Free Family Fun in October
The month of October tends to scream “Halloween” for kids, but there’s a lot of free fun to be had aside from that. Harvest festivals continue, along with sea-related events and cultural fairs As the weather becomes less predictable, think about adding some museums and indoor fests to the family schedule. Don’t worry, you won’t forget about Halloween – the kids won’t let you!
About Halloween … Most neighborhoods in Seattle and surrounding areas offer free, fun Halloween events, and many others may cost something. Listed toward the end of the month is a sampling of free events available in various neighborhoods. Want more spooktacular ideas for fun events, (including both free events and those involving a fee) in your neighborhood? Be sure to check out “100+ events for Halloween family-fun around Seattle.”
Week of October 1
Free First Thursday | Oct. 1 | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Throughout Puget Sound Region | Free | On the first Thursday of the month, most museums in the area offer free admission–a good opportunity to explore a child’s special interests on a budget. All participating museums have exhibits designed with kids in mind.
Youth Nature Journaling Club (Photo courtesy Bellevue Botanical Garden)
Weekend October 2-October 4
Concerts at Smokey Point Park | Oct. 2 | 6 p.m. | Smokey Point Park, Arlington | Free | Bring the kids for the final family-friendly concert in this summer series. Enjoy music by Circle of Starz, a six-piece band playing original songs and covers of classic hits.
Seattle Greek Festival| Oct. 2–4 | Hours vary | St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2100 Boyer Ave. E | Free | Greek food and pastries, traditional dancing, live music and cultural activities at this longtime Seattle festival in the heart of Montlake.
Issaquah Salmon Days | Oct. 3–4 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Downtown Issaquah and Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, 125 W. Sunset Way | Free The fest begins with a parade (10 a.m. Saturday at Confluence Park) and continues with live entertainment, salmon viewing at the hatchery, artisan booths, food and kids’ activities.
Marysville Rock Club’s Annual Rocktoberfest | Oct. 3-4 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe | Free | Do you have a rock-hound or mini-paleantologist in the family? The Rocktoberfest will include games and activities for kids, as well as demonstrations and displays on rock and gem identification. And what kid won’t be awed by the display of a life-size dinosaur skull?
Fishermen’s Fall Festival | Oct. 3 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Fishermen’s Terminal, 1900 W Nickerson | Free | Learn about Seattle’s commercial fishing industry with wooden boat building, fish-themed crafts, live entertainment, seafood and more. This family-friendly event features boat tours, live music, kids’ activities and survival suit races. It’s organized by an all-volunteer committee and benefits the Seattle Fisherman’s Memorial Foundation.
Kelsey Creek Farm Fair | Oct. 3 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Kelsey Creek Farm, Bellevue | Free | Meet farm animals, collect pumpkins and take a wagon ride at the 44th annual Kelsey Creek Farm Fair. Families will also enjoy hands-on activities, harvest-themed crafts and entertainment that highlights the city’s agricultural heritage.
Youth Nature Journaling Club | Oct. 3 | Noon-1 p.m. | Bellevue Botanical Gardens | Free | Introduce your nature-loving kid to journaling. The session starts indoors with an introduction and a writing “prompt,” continues outdoors to journal, and regroups to share discoveries and interests. Dress for the weather and bring a blank notebook and pencil. Recommended for kids ages 6 to 14 (those 6 to 11 must be accompanied by an adult and those 12 and over need a waiver). Look for directions at the main entrance.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration at The Village at Totem Lake | Oct. 3 | 2-4 p.m. | Kirkland | Free | Head to The Village at Totem Lake for a Hispanic Heritage Celebration with live performances by Mariachi Seattle, Santana Charro Bros, and Joyas Mestizas. Family-friendly activities include craft stations and face painting. Performances start promptly on the Village Green.
Ballard Bookworms Community Storytime with Little Light Yoga | Oct. 4 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.| Greenwood Branch Library | Calling all bookworms! Ballard Preschool Co-op’s monthly story time with Danielle Beiling, MPH, author of “Little Light Yoga: Kids’ Yoga for Joy, Movement & Mindfulness.” Best for ages 5 and under, but older siblings are welcome.
CroatiaFest | Oct. 4 | Noon–6 p.m. | Seattle Center | Free | Croatian music and dance, traditional food, crafts, vendor booths and family activities honoring Croatian culture.
West Seattle Oktoberfest | Kids’ Day | Oct. 4, 2026 | Noon-7 p.m. | Ounces Taproom & Beer Garden, 3809 Delridge Way SW | Free | Bavarian food, live music and family-friendly activities, including a coloring contest, pumpkin Hammerschlagen and a kids’ stein-hoisting competition.
Community skate night at Angels of the Winds Arena (Photo courtesy of the arena)
Weekend October 9-October 11
Community Access Skate Night | Oct. 9 | Angels of the Winds Arena, Everett | 5-6:30 p.m. | Free | This skate night is all about making skating accessible for everyone–to get moving and to have fun. In addition to free admission, brought to you by Community Transit, kids 18 and younger can also ride the bus to the rink at no cost.
State Parks free on National Mental Health Day | Oct. 10 | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | All state parks | Free | World Mental Health Day has been selected as a free Washington State Park Day – a Discover Pass is not required to enter the park or to park your car. Free days apply to day use only. Choose a park near you, or travel a bit farther afield, for a fun family Saturday.
Bigfoot Kids’ Book Festival | Oct. 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Redmond Senior & Community Center | Free | Come to the Bigfoot Kids Book Festival to meet more than 50 great book authors representing a wide variety of genres and reading levels. The event features book signings , read-alouds, draw-alongs and plenty of photo opportunities.
