Seattle Family Calendar
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This October treat your family to one or more of the many fantastic fee-free activities happening all over the region. I’ve rounded up 25 of the best free things to do around Seattle this month, whether you want to spot salmon, meet your favorite children’s author, find fossils or celebrate spooky season. Ready for fall fun? Let’s go!
Note: Some activities require preregistration and can fill up quickly.
Celebrating Frankie Feetsplinters’ 3rd Birthday
Date and time: Thursday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Installed in 2023, Ballard’s favorite troll, Frankie Feetsplinters, is not only turning 3, but also becoming part of the National Nordic Museum’s permanent collection. Celebrate during the museum’s Free First Thursday by making themed crafts.
Marysville Rock Club’s Annual Rocktoberfest
Dates and time: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 3–4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Can you dig it? Check out fossils, minerals and more at this two-day rock extravaganza at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. Budding paleontologists will marvel at a life-size dinosaur skull display and the chance to chat with a local expert skilled at identifying dinosaur bones.
Tacoma Honk Fest
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 noon–7 p.m.
Tacoma’s Honk! Fest hits the streets in the McKinley Hill District for a day of free music and fun featuring a variety of street band sounds from across the globe. All are invited to join in the musical merriment!
Piper’s Orchard Festival of Fruit
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Join the celebration at one of the oldest public orchards in the region, Piper’s Orchard in Carkeek Park, and get a taste of this year’s harvest. There will be fresh-pressed cider, apple sampling, live entertainment, mason bee demos and lots of fun for the whole crew.
Salmon SEEson at various locations
Dates: Through December
It’s salmon SEEson in King County, meaning it’s that time of year when you can get a glimpse of our local salmon returning from the ocean to our streams and rivers. Cheer on these mighty swimmers as they journey back home at a number of locations, including Issaquah Creek, Flaming Geyser State Park and North Creek Trail Park.
Latine/x Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt at Tacoma Public Libraries
Dates: Daily, through Oct. 15
Take part in an ongoing scavenger hunt at all Tacoma Public Library branches to learn more about inspiring Latinas and earn a prize!
Tracks Wednesday Walk and Roll
Dates and time: Wednesdays, Oct. 7–28, 10:30 a.m.–noon
Looking for some outdoor morning fun with your toddler or preschooler? Load up a bike or scooter (strollers are welcome too) and head to Surrey Downs Park in Bellevue for fun on wheels around a paved course, a scavenger hunt on foot, crafts, exploration and play! Preregister.
Bigfoot Kids’ Book Festival
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Young readers of all ages can meet their favorite authors, get books signed and peruse new titles at the Bigfoot Kids’ Book Festival. Held at the Redmond Senior Community Center, it’s the perfect place to find a new favorite read!
Turkfest
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 10–11
Discover the delights of Turkish cultural traditions in the way of food, coffee, folk dancing and marketplace wares during a two-day fest held at the Seattle Center Armory.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
Date: Monday, Oct. 12
Bring the family to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with cultural performances, speakers and educational activities at Olympia’s Squaxin Park, honor and celebrate Native peoples on Bainbridge Island, or check out a Seattle event at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center.
Firefighter Story Time at the Queen Anne Branch
Date and time: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m.–noon
Check out a fire engine, learn about fire safety and listen to heroic stories during firefighter story time at the Queen Anne Library. For ages 5 and younger.
Low-Sensory Concerts for Kids
Date and times: Thursday, Oct. 15, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Bring your tot to enjoy favorite Disney and classical tunes in a low-sensory environment with a string quartet from Northwest Sinfonietta, followed by instrument exploration. Head to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma for this fun and interactive musical experience.
The Great Pumpkin Night
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 16, 5–8 p.m.
Put on your costume and jump into spooky season with bounce houses, face painting, crafts and more at the SeaTac Community Center. Plus, meet real-life firefighters from Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, and if you’re not entirely tuckered out, watch a not-so-spooky movie to end the night.
Autumn Fest Family Fun at Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–noon
Visit the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens during Autumn Fest when fun activities for kids are planned, such as planting bulbs and meeting puppies from the Everett Animal Shelter, who are on hand to help celebrate the crowning of the gardens’ pet mayors as part of a recent fundraising effort.
Tacoma Studio Tour
Dates and time: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 17–18, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Part of Tacoma Arts Month, take advantage of this rare opportunity to meet artists — painters, sculptors and printmakers, to name a few — and get a first-hand look at their workspaces and creative process during two days of self-guided tours.
Critter Crawl Scavenger Hunt
Dates: Oct. 19–30
Head to Chambers Creek Regional Park and be on the lookout for lost woodland creatures along the Grandview Trail. Pick up a hunt card to keep track of critters as you spot them and turn in your completed card for a prize!
Story Time with Seattle Botanic Gardens
Dates: Ongoing
This virtual story time from the Seattle Botanic Gardens offers a different themed story and activity each month celebrating gardens, plants and nature. In October, read along with three books about field trips that explore the joys of autumn.
Made in Bellevue
Date and time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, noon–2 p.m.
Oct. 21 is your last chance to flex your creative muscles at drop-in crafting sessions that take place at the Meadow in Bellevue. Decorate a mini pumpkin with all sorts of fun embellishments to take home.
Haunted Harbor
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 23, 4–7 p.m.
There is enough Halloween fun to fill October with a treat bag full of options to wear your costume and collect candy. The Port of Everett hosts “troll or treating” at boats along the waterfront, along with games, crafts and more. You may even spot a witch paddling through the marina.
Kirkland Día de los Muertos
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2–4 p.m.
Gather up the family and honor your departed loved ones alongside the community at Kirkland’s Día de los Muertos fest with traditional music, dance and food at the Peter Kirk Community Center.
Harvest Festival in the Junction
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
This fall fest at the West Seattle Junction has something for everyone, including a costume parade and marching band, Seattle Thrillers spooky dance, pie-eating contest and, of course, trick-or-treating for the kids.
Free Entrance to National Parks
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Nab this opportunity to head outdoors and go nature-exploring at one of our area’s gorgeous national parks. There is no entrance fee in observance of Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday.
Costume Crawl for Toddlers
Date and time: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Just for toddlers, this midweek costume crawl held during toddler gym time at the Garfield Community Center is the perfect Halloween experience for ages 5 and younger. Festivities include spooky crafts and snacks. Don’t forget to wear your costume!
Comet Lodge Haunted Trail
Dates and time: Friday–Saturday, Oct. 16–31, 6–9 p.m.
Kid-friendly and free, the Comet Lodge Haunted Trail, located on South Beacon Hill, is back for its fourth year of fun frights. With a Michael Jackson “Thriller” theme, expect a flash mob zombie dance performance as well.
Trick or Treat!
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Halloween has arrived! For those looking for a safe place to trick or treat, indoor or out, we have a few options around the region for you. There will be plenty of candy, so grab a bag and get collecting.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2024, and was most recently updated on Aug. 26, 2026, to include 25 new, exciting free things to do in Seattle in October for families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. Event dates, times and locations were cross-checked and verified by our editor.
