Seattle Family Calendar
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How about that October sunshine? While I have been loving the bright fall days, I know the rain clouds are moving in soon. It’s no surprise, then, that my weekend plans include both outdoor and indoor possibilities.
You might be able to sneak in a nature walk before the clouds roll in (or brave it anyway with a raincoat and boots). Admire the changing leaves, romp around a playground and see if you can spot some local wildlife.
Or you can play it safe and visit a new indoor play café. A local mom scouted out the best of the best, with all the insider tips for planning a rainy day with little ones. Bonus: Playtime for them comes with a caffeine boost for you.
My top 10 weekend events are also a mix of indoor and outdoor delights. From riding a mini train through the forest to cheering on ice-skating Disney characters, there’s something for everyone.
Haunted Harbor
Date: Friday, Oct. 23
Cost: Free
Location: Pacific Rim Plaza, 1028 13th St., Everett
Witches and warlocks will be paddling through the marina on Friday night, but that’s not the only reason to visit the Everett waterfront. Trick-or-treat along the dock, pick a free pumpkin from the patch, make arts and crafts, and hunt for a hidden octopus to win a handmade glass float!
Fall Lantern Festival
Date: Friday, Oct. 23
Cost: Free
Location: Freeway Park, 700 Seneca St., Seattle
Decorated lanterns light up the park for this creative community celebration. Make art, play games and enjoy live music. There will be free food and cider, tarot card readings, and a photo booth!
Disney on Ice: ‘Jump In!’
Date: Friday–Sunday, Oct. 23–25
Cost: Starting at $38.42
Location: Accesso ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent
My daughter’s favorite movies are (big surprise) all Disney, and she is a fan of nearly every character. Many of them will be skating across the rink this weekend during these special performances. Watch Rapunzel and Flynn Rider spin through the air, cheer on Maui and Moana as they cross the ocean, and wave to Mickey and friends! Add on a Magic Pass for an exclusive character greeting and premium seats.
Giant Skulls Day of the Dead Art Exhibit
Date: Friday–Sunday, Oct. 23–25
Cost: Free
Location: Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle
Explore a new colorful exhibition that’s taken over Westlake Park in celebration of Día de los Muertos. The giant skulls are beautifully decorated and worth a visit. (Psst … if you’re downtown on Friday evening, head to Pike Place Market for more Día de los Muertos festivities, including a parade!)
Kitsap Live Steamers Ghost Train
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Cost: $7
Location: South Kitsap Regional Park, 3100 S.E. Marbeth Ln., Port Orchard
Ready for a spooky train ride through the forest? Hop aboard the Kitsap Steamers mini train. Wear those costumes, because there will be trick-or-treat booths too! Tickets support the Western Washington Center for the Arts.
Issaquah Zombie Walk
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Cost: Free
Location: Historic Shell Station and Downtown Issaquah, 232 Front St. N., Issaquah
My daughter has been practicing her zombie walk ahead of Halloween, and this is the place to show it off! Come early for a zombie makeover and join the undead as they crawl through downtown, or just watch as they take over! Create your own canvas trick-or-treat bag, play carnival games, snap selfies and enter to win a gift basket of goodies.
Pythagorean Palooza
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Cost: Free
Location: SUMM at Kent Station, 437 Ramsay Way, Suite 102, Kent
If helping your kids with their homework has started to feel a little challenging, this is the spot to make learning about math more fun! First, you’ll need to brush up on the Pythagorean theorem, because Saturday’s date is a Pythagorean triple. That won’t happen again this century, and the Seattle Universal Math Museum is making the most of it. Explore triangle-themed exhibits, solve puzzles and learn more about mathematics.
Salmon Discovery Walk and Scavenger Hunt
Date: Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 24–25
Cost: Free
Location: Sammamish River Trail, 15670 N.E. 85th St., Redmond
It’s not too late to spot salmon! Walk along the Sammamish River Trail, learn about the salmon life cycle and spot a few triumphant fish. The trail is flat and accessible, and a scavenger hunt (with prizes!) adds to the fun.
The Museum of Fright
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Cost: Included with admission; kids in costume are free
Location: The Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle
Live music from the 8-Bit Brass Band will fill the Museum of Flight this weekend as it transforms into The Museum of Fright! You can expect a mad science show, face painting, Halloween-themed games, and arts and crafts. Wear your costumes!
Shorts4Shorties at The Tacoma Film Festival
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Cost: $15
Location: The Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma
If the gloomy fall weather really kicks in this weekend, it’s the perfect time to head to the movies. The Tacoma Film Festival features a special screening of family-friendly shorts on Sunday morning, and it all starts with a complimentary breakfast cereal bar in the lounge. And yes — you can wear your pajamas.
More weekend activities
- Go troll hunting at Northwest Trek or Point Defiance Zoo to meet the newest Dambo trolls.
- Have a free day with these awesome events that don’t cost a thing.
- Check a few more activities off the ultimate fall bucket list.
Our Greater Seattle Family Calendar features great community events — every day of the year!
Editor’s note: Each week ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, updates The Weekender with her favorite weekend activities around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound. It was originally published years ago and was most recently updated on Oct. 21, 2026. Event dates, times and locations were verified by our editor.
