Pierce County Family-Friendly Summer Fun 2024
Updated: 7/2/2024, probably the last time I’m going to update the list, be sure to come back in September when I update the South Sound Pumpkin Patches & Fall Fun post!
Summer and the sunshine are right around the corner for us in Pierce County!
Every summer I make a list of all the family-friendly events I think my family would enjoy in Pierce County. Having a list down makes it easy to plan your calendar, or if you’re trying to come up with something fun to do. It’s a nice reference.
What’s your favorite summer activity/event in Pierce County?
Check out these other local posts on my blog;
- We are also looking forward to seeing what Kitsap County has to offer this summer for families, go check out the list I’ve started if you’re interested too.
- List of Zoos and Aquariums in Washington
- Unique Places to Stay in Washington
- Pierce County Birthday Party Locations for Kids & Teens
PIERCE COUNTY FAMILY-FRIENDLY SUMMER FUN
2024
Below you’ll find city/town’s in Pierce County that will be having any events this summer. Events will be organized by dates and don’t forget to come back often to see if anything has changed(& visit their website for further info).
I’m so happy to see so many event dates already being posted. If the event is crossed out though, it just means the information and date haven’t been shared yet. I’ll update them as soon as possible.
Save this post, share it, and/or print it. Please leave me a comment if you have something you’d like me to add.
UNIVERSITY PLACE
»June 1, 2024 Duck Daze – kicks off at 10am
»June 8, 2024 Kidz Kraze – 10am-2pm at Chambers Bay Park – Explore Chambers Creek Regional Park and enjoy a variety of activities, food, information booths, and more! Kidz Kraze is an opportunity for kids and their families to learn more about the resources offered in their community! $10 parking/vehicle
»Wednesdays starting July 10-August 28 Music on the Square – The Village at Chambers Bay. Make plans to have “dinner out” on Market Square on specific Wednesday evenings this summer as Music on the Square takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a different band each week, accompanied by a different food truck vendor as well!
»Thursdays starting July 18-August 15 Summer Concerts – Curran Apple Orchard – All concerts are FREE and take place on the following Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8pm. Bring the whole family, blankets and picnics.
»July 20, 2024 Bark by the Bay – Chambers Bay, Central Meadows – 10am-4pm Chambers Creek Regional Park is excited to bring back Bark by The Bay, a summer fun canine festival! This one-day festival is full of dog activities and games, an art project, treat hunting, vendors, and food trucks.
»July 21, 2024 Teddy Bear Picnic – from 1-4PM, Curran Apple Orchard. Join us at Curran Apple Orchard Park for the 8th University Place Teddy Bear’s Picnic! Bring your picnic lunch, blanket, and favorite teddy bear (or other stuffed friend) to enjoy a day filled with fun activities. Celebrate with face painting, teddy bear health clinics, stories, games, and yoga. Pay tribute to our military families and enjoy live music . Don’t miss the Parade of Bears, where teddies frolic and march through the orchard. This free, family-friendly event on July 21st is produced by Dance Theatre Northwest and is “Bear-y Fun” for all ages.
»August 3-4, 2024 Kite Festival – 10am-4pm. The entire family will be captivated by amazing kite demonstrations, family kite flying, inflatables, food trucks, vendors, and other fun activities! Each day 250 kites will be given away, compliments of the Pierce County Kitefliers Association! $10 parking
»August 3, 2024 Movie in the Park – The movie begins at dusk in Cirque Park, located at 7250 Cirque Drive West in University Place. Make plans to pack up the kids, a blanket or chairs and get ready for a memorable evening of free family fun courtesy of the City of University Place! Movie still being determined. On site for the evening will be the Corndoggery food truck, Bliss Ice Cream and Kona Ice!
»August 6, 2024 National Night Out – Register Your Group/Neighborhood by July 25
»August 17-18, 2024 Family Campout – Chambers Creek Park *Registration required
»August 25, 2024 Community Harvest Day – Curran Apple Orchard – 10am-4pm, The community is welcome to pick from un-taped trees.
STEILACOOM
»Wednesdays starting June 26-August 28 Concerts In The Park – at Pioneer Park, from 6:30-8:00, free and open to the public.
»4th of July Celebration – Steilacoom celebrates 4th of July all day long, with a parade, vendors, and more. Don’t forget to set up at Sunnyside Beach to watch the fireworks.
