Looking for fun things to do in Seattle this October?
We have a few tricks and treats up our sleeve for you. Whether you’re looking for cozy harvest festivals, delicious foodie events, or a truly creepy, frightful Halloween experience, there is something on this list for you. Best of all, many of these October events and activities are cheap or even free!
We’ll be adding more to this list over the next few weeks so be sure to check back regularly so you don’t miss out on any upcoming events.
Read on for our list of the best things to do in Seattle in October 2024!
1. Laugh at a horror-themed improv show
Unexpected Productions at Pike Place Market is performing “Poe Unexpected: Edgar Allan Poe Improvised” from October 4 – 26. This improv show will take inspiration from Poe’s literary masterpieces and your ideas to create a spine-chilling experience with the perfect blend of comedy and darkness. Get tickets here!
2. See a Halloween candlelight concert
This October, a series of Halloween candlelight concerts are coming to Seattle. Several different Seattle venues will be lit up with candles while talented string musicians play spooky Halloween classics. You can get tickets now for any of the following:
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Metallica on October 11
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Musuem of Flight on October 16 and 17
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Sparkman Cellars on October 22
- Candlelight: Best Horror Movie Soundtracks on October 23
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at the Arctic Club Hotel on October 25 and 31
3. Get wild at the zoo’s OktoBEARfest
Visit the Woodland Park Zoo on Saturday, October 5, 2024 for a brand-new all-day exclusive 21+ event that goes from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Their reimagined Brew at the Zoo is now called OktoBEARfest. You can enjoy the entire zoo while sampling brews and ciders from more than 50 Northwest breweries and cider houses. All money raised supports conservation projects both locally and globally.
📍Where: Woodland Park Zoo (5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA)
📅When: Saturday, October 5
💲Cost: $50 and up
4. Find a treasure at the Georgetown Flea
The Georgetown Flea occurs on the first Saturday of every month (in Georgetown, naturally), which puts it on October 5 this month. Don’t miss out on an incredible selection of vintage and handcrafted goods!
5. Attend a glamorously haunted cocktail party
Spend a night at this one-of-a-kind theatrical Haunted Cocktail Soirée for a hauntingly beautiful evening with mesmerizing performances, handcrafted cocktails, live music, and otherworldly encounters. It’s your chance to step into the historic DAR Rainier Chapter House at 800 E Roy Street in Seattle. This exclusive House of Spirits experience is loosely based on the real-life haunting of Ireland’s Loftus Hall. It has captivated over 100,000 revelers in cities like Dallas, L.A., NYC, and more, so don’t miss stepping into this chic soirée when it opens this October. It’s how adults do Halloween, so grab your tickets now!
📅 When: September 27–November 2, 2024
📍 Where: DAR Rainier Chapter House, 800 E Roy St, Seattle, WA 98102
💲Tickets: Bronze and silver tickets, including four delicious craft cocktails, are available. There’s also a VIP Gold ticket with express entry, delicious fall-inspired chocolates, a fifth craft cocktail, and more! Secure your spot!
6. Enter your pup in a Halloween pet parade
On Sunday, October 6, you and your pet can visit Volunteer Park from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the annual Halloween Pet Parade. There will be a costume competition, live music, food trucks, and more.
📍Where: Volunteer Park (1247 15th Avenue East Seattle, WA)
📅When: Sunday, October 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
7. Get outside for free state park day
On October 10, everyone can enjoy free access to state parks in recognition of World Mental Health Day. There’s nothing like getting out in nature for a little boost to your mood and mental wellbeing. There are over 100 state parks in Washington so check out our list of the top 10 WA state parks.
8. Shop at a Seattle night market
Ages 21 and up are invited to the Autumn Moon Night Market on October 12 at Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park. There will be food trucks, DJs, craft vendors, drinks, and a dragon dance.
📍Where: Magnuson Park Hangar 30 (6310 Northeast 74th Street Seattle, WA)
📅When: Saturday, October 12 from 3 – 10pm
9. Browse a Seattle Book Fair
On October 26-27 head to the Pacific Northwest’s biggest book event. You can browse thousands of collectible and antique books (as well as maps, posters, and more) for sale at Seattle Center. Tickets will be $10 at the door. See more details on the event website.