Small Frye: Story Time + Art | Oct. 10 | 10:15–11:15 a.m.| Frye Art Museum | Free | Enjoy a lively retelling of a beloved children’s book, then create art using materials designed to spark wonder and enhance developmental strengths of pre-K children in collaboration with their caregivers.
Turkfest | Oct. 10-11 | Noon-5 p.m. | Seattle Center | Free | Turkfest is an annual cultural festival with a mission to foster friendship and understanding throughout the community by organizing educational and engaging programs celebrating Turkish culture and heritage. The festival, which takes place as part of Turkish Heritage Month, boasts a variety of traditional and contemporary performances, art and textile exhibitions, youth activities, and genuine Turkish products vendors.
Lake Wilderness Arboretum story walk (Photo courtesy the arboretum)
Weekend October 16-October 18
Hamlin Halloween Haunt in Shoreline | October 16 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | 16006 15th Ave NE, Shoreline | Free | Ready for some early Halloween excitement? Listen to spooky songs and stories around a campfire, ride the hay wagon, pose in your costume in the photo booth, and play Halloween games. The first half hour is dedicated to activities with reduced sensory stimulation.
Autumn Fest | Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.–Noon | Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens, Everett | Free | Fall crafts and nature-inspired family activities in the gardens, including face painting, bulb planting, leaf luminaries and seasonal crafts.
Lake Wilderness Arboretum Story Walk | Oct. 17 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley | Free | Join Librarian Sharon in the great outdoors to read the Story Walk book, sponsored by the Maple Valley Library Guild and the Lake Wilderness Arboretum. Dress for the weather and meet at the Arboretum information booth at 10::25 a.m. to walk to the Story Walk together. They do cancel for unsafe weather conditions, such as high winds, snow or poor air quality – call 425/432.4620 to check. Recommended for ages 3 to 8.
Fauntleroy Fall Festival | Oct. 18 | 1-4 p.m. | Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and surrounding venues | Free | This annual West Seattle neighborhood festival features live entertainment and kids’ activities and crafts, including building birdhouses, making salmon hats and decorating pumpkins.
West Seattle Harvest Fest (Photo courtesy of the festival)
Weekend October 23-October 25
Pumpkin Carving | October 23 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Northgate Community Center | Free, suggested donation $5 | All ages | Tickets | Kick off the Halloween season with a family pumpkin carving and decorating night! We’ll have pumpkins of all sizes, along with safe carving tools and paints, to create your spooky or funky jack-o’-lantern! *One pumpkin per family. Pumpkin choices are first-come, first-served. Supplies are limited.
Village Halloween Celebration | October 24 | 12-2 p.m. | 11901 NE Village Plaza, Kirkland | Free | All ages | The event will include costumed characters, a stage performance featuring some of your favorite witches, craft stations, and so much more! Note: This is not a trick-or-treat event.
Jefferson Halloween Carnival | Oct. 24 | 1-4:30 p.m. | Jefferson Community Center | Free | All ages | RSVP | Start your Halloween off with a frighteningly fun-filled evening for the family! Wear your costumes and enjoy carnival games and spooktacular activities.
Olde Fashioned Halloween | October 24 | 1–4 p.m. | Legacy Square, Downtown Renton | Free | Start with downtown trick-or-treating, then head to Legacy Square to learn the iconic thriller dance, enjoy a costume contest (including pets), check out the Zombie Makeup and Photo booth, join the pumpkin carving contest, and more. At 3 p.m., join the worldwide Thriller dance.
Thrill the World Seattle 2026 | October 24 | 3 p.m. | Woodin Creek Village, Woodinville | Free | All ages Thrill the World is the annual worldwide simultaneous dance to “Thriller.” This year’s event benefits the Woodinville Storehouse Food Bank. Dancers can register in advance; Seattle Thrillers is also holding rehearsals in Redmond leading up to the event.
Crown Hill-O-Ween Pet Costume Party and Parade | October 25 | 1-3 p.m. | Crown Hill Park, Seattle | Free | All ages | Bring costumed kids and pets for a pet costume party and parade, plus a pet food drive. Costume contest categories include spookiest, funniest, most creative, best group, and best in show.
West Seattle Harvest Fest | Oct. 25 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | West Seattle Junction | Free | The Fest kicks off with a marching band and costume parade before The Thrillers take over The Junction with an iconic dance performance. There will be fun craft activities for kids, a pie a la mode-eating contest and a Food Bank chili cook-off. Little ghosts and goblins can trick-or-treat along California Ave.
Zombie Walk (Photo courtesy Snohomish Carnegie )
Week of October 26
Halloween Costume Crawl for Toddlers | Wednesday, October 28 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Garfield Community Center | Free | Ages 1 month-5 years | Toddlers and preschoolers are encouraged to come to the Garfield Community Center in costumes for a Halloween celebration with play in the Toddler gym, spooky crafts, and yummy snacks.
Tot Carnival | Thursday, October 29 | 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Queen Anne Community Center | Free | Ages 3-6 | Register here | Have your tots try on their Halloween costumes and join in some pre-Halloween fun. Our mini carnival will have games, treats, and fun for all. Costumes are optional but encouraged!
Zombie Walk in Snohomish | Thursday, October 29 | 3-6 p.m. | 105 Cedar Ave., Snohomish | Free | The event will feature a merchandise booth, face painting to help you transform into the ghoul of your choice, music and entertainment, vendors, and more. Help support the Snohomish Community Food Bank by bringing nonperishable food items, monetary donations and your best Zombie spirit!
Weekend Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Dia de Muertos Festival | Oct. 31-Nov. 1 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Seattle Center | Free | This late-October Festival will ease the family into November with live music, folkloric dance, traditional alters and authentic Mexican cuisine. The colorful celebration honors loved ones who have passed and provides cultural experiences not found elsewhere in Seattle.