»July 28, 2024 Salmon Bake – Noon – 4 pm, Join us at Sunnyside Beach for a delightful Salmon Bake!
FIRCREST
»June 15, 2024 Community Garage Sale – 9:00AM-4:00PM
»June 23, 2024 Strawberry Festival – 5:00PM-9:00PM
»July 7, 2024 Fircrest Picnic & Rod Run – 10:00AM-3:00PM
»July 19-20, 2024 Fircrest Fun Days – more details to come
»August 6, 2024 – National Night Out – details coming soon
»August 22, 2024 Concert in the Park – 5:00PM-9:00PM
LAKEWOOD
»June 1, 2024 Saturday Street Festival – The Saturday Street Festival is a great way to kick off the summer. This year’s event is a Jazz Night & Car Show. We’ll have a music, dancing, food trucks, roaming entertainment, jugglers and car show awards. 4pm-7pm Colonial Plaza 6114 Motor Avenue SW.
»Tuesdays June 18-August 27, 2024 Summer Nights at the Pavilion Concert Series – 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Set up lawn chairs or throw down a blanket and enjoy live music at Fort Steilacoom Park! Our outdoor concerts follow the Lakewood Farmers Markets on Tuesdays this summer. Bring a snack from the market, claim your spot, enjoy a great performance, and “cut a rug” on the dance floor. No concert July 16 & 23
»June 21-23, 2024 Fairy Fest at Lakewold Gardens – Fairyfest returns with a magical weekend of family-friendly activities! Join us for some of our best-loved festivities while exploring the gardens in what is sure to be an enchanting start to summer! Go to their site to get tickets.
»July 20, 2024 SummerFest – 11A-10PM Fort Steilacoom Park. Held in July each year, thousands visit Lakewood to enjoy our famous SummerFEST. Enjoy endless entertainment, dozens of food trucks, beer garden, and two stages with live music. there is truly something for everybody.
»August 6, 2024 – National Night Out – Lakewood’s National Night Out is your chance to meet the police officers and firefighters that work year-round to keep Lakewood safe. Meet new neighbors, enjoy community potlucks and barbecues, play games and participate in family-friendly activities. National Night Out events happen in neighborhoods across the city. To find out if an event is happening near your house, call the Lakewood Police Station front desk: 253-830-5000.
DUPONT
»June 1, 2024 – Fairy Trails – from 10am to 12pm! Delve into a whimsical adventure along the enchanting Sequalitchew Trail, where you’ll encounter mystical creatures, magical crafts and photo opportunities to cherish forever. $10 sign up here, recommended for ages 2-8
»June 15, 2024 – Chalk the Block – 2-4pm, Join us outdoors at Robinson Park next to the DuPont Historical Museum for a colorful afternoon. Create masterpieces on the pavement and soak up the sun with friends. No registration required. Parents must stay with kids.
»4th of July Hometown Celebration – Clocktower Park from 10am-2PM, and fireworks at Patriot’s Landing at dusk.
»Thursdays from July 11- August 29 Concert at the Park – 6:30-8PM at the Clocktower Park.
»August 24-25, 2024 Hudson’s Bay Festival & BBQ Competition – For the absolute best in BBQ Competition Festivals! To include, slow and slow barbeque, heritage car show, live music, local culinary fare, a beer garden featuring local craft brews, wines, liquors and cocktails, fantastic children’s activities and historical activities and demonstrations, come to Clocktower Park in DuPont.
TACOMA
»May 25- June 16, 2023 Tacoma Trails Challenge – We’re celebrating National Trails Day (June 2) with a fun three-week exploration of Tacoma’s parks and trails. Register online(free) today and get ready to join us from May 25-June 16, to connect, explore, and discover your local Tacoma parks and trails. Being in nature is good for your mental health!
»Summer Playground & Meal Program – Monday- Friday, July 1-August, 2024(no program July 4)
When school’s out, parks are in! Our Playground and Lunch Program provides free lunch to all youth under 18 years of age Monday-Friday. In addition, activities and games are led by staff at all sites from 10 am-3 pm. Lunch is served from 12 to 1 pm.
»Low Tide Walk’s – Join Harbor WildWatch for a fun and educational public beach walk program on the stunning shorelines of the Salish Sea. Our knowledgeable and friendly biologists and volunteer naturalists will guide you through a hands-on exploration of the intertidal zone, where you will discover the incredible diversity of marine life that calls our local waters home.
