Things to Do in Tacoma This Weekend (Sep 4–7)
Updated Thursday, September 3
This list comes from Tacoma Newsletter, the free weekly email for Tacoma residents.
Tonight
Thu, Sep 3 — 7:30 PM — Tacoma Little Theatre — $31
TLT opens its 108th season with a political comedy about the least qualified candidate imaginable; runs through Sept 13.
This weekend
Fri, Sep 4 – Mon, Sep 7
Washington State FairFamily
Fri, Sep 4 — Washington State Fair Events Center
Opening day is free 10:30 to 2:30 with a food donation, and kids 18 and under get in free all Labor Day weekend.
SoulFULL FestivalFamily
Sat, Sep 5 — Downtown Tacoma — Free
More than 30 soul food vendors, live R&B and neo-soul, a kids' zone, and a beer garden, all free to walk in.
Sat, Sep 5 — Greater Tacoma Convention Center
Sports cards, trading cards, and memorabilia dealers fill the convention center for a one-day show downtown.
Caffeine & Gasoline: Italian Theme
Sat, Sep 5 — Griot's Garage — Free
Griot's monthly car meet goes Italian this time, with Ferraris, Alfas, and Fiats in the lot and free coffee inside.
Sat, Sep 5 — Washington State Fair Grandstand
The accordion, the costume changes, the polka medley: Weird Al headlines the Fair's opening Saturday at the Grandstand.
End of Summer BlastFamily
Sat, Sep 5 — 9:00 AM — Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
The zoo sends summer off with keeper talks, animal enrichment, and extra activities included with regular admission.
Parks Tacoma Volunteer Work Parties
Sat, Sep 5 — 9:00 AM — Parks Tacoma (various sites) — Free
Pull ivy, spread mulch, and meet your neighbors at Saturday morning work parties across the park system.
Free Family Movie at the Blue MouseFamily
Sat, Sep 5 — 11:00 AM — Blue Mouse Theatre — Free
Kung Fu Panda on the big screen at the 1923 Proctor theater; doors at 10:30 and it fills up, so arrive early.
Coming up
Tacoma Farmers Market: Broadway
Thu, Sep 10 — 10:00 AM — Broadway Farmers Market — Free
Tacoma's original market, since 1990, with late-summer stone fruit and the first real apples overlapping right now.
Thu, Sep 10 — 7:00 PM — Tacoma Comedy Club
The Australian stand-up brings his self-deprecating, fast-talking set to the downtown comedy club for one night.
Fri, Sep 11 — Tacoma Musical Playhouse — $35
TMP opens its 32nd season with the big one; runs through Oct 4 with Saturday matinees every weekend.
Fri, Sep 11 — 7:00 PM — Pantages Theater
The two-time Emmy winner brings her New Face, New Tour stand-up to downtown's grandest room.
Indonesian DayFamily
Sat, Sep 12 — Asia Pacific Cultural Center — Free
Traditional dance and music, Indonesian food from local vendors, and a kids' craft table at APCC's second annual celebration.
Tacoma Moon FestivalFamily
Sat, Sep 12 — 1:00 PM — Chinese Reconciliation Park — Free
Food, performances from Tacoma's immigrant communities, and a lantern parade led by the Moon Princess at dusk.
Sat, Sep 12 — 7:00 PM — Pantages Theater
The Christian country singer brings The STARS Tour to the Pantages the night after Kathy Griffin plays the same stage.
Sat, Sep 12 — 7:30 PM — Tacoma Dome
The CMA Male Vocalist of the Year headlines the Dome with Terri Clark and David Lewis opening.
Sun, Sep 13 — Tacoma Comedy Club
Improvised tabletop adventure meets drag performance in a Sunday show that is exactly as chaotic as it sounds.
Zoomagination Station: Taking Care of AnimalsFamily
Thu, Sep 17 — Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
A hands-on program for young kids about how keepers feed, house, and care for the animals, included with admission.
Washington's Original 1889 State Constitution ViewingFamily
Thu, Sep 17 — 1:00 PM — Washington State History Museum — Free
One day only, the state archives bring the actual founding document to Pacific Avenue, with archivists on hand to answer questions.
Beat Beethoven 5KFamily
Sat, Sep 26 — 9:00 AM — Wright Park — $45
Symphony Tacoma's all-ages run challenges you to finish before the Fifth Symphony does, roughly 30 minutes.