RENTON EVENTS: What’s happening in October?
Published on September 30, 2026
Get your costumes ready this October!
Find family-friendly fun, emergency preparedness courses, and all city events on our website. Make sure to use the ‘Add to Calendar’ function to save the events you are most interested in.
Find more community events, plus submit your own on the Visit Renton calendar.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) – Fall 2026 Course
7-week Course: Thursdays, October 1 – November 12 | 6 – 9 p.m.
Final Drill: Saturday, November 14 | 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sign up for location
When disaster strikes, will you be ready to act? The seven-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program empowers you with the basic knowledge and skills to take action before, during, and after an emergency.
Renton CERT classes are taught by local subject matter experts such as firefighters, police officers, emergency managers, and medical professionals. Participants learn to extinguish small fires, conduct light search and rescue, provide basic disaster first aid, respond to disasters, assist professional responders, support survivors, and prepare themselves and their community for emergencies.
Participants must attend all seven courses and then the final drill to become an official CERT member.
Learn more and sign up at rentonwa.gov/CERT. Registration closes tomorrow, October 1, at 6 p.m.
This event is in partnership with the city’s Executive Services Department and Renton Regional Fire Authority.
The Creative Entrepreneur: Resilience for a Changing World
Sundays, October 4, November 1, December 6 | 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Luther’s Table (419 S. 2nd St.)
The Creative Entrepreneur: Resilience for a Changing World is an immersive, highly interactive, three-part workshop for Renton-area artists and creative entrepreneurs navigating a world of rapid change.
Through activities, games, exercises, and conversation, participants will strengthen the human capacities that help us stay creative and resilient amid uncertainty and overwhelm: presence, curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, adaptability, ethical discernment, and genuine connection.
Designed as a foundation for the entrepreneurial work ahead, this workshop creates space to reconnect with what matters, build community, and explore how our values and distinctly human strengths can help us meet change with greater creativity, confidence, and possibility.
Join us on the first Sunday of October, November, and December from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Free to attend
- Limited to 20 participants
- Registration required by September 30
- Please note this is a three-part series, please come to all three sessions if you can!
Register at rentonwa.gov/CreativeEntrepreneur.
These event are facilitated by Kevin Joyce of EnJoy Productions and Melanie Cates of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission and made possible by the city’s Community & Economic Development Department, 4Culture, Shunpike, and Luther’s Table.
Purple Lights Night
Monday, October 5 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Legacy Square (510 S. 3rd St.) to Renton City Hall (1055 S. Grady Way)
Join us in person for an unforgettable experience at Purple Light Nights® in Renton, where we are gathering to raise awareness and support survivors of domestic violence. An evening filled with vibrant purple lights, cool vibes, and great company while learning and contributing to a great cause. Don’t miss out on the glowing atmosphere and making an impact! Find the full schedule here.
This event is supported by the Seattle Seahawks, DAWN: Domestic Abuse Women’s Network, Renton Downtown Partnership, Renton Chamber of Commerce, the city’s Police Department, and community volunteers.
National Coffee with a Cop
Wednesday, October 7 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Top Pot Doughnuts (815 N. 10th St.)
National Coffee with a Cop Day is October 7, and we’re inviting our Renton community to join us for coffee, conversation, and connection at Top Pot Doughnuts at The Landing.
It’s a chance to meet some of the Renton officers who serve our community, ask questions, share your thoughts, or stop by and say hello.
So, get it on your calendar, save the date, and come grab a cup of coffee with us. We’d love to see you there!
This event is in partnership with the city’s Police Department and Top Pot Doughnuts.
Cedar River Salmon Festival
Saturday, October 10 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Renton Community Center (1715 Maple Valley Highway)
Join the Environmental Science Center for Renton’s annual salmon festival! Come observe migrating salmon, become a salmon scientist, create family fun, and learn more about how you can help salmon to become a salmon hero. Just stop by to participate!
This event is in partnership with the Environmental Science Center and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and made possible by the King Conservation District, 4Culture, and the city’s Public Works Department.
What’s Brewing with Ed?
Tuesday, October 13 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Four Generals Brewing (229 Wells Ave. S.)
What’s Brewing with Ed? has returned! Join Renton Chief Administrative Officer Ed VanValey and city leadership for chats!
This free monthly event, open to all ages, gives you the opportunity to learn about city projects and initiatives and ask questions.
Please RSVP on Facebook or Nextdoor or by emailing communications@rentonwa.gov.
These events are in partnership with the city’s Executive Services Department and Four Generals Brewing.
The Magic of Moulage: Making Realistic Wounds
Tuesday, October 13 | 6 – 7 p.m.
