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!
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.
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 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.
Community Event
Sweet Treat
Exploration & Adventure
Local Love
Volunteering & Sharing
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!
In this list you’ll find opportunities to give bikes or books away for other people to use, volunteer days in our parks, a film festival, storytelling about homelessness, an online concert, a Then & Now tour of Tacoma, a chance to make sandwiches for neighbors in need, a fundraiser for Feed253, Zoolights and more!
Are you ready? There’s a chill in the air, October has come, and life goes on. Here’s a list of 25 ways life keeps on going here in Tacoma, a list of gatherings, happenings, fests, events, tours, a list of community opportunities, a list of ways to while away the hours, a list inviting you to join it. And if you’re into the arts, you’re in for a treat because October is Tacoma Arts Month!
We’ve rustled up 25 events around Tacoma throughout September. There are gatherings to wake us up and guide us toward equity. There are events to call for action, calls to deepen our understanding of diversity, to demand solutions for our beautiful Salish Sea, to hear and acknowledge Native voices, to celebrate our immigrant community. And there are events that invite you to dance all night to ‘90s jams or to eat Norwegian pancakes until you can eat no more. They’re all mixed up together in this list, because that’s what life is like. At least, that’s what it’s like here in Tacoma.
July is all about celebration in Tacoma! We celebrate Tacoma Pride (yes, it’s finally time for the Tacoma Pride Festival!), We celebrate cultural diversity, food, music, art, history, and a brand new park; we celebrate summer. So here you go, over 21 ways to celebrate the Tacoma community this month.
It’s Tacoma events round-up time again and we’ve gathered 21 June events for your consideration. You can dance your heart out to ‘90s jams, walk for the Humane Society, sit-in on storytelling, salute the sun on Summer Solstice, join the Summer Reading Club, and shop so many fresh, local, outdoor markets! Take a look, Tacoma.
We’re back for the 9th month in a row to spread the Tacoma love all around! With over 30 events in this list there’s something for lovers of the indoorsy and outdoorsy, lovers of music, of film, lovers of peace and quiet, lovers of local makers, of discussion, of disruption, of justice, lovers of literacy, of gal pals, lovers of lovers (all kinds), lovers of Tacoma!
November is for curling up with a good book and a warm drink, but it’s also for getting out the door for community fundraisers, holiday markets, concerts, tree lightings, fix-it fairs, Tarot readings, and volunteer opportunities. There are so many ways to give back, get involved, and get to know Tacoma!
August has arrived. The final month of what constituted summer vacation when we were youngsters. Don’t despair. Just take each day at a time, and when the mood strikes, check our list of 21 August events all over Tacoma. Listen to music under the open sky, join the Native American Traditional canoe gathering, explore a street fair, or maybe enter a beard competition (seriously).
It’s July. What?! Yes, we can’t escape time moving forward, so let’s embrace it. Here’s our list of 15 July events all over Tacoma. Take a historical walking tour, celebrate the birthday of Tacoma's weirdest most beloved dive bar, enjoy story time with your kid, strengthen and focus with some outdoor yoga, or settle in for live music in the park. Or don’t. You’ll be just fine.
