Halloween celebrations ramping up this weekend around Seattle

It’s time to fully immerse yourself in spooky season as we are entering our final two weekends of fall fun!

There are plenty of Seattle Halloween celebrations to choose from.

Seattle Halloween celebrations: Thriller, zombies, Barktoberfest, and more

The Seattle Thrillers are back for their 19th annual Thrill the World Seattle event. This event is where dancers across the world perform the zombie dance from Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This is going down at the Queen Anne Community Center on Saturday, with registration starting at 12:30 p.m. The dance begins precisely at 3 p.m. In addition to the dancing, there will be a costume contest and more performances as well.

That’s not the only zombie-themed event this weekend. You can turn yourself into a zombie or get zombified by the pros at the Issaquah Zombie Walk. As you walk through downtown Issaquah with your fellow zombies, keep your eyes open for the flash mobs of dancing undead. There will also be carnival games and more, making for a perfect day of Halloween fun. The Issaquah Zombie Walk is Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In Ballard, for those 21 and up, you can enjoy fall-inspired food and drinks, for people and pets, during Barktoberfest. Not only will there be food to enjoy, dress your pets in their best costumes for a chance to win prizes. Barktoberfest is at the Dog Yard Bar.

There’s also the Monster Dash in West Seattle, which is a themed 5K run/walk with costumes encouraged, and Saturday in Maple Leaf at Maple Leaf Reservoir Park, you can enjoy the Halloween parade and pet costume contest at 3 p.m.

If there’s one thing we know for sure about Seattleites, they love their coffee, and if you fall into that category, it’s a big weekend for you. At Magnuson Park Hangar 30, there will be specialty roasters, unique beans, live entertainment, food trucks, and of course, endless coffee. It’s time for the Seattle Coffee Festival, and you can bring your favorite mug to fill. They do recommend kids stay at home due to the amount of hot liquids at the event, but kids are still allowed. You’ll need a ticket to get in for this festival, which is Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.

We might have rain in the forecast this weekend, but that shouldn’t keep you from checking out the new waterfront in downtown Seattle if you haven’t yet. HarborFest is at Pier 66, and there will be ocean-inspired arts and crafts, educational events for you and the kids, live music, and ocean-friendly seafood to eat. HarborFest is today from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

And while we all wish we were watching baseball today, there’s still plenty of sports action this weekend, including the UW Huskies taking on Illinois Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium and the Kraken taking on the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night at Climate Pledge.

More western Washington events

In Tacoma, the 5th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be over 70 vendors, live music, food, and fun for the kids. There will also be a procession at 12:15 p.m. and the Honoring Ancestors ceremony at 4 p.m. Look for the festival on 6th Avenue in Tacoma.

In Everett, high school marching bands from across the state will be competing at the Puget Sound Festival of Bands. There will be four divisions with 18 bands participating this year, plus there will be on-site concessions and a bake sale. This is going on at Everett Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

How are you enjoying the home stretch of Halloween? Let me know at paulH@kiroradio.com.

Read more of Paul Holden’s stories here.