Renton Technical College (3000 NE 4th St.)
Get into the Halloween Spirit while learning a valuable emergency management skill! In this hands-on class, you'll learn the basics of moulage - the art of creating realistic mock injuries using makeup and special effects. Whether you're looking to create spooky Halloween looks or volunteer to enhance the realism of city emergency exercises and drills, you'll leave with practical techniques and a few tricks to impress your friends and fellow responders alike.
Register at rentonwa.gov/Moulage.
This event is in partnership with Renton Downtown Partnership and the city’s Community & Economic Development Department.
Amateur Radio Licensing Course and Exam
Saturdays, October 17 & 24 | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Renton Technical College (3000 NE 4th St.)
Become a licensed ham radio operator in two days!
Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants called "hams" use various types of radio equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for recreation and public service.
This course covers all of Element 2 of the FCC Amateur Radio Service materials. Participants will be fully prepared to take the Technician Class licensing exam, which will be administered at the end of day two. Both classes must be attended.
Anticipated costs are as follows:
- A $15 exam fee payable on the second class day (exact cash preferred, but checks are also accepted).
- A textbook (approx. $26.95 plus tax; instructions for purchasing the textbook online before the class will be sent upon registration).
- A $35 fee to the FCC for issuing your license after you pass the exam.
Register at rentonwa.gov/HamRadio.
This event is in partnership with Renton Emergency Communication Service (RECS), Renton Technical College, and the city’s Executive Services Department.
Businesses and the Holiday Season: Everything You Need for a Successful Season
Tuesday, October 20 | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Luther’s Table (419 S. 2nd St.)
Join us for a practical, action-focused session to help you turn Q4 holiday traffic into real revenue.
We’ll kick things off with quick, high-impact holiday marketing strategies, from mapping out targeted promotions and seasonal campaigns to preparing your messaging across social media, email, and web. We’ll also feature WorkSource, connecting local employers with practical resources for hiring, recruitment, retention, and other workforce needs as you prepare for the busy holiday season.
Then, we’ll transition into dedicated coworking time so you can put these strategies into action right away, ask questions, and get real-time feedback and support.
Come learn, work, connect, and get your business ready for the holiday rush!
Register at startup425.org.
This event is in partnership with Startup425, the city’s Community & Economic Development Department, and Luther’s Table.
Senior Holiday Craft Bazaar
Saturday, October 24 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Renton Community Center (1715 Maple Valley Highway)
Shop for handcrafted arts, crafts, gifts, and more made by seniors 50+ from Renton and surrounding areas. The perfect way to kick off your holiday shopping! Entrance is free for shoppers of all ages.
This event is in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Halloween Party
Saturday, October 24 | 1 – 4 p.m.
Legacy Square (510 S. 3rd St.)
Get ready for an afternoon of Halloween fun for the whole community! Start with Downtown Trick-or-Treating, then head to Legacy Square for:
- Zombie Makeup + Photo Booth
- Games, prizes & sweet treats
- Community vendors
- All-ages Costume Contest
- Inspired Child Movies & Shakers! Show: Learn a mix of iconic dances, enjoy live entertainment, and get into the act! Funded in part by a grant from 4Culture.
3 p.m. — Worldwide Thriller Dance
Learn the “Thrill the World” choreography with Inspired Child, then join the community on the Legacy Square stage for Renton’s own Thriller performance!
Come in costume, get zombified, dance with us, and celebrate Halloween downtown!
Find more info at rentondowntown.com/Halloween
This event is in partnership with the city’s Community & Economic Development Department, Renton Downtown Partnership, 4 Culture, Inspired Child, Sustainable Renton, Echo Productions, and Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers.
Truck or Treat
Friday, October 30 | 5 – 6 p.m. or 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Renton Community Center (1715 Maple Valley Highway)
Sensory-Friendly Session (5 – 6 p.m.)
This sensory-friendly session is designed for participants who may benefit from a lower-stimulation environment. Enjoy Halloween fun both inside the Renton Community Center and outdoors featuring trucks, themed displays, treats, and activities to explore at your own pace! Flashing lights, noises, music, and other sensory elements will be minimized during this session whenever possible. Costumes are encouraged.
Walk-through Spectacular (6 – 7:30 p.m.)
Experience Truck or Treat with indoor and outdoor Halloween fun! Explore Halloween stations hosted by City of Renton departments and community partners, collect treats, and get an up-close look at awesome trucks and specialty vehicles. Don't miss the Halloween music and fun photo opportunities. Costumes are encouraged!
Register at rentonwa.gov/TruckorTreat.
This event is in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.