Fall Events in Seattle

Last Updated: August 20, 2026

If you're looking for Halloween and fall events near Seattle, you've come to the right place!

There's something for everyone, whether you're looking for family-friendly adventures, a fun date idea, or an excuse to get out with friends.

Read on for fun activities, and check out our event calendar for more ideas.

Oktoberfest Brews Cruise
Oktoberfest
The Museum of Fright
Burien Brat Trot & Bavarian Fest
Fall Foliage Festival
Chocolate Factory Experience
More Family-Friendly Fall Activities

Oktoberfest Brews Cruise

Celebrate Oktoberfest on the water with a festive Brews Cruise aboard the Argosy Goodtime II as part of the Des Moines Weekend Celebration. Guests can enjoy a one-hour cruise on Puget Sound, complete with beer, German-inspired bites, game vouchers, and scenic waterfront views. Tickets include a one-hour cruise of the Poverty Bay area, one beer, Landjaeger sausages, apple strudel, and game vouchers.

Where: Departs from the Des Moines Marina

When: Two cruise times are available on Sunday, September 20, 2026: 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Cost: Adult $25 / Youth $15

Learn more and buy tickets.

Oktoberfest at the Des Moines Marina

Get ready to raise your stein and celebrate Oktoberfest! The Des Moines Marina Oktoberfest is a three-day event bringing German-inspired music, dancing, contests, and family-friendly fun to the stage at Quarterdeck, the neighborhood's favorite waterfront cafe, music venue, and gathering place. Look forward to pretzels on a stick and other German bites, delicious local brews, and lots of fun competitions, including a chicken dance contest. Friday, September 18, will include Prost! The OktoberCrawl™, which starts at Quarterdeck at 5 p.m., will run on Saturday and Sunday, kicking off at 1:30 and running until close.

Where: Quarterdeck

22307 Dock Ave S, Unit 1, Des Moines, Washington 98198

When: Sept. 18, 5 p.m. to close; Sept. 19 & 20, 1:30-7 p.m.

Cost: Free (Food and drinks available for purchase)

People in Halloween costumes at The Museum of Fright event at The Museum of Flight in Tukwila, Washington.

The Museum of Fright

During spooky season, the Museum of Flight transforms into The Museum of Fright! The museum’s spacious galleries provide Halloween carnival-style games and activities to spark imagination, innovation and get in the Halloween spirit. Take part in seasonal activities, special displays, and encounter other frightful surprises. Costumes welcome!

Where: The Museum of Flight

9404 E Marginal Way S, Tukwila, WA 98108

When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: Included with the general admission. (Free for visitors 17 and under in costume).

Learn more and buy tickets at the Museum of Flight website.

Burien Brat Trot

What could be better than a fun run in crisp fall weather? Burien Brat Trot is a 5k Run/Walk and Kids 1k Fun Run that benefits the Highline Schools Foundation. Come for the exercise and stay for prizes, good eats, and beer!

Where: Burien's Town Square Park

480 Southwest 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98166

When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, 10 a.m.

To register and learn more, visit the Burien Brat Trot website.

Fall Foliage Festival

Discover an immersive wonderland of fall colors at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden’s annual Fall Foliage Festival. This free event showcases Japanese maples, deciduous azaleas, and much more. Enjoy a bite from a food truck or a sweet drink from a coffee cart before joining a garden tour or plant talk. You can also shop for plants, garden gifts, and books.

Note: the garden is across from the Pacific Bonsai Museum, so you can easily visit both sites in one day.

Where: The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

2525 S 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003

When: Nov. 7-8, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Learn more on the garden's website.

A Chocolate Factory Experience

Every October, Seattle Chocolate, the company behind Maeve and jcoco chocolates, hosts a unique, spooky experience at its Tukwila factory. Details for 2026 are TBD, so stay tuned for more updates! In the meantime, you can book a tour of the factory, which is available year-round.

Where: Seattle Chocolate Factory

1180 Andover Park West, Seattle, WA 98188

Learn more and buy tickets.

More Family-Friendly Fall Activities

Beyond events, there are lots of fun activities you can do any time during the fall.

Shop for Pumpkins & Fall Decor at a Festive Greenhouse

Zenith Holland Nursery & Gift, a historic garden store in Des Moines, goes all out for the seasons. There's a large area devoted just to pumpkins and Halloween, with plenty of cute photo opportunities. While you're there, shop for upscale seasonal decor and gifts. You'll find candles with warm, spicy scents to make your home feel warm and autumnal, adorable fabric pumpkin decorations, and plenty more.

Walk, Run or Ride Through Fall Foliage

There are plenty of parks and trails to explore where you can admire vibrant fall leaves. These are some of our favorites.

Des Moines Creek Trail: A paved, tree-lined path that will take you uphill from the shores of Puget Sound at Des Moines Beach Park to inland SeaTac.

Angle Lake Park: A 10-acre park with lakefront views, multiple picnic shelters, and a fantastic playground and spray park.

Interurban Trail: 14 miles of paved trail that runs through the cities of Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Algona, and Pacific.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

You don't have to go far to find a pumpkin patch near Seattle Southside. Check out Carpinito Brothers Farm in Kent, a local favorite for more than 50 years with 20+ acres of farmland to explore. Use the farm-provided wheelbarrows to pick up everything from a pumpkin to carve to mini decorative gourds to one-of-a-kind squash. Then try not to get too lost in the corn maze. Kids love the farm animals and fun activities like the "Corn Pit" and kid-sized hay maze. Don't forget to look up at the "Goat Walk" where goats saunter high above the Farm Fun Yard.

Go Shopping for Fall Clothes

Stock up on cold-weather styles at Westfield Southcenter, the largest shopping center in Washington state. With several major department stores, including Nordstrom, Macy's, and Sears, and dozens of places to buy gifts, electronics, toys, games, and more, there's something for everyone at this iconic indoor mall. While you're there, you'll have plenty of options for dining, from full-service restaurants to quicky easy options at the food court. Looking to budget shop? We also have a great selection of thrift stores in the area.

Attend a Local Sports Game

October is the most wonderful time of the sporting year. Football season is in full swing, hockey season is just beginning, and there are still postseason baseball games to catch. When you stay in Seattle Southside, getting to all of these venues is a breeze.

To get to Mariners and Seahawks games, take Link light rail north to Stadium Station for an easy gameday experience.

In town to watch the UW Huskies? Take the light rail to University of Washington Station, which is just in front of the stadium.

To see the Kraken, Seattle's pro ice hockey team, you can take the Link light rail to downtown Seattle and transfer to either a bus or the Seattle Monorail to get to Climate Pledge Arena.

Plan a Fall Getaway

Fill a weekend with fun fall diversions in Seattle Southside, the area around SEA Airport. There are more than 60 hotels, including many family-friendly options with indoor pools, on-site restaurants, free airport shuttles, and other amenities.

Not sure what your dates are? Hit "Search" to see a full list of hotels in the area.

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