Check out all the dates and locations during the summer!
»Low Tide Beach Walk’s – aka Tiptoe through the Tidepools, 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. A naturalist will guide low-tide beach exploration. This event is free!
Check out all the dates and locations during the summer!
»Tuesdays during the summer! Storytime for Little Spark Plugs – ACM welcomes toddlers and their caregivers for our brand new, in-person Storytime for Little Spark Plugs! Join us to meet new friends, enjoy interactive stories and action songs, and play in ACM’s hands-on Family Zone. 10:00-11:00am, register here.
»Family Nature Walk’s – Explore Tacoma parks during these seasonal, naturalist-led family walks. Discover amazing plants and animals and how they adapt in the different seasons.
June 1 – Wapato Hills, 10-11am
June 1– McKinley Park, 1-2pm
»June 1-2, 2024 Pt. Defiance Flower & Garden Festival – Visitors to the event will enjoy a showcase of gardening in the Pacific Northwest with hands-on programming, garden tours, food trucks, shopping, lectures, live music, a beer and wine tasting garden and more.
»June 19, 2024 Juneteenth Celebration – Stewart Heights Park, 11am-5pm. A Road to Economic Freedom event which boasted over 8,000 in attendance, national recording artists, state and local dignitaries, 100 plus vendors, the Miss Juneteenth Pageant and performances by local talent and artists, we are happy to announce that we are doing it again!!
»June 22, 2024 Lincoln District Food Walk – 12pm-7pm Tacoma’s favorite street food festival is back! Save the date for Lincoln District Food Walk! Enjoy food trucks, restaurants specials, beer garden, music, and more! Shop the pop-up marketplace curated by Tacoma Sunday Market.
»June 22 & 23, 2024 Pt Defiance Zoo Pride Celebration – free with admission, 9am-4pm
»June 24 (12:30-2:30pm), July 6 (11am-1pm), July 21 (11am-1pm), August 19 (10:30-12:30 pm), 2024 Explore the Shore – Owens Beach, Join naturalists from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and stroll along the beach at low tide to learn about the animals there.
»June 24-August 30, 2024 Summer Late Nights – Monday-Friday, 5-10 pm at various locations. Middle and high school students will have a free place to get dinner and hang out with friends every weeknight this summer. Summer Teen Late Nights are held across Tacoma, with schools, community centers and non-profits opening their doors to keep teens safe and engaged. Middle and high school students can get dinner every night and participate in open gym, art and music activities, and hang out with friends. This is a drop-in program and students can attend as often as they like. Students can drop in at the site assigned to them or the location nearest their home. Parents/guardians are encouraged to register their child online on the Compass/Family App. FREE
»LeMay Motors & Movies – Grab dinner at our picnic concessions and watch in your car or from a blanket, either option will provide you a great view of the 40-foot tall outdoor screen. Motors & Movies is FREE and open to all ages, no RSVP required, first come first served. Gates for parking 6:00 pm, Movie Start Time: Sunset
June 28 – Movie The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
July 12 – Movie Back to the Future: Part II
August 9 – Movie Kung Fu Panda 4
»June 28-29, 2024 Tacoma Ocean Fest – Tacoma Ocean Fest returns to the Foss Waterway Seaport June 28-29, 2024 and beyond! Incredible art, music, dance, film, poetry, science and water fun bring our community together to celebrate the ocean, learn about its threats and get inspired to protect it.
Lantern Paddle for Species: 7-10pm June 28
Beach Clean-Up: 10am-12pm June 29
Festival: 10am-5pm June 29
»June 28, 2024 – Critter of the Month- Join our Park Guide Darnell at STAR Center on the last Friday of the month as we learn about animals through stories, games, crafts and more. Free! 12:00PM
»July 4th, 2024 Tacoma Summer Blast – This annual event takes place on Dune Peninsula and the iconic Ruston Way Waterfront and features two distinct event footprints, over 150 vendors, 2 stages and a 20-minute firework display. This event is the largest free community event in the South Sound. 12pm-10:30pm
»July 19, 2024 Family Fun Night at Fort Nisqually – Enjoy summer at the Fort with the whole family. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy in the shade of the locus trees. Kids of all ages enjoy 19th century games, music, and the firing of the candy cannon! 6:00pm-9:00pm, tickets available soon
»July 20 & August 3, 2024 Shakespeare In The Park- 7-9pm Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and snacks to Wright Park for this production of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free! July’s showing is at 7pm, and August’s showing at 6pm
»July 26, 2024 – Critter of the Month- Join our Park Guide Darnell at STAR Center on the last Friday of the month as we learn about animals through stories, games, crafts and more. Free! 12:00PM
»July 27-28, 2024 Mosaic Tacoma Arts & Cultural Festival – Wright Park 12pm-7pm. Great news for summer festival fans! MOSAIC continues its 36-year tradition of bringing together a kaleidoscope of dance, music, art, food and family fun, set under the shady trees of Wright Park.
