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Annual events in Tacoma and Pierce County

The South Puget Sound knows how to have a good time. Whether it's a festival celebrating pie in Sumner (the Americana capital of Pierce County), a film festival in Gig Harbor, or the celebrations on Tacoma's waterfront, you'll find parades, music, entertainment, good food, and beverages at events all across the county.

Note: Please note that some events have gone virtual, or been cancelled, postponed, or otherwise rescheduled. Please check with organizers before making plans to attend.

Spring

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February

Sip & Stroll (Sumner)
Celebrate springtime in idyllic Sumner with a glass in hand and a downtown full of shops to wander through. www.promotesumner.com
 
Founded in 2014, the Destiny City Film Festival is a homegrown Tacoma community event, built to showcase and celebrate cinematic storytelling from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
 
With a different country or culture host each year, the day is filled with exciting performances, cultural demonstrations and martial arts, culture and arts displays, authentic cuisine, vendors and resource booths. asiapacificculturalcenter.org
 

April

Daffodil Festival (County-wide)
This annual county-wide tradition of parades and pageantry features a carnival and more. www.thedaffodilfestival.org
 
Enjoy carnival rides, fair food, animal exhibits, music, and more at the Washington State Fairgrounds. www.thefair.com/spring-fair
 

May

Sip Northwest craft brews made in Pierce County, greater Washington, and Oregon. www.gigharborbeerfestival.com
 
Mayfest (Lakewood)
Beautiful flower displays and art are showcased at Lakewold Gardens. www.lakewoldgardens.org
 

Summer

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June

Tacoma Ocean Fest (Tacoma) 
A free festival on Tacoma's waterfront for World Ocean Day weekend, plus a month of June events. tacomaoceanfest.org
 
Meeker Days (Puyallup)
Pierce County’s largest street festival is a community celebration dedicated to historical, educational, and cultural interaction. Enjoy entertainment, craft vendors, kids’ activities, food, and more. puyallupmainstreet.com
 
Admire fine automobiles or show off your own custom ride. cityoffife.org
 

July

The Grand Tasting features more than 60 wineries, craft distilleries, breweries, and food vendors, plus chef cook-offs, winemaker dinners, and more. harborwineandfoodfest.com
 
With fireworks, live music, car shows, food trucks and baseball, air shows, there's a long list of celebrations happening around Pierce County. traveltacoma.com/fourth
 
SummerFEST (Lakewood)
This annual celebration features dozens of vendors, a classic car show, free entertainment, and the KidZone. cityoflakewood.us
 
Rhubarb Days (Sumner)
Don’t miss this festival featuring a pie-eating contest, a rhubarb bake-off, games, music, and more. sumnerdowntown.com
 
Join thousands of other car buffs at the Pacific Northwest Nationals, where there are plenty of collector vehicles to drool over, plus vintage drag racing and live entertainment. good-guys.com
 
The largest celebration of culture and community in Tacoma, Ethnic Fest is a family-friendly, free festival with a kids' zones, live performances and specialty arts & crafts and plenty of food. ethnicfest.org 
 
Taste Northwest (Puyallup)
Savor food, desserts, and beverages from dozens of different restaurants and vendors at this culinary experience that celebrates the tastes of Tacoma and the South Sound. thefair.com
 

August

In the Spirit (Tacoma)
The In the Spirit Arts Market & Northwest Native Festival is a beloved summer tradition celebrates the diverse Native cultures of our region and is hosted by the Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and Museum of Glass, with free admission to all three museums during the festival.
 
Brew Five Three (Tacoma)
Enjoy more than 30 Washington state brewers, grab some grub from local food trucks, and listen to live tunes. broadwaycenter.org
 
TAG Festival (Tacoma)
The TAG Festival (Together...in Art and Glass) brings together artists from across the country and around the world for a glass and art festival like no other. Includes live glassblowing, art demonstrations, food trucks, beer garden and local art vendors coming together for this free festival in Glass City USA - also known as Tacoma.
 
Complete with a beer garden, live music and a car show in the summer sun, the real draw for Hudson's Bay Heritage Days is the barbecue competition with 30+ pro and semi-pro pitmasters. heritagedaysbbqcomp.com
 
Expect food, music, and plenty of classic cars, hot rods, and custom trucks to admire at this annual auto showcase. sumnerdowntown.com
 

Fall

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September

More than one million fair-goers enjoy rides, food, and entertainment at one of the largest fairs in the country. thefair.com
 
An annual outdoor celebration held in September at Chinese Reconciliation Park to honor the rich diverse cultures of the Puget Sound region, brought here by our immigrant communities over the 150 years of the city’s history. tacomamoonfestival.org
 

October

Enjoy beer, brats, and entertainment during this annual festival celebrating everything Bavarian. oktoberfestnw.com
 
Thousands gather at Fife’s Dacca Park to celebrate the fall harvest season with hay rides, a hay maze, fall-themed crafts and food, and more. cityoffife.org
 
Celebrate art during October in Tacoma. Hundreds of arts and culture programs are open to the public and many are free. tacomaartsmonth.com
 
Celebrates unique and innovative storytelling with eight days of workshops, discussions, awards and screenings of more than 100 independent films from across the globe. tacomafilmfestival.com
 

November

Christmas Tree Lighting (Downtown Tacoma)
Pageantry and performances from local groups in symphony, ballet, performing arts, concert bands, and opera. Complimentary hot drinks and cookies, a traditional holiday story from Santa and Mrs. Claus. tacomacitytheaters.org 
 

Winter

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December

Zoolights (Tacoma)
More than half a million lights turn Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium into a holiday display. See a scuba-diving Santa or ride a camel. pdza.org
 
Fantasy Lights (Spanaway)
A drive-through Christmas-light extravaganza, featuring more than 300 displays in its two-mile course. Bring your own cocoa and make the perfect family evening of it! co.pierce.wa.us
 
Pairing music and poetry with each light art location, Tacoma Light Trail is a free and walkable/ridable/drivable exploration of downtown Tacoma, with liver performances every Friday and Saturday. tacomalighttrail.org