October 2025 marks the 24th anniversary of Tacoma Arts Month, a community celebration of the arts that includes many community-hosted arts and culture events, exhibits, and workshops for all ages taking place throughout the month. Programming includes music and dance performances, interactive experiences, visual art exhibits, film screenings, literary readings, lectures, cultural events, and workshops. All events are open to the public, and many activities are free.
Tacoma Arts Month Signature Events
Kaleidoscope Opening Party
The community is invited to attend a free, family-friendly celebration on October 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch (1102 Tacoma Ave S). The event will feature a series of live performances including selections from Tacoma Little Theatre’s summer camp productions, music and movement with Capoeira Vida, dance performance by Khmer Language Arts & Culture Academy, a blend of poetry with R&B and hip hop from Tacoma Poet Laureate Mari Griffin, a hip hop set and cypher with A.G. Joints, and a ukelele circle with Clover, George & Joe! Hands-on activities will run throughout the afternoon, including printmaking with Write253, craft monsters and trade art cards with Remakery, movie monster VFX demos with 1443 Films, sticker-making and skate design with Alchemy Skateboarding, small-space gardening tips from Hilltop Urban Gardens, jazz mini-sessions with Kareem Kandi World Orchestra, beaded keychains with Hilltop Artists, whittling and boat kits with Tacoma Boat Builders, carving with Tahoma Indian Center, a piñata workshop with Mi Centro and Amano Seattle, 3D printing basics with FabLab, theater exercises with Tacoma Little Theatre, a tree canopy sensory room with Tacoma Tree Foundation, and an interactive mapping display with Tacoma Street Trees and Easton Umansky. The Handforth Gallery will showcase Vaquero Azul’s Trans Pride ofrenda, Gillian Nordlund’s alphabet banners, Tacoma Photo Center’s community photography showcase, and Open Sesame Gallery & Books, presenting sketches by over 25 Tacoma artists.
The event is presented by the City of Tacoma’s Arts & Cultural Vitality Division in partnership with Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma Creates.
Tacoma Studio Tour
The community is invited inside the working studios of over 100 local artists to learn about the artistic process, ask questions, and purchase one-of-a-kind creations. All studios will feature demonstrations or will have interactive activities for visitors. This free, family-friendly, self-guided tour will run October 11 and October 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and covers 71 locations around Tacoma.
Studio Tour attendees are encouraged to pick up a Tacoma Studio Tour bingo sheet and have it stamped at each studio location once they complete a challenge listed on the sheet. Once at least seven stamps have been collected, the passport can be submitted for a chance to win one of several prize packages containing artwork handcrafted by a selection of artists on the tour.
Community Event Calendar
The Tacoma Arts Month Event Calendar features hundreds of arts and culture happenings throughout October, from performances, exhibitions, and film screenings to workshops, literary readings, and family-friendly activities. New events are added regularly; the full calendar is available at TacomaArtsMonth.org/events.
Arts at the Armory
The community is invited to explore a vibrant indoor arts market featuring over 100 local artists and makers at Arts at the Armory. Shop for original artworks, handmade goods, and creative gifts. This free, family-friendly event will take place Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tacoma Armory (1001 S. Yakima Ave.)
Information about Tacoma Arts Month events and programming is at TacomaArtsMonth.org. Tacoma Arts Month’s sponsors are KBTC, KNKX, Northwest Public Broadcasting, ParentMap, Pierce Transit, Preview, Showcase Magazine, South Sound Business, South Sound Magazine, and SouthSoundTalk.