📍Where: Seattle Center
📅When: Saturday, October 26th from 10am-6pm; Sunday, October 27th from 11am-4pm
💲Cost: $10
10. Attend the Seattle Oddities & Curiosities Expo
The Seattle Oddities & Curiosities Expo is a two-day event on October 19-20 at the Seattle Convention Center for “lovers of the strange, unusual, and bizarre.” Tickets are $13 and kids age 12 and under can go for free. Get tickets here.
📍Where: Washington State Convention Center (705 Pike St., Seattle, WA)
📅When: October 19 – 20 from 10 am – 4 pm
💲Cost: $13
11. Feast at Pike Place Market
On October 29, you can go on a self-guided tour of Pike Place Market and redeem tickets for food and drink from participating eateries there. Proceeds from Feast at the Market benefit Neighborcare Health’s Pike Place Market medical clinic.
📍Where: Neighborcare’s Pike Place Market Clinic (1930 Post Alley, Seattle, WA)
📅When: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 5-9 pm
💲Cost: $90-$120
12. See a thrilling Halloween aerial show
Carnevolar XII: The Witching Hour is a Halloween circus show and dance party in Seattle. Emerald City Trapeze Arts (located at 2702 6th Ave South) hosts this 21+ event that takes place on October 25 and 26. Note that the dance party is on Saturday, October 26 only. Get tickets here.
📍Where: Emerald City Trapeze Arts (2702 6th Ave South, Seattle, WA)
📅When: Friday, October 25th (Doors at 7pm, show starts at 8pm) and Saturday, October 26th (Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm, after party starts at 10pm and goes until 2am)
13. Ballard Wine Walk
If you love wine, you should head over to Ballard on the evening of October 19 from 5 – 8pm for the annual Ballard Wine Walk. There will be 17 boutique shops paired up with 17 Washington wineries so you can explore local wines and Ballard businesses at the same time. Get tickets here.
📍Where: Umpqua Bank (5512 22nd Ave NW Seattle, WA)
📅When: Saturday, October 19 from 5 – 8pm
💲Cost: $40
14. Join a Halloween-themed race
Here are some spooky Halloween runs in Seattle this October:
- The West Seattle Monster Dash is on Saturday, October 26 at Lincoln Park. Get dressed in costume and participate in either a 5k run/walk or a kids dash.
- The Run 2 Be Fit PNW Ladies Running Group is hosting a Trick or Treat 5K on Sunday, October 27 at Green Lake; costumes encouraged! Visit their website for more info and registration.
- The Run 2 Be Fit PNW Ladies Running Group is also hosting The Running Dead 5K on Saturday, October 26. Get more information here!
- Run Scared is on Sunday, October 27 at Seward Park. You can choose from a 10K, 5K, or a two-mile walk/run. There will be a kids dash as well as fun Halloween activities for kids. There will also be a costume contest!
15. Try new menus at Seattle Restaurant Week
This biannual event is back for fall! Seattle Restaurant Week 2024 starts on Sunday, October 27 and runs through Saturday, November 9. You’ll be able to enjoy curated menus from tons of Seattle restaurants and eateries for a fixed price.
16. Go to a Seattle Halloween music festival
If you love live music and Halloween, you can’t miss out on this creeptacular Halloween music festival happening on October 25-26 at the WAMU Theater. BOO Seattle promises to be a spooky good time. See info about the lineup and tickets.
📍Where: WAMU Theater (800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA)
📅When: October 25-26
💲Cost: $163 and up
17. Perform the Thriller dance
Wear your best zombie costume for this free Halloween event. Following several optional rehearsals, you get to perform Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Venue details are TBD.
18. Go to a free lantern festival
Head to Freeway Park on October 25 for the free Fall Lantern Festival! They will be installing hand-painted lanterns from 4:30 to 7:30 in the park.
19. Celebrate Dia de Muertos at a free festival
On October 26 from 11 am – 7 pm & October 27 from 11 am – 6 pm, you can celebrate the annual Dia de Muertos Festival at Seattle Center. This all-ages festival is free!
📍Where: Armory Food & Event Hall
📅When: October 26 & October 27
💲Cost: Free!
20. Celebrate Halloween in West Seattle
Enjoy some family-friendly trick or treating in West Seattle on Sunday, October 27th from 11AM to 2 PM. There will be a parade and plenty of candy and goodies being passed out in the West Seattle Junction.