»August 3 & 4, 2024 Pt Defiance Zoo Wild Cat Weekend – free with admission, 9am-5pm
»August 6, 2024 National Night Out – 3-8pm at People’s Community Center. Come to People’s Center on August 6 for a night out with your neighbors!
»Summer Bash & Outdoor Movie – Pack your snacks, blankets and lawn chairs and head to the park for a free outdoor movie for the whole family. Seating is on the lawn, so attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs.
August 10 – Center at Norpoint – Activities begin at 2 pm, Movie begins at dusk
August 19 – Stewart Heights Park – Activities begin at 2 pm, Movie begins at dusk
»August 10-11, 2024 Brigade Encampment – 11am-5pm, Step back in time to 1855 at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum’s annual Brigade Encampment. This event recreates the bustle and excitement of the historic visit of fur traders to Fort Nisqually in 1855. Witness the arrival of the brigade (the convoy that delivered a year’s worth of furs) and spirited contests between trappers and traders. Guests of all ages can participate in “Engagé for the Day,” visiting with living history interpreters at their tents and receiving hands-on lessons on period skills, games and skills of the time and collecting beads in trade along the way. Delight in food sampling from our period kitchen, take in a Punch and Judy Puppet Show by Professor Pettitcoat, listen to a history talk. This two-day event has something for everyone! Tickets available soon.
»August 24, 2024 – Adaptive End of Summer Bike & BBQ Bash at Swan Creek Park, 11am-1pm. (All Ages) Come celebrate the end of a successful summer with us! We will have our adaptive cycles out and available to try out while BBQing and sending off the summer. Participants are welcome to bike, hike, and explore the park on their own and visit the pavilion for lawn games, socializing, and BBQ. $6 per person, register online.
»August 24, 2024 The Hilltop Street Fair – Tacoma’s largest street fair, from 11:00am to 7:00pm. This much-anticipated event promises a one-of-a-kind experience for all who attend, featuring over 130 vendors, 20 food stalls offering delectable treats, an unforgettable live music lineup, and also a kid’s play area and bouncy houses in People’s Park. Furthermore, the highly anticipated car show, returning with added grandeur, beckons car enthusiasts from far and wide.
»August 24, 2024 Mommy & Me Tea Party – Come and delight in a unique event where you can savor teas crafted from native plants, design a charming teacup planter for your very own tea garden, craft a lovely bouquet from native plants, and engage in a variety of other enjoyable activities that will help you create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. 10-11:30 at Cross Park. Pre-register online, $25 per couple.
»August 25, 2024 Proctor Food Fest – 11-5pm, Enjoy a summer afternoon in the Historic Proctor District with numerous food trucks, live entertainment from local musicians, and shopping! We will have a limited amount of “Proctor Passports” to guide you around the district to discover new businesses and restaurants, as well as some special offers at local favorites!
»August 30, 2024 – Critter of the Month- Join our Park Guide Darnell at STAR Center on the last Friday of the month as we learn about animals through stories, games, crafts and more. Free! 12:00PM
»August 31- September 2, 2024 Pt Defiance Zoo End of Summer Blast – free with admission, 9am-5pm
»July 7-23, 2023 Vernados Circus – unfortunately they aren’t coming to town this summer 2024 :(
FIFE
»July 9, 16, 23, 30, 2024 Music in the park – Check their FB for updates.
»August 16 & 23, 2024 Movie in the Park – Check their FB for updates.
