September 2024 Events & Activities In Gig Harbor
The first day of autumn is almost here, which means there are all things pumpkin to look forward to—pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, and don’t forget the pumpkin patches! Here’s a list of all the places in and around Gig Harbor where the kids can find that gourd-geous (get it?) pumpkin. Stay local or make a day of it by traveling beyond the harbor and taking in some beautiful fall scenery along the way.
*Not all the farms allow pets, so if you want to bring Fido too, I recommend checking with each location on their pet policy.
Around Gig Harbor
Friday - Sunday, 11am - 5pm
“The Grange” should already have some pumpkins for sale, so be sure to stop by!
Beyond Gig Harbor
If you’re up for a little bit more of an adventure, these are some other great options to consider.
PUYALLUP
Check back in soon for dates and times
Come by and check out the valley’s largest selection of pumpkins! There will also be gourds and mini pumpkins available for sale, hayrides on the weekends (weather permitting), a five-acre cornWith cooler weather and the turning colors of the leaves, October offers so many fun ways to celebrate fall. Read on for a list of events and activities in Gig Harbor and beyond, from cider making to autumn festivals, fun at the zoo, and more!
GIG HARBOR
Friday, October 4, 2024
Grab your team of five and get pulling as you enjoy a day of friendly competition. More information can be found on the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation website.
Hands of Hope Gala and Auction
Friday, October 11, 2024
Enjoy an evening for a good cause! This fundraiser for the local charity Harbor Hope Center ensures that they can continue helping Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula students who are homeless and at-risk. You can purchase individual tickets or a table for eight.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Presented by your very own Neighborhood Experts Real Estate, don’t miss a day full of fun with a Local Makers Market, pumpkin launcher, food trucks, hay rides, a petting zoo, and more. There’s no charge to attend, but please consider bringing a donation of a non-perishable food item or personal care item. Check back here for updated information about this event.
October – March | First Saturday of each month
Harbor WildWatch’s monthly program starts back up in October! Learn more about Gig Harbor and what’s in it as you watch from the dock while divers live stream from under water.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Although already sold out, the Downtown Waterfront Alliance has information on how you can add your name to the waitlist.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Challenge your paddling skills during this open-water race. Bring your outrigger canoe, paddleboard, kayak, or other human-powered craft and participate in the short, intermediate, or expert course. You can find more information here on race proceedings and registration.
Saturday, October 12 & Sunday, October 13, 2024
Calling all quilters for the Gig Harbor Quilters’ annual show. The entrance fee is only $5, and besides seeing all the beautiful displays, you’ll have a chance to browse the boutique with items for sale.
2024 HopeRaiser Breakfast and Silent Auction
Thursday, October 10, 2024
This annual breakfast and silent auction helps raise funds to provide housing and resources for at-risk youth and children touched by the foster care system. Your ticket purchase will help make a huge difference in a foster child’s life.
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Bring the whole family for a time of games, face painting, hayrides, a costume contest, and more. Information is available at the Key Pen Parks website, and note that the event will be dependent on weather, so be sure to check back for updates.
Sunday, October 27, 2024
This bike ride and costume contest offers three routes to accommodate all ages and abilities. Once the ride ends the party begins, with prizes for best costume and treats for all. The proceeds of the race will go to the GGHF Community Recreation Fund. Go here for more information and the registration page.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Dress up and enjoy views of the waterfront as you stroll through downtown Gig Harbor in search of candy provided by various businesses. Note that Harborview Drive will be closed between Pioneer Way and Rosedale Street.
BEYOND GIG HARBOR
Apple Squeeze - Steilacoom
Sunday, October 6, 2024
The day can’t get much better with a street fair, live music, food, and fresh cider! Learn more on the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association’s website.
Pumpkin Walk – Steilacoom
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Enjoy an evening stroll through the Orr Orchard while sipping hot cider, eating donut holes and voting on your favorite decorated jack o’ lantern. Learn more on the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association’s website.