📍Where: West Seattle Junction
📅When: Sunday, October 27th from 11AM to 2 PM
21. Visit the Museum of FRIGHT
On Sunday, October 27 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Seattle’s Museum of Flight transforms into The Museum of Fright. This all-ages event provides plenty of fun Halloween games and activities throughout the museum.
📍Where: Museum of Flight
📅When: Sunday, October 27 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
22. Head to the Museum of Flight’s murder mystery party
Midnight at the Masquerade is a murder mystery event at The Museum of Flight. You can participate in an interactive murder mystery set at a masquerade ball held after hours at the museum. Enjoy a three-course dinner and drinks while helping figure out whodunit at this 21+ event.
📍Where: Museum of Flight
📅When: Saturday, October 26, 2024
💲Cost: $120 and up
23. Get weird at Trolloween
Every October 31, the neighborhood of Fremont celebrates the birthday of the giant Fremont Troll who lives under the bridge. Trolloween starts in front of the Troll at 7:00 p.m. with live music and performances before transforming into the annual Haunt of Fremont. See the event page for more.
24. Go to one of these Halloween parties in Seattle
Already got your Halloween costume planned? See our 2024 guide to Halloween events in Seattle, which is still being added to every week!
25. Dress up for Oktoberfest celebrations
This year you can choose from several different local Oktoberfest celebrations happening in October. Read all about these Oktoberfest celebrations around Seattle.
26. Brave a creepy haunted house or frightful farm
Looking to have the wits scared out of you this October? See our roundup of scary experiences in Seattle!
27. Enjoy a fall-flavored treat
We love treating ourselves to a pumpkin spice latte in October. Many of Seattle’s bakeries, cafes, and restaurants will be adding fall items to their menu all season so keep checking this list for more.
28. Take your bravest friends to a nearby haunted town
Feeling brave this October? See our list of the spookiest towns in Washington state.
29. Go on a fall hike to see the golden larches
Every fall, these golden trees make a dramatic appearance on the eastern side of the Cascades. Their bright yellow color makes for a memorable fall hike.
30. Take the train on a weekend getaway to Vancouver, BC
After a long hiatus, we can once again take a train from Seattle to Vancouver, BC. See more details about taking the Amtrak Cascades train to Vancouver.
31. See the fall foliage in a Japanese garden
Seattle has not one but two Japanese gardens. You can pay $8 to visit the Seattle Japanese Garden located in the Washington Park Arboretum, or you can visit the Kubota Garden for free in Rainier Beach. Both will have spectacular fall foliage in October.
32. Spend your Sundays at the Fremont Sunday Market
We love browsing the Fremont Sunday Market for home goods, vintage clothes, handmade crafts and art, and delicious food every Sunday from 10:00 to 4:00, rain or shine! See more Seattle weekend markets.
33. Get drinks at a spooky Halloween-themed bar
Get into the spirit of October by visiting a local bar that goes all-out with a imaginative theme. Rob Roy is hosting a Halloween pop-up called The Black Lagoon, with themed cocktails and decor. You have from October 2 until November 2 to go! You can also check out our list of the best themed bars in Seattle.
📍Where:
📅When: October 2 – November 2
34. Take your pick of Seattle film festivals
There are several exciting film festivals in Seattle this October: the Seattle Queer Film Festival, the Social Justice Film Festival, the documentary film festival SIFF DocFest, the Seattle Polish Film Festival, and the Seattle Latino Film Festival. If you don’t mind traveling outside of Seattle, you should also check out the nearby Tacoma Film Festival.
35.Spend a day at a U-pick apple orchard
October is a great month to go apple-picking. Not sure where to go? Check out our guide to the best U-pick apple orchards around Seattle!
36. Cheer on Seattle’s teams at this month’s home games
Choose from a Mariners ball game, a Krakens game, a Sounders match, or a Seahawks game. All four teams have exciting home games lined up for October. We update this ultimate list of sports events in Seattle at the beginning of every month.
37. Go on a Seattle art walk
There are so many Seattle art walks taking place in different neighborhoods this October. Make it your mission to complete them all!
38. Visit local pumpkin patches
See our guide of the most charming pumpkin patches around Seattle.