By Margo Greenman
What better way to experience the place where you live than by gathering with your neighbors and community to celebrate food, art, holidays and more. Each year Tacoma and its neighboring cities play host to some pretty spectacular festivals and events. From highly anticipated annual events like the Taste of Tacoma, the Washington State Fair, First Night and more, to special one-time events like the US Open 2015 Golf Championship, no matter the season, there is something everyone.
Pierce County’s major festivals and events are an opportunity to gather with friends, celebrate the season, and enjoy all the vibrance and spirit our cities offer. But, with so much happening, it can be hard to keep up. That’s why SouthSoundTalk has created this list of 2015 major festivals and events to help you plan your year. Start marking your calendar and get ready for a whole lot of fun in the months to come.
April
Daffodil Festival
April 11, 2015
Admission: free
The festival takes place in four cities across Pierce County: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting. For more information visit the festival’s website here.
Washington State Spring Fair
April 16–19, 2015
Tickets: Adults $10.00, students (ages 6–18) $8.00, kids 5 and younger admitted free.
Washington State Fair and Events Center
110 9th Avenue Southwest
Puyallup, WA 98371
253-845-1771
May
Tacoma Guitar Festival
May 17, 2015
Admission: $10 for adults. Kids admitted free with guardian.
Tacoma Dome
2727 East D Street
Tacoma, WA 98421
253-272-3663
June
Duck Daze Festival
June 6, 2015
Admission: free
Downtown University Place
Maritime Gig Festival
June 6, 2015
Free for spectators. Parade unit participant registration pricing and information available online.
Downtown Gig Harbor
Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show
June 5–7, 2015
Admission prices vary. Visit event website for ticket pricing information.
Tacoma Convention Center
1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402
253-830-6601
US Open 2015 Golf Championship
June 15–21, 2015
Tickets available online.
Chambers Bay Golf Course
6320 Grandview Drive West
University Place, WA 98467
253-460-4653
Meeker Days Festival
June 20–22, 2015
Admission: free
Downtown Puyallup
Tacoma Highland Games
June 26–27, 2015
Admission prices vary. Visit Tacoma Highland Games online for ticket pricing information.
Frontier Park
21718 Meridian Avenue East
Graham, WA 98338
EQC Taste of Tacoma
June 26–28, 2015
Admission: free
Point Defiance Park
5400 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
253-591-5337
July
Freedom Fair
July 4, 2015
Admission: free
Ruston Way Waterfront
Tacoma, WA 98402
Lakewood SummerFEST
July 11, 2015
Admission: free
Fort Steilacoom Park
8714 87th Avenue Southwest
Lakewood, WA 98498
Art On the Ave
July 12, 2015
Admission: free
6th Ave Business District
Tacoma, WA 98406
Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival
July 19, 2015
Admission: free
Gig Harbor Waterfront
Tacoma Maritime Fest
July 18–19, 2015
Admission: free
Tacoma Waterfront
705 Dock Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
Food Truck Fest
July 19, 2015
Admission: free
Wright Park
501 South I Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
253-305-1000
Ethnic Fest
July 25–26, 2015
Admission: free
Wright Park
501 South I Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
253-305-1000
Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival
July dates, admission and location information TBD. Visit Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival online for more information.
Tacoma Pride Festival
July dates: TBD
Admission: free
Location: TBD
Tacoma Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival
July date, location and other information TBD.
August
Proctor Arts Fest
August 1, 2015
Admission: free
Proctor District
Tacoma, WA
Pierce County Fair
August 6–9, 2015
Admission information available online.
Pierce County Fairgrounds
21718 Meridian Avenue East
Graham, WA 98338
253-843-1173
Annual LeMay Car Show
August 29, 2015
Admission: General admission $15, children (Ages 6-17) $5, LeMay Family Collection members admitted free.
Marymount Event Center
325 152nd ST E
Tacoma, WA 98445
Music & Art in Wright Park
August date: August 8
Admission: free
Wright Park
501 South I Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
253-305-1000
Stadium District Art & Wine Walk
August date: TBD
Stadium District
September
Washington State Fair
September 11–27, 2015
Ticket information available online.
Washington State Fair and Events Center
110 9th Avenue Southwest
Puyallup, WA 98371
253-845-1771
Fall Garden Festival
September 26, 2015
Admission: free
Point Defiance Park
5400 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
253-591-5337
October
Oktoberfest Northwest
October 9–11, 2015
Ticket information can be found online.
Washington State Fair and Events Center
110 9th Avenue Southwest
Puyallup, WA 98371
253-845-1771
Tacoma Film Festival
October 18–15, 2015
Visit Tacoma Film Festival online for admission pricing and information.
Tacoma Film Festival takes places at The Grand Cinema and other venues across Tacoma.
Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival
October 22–25, 2015
Ticket information available online.
Tacoma Dome
2727 East D Street
Tacoma, WA 98421
253-272-3663
Harvest Fest
October 31, 2015
Admission: free
Event location(s): TBD
Tacoma Greek Festival
October dates and location TBD. Visit Tacoma Greek Festival online for more information.
November
Zoolights
2015 dates TBD
Admission prices vary. Visit Zoolights’ website for admission prices and information.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
253-591-5337
Fantasy Lights
2015 dates TBD
Admission information available online.
Spanaway Park
14905 Bresemann Blvd South
Spanaway, WA 98387
December
Festival of Trees
First week of December.
For special event pricing information, click here.
Tacoma Convention Center
1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402
253-830-6601
First Night
December 31, 2015
Admission information available online.
Downtown Tacoma.
Dickens Festival
December date: TBD
Admission: free
Stadium District