Candlelight Tour - Tacoma
Friday, October 4 & Saturday, October 5, 2024
Step back in time and witness moments from history during this yearly tradition at Fort Nisqually. Through songs, dances, games, and vignettes, historical interpreters will be acting out events from 1859 in the life of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Key Peninsula Farm Tour - Key Peninsula
Saturday, September 28 & Sunday, September 29, 2024
Learn about the history of farming on the Key Peninsula during this interactive tour of various locations throughout the area. You’ll have a chance to talk to Master Gardeners, try your hand at a cider squeeze, listen to live music, ride ponies, watch equine events, tour a fish hatchery, eat a pancake breakfast at the fire station, observe a live fire demonstration, walk in a haunted forest, enjoy wine and coffee tasting, and more! Some activities are only offered one day or for part of the day, so check out the Key Peninsula Farm Tour website for all the details.
Founders Day - Eatonville
Saturday, October 12 & Sunday, October 13, 2024
Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day touring the pioneer farm and Ohop Indian village, playing games, doing crafts, taking buggy rides, and more. All the details can be found online.
Hoot ’n’ Howl - Eatonville
Friday, October 18 & Saturday, October 19, 2024
The Northwest Trek Wildlife Park offers a whole new experience at night! Dress up and have fun with games, follow the paths in search of trick-or-treat stations, and meet some nocturnal animals as part of the Keeper Chats. You can purchase tickets on location or in advance online.
Cider Squeeze - Puyallup
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Press cider, take a hayride, tour the Meeker Mansion, visit the Hard Cider Garden, enjoy live bluegrass music, pick out fall decorations at the Pumpkin Booth, browse the vendor booths, and more!
Zoo Boo - Tacoma
Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20, 2024
Have fun dressing up, playing games, and gathering treats as you make your way through the zoo. Visit this page for tickets and more information, including times and locations for games and other activities.
Haunted Farmer’s Market – Tacoma
Every Saturday in October 2024
This farmer’s market in South Tacoma includes some additional festive fun. It features 60-100 haunted themed vendors from taxidermy and crystals to tarot card readings. Shop for all your Halloween needs while enjoying some food from their delicious food trucks.
Haunted Market at Freighthouse – Tacoma
Saturday, October 5, 2024
For one day only enjoy this free haunted theme market hosted by South Makers Market and Celtic Attic. Shop over 60 spooky vendors and check out their photo booth while zombies, mummies and creepy spiders walk amongst the crowd. Some will even be carrying free samples of spooky cake pops and creepy fudge samples.
Spector Spectacular – Tacoma
Thursday, October 24, 2024 & Friday, October 25, 2024
Wear a mask while you sit back to enjoy Das Biest Performance Project’s dance piece exploring ghosts throughout popular culture. The event is free with a suggested $10 donation.
A Night at the Movies Costume Concert – Tacoma
All of Tacoma Youth Symphony Association’s orchestras are playing music from hit movies while dressed in costumes from those movies. Purchase your tickets and dress up in costume and bring the whole family for a musical night of fun.
Harvest Fest - Port Orchard
Friday, October 18 - Sunday, October 20, 2024 | Friday, October 25 - Sunday, October 27, 2024
The whole family is guaranteed to have a great time at Miracle Ranch! Ride in the hay wagon, get your face painted, watch a rodeo, visit the petting zoo, make your way through the hay maze, try your hand at archery, play carnival games, take a pony ride, and lots more! You can come just for the day (it’s free, although some activities do cost), or stay overnight for multiple days of fun. All the information can be found on the camp’s website.
Ghost Train - Port Orchard
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Nothing screams fall and Halloween like this spooky train ride through the heavily wooded forest of Kitsap Regional Park. Kitsap Live Steamers holds this annual ghost train run from 5-9pm and costumes are welcome. This extra special train run benefits Kitsap County Foster Care. The line is long, but it moves quickly and is so worth the wait. Purchase your tickets online at universe.com/ghosttrain and check out their Facebook page to learn about their other train rides offered April to October.
Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp - Eatonville
Saturday, October 5 & Sunday, October 6, 2024
Did you know animals love pumpkins, too? You’ll have just as much fun watching as the animals have fun playing with these orange edibles, many of which are grown right at Northwest Trek! Learn more on their website.
Autumn Leaves Tour - Bremerton
Saturday, October 26, 2024 | Thursday, October 31, 2024 | Saturday, November 2, 2024
Experience fall colors on more than four acres containing over a thousand varieties of plants at the Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens in Bremerton. Enjoy an extra festive Halloween guided tour on the 31st where costumes are welcome! Tours are free (donation suggested), and you can register on the website.
Paige Schulte, top real estate agent in Gig Harbor and your neighborhood expert, has all you need to know about our wonderful community. Visit Paige’s Gig to learn more.
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