Put These 16 Edmonds Fall Events on Your Calendar Autumn-atically
Written by Whitney Popa
Before we get into the meat of this piece, we gotta be so real with you: for a while, this article felt almost impossible to write because where to begin?! Where to end?!
If you know anything about Edmonds, you may know there is always something going on in town. Autumn is especially packed, so we spent some time thinking through questions we wanted to answer:
What are the most Edmonds-coded events you need to add to your calendar?
What’s the appropriate number to include that won’t overwhelm you (or us)?
So, with all of that context out of the way, please enjoy our top 15 Edmonds autumn events. This number felt nice and full without being stuffed, you know?
We’ve arranged them by date for calendaring ease. You’ll see everything from a chance to listen to the Michael Douglas speak about his big life at the Edmonds Center for the Arts to deep education about the Pacific Octopus, a zombie bar hop, Dolly Day, and more. We’re not messing around with the breadth of events on offer this fall—bookmark this page to plan your fall activities.
Essential Edmonds Autumn Events
September 25th, Dolly Day: 9-2-5, get it? Edmonds is celebrating Dolly the way she deserves (big) with Dolly-inspired drinks, music, merch, wine tasting, karaoke, a photo op, and more, all benefiting literacy.
Here’s a little taste of what to expect: Wine tasting and special merch at Ace Hardware, drinks at ChurchKey Pub, Kelnero, Vinbero, Scratch, and Walnut Street Coffee; a Dolly photo op outside Engel’s Pub; a Dolly drag show at The Fox and Bottle; karaoke at Calypso; and a book drive benefiting Edmonds School District libraries.
September 26th, Artisan Alley Fall Market: We love a market day, and we bet you do, too. After stocking up on grown goodies at the Edmonds Summer Market, stop by this handmade market in the Old Opera House. Think: hand-painted products, handmade soap and skincare, handmade jewelry and home decor, hand-poured chocolate and baked desserts, and more.
September 27th, Slow Down Sunday: Grab your mini and sink into the art of floral arrangement at Sunlight Gallery. The Garden Girls are coming over with all the materials to create something extra special together. Each pair will choose from a beautiful mix of seasonal flowers and foliage grown in The Garden Girls' front-yard garden in Shoreline, including dahlias, cosmos, snapdragons, mountain mint, eucalyptus, and more. You’ll go home soul-filled, and with a hand-drawn piece of art, a seed packet, and, of course, your arrangement.
September 30th, Open Mic Night: Sign up in advance or take an even bigger swing and sign up night-of to share what you’ve been working on at Musicology. Your songs, the community’s ears—you got this.
October 3rd, Swiftified: Looking for something family-friendly or got a Swiftie in the house? Get ready for a high-energy, joy-filled matinee celebrating the music of Taylor Swift. Emily McVicker’s Swiftified brings the hits to life with a live band, interactive moments, and plenty of sing-along magic. Fans of all ages are invited to dress up in their favorite era, shake it out, and sing along to the songs you love in a whole new way—together, in community.
October 2nd-4th, Write on the Sound: Founded in 1985, Write on the Sound writers’ conference is a small, affordable, locally grown conference focused on the craft of writing. Held at the Frances Anderson Center, this weekend is for anyone who loves words. Participants—and speakers—come from all over for workshops, panel discussions about publishing, and a community of fellow writers. It's accessible and enriching.
October 8th, “Meet the Giant Pacific Octopus”: Whether you’ve read Remarkably Bright Creatures or not, you’ll certainly learn to appreciate octopuses on a whole new level when you listen to David Gire, PhD, professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, speak about them at the Edmonds Waterfront Center. His presentation will take audiences inside the mind of the giant Pacific octopus, revealing how these extraordinary animals perceive the world, solve problems, hunt, learn, and interact with their environment.
October 9th, Clean Your Energy: Plan to arrive early for this event so you can peruse the magical shelves at East West on 3rd Avenue North. During this event, you’ll learn simple, practical ways to clear your energy, strengthen healthy boundaries, and reconnect with your own clarity, balance, and inner peace. There’s no better time than Libra season for that!
October 10th, Haystack Festival: 15 venues around Edmonds will host homegrown jazz, country, and bluegrass artists in the 1st annual Haystack Festival! Expect banjos, harmonicas, fiddles, and foot-tapping fun. Get the details and full schedule here.
Through October 11th, A Murder Is Announced: Adapted from an Agatha Christie novel, this play at the Wade James Theater will take you on a ride as you witness a puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, a second death, and a determined inspector grimly following the case’s twists and turns.
October 13th, Craft, Chat and Chill: You don’t have to be a cardholder to join the Edmonds community of adult artists and crafters. Bring your drawing, knitting, embroidery, watercolors, scrapbooking, or any project you’d like to finish. They have tables and chairs. You bring your supplies, and they’ll share conversation and encouragement.
October 14th, Book Club at Elsom Cellars: Pop over to Perrinville for a long-table discussion of The Bear and the Nightingale. Elsom is super-intentional about pairing books with wines that reflect the story’s mood and season. Book club is every second Wednesday of the month, so be prepared to make it a regular thing!
October 14th, Michael Douglas: Yes, that Michael Douglas—the movie star—is coming to Edmonds to talk about his life and career. Find him and a soon-to-be-announced interviewer at The Edmonds Center for the Arts. This will surely be a night to remember.
October 16th, Hayden Kristal Live: If you haven’t seen a comedy show at the Edmonds Theater, you’re in for a real treat. It’s the perfect venue for belly laughs, especially now that they serve drinks! Hayden Kristal (HBO, America’s Got Talent, Netflix is a joke) will be joined by Cozy Comedy’s Marcus Moreno for a night of comedy in the heart of Edmonds!
October 17th, Booker T. Jones: Join the legendary multi-instrumentalist, rock-and-roll hall of famer, songwriter, producer, and arranger whose influence helped shape modern soul music as he takes the stage at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. As the founder and frontman of Booker T. & the MGs, he created the iconic instrumental hit “Green Onions,” a million-selling international sensation recognized among Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
October 29th-November 1st, Zombie Battle of the Bars: Enjoy a weekend of pitting zombies against each other at Kelnero and Vinbero as you vote on your favorite version of the classic cocktail, a famously potent tiki cocktail created in 1934 by Donn Beach at his Hollywood restaurant, Don the Beachcomber. Which version will reign supreme? The power is in your discerning hands!
BONUS: Meet us at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce’s annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night on the 31st, which runs 5-7 right downtown. Dress to impress (there are costume contests!) and bring a big empty container—or two—because downtown businesses will be prepped to load your kiddos up with all the treats. If you didn’t already have your Halloween plans on lock, well, we gotchu.
Are You Falling for Your Packed Calendar, Too?
Autumn in Edmonds is about building a season of magical moments (it is Halloween season, after all!). From Swiftie memories to book club bonding, pet blessings, and more, this fall calendar reflects the core of Edmonds: a place that attracts the curious, the creative, and the desire to be connected.
Stay tuned to @exploreedmondswa for more happenings as they're announced. We'll be sharing details, ticketing info, and what not to miss throughout the season. Tag us in your crisp-weather Edmonds moments, too—we can't wait to see where the wind takes you this season.