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 2023!
1. Laugh at a horror-themed improv show
Unexpected Productions at Pike Place Market is performing “Horror Unexpected” throughout October. This improv show will create spooky fairy tales with the audience’s suggestions. 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: Friday the 13th Special – Favorite Halloween Movie Themes
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer at Sparkman Cellars
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Sparkman Cellars
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at The Museum of Flight
3. Go to a free lantern festival
Head to Freeway Park on October 6 for a free fall festival! They will be installing hand-painted lanterns from 4:30 to 7:30 in the park.
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 7 this month. Don’t miss out on an incredible selection of vintage and handcrafted goods!
5. Embark on a Mystery Picnic
If you love food and exploring around Seattle, you should take your partner or BFF on the Bainbridge Island Mystery Picnic: Self-Guided Foodie Adventure this fall. After an easy ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, you get to walk around the charming island town solving clues on the way to your picnic spot. Tickets are still available online.
6. Enter your pup in a Halloween pet parade
On October 8, 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.
6. 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.
7. Shop at a Seattle night market
Ages 21 and up are invited to the Autumn Moon Night Market on October 14 at Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park. There will be food trucks, DJs, craft vendors, drinks, and a dragon dance.
8. Browse a Seattle Book Fair
On October 14-15 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.
10. Attend the Seattle Oddities & Curiosities Expo
The Seattle Oddities & Curiosities Expo is a two-day event on October 14-15 at the Seattle Convention Center for “lovers of the strange, unusual, and bizarre.” Tickets are $10-$15 and kids age 12 and under can go for free.
11. Drink up at the annual Mead Festival
Enjoy a wide sampling of local Washington mead at the Skål Beer Hall on October 15. Tickets are $30. This event is for ages 21+ only. Designated drivers don’t need to purchase a ticket.
12. Feast at Pike Place Market
On October 17, 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.
13. See a thrilling Halloween aerial show
Carnevolar XI: DéCompositionis 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 20th, 21st, 27th, & 28th. Note that the dance party is on Saturday, October 28 only.
14. Ballard Wine Walk
If you love wine, you should head over to Ballard on the evening of October 21 for the annual Ballard Wine Walk. There will be 15 boutique shops paired up with 15 Washington wineries so you can explore local wines and Ballard businesses at the same time.
15-18. Join a Halloween-themed race
Here are some spooky Halloween runs in Seattle this October:
- The Survive Seattle: Zombie Run is on October 21-22 at Jefferson Park. You get to run from zombies through an obstacle course (or volunteer to be a zombie)!
- The West Seattle Monster Dash is on October 28 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 October 29 at Green Lake; costumes encouraged! Visit their website for more info and registration.
- Run Scared is on October 29 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!
19. Try new menus at Seattle Restaurant Week
This biannual event is back for fall! Seattle Restaurant Week 2023 starts on October 22 and runs until November 4. You’ll be able to enjoy curated menus from tons of Seattle restaurants and eateries for a fixed price.
20. 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 27-28 at the WAMU Theater. See info about the lineup and tickets.
21. 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 October 28 at the Queen Anne Playfield.
22. Get wild at the zoo’s Pumpkin Bash
Visit the Woodland Park Zoo on October 28-29 for their family-friendly Pumpkin Bash. There will be a costume parade, trick-or-treating, and more activities that are all included with your museum admission. And, of course, there will be pumpkin fun for the animals as well.
23. Celebrate Dia de Muertos at a free festival
On October 28-29 you can celebrate the annual Dia de Muertos Festival at Seattle Center. This all-ages festival is free!
24. Celebrate Halloween in West Seattle
Enjoy some family-friendly trick or treating in West Seattle on October 29. There will be plenty of candy and goodies being passed out in the West Seattle Junction.
25. Visit the Museum of FRIGHT
On Sunday, October 29 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.
26. 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 7:30 p.m. with live music and performances before transforming into the annual Haunt of Fremont. See the event page for more.
27. Go to one of these Halloween parties in Seattle
Already got your Halloween costume planned? See our 2023 guide to Halloween events in Seattle, which is still being added to every week!
28. 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.
29. 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!
30. 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.
31. Take your bravest friends to a nearby haunted town
Feeling brave this October? See our list of the spookiest towns in Washington state.
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. 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 currently hosting a Halloween pop-up called The Black Lagoon, with themed cocktails and decor. You have until November 4th to go! You can also check out our list of the best themed bars in Seattle.
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. Go on a Seattle art walk
There are six Seattle art walks taking place in different neighborhoods this October. Make it your mission to complete them all!
40. Visit local pumpkin patches and U-pick orchards
See our guide of the most charming pumpkin patches around Seattle or the best local U-pick apple orchards to visit.