Tacoma's longest-running beer festival lands back at the Tacoma Armory on Friday, Oct. 23, with Washington craft breweries pouring on the historic parade floor from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Boo Five Three, organized by Tacoma Arts Live, pairs regional craft beer with Halloween competitions and a lineup of food trucks parked outside the venue. VIP ticket holders can enter an hour early, at 5:30 p.m.
Tacoma Arts Live, led by CEO Katie Stricker, bills the annual festival as the city's longest-running beer event. The organization has not yet released the full brewer roster for this year but says the parade floor will be filled with local Washington breweries.
The event splits into two zones. Inside, breweries pour on the Armory's parade floor. Outside, an area organizers call "Food Truck Alley" lines up local food vendors along the front of the building.
Two contests anchor the Halloween theme. Breweries will compete in a booth-decorating contest, dressing up their stations with over-the-top Halloween displays. Attendees who show up in costume can enter a separate contest for prizes awarded throughout the evening.
South Sound Magazine columnist Gunner Stuns included the festival in an Oct. 14 roundup, writing that the event brings craft beer, food truck eats and Halloween surprises together under one roof.
Ticket prices were not listed on the event page as of Oct. 18. Attendees must be 21 or older with a valid ID.
The first 800 people through the door will receive a 2026 commemorative tasting glass.
