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
EVENT CALENDAR
NOW ACTIVE ALL YEAR!
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.
proclamation
DATE & TIME COMING SOON!
Join the Mayor, Tacoma City Councilmembers, Tacoma Arts Commission, staff, and community members as we receive the proclamation declaring Tacoma Arts Month for the whole month of October 2026.
MORE INFO COMING SOON!
AMOCAT ARTS AWARDS
DATE & TIME COMING SOON!
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
12 PM – 4 PM
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
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!
Your Title Goes Here
Every October, 100+ events. Free to attend. Free to list. Open to all.
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.