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!
Note that the list isn’t organized chronologically, so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to ensure you don’t miss out on any upcoming events.
Read on for our list of the best things to do in Seattle this October!
1. Get spooked at House of Spirits: Casa Vega
This is the adult way to do Halloween. House of Spirits is an immersive cocktail soirée with spooky characters, craft cocktails, and mysterious games. The doors have already opened so get your tickets now before it sells out!
2. See a Halloween candlelight concert
This October, a series of Halloween candlelight concerts are coming to Seattle. Four different Seattle venues will be lit up with candles while talented string musicians play spooky Halloween classics. Check out this month’s dates and venues for the Halloween concert series.
3. Witness the life-size Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition
For a limited time, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel has traveled to the Seattle area where you can see this epic work of art up-close and personal. It is only open through October 30 so get your tickets now.
4. Dress up in orange for the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
From Friday, September 30 to Saturday, October 1 you can drink pumpkin beer out of a giant tapped pumpkin at Seattle Center. Costumes are encouraged, because there will be prizes! Get all the info you need to attend.
5. Eat for cheap at the U-District $4 Food Walk
On Saturday, October 1, you can enjoy $4 bites all day in the University District. Then after 6:00 p.m. the event turns into an evening street party with $4 drinks and dancing! Find out more.
6. Celebrate Discovery Park’s 50th anniversary
On Saturday, October 1 you can head over to our beautiful Discovery Park for free cupcakes! This all-day event will have lots of activities, educational talks, and guided walks. Plus it’s free! Get more details.
7. Explore a new art installation in Volunteer Park
This new art installation in Volunteer Park will remain for a full year but go on Saturday, October 1 to hear the artist speak with a local author. Read more about the event and the installation.
8. Warm up with ramen
Warm up this October at Oiink, a beloved ramen spot in Capitol Hill that just opened a second location in Fremont.
9. 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!
10. Enjoy a fall-flavored coffee or 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.
11. Take your bravest friends to a nearby haunted town
Feeling brave this October? See our list of the spookiest towns in Washington state.
12. Go on a fall hike to see the 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.
13. Celebrate Dia de Muertos
On Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 you can celebrate the Dia de Muertos Festival at Seattle Center. This all-ages festival is free!
14. Take the train on a weekend getaway to Vancouver, BC
After a two-year hiatus, we can once again take a train from Seattle to Vancouver, BC. See more details about taking the Amtrak Cascades train to Vancouver.
15. Try new cuisines at Seattle Restaurant Week
This biannual event is back for fall! Seattle Restaurant Week starts on October 23 this year and runs until November 5. You’ll be able to enjoy curated menus from tons of Seattle restaurants and eateries for a fixed price.
16. 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.
17. Shop at the Seattle Night Market
On Friday, October 14 there will be Seattle’s largest night market at Magnuson Hangar 30. There will be taco trucks, margaritas, and luchador wrestling. See the event page for more info.
18. Find a treasure at the Georgetown Flea
The Georgetown Flea occurs on the first Saturday of every month (in Georgetown, naturally). Don’t miss out on an incredible selection of vintage and handcrafted goods!
19. 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.
20. Get drinks at a wizard-themed bar
If you haven’t been to The Splintered Wand in Ballard yet, October is the perfect month to go! For even more fun, check out our list of the best themed bars in Seattle.
21. Celebrate Halloween at Hotel Sorrento’s Ghostly Gala
Hotel Sorrento is the perfect setting for a Halloween bash, since this historic hotel definitely has spooky vibes. See the Ghostly Gala event page for more info.
22. Mingle with wild animals during Brew at the Zoo
We love the Woodland Park Zoo year-round, but especially in October when we get to explore the zoo exhibits while sipping on beers and ciders. See the Brew at the Zoo event page for more.
23. See Seattle Shakespeare perform Macbeth
Seattle Shakespeare is performing Macbeth from October 25 to November 20 at Seattle Center this year. This dark and supernatural Shakespeare play is the perfect cultural experience for fall.
24. Attend a Halloween Bash at the Seattle Aquarium
Head over to the Seattle Aquarium on Wednesday, October 26 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm for an adults-only Halloween Bash. There will be DJs, food, cocktails and more.
25. 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.
26. Enjoy a bite at a fall food truck festival
Trucktoberfest takes place on Saturday, October 1 at the SLU Discovery Center. Don’t miss out on food trucks, a beer hall, and live entertainment.
27. Sign your pup up for a Halloween costume contest
Do you think you and your pup have what it takes to win a Halloween costume contest? Find out on October 27 at W Seattle. This event is free but spots are limited so RSVP ahead of time (ages 21 and up only).
28. 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.
29. See a shocking Halloween aerial show
Carnevolar X | Folklore 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 Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29. The dance party is Saturday night only.
31. Browse the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair
On October 8 and 9 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 and masks are required. See more details on the event website.
32. Celebrate the Festival of Lights
Celebrate Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, on October 22 at Seattle Center. This free event will be both fun and educational for all ages.
33. Celebrate PacSci’s 60th Birthday Party
On October 22, Seattle’s Pacific Science Center will be celebrating its 60th birthday. This evening event will be for ages 21 and up only, and tickets are required. There will be live entertainment, food and drink, and of course Planetarium and Laser Dome shows.
34. 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.
35. Get dressed up for a Halloween pet parade
On October 8, you and your pet can go to the new amphitheater in Volunteer Park at 11:00 a.m. for the annual Halloween Pet Parade. There will even be a costume competition with a pet-themed prize basket for the winners.
36. Dress up for Oktoberfest celebrations
This October you can go to “Leavenworth Oktoberfest,” which takes place in nearby Wenatchee this year, or Oktoberfest Northwest in Puyallup. Read all about these upcoming Oktoberfest celebrations.
37. Feast at the Market
On October 18, 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.
38. Visit the Museum of Fright
On Sunday, October 30 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.
39. Join a Halloween-themed race
The Run 2 Be Fit dba PNW Ladies Running Group is hosting a Trick or Treat 5K on October 30 at Green Lake; costumes encouraged! Visit their website for more info and registration.
Alternatively you can join the Run Scared event on October 30 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, with this year’s categories being: best sci-fi character, scariest, funniest, team, kids, and dogs.
40. 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.
41. Attend the Harvest Festival in West Seattle
Head to West Seattle on October 30 for the annual Harvest Festival! There will be a costume parade, trick or treating, a marching band, kids activities, a farmers market, square dancing, a pie eating contest, and more.
43. Learn the Thriller dance—and then perform it!
Wear your best zombie costume for this free Halloween event. After registering, you’ll attend a rehearsal, learn the moves to the famous Thriller dance, and then finally perform it. There will be a costume contest at the end! See more info.
44. Attend a Greek festival
The Saint Demetrios Greek Festival takes place in Montlake this year on October 7, 8 and 9. There will be eating, dancing, shopping, live performances, and more Greek fun.
45. Get hoppy at a local beer festival
On October 7 and 8 head over to Magnuson Park Hangar 30 for the annual Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival. This is a can’t-miss event for Seattle beer enthusiasts.
46. Ballard Wine Walk
If wine is more your speed, head over to Ballard on the evening of October 15 for the 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.
47. 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!
48. Boo! Seattle Halloween concert
If you love live music and Halloween, you can’t miss out on this creeptacular concert happening on October 28 and 29 at the WAMU Theater. See info about the lineup and tickets.
49. 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.
50. Get wild at the zoo’s Pumpkin Bash
Visit the Woodland Park Zoo on October 28 and 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.