8 cool things to do in October in the Seattle area
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The film "Ponyboi" opens the Seattle Queer Film Festival this month. Photo: Courtesy of Seattle Queer Film Festival
There's no need to wait for Halloween to get your fun fix this month. We've rounded up some of the region's best October events to help you kick off an amazing fall.
Taste of Iceland
Thursday-Saturday
Get a dose of Icelandic culture at this three-day festival, which features a free concert on Thursday, a cooking demonstration on Friday, and a special three-course Icelandic menu at Palace Kitchen all three days.
Plus: A discussion with Icelandic authors and the mayor of Reykjavik will delve into the literary history of the Icelandic capital, while an astronomy educator will explain the science behind the Northern Lights.
- Times and venues vary — check the schedule of events online.
Northwest Chocolate Festival
Friday-Sunday
Sample chocolate from around the world, meet chocolate makers and cacao farmers, and learn more about the decadent confection at this three-day festival at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.
- A $65 pass gets you in Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11am both days.
- You'll need to pay extra to get in earlier, or to attend opening events on Friday.
Seattle Queer Film Festival
Oct. 10-20
The 29th edition of this festival will feature more than 80 films, shown through a combination of in-person and virtual screenings.
- Highlights include "Ponyboi," a film about an intersex sex worker on the run from the mob, which will open the festival at 7pm Thursday, Oct. 10. The opening night screening will be followed by an afterparty; $32 gets you into both.
- You can also get an all-access pass for $200, or a six-film pass for $80 (although that one isn't valid for opening or closing night events).
If you go: In-person screenings will be held from Oct. 10-14, followed by virtual film showings from Oct. 14-20. Check out the full schedule.
Indigenous People's Day celebrations
Oct. 14
Several events are being held on the Monday holiday to honor Native people and their history.
9:30am-1:30pm: A march will start at Pier 62 on the waterfront, continuing to King Street Station Plaza.
1:30-5pm: Marchers will leave King Street Station Plaza and go to Westlake Park at 401 Pine Street, where there will be a rally and round dance.
5-9pm: A celebration featuring dinner, dance and bingo will take place at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center at Discovery Park.
5-10pm: A evening celebration and traditional buffalo dinner will be held at Washington Hall, 153 14th Avenue.
Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience
Oct. 17-20 Get schooled about glass making and the art form's dominance in the Pacific Northwest.
- The four-day event features open studio tours, special gallery exhibitions and glass-blowing demonstrations.
- Many events are free, although some — including the opening night party at Chihuly Garden and Glass — cost money.
- View all the scheduled events, which take place in locations around the city and region.
Earshot Jazz Festival
Oct. 17-Nov. 3
For four decades, this festival has celebrated jazz and its legacy as a Black American art form. This year's iteration features 34 concerts at venues across the city.
- Individual concert prices vary, but range from about $13 for veterans and students to about $33-$40 for adults.
- You can also go all out and get a gold pass and attend just about all of them (it costs about $500 for adults and $200 for students).
- Check out the full schedule.
Día de Muertos Festival
Oct. 26-27
Celebrate the Day of the Dead a little early with this two-day event at Seattle Center, which will feature performances, face painting, sugar-skull making and elaborate altars. Free.
Seattle Restaurant Week
Oct. 27-Nov. 9
For two weeks, dozens of restaurants, bars and food trucks across the city will offer curated, multicourse menus for $20, $35, $50 and $65. Check the full list of participating businesses.