A person with dreadlocks is playing a ukulele and smiling. They are wearing a green shirt, a colorful striped vest, and red pants, as part of Kaleidoscope during Tacoma Arts Month.

TACOMA ARTS MONTH

Celebrating 25 Years of

Arts in Tacoma

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.

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.

Click Here

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

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!

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.