»August 27, 2024 Touch a Truck – at Dacca Park
PUYALLUP & SUMNER
»June 14-16, 2024 Meeker Days – Downtown Puyallup and Pioneer Park
»June 22-23, 2024 Rhubarb Days & Vintage Market – 10am-6pm(Saturday) and 10am-4pm(Sunday) Join us for the fastest growing festival in the Pacific Northwest! A full weekend of live music, food trucks, beer garden, crafts, and over 150 street vendors! Sumner is the place for family fun! Come celebrate Rhubarb at Rhubarb Days. Downtown Sumner
»June 28-30, 2024 The Taste NW – 11AM – 9PM Free Admission at the Washington State Fair
»June 29, 2024 Every Dog Adventures – 10 AM – 3 PM, Meridian Habitat Park. Join us at Meridian Habitat Park for a unique gathering of dog adventuring experts showcasing hiking demos, sustainable adoption practices, and dog safety tips. In addition to the informative sessions, we are thrilled to announce that Tin Hut BBQ and Kona Ice food trucks will be onsite, serving up delicious eats at reasonable prices. Free admission & parking.
»Tuesdays July 9- August 13, 204 Sunrise Village Summer Concerts – Grab food and have a picnic on the lawn, and enjoy some live music this summer. 6:00pm-8:00pm, 156th St E in Puyallup. July 23rd is kids night!
»Fridays in July Movie in the Park – Meridian Habitat Park – Grab a blanket and your favorite lawn chair for a fun movie night experience. The movies are FREE and as the sun sets, get ready to be entertained by family-friendly movies projected onto the big screen. Feel free to pack your own snacks and picnic treats to munch on during the movie or indulge in the delicious offerings from food trucks on site. Arrive early at 7:00 p.m. for exciting preshow activities, games, and special character appearances courtesy of Emerald Kingdom Parties, to kick off the evening. On July 12, we have a special treat in store with a dog-friendly movie, so bring along your furry friends (as long as they are non-aggressive) to join in on the fun.
July 12 – Lady & The Tramp
July 19- Super Mario Brothers
»July 12, 19 & 26, 2024 Music Off Main – at Heritage Park(6:30-8pm) Get ready to tap your toes, clap your hands and enjoy a wide variety of music in the magic of summer twilight. Food trucks on site for all dates.
August 10, at Loyalty Park for the Chalk Art Festival, 3:30-8pm
»July 29, 2024 Pierce County Trails Day – 9am-12pm, Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail. Guided nature walks at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:30 AM, Fun nature scavenger hunt for kids, Make your own pollinator seed packets
»August 17, 2024 NW Truck Show – Trucks, Hot Dogs from Dawg Eat Dogs, and more. Frontier Park, 9am-3pm
»August 6, 2023 Sumner Classy Chassis Car Show – 10am-3pm Downtown Sumner
SPANAWAY, EATONVILLE, & GRAHAM
»June 1-2, 2024 Learn to Camp Campout – at Frontier Park in Graham. From mastering the art of pitching a tent to honing your fire-building skills, from exploring the culinary wonders of campfire cooking to learning about basic plant identification, this event has it all. Engage in fun games, embark on captivating night hikes, and partake in a host of other exciting activities that will make this experience truly unforgettable. We’ve got you covered with delicious main courses for dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning, along with all the necessary eating utensils and fire-building supplies. $25 family of 4/ $5 for each additional Pre-registration is required.
»June 21, 2024 Live Celtic Concert – Frontier Park in Graham, 6-9pm.We will have some lovely Celtic music from various singers and bands. We have food available for purchase from some of our vendors.
Entry is FREE- a $5 parking fee will be required. All proceeds collected from Friday’s parking will go to the local Jr. ROTC.
»June 22, 2024 Tacoma Highland Games – at Frontier Park in Graham
»June 22 & 23, 2024 Northwest Trek Pride Celebration – free with admission, 10am-4pm
»3rd of July – evening of entertainment and fun – Eatonville Middle School
»4th of July Parade – in Downtown Eatonville
»July 20 & 21, 2024 Northwest Trek Slug Fest – free with admission, 10am-4pm
»August 2-4, 2024 Eatonville Music & Arts Festival – Check out the schedule here
»August 8-11, 20234 Pierce County Fair – at Frontier Park in Graham
»August 10, 2024 Star Gazing – 8-11pm, Ashford County Park in Eatonville. Join us for a magical evening under the stars at Ashford County Park! Grab your picnic blanket, snuggle up with a cozy blanket, and bring your binoculars for a special night of stargazing. Be enchanted as we witness the early evening Perseid meteor shower and explore the dazzling summer constellations that grace our night sky. $5 per person, pre-registration is required.
