Upcoming Events

Tacoma Trails Challenge

Now until June 16

Last week! The Tacoma Trails Challenge is a 3-week-long event encouraging exploration of our local parks and trails. Being in nature is good for your mental and physical health. Complete 5 challenges or log 25 miles from May 25-June 16 to earn badges and win prizes. It’s FREE! 

Co-create to Recreate

Wednesday, June 12; 5:30-7:30 pm

People's Community Center

Free! Connect with people in your community and enjoy a free BBQ meal together. Participate in tabletop discussions to meet the staff and share your ideas.

Walk the Parks

Friday, June 14; 9-10 am

Dune Peninsula

Free! (Ages 50+) Starting Friday, June 14 until August 30, join us on Fridays from 9-10 am as we explore parks across Tacoma. Drop-ins welcome, no registration required.

Adaptive Hiking Club

Saturday, June 15; 10-11 am

Meet at the Owen Beach Pavilion

Free! (Age 8+) These meet ups will be 1-mile in length and will be traveling over paved trails through nature at a leisurely pace. Drop-ins welcome, no registration required.

Ignite Others Beach Cleanup

Saturday, June 15; 9 am-12 pm

Meet at the Point Defiance Marina

Free! Join us in igniting change, inspiring action and shining a light on our community at our Ignite Others beach cleanup event. Lunch & entertainment provided!

Summer Potluck

Tuesday, June 18; 11:30 am-1:30 pm

People's Center

(Ages 50+) Join us for a summer potluck to come together and build community around your favorite dishes.

Park Spotlight: People's Park

June 24-30 at People's Park

Free! Next week come out and play at your neighborhood park! Connect with your community at People's Park. We’ll have both passive and active programming occuring throughout the 2nd week of June. Park Guides will be available at the park Tuesday-Thursday (June 4-6) from 2-5 pm.

Swim Instructor Training

June 17-20; 4-6:30 pm

Eastside Community Center

Free! Learn how to teach swimming skills to students of all ages and start your journey to become a swim instructor at one of Metro Parks' pools.

Juneteenth

Wednesday, June 19

In observance of the Juneteenth holiday some facilities will have amended operating hours.

Pride Celebration at the Zoo

June 22 & 23; 9 am-5 pm

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Celebrate Pride and our LGBTQ+ community at the Zoo! June 22 and 23 from 9 am-5 pm.

Tiptoe through the Tidepools

June 22; 10:30 am-1:30 pm

Titlow Beach

Free! Bring your family to explore the beach, learn about tide pool life and have lots of fun during some of the lowest tides of the year.

Point Defiance Bird Walk

Sunday, June 23; 7:30-9:30 am

Point Defiance Park

Free! Join in a Park Guide-led bird walk through Point Defiance and see what species can be found in the forest.

Tacoma Summer Blast

Thursday, July 4

Ruston Way Waterfront

Save the Date: Join us for a holiday celebration takes place at Dune Peninsula and Cummings Park on Ruston Way with over 150 vendors, 2 stages and a 20-minute firework display.

"Power Play" Art Contest

Congratulations to all our winners!

Metro Parks Tacoma, the Kraken’s One Roof Foundation, and Virgnia Mason Franciscan Health are proud to announce the winners of the Verlo Sport Court Youth Art Contest! Of the wonderful submissions received, nine were selected to represent the creativity and talent of Eastside youth on the improved sport court coming to Verlo Playfield later this year.

Summer Reading Challenge 2024

Challenge Dates: June 22-August 17

Adventure begins at your library this summer! Readers of all ages are invited to join the Summer Reading Challenge at Tacoma Public Library.

Register now by using the free Beanstack app, or sign up in person at any library starting Saturday, June 22 to pick up a paper log. 

Have fun and earn prizes by reading, attending library programs, and completing activities to finish the challenge! You can read books, eBooks, magazines, graphic novels, and audiobooks to meet the reading requirements.

Show your completed log to a library staff member by Saturday, Aug. 17 to receive your completion prize and be entered in a grand prize drawing. Have a summer of adventures at Tacoma Public Library!