5:30 - 7:30 pm
The Salvation Army, 1110 S Puget Sound Ave, Tacoma
Free Community Conversation with non-profit Washington Trafficking Prevention
Doors open at 5:30 pm, program begins at 6 pm
Bring friends, bring ideas, and learn how you can make a difference in ending human trafficking
All professions, all backgrounds, all people welcome!
Refreshments provided
7. Family Nature Walk at Swan Creek Park
Saturday, January 12th
10 am - 11 am
2820 Pioneer Way E, Tacoma
Free
Space is limited so call (253) 591-6439 to sign-up or pre-register online
Walk through Swan Creek Park led by a naturalist from the Tacoma Nature Center
Not recommended for strollers or people under 3 years old
8. Family Saturdays at the History Museum: Coast Salish Culture
Saturday, January 12th
1 - 3 pm
1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Included with price of admission - $14 for adults, $11 for ages 6 - 17, Free for ages 5 and under, or $40 for family of up to 2 adults and 4 children under 18, Free for members
Activities designed for kids ages 4 to 12 - all are welcome
Learn about Coast Salish culture and artifacts like bentwood boxes and drums
Make something of your own!
9. Tacoma Night Market at Alma Mater
Saturday, January 12th
5 - 10 pm
1322 Fawcett Ave
Free
Art, vendors, community, live music, and DJ
Food and drink available from special vendors as well as from Honey and Matriarch on site
If you haven’t been to a Tacoma Night Market yet, it’s time to go!
10. Portland Cello Project: Radiohead’s OK Computer at the Rialto Theater
Saturday, January 12th
7:30 - 9 pm
310 S 9th St, Tacoma
$29, $39, $49 - tickets available from Tacoma Arts Live
A huge ensemble of cellos, rhythm, wind instruments, and vocals in arrangements of Radiohead’s extraordinary OK Computer album
Portland Cello Project has been performing and transforming this show for 5 years!
11. Ease Anxiety: A Six-Week Series by Yoga Wild
Begins Monday, January 14th
5:45 - 7 pm
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S Tyler St, Tacoma
$60 Supporter, $50 Sustainer, $40 Community, choose your payment level and reserve your space here
6 week series to guide participants into self care techniques
Yoga poses, breathing, meditation - learn to calm your body
No yoga experience necessary
12. Women’s Small Group Network + Connect Series
Monday, January 28th - March 20th
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Allison Bishins Consulting
Align Catalyst, 1901 Jefferson Ave, Tacoma
$100 Early Bird Price! Get your tickets here
Small group networking series for self-identifying women to build confidence, connections, and relationships - limited to 18 participants
Culminates in a Badass Ladies Party in March!
13. Queer Career Social at the Tacoma Rainbow Center
Wednesday, January 16th
6 - 7:30 pm
2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
FREE and open to the LGBTQ community - Register here
Resume workshop by Tacoma Community College, queer friendly business bulletin, info on who’s hiring
Clothing Closet - Bring and/or take professional/interview attire
14. Point Defiance Beach Cleanup
Saturday, January 19th
9 am - 12 pm
Point Defiance Marina Complex, 5912 N Waterfront Dr, Tacoma
Free volunteering opportunity
Register here and call (253) 404-3960 for more information
Volunteer with others to keep the beach at Point Defiance clean and healthy
Bring work gloves if you’d like and dress for the weather
Garbage bags, pick up sticks, rubber gloves and coffee and hot cocoa provided
Kids welcome accompanied by an adult
Every third Saturday!
15. Family Nature Walk at Wapato Park
Saturday, January 19th
10 am - 11 am
6500 S. Sheridan Ave, Tacoma
Free
Space is limited so call (253) 591-6439 to sign-up or pre-register online
Explore Wapato Park led by a naturalist from the Tacoma Nature Center
Not recommended for strollers or people under 3 years old
16. Warehouse Sale at Alma Mater
Saturday, January 19th
9 am - 4 pm
1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free
End of season pop-up market
Satori Boutique is partnering with a host of local small retailers like Cocobolo, Paper Luxe, Evolve, Lapis, and Compass Rose
Up to 70% off apparel, gifts, stationary, decor, and more
17. Benaroya Wing Opening Free Community Festival at the Tacoma Art Museum
Saturday, January 19th
10 am - 4 pm
1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma
Free
Make a fused glass tile or try your hand at printmaking
Live music, poetry, dance, and a lecture on the history of glass art in the Pacific Northwest
Click here for a detailed schedule of events
18. Tacoma Tool Library Fix-it Fair at Second Use
Saturday, January 19th
1 - 4 pm
2328 Fawcett Ave, 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
This is a monthly event that changes location each month to keep it accessible
What kind of items? Jewelry, crockery, small appliances, clothing, toys, furniture
Browse Second Use’s wide inventory of building materials, hardware, appliances, and fixtures
Bring donations of clothing, appliances, and unwanted items in good shape for Chaya Boutique and Big Brother Big Sister
19. ”We’re Better Together” The 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration by the City of Tacoma
Monday, January 21st
10 am - 1 pm
Greater Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Commerce, Tacoma
Free
10 - 11 am Outreach Fair
11 am - 1 pm Celebratory Program with speeches, song, dance, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award ceremony
Free holiday street parking - more information here
20. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Washington State History Museum
Monday, January 21st
10 am - 5 pm
Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free - Admission to the museum is free in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
A small exhibit will detail Dr. King’s 1960 WA State visit
2 pm - Ruby Bridges: A Civil Rights Journey - Free Performance by Tacoma Arts Live
Ticketed performances of this production are sold out, here’s a wonderful chance to see it!
21. Family Nature Walk at Oak Tree Park
Saturday, January 26th
10 am - 11 am
S. 74th St. & S. Cedar St, Tacoma
Free
Space is limited so call (253) 591-6439 to sign-up or pre-register online
Walk through Oak Tree Park, an area preserving the Garry oak habitat that used to cover much of this part of Tacoma, led by a naturalist from the Tacoma Nature Center
Not recommended for strollers or people under 3 years old
That’s it for now, and it seems like just about enough to do for one month. We’ll be back in February with a new list of events, activities, celebrations, and ways to get together all over Tacoma. In the meantime, maybe we’ll see you around!
Want to keep in touch about Tacoma community events and Tacoma living?