»August 24, 2024 Classic Car Show – at Spanaway Park, 8am-3pm
»September 7, 2024 Touch A Truck – Spanaway Park, 10am-1pm
BONNEY LAKE
»Mondays starting July 2024 Kids Club/Day- at Allen Yorke Park – 6:30pm-7:30pm. Enjoy a fun evening of entertainment at the park. Experience a children’s album like no other. Performances of classical, new age, and world music that is all kid friendly.
»Wednesdays from July 10 – August 21, 2024 Outdoor Market & Tunes at Tapps – 5pm-8pm at Allan Yorke Park, This event features an outdoor market with local vendors and live music.
»July 2024- exact date TBD Taste at Tapps Fest – at Allan Yorke Park, 11am-7pm, Food truck festival
»August 6, 2024 National Night Out- Allan Yorke Park – at Allan Yorke Park, 5-7pm
»August 23-24, 2024 Bonney Lake Days – Friday will be food vendors and beer garden from 4:00 – 9:00. Saturday will be full of activities, music, food and vendors from 11:00am – 9:00pm
Celebrate summer fun at Allan Yorke Park with our biggest event of the summer! Bonney Lake Days is packed with entertainment for the whole family from Friday to Saturday with stage shows, fireworks, activities for kids, vendor booths, and fun competitions! All on the shores of Lake Tapps here in Bonney Lake.
GIG HARBOR/KEY PENINSULA
»Free Summer Lunch Program – Food Backpacks For Kids will be providing a nutritious sack lunch again this summer. Dates & Info is coming soon. If you’d like to help support the program, please reach out to them.
»Mobile Rec Free Summer Program – PenMet Parks is going mobile! Drop in and visit this FREE Summer recreation program for kids aged 3-12. We’ll be visiting multiple sites throughout the District to bring mobile fun to our community. Open play, games, arts/crafts, and free lunch while supplies last. 11am-2pm. Check out the dates & times here, it’s on the last page.
»Low Tide Walk’s – Join Harbor WildWatch for a fun and educational public beach walk program on the stunning shorelines of the Salish Sea. Our knowledgeable and friendly biologists and volunteer naturalists will guide you through a hands-on exploration of the intertidal zone, where you will discover the incredible diversity of marine life that calls our local waters home.
Check out all the dates and locations during the summer!
»Now thru September 19, 2024 Galaxy Theatre Summer Fest – Treat your kiddos to movie fun! Galaxy Theatres has extended their $2 kids movies starting June through August. Plus, purchase a value tray with your Summerfest ticket for only $3.50! Check out the movie schedule here.
»June 1-2, 2024 Maritime Gig Festival – Downtown Gig Harbor celebrate the beautiful city with a weekend of fun and festivities. Grand Gig Parade on the 1st.
»June 8, 2024 Teen Dodgeball Tournament – at Sehmel Homestead Park, registration required, $10 for resident, $12 for non
»June 8, 2024 – Key Peninsula Farm Tours – June Blooms, more information coming soon. (Also check out their Fall event!)
»June 14, 2024 Teen Color Fight – at Sehmel Homestead Park, registration required, $12 for resident, $14 for non
»Starting June 21, 2024 – Summer Solstice Gnome Hunt. Beginning on June 21st, there will be close to 200 little ceramic gnomes hidden all over our parks! Designed and created by local artist, Megan Schowalter, and painted by the very talented art classes at the Key Peninsula Middle School and the community at the Red Barn Youth Center, these gnomes will be hidden in Gateway Park, 360 Trails, Volunteer Park, and Home Park. When you find one, you can keep it! Please limit one per family to make sure that others get a chance to find one. Post a picture to social media with the gnome you find! Tag us on Facebook (@keypenparks) and Instagram (@keypen_parks) and use #kppgnomehunt!
»June 21, 2024 Fest 4 All – Uptown Pavilion. In celebration of Summer Solstice, you’re invited to the third annual Gig Harbor Make Music Celebration with United by Music North America!
»June 22, 2024 – 20th Anniversary Celebration – 3-7pm, Gateway Park
»July 2-August 22 Red Barn Youth Center – Spend the summer at the Red Barn, for incoming 6th thru 12th graders. Free, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays 8:00AM-4:30PM (closed July 4)
»July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, August 28 Concerts in the Park – Sehmel Homestead Park Amphitheater, Wednesdays from 6:30-8PM. Free Entry, Food Trucks Available.
