Animals, a film festival, runs and walks for good causes, and gorgeous Asian art. It’s just another wonderful fall weekend in the South Sound!

Luminous: The Art of Asia Exhibit
Thursday, October 13 – Saturday, January 8, 2012
10:00am – 5:00pm
Seattle Art Museum
1300 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
170 masterpieces from the Seattle Art Museum’s collection of Asian Art in new and dynamic ways. Featuring works of art from 12 different countries and spanning thousands of years!

Crossroads Doll and Teddy Bear Show
Saturday and Sunday
October 15th and 16th
Puyallup Fairgrounds’ Pavillion
110 9th Ave SW
Puyallup, WA 98371
This lighthearted show and sale is for enthusiasts of all ages with dolls, teddy bears, antiques, miniatures, clothes supplies, & more.

Earshot Jazz Festival
Thursday, October 14 – Sunday, November 6
Seattle, WA
Seattle’s annual festival returns October 14th and continues through November 6th with more than 50 concert events in venues all around the city! Called “one of the best festivals in America” by the Seattle Times, the Earshot Jazz Festival brings jazz greats from around the world into creative collaboration with area artists and audiences. Check out their website for information and tickets.

Zoo Boo
Saturday and Sunday
October 15 and 16
10:00am – 3:00pm
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N Pearl St
Tacoma, WA 98407
Zoo Boo festivities are free with zoo admission, and everyone in costume will receive a $2/person discount off the general zoo admission rate. The popular event features indoor and outdoor activities, including treats, photo opportunities, a scavenger hunt and more.

Gig Harbor Film Festival
Friday – Sunday
October 15, 16 and 17
Gig Harbor, Washington
If you haven’t experienced the Gig Harbor Film Festival, you better, because you are missing out! 72 hours of feature independent films that draw on the unifying power of film to promote understanding, tolerance and global awareness. Special VIP event with actor Julie Andrews and the showing of “Victor, Victoria” on Friday, October 15.

Puget Sound Heart Walk 5K
Saturday, October 15
7:30am – 12:00pm
Seattle Center
305 Harrison Street
Seattle, WA, 98109
This benefit walk is good for your heart in so many ways: it gets your blood pumping, it raises money to support heart disease research and programs for the American Heart Association, and you get the warm fuzzies for doing a good deed! Triple Points! When you’ve finished the 3.1 mile walk through downtown Seattle, stop by the Kids Zone for fun activities.

Fall Tree Festival
Saturday, October 15
10:00am – 3:00pm
Wright Park
501 South I Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
Kids can go tree climbing, supervised by certified arborists with harnesses and helmets for safe climbing. Kids can also create leaf art projects and explore Wright Park through a creative scavenger hunt. Arborists and Metro Parks Tacoma’s Urban Forester will also be on hand to answer tree care questions.

Autumn Fest
Friday and Saturday
October 15 and 16
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
Celebrate fall with a romp through hay bales, scarecrows and pumpkins while you enjoy themed programming, tasty treats and entertainment during Woodland Park Zoo’s Autumn Fest!

17th Annual Seattle Reptile Expo
Saturday and Sunday
October 16 and 17
Puyallup Fairgrounds
110 9th Ave SW
Puyallup, WA 98371
A large assortment of snakes, tortoises, tarantulas and more! See reptiles up close. Purchase reptile pet accessories from a wide variety of vendors.

Race for a Soldier 1/2 Marathon & 2 Mile Kids Fun Run
Saturday, October 16th
Gig Harbor YMCA
10550 Harbor Hill Dr NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Run begins at 8:00am from the Gig Harbor YMCA. Funds raised through Race For A Soldier go directly to the support of our brave soldiers and their well being, supporting programs like the U.S.O, Heartbeat Serving Wounded Warriors, Horses For Heroes through Rainier Therapeutic Riding, Canine and Heroes For Independence and they are actively seeking more ways to help.