Tacoma Arts Month
Twenty-five years of free, citywide arts and culture programming connecting Tacoma residents with local artists, performers, and communities every October.
Tacoma Arts Month is a free, citywide celebration of arts, culture, science, and history held every October in Tacoma, Washington.
In 2026, Tacoma Arts Month marks 25 years of free, public arts programming across the city. Since 2002, the program has grown from a small collection of October events into a month-long citywide celebration connecting thousands of residents with hundreds of local artists, open studios, performances, exhibitions, and community-led events in every district.
Be sure to check out the Tacoma Arts Month Events Calendar, now available all year round! Keep up to date on current arts and cultural events, or submit your own. Free to use.
Tacoma Arts Month Events Calendar
The Tacoma Arts Month Event Calendar is now open year-round. October is Tacoma Arts Month – our annual citywide celebration when arts and culture events are concentrated across every neighborhood, and a special time to check the calendar for arts and cultural events.
Tacoma City Council Proclamation
The proclamation of Tacoma Arts Month at the start of October in City Council is just one of the ways the City of Tacoma recognizes the creative contributions from artists, organizations, small businesses, and many more.
AMOCAT ARTS AWARDS
We are excited to recognize the future recipients of this year’s AMOCAT Arts Awards!
These awards honor individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to Tacoma’s arts community.
Kaleidoscope
Saturday, October 3, 2026
12 PM – 4 PM
Tacoma Library Main Branch
Kaleidoscope opens Tacoma Arts Month on the first Saturday of October with a free afternoon of a gallery show, creative displays, live performances, interactive art-making, and cultural programming for all ages. Held at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, Kaleidoscope is free, family-friendly, and fully accessible. All are welcome.
Tacoma Studio Tour
Saturday & Sunday,
October 17 & 18, 2026
11 AM – 5 PM
Locations across Tacoma!
You are invited inside the working studios of Tacoma artists to learn about the artistic process and purchase one-of-a-kind creations. Explore over 100 artists in dozens of open studios around Tacoma. All studios will have a demonstration or hands-on activity for visitors.
Arts at the Armory
Saturday & Sunday
November 15 & 16, 2026
11 AM – 5 PM
Tacoma Armory
We are excited to return to the Tacoma Armory, and join Tacoma Arts Live in presenting this year’s Arts at the Armory.
Visitors can meet over 100 Tacoma artists, learn about their creative processes, and maybe even find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for the winter shopping season. Be a part of this special event, celebrating Tacoma’s rich artistic community while supporting our local economy. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience a range of art forms and take home something special!
CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF TACOMA ARTS MONTH
Since 2001, Tacoma Arts Month has brought artists and neighbors together every October – free, open, and rooted in this city. Over 25 years, it has grown from a week-long event to a full month of studio tours, performances, exhibitions, and community programming across every Tacoma neighborhood. This October, we celebrate 25 years and everyone who made it happen.
ʔuk’ʷədiitəb ʔuhigʷətəb čəɫ txʷəl tiiɫ ʔa čəɫ ʔal tə swatxʷixʷtxʷəd ʔə tiiɫ puyaləpabš dxʷəsɫaɫlils gʷəl ʔutxʷəlšucidəbs həlgʷəʔ.
We gratefully acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Puyallup People where they make their home and speak the Lushootseed language.
© 2022-2026 City of Tacoma | Download Adobe Acrobat Reader | Privacy Policy
Arts & Cultural Vitality Division | City of Tacoma | [email protected]