»Thursdays from July 11-August 15, 2024 Uptown Summer Concert Series- 6-8pm at the Pavilion. Join us for the annual Summer Concert Series at Uptown. Free live local music for all of Gig Harbor to observe.
»July 12, 2024 Teen Art Workshop – at Sehmel Homestead Park, registration required, $5 for resident, $6 for non
»July 16-August 27, 2024 – Summer Sounds at Skansie Brother’s Park- from 6-8pm on Tuesdays
»July 18, 2024 – Kids Concert With Eric Ode – at Gateway Park, 11-12pm, FREE
»July 20, 2024 Chalk the Harbor- Click here for details! 10am-3pm
»July 20 & 21 – Summer Art Festival – Discover the magic of creativity in the heart of Gig Harbor at the Summer Art Festival, where PenMet Parks’ picturesque Sehmel Homestead Park sets the stage for a vibrant celebration of artistic expression. With up to 150 artists showcasing every imaginable medium — from painters and sculptors to photographers, potters, jewelry designers, glass and fiber artists, and authors — there’s something to captivate every art lover’s imagination.
»July 27, 2024 Teen Kickball Tournament – at Sehmel Homestead Park, registration required, $3 for resident, $4 for non
»Cinema Under the Stars- a longtime Key Pen Parks tradition at Volunteer and Gateway Parks. Bring your blankets, chairs, pillows and prepare to have a great time with your friends and family!
August 2 – Gateway Park, ET
August 16 – Volunteer Park, Wish
»Friday Night Movies in the Park – Bring a blanket or low-backed chairs for the weekly outdoor screenings at the Sehmel Homestead Park Amphitheater.
August 2- starts at 5pm, 20th Anniversary Double Feature
August 9- starts at 9pm
August 16- starts at 5pm
August 23- starts at 9pm
»August 3, 2024 Cruise the Narrows Car Show- 8:00am-3:00pm Uptown Plaza
»August 10, 2024 Gig Harbor Rockin’ Rhythm & Blues Festival- 12pm-9pm more info here
»August 23, 2024 Teen Improv Night – at Sehmel Homestead Park, FREE, register here.
»September 21, 2024 Mountain Biking 101 – Gateway Park, 10AM. Join us for a guided ride through the mountain bike trails at 360 Trails!
»September 28-29, 2024 – Key Peninsula Farm Tours – Harvest Fest & Cider Squeeze. More info coming soon!
MISC. PIERCE COUNTY AREAS – SUMMER FUN!!
»Kids Build Projects are free at both Lowes & Home Depot. Go register to reserve your spot, while supplies last.
»Pierce County Library Summer Reading Program – Starts in June, they also host many other events throughout the year so check out their calendar.
»Tacoma Public Library Summer Reading Program – Starts in June, they also host many other events throughout the year so check out their calendar.
»Many churches do VBS during the summer!
»YMCA‘s host camps & other activities.
»Kids Bowl Free – Registered Kids Receive 2 FREE GAMES Of Bowling Each Day Of The KBF Program All Summer Long! At select bowling alleys.
»Regal Summer Movie Express – Bring the family to the nearest Regal theater for the 2024 Summer Movie Express SCHEDULE COMING SOON! Bring the family to the nearest Regal theatre for our 2024 Summer Movie Express series! Summer Movie Express tickets are just $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11AM featuring summer movies the whole family will enjoy. Availability varies by location, so select a movie from the posters above to see showtimes or check participating theatres for schedules.
»Barnes & Noble – Summer Reading, Participation is a fun and easy way for kids to earn free books. They simply read a designated number of books – library books, books borrowed from friends or books bought at Barnes & Noble – write about their favorite part in our Reading Journal, and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Children then choose their free book from the books listed on the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them during July and August.
»Pizza Hut – Camp Book It, June thru August. Camp BOOK IT! is open to all families with PreK-6th grade students (ages 4-12). Parents set goals, track reading and reward their students, all in our digital dashboard.
»June 19, 2024 & August 4, 2024 are Free National Parks Day
Hope your family finds some fun things to do this summer in Pierce County! Leave me a comment with your favorite summer event here in Pierce County, I’d love to hear about it.
And be sure to come back this fall when I update this post; SOUTH SOUND PUMPKIN PATCHES AND FALL FUN – INCLUDING KITSAP PENINSULA!
