Top University Place Venues

• Spaces for 12-301 Guests
• 1 Theater
• 1 Event Space
• 6 Meeting Spaces

Asia Pacific Cultural Center is a hub for cultural exchange in Tacoma, Washington, founded in 1996 with a mission to bridge communities and generations through art, culture, education, and business. Representing the cultures of 47 Asian and Pacific Islander countries, the center fills its calendar with festivals and programs — from an annual Polynesian Luau to New Year and Chuseok celebrations — that give private events here a setting steeped in genuine cultural life. The center's newly built facility at 4851 South Tacoma Way hosts banquets, receptions, weddings, reunions, and community meetings. Its anchor space, the Aunty Senator Rosa Franklin Performance Arts Hall, accommodates up to 301 guests, while a collection of smaller rooms — Ginger, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Lotus, the Gallery, and the Library — suits gatherings from a dozen people up to 36 when rooms are combined. Practical touches make planning straightforward: rentals include chairs and round or rectangular tables, and the air-conditioned building offers strong WiFi, ample free parking, podium and microphone access, and A/V options including TV monitors in each room and a projector screen in the auditorium. A commercial kitchen is available for an additional fee, and the center's facility rental coordinator arranges tours and booking details.

• Spaces for 200 Guests

Welcome to the 6th Annual Events on the 6th! Located in Tacoma, Washington, this stunning wedding and reception venue is the ideal setting for your entire wedding day. Get married in the stunning Gothic church, hold your reception in the mid-century modern reception hall, and rest assured that all of your photos and memories will be captured against this stunning backdrop. It's a fantastic combination of modern and traditional style! The location of your wedding is extremely important for having a wonderful wedding day! Ideally, it should be something special and unforgettable...something beautiful...a place that makes you happy while also providing comfort for your guests. Events on 6th has everything you could possibly want and need in one convenient location. Wright Park, Point Defiance Park, and the Ruston Way waterfront are all within walking distance of Events on 6th, which is conveniently located in the heart of Tacoma between Seattle and Olympia and close to beautiful outdoor photo opportunities. Profit from the comfort and security of an indoor wedding while still capturing those stunning outdoor photographs! Celebrate your special day in elegance and style, and take comfort in the knowledge that your guests will be able to relax and enjoy themselves throughout the entire day in one beautiful location.

• Spaces for 15-1,200 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 2 Event Spaces
• 1 Meeting Space

McGavick Conference Center is a modern conference and event facility on the campus of Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Washington, built around a 10,709-square-foot ballroom that divides into three smaller sections for events ranging from intimate gatherings to large groups of up to 1,200 guests. An adjoining atrium and lobby space offers views of Mt. Rainier, giving receptions and cocktail hours a scenic backdrop alongside the flexibility of the main ballroom. Beyond the ballroom, the center includes a boardroom seating up to 15 and a Rotunda space suited to smaller holiday parties, fundraisers, seminars, and luncheons, accommodating up to 200 guests theater-style or 100 banquet-style. Every rental includes event setup, tables and chairs, Wi-Fi, and access to a catering kitchen available in conjunction with the ballroom. The center's event services team, with a combined 15 years of experience, supports clients through pre-event consulting, on-site walk-throughs, and vendor coordination, and the venue provides more than 500 free parking spaces for attendees.

• Spaces for 100 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 space at this venue

The Meadow at Fort Nisqually sits in a secluded, wooded clearing among the orchard just outside the walled perimeter of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, within Tacoma's Point Defiance Park. Fort Nisqually itself began in 1833 as a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading outpost and is billed as the first globally connected settlement on the Puget Sound; the reconstructed fort, rebuilt in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration around two preserved original structures, now portrays daily life as it existed in 1855. That backdrop gives the Meadow a natural, intimate character suited to both ceremonies and receptions, with room for up to 100 guests. The space is offered as a rental for the warmer months, May through September. Complimentary parking is available in roughly 50 spaces at the Fort and the nearby Picnic Shelter, restrooms are close by, and power access is available on-site for setup needs. Couples can also pair the Meadow with the Fort's Great Room or the Picnic Shelter for a combined ceremony-and-reception experience.

• Spaces for 55 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Waterfront
• 1 Park

The lakeside deck at Wapato Park Pavilion looks out over Wapato Lake, giving guests a water-and-forest view right from the rental space. It's the pavilion's centerpiece, linking the enclosed hall to the lake below. The pavilion sits inside Wapato Park in Tacoma, part of a lake-and-forest setting that includes a 0.9-mile walking trail. The building holds up to 55 guests, with folding tables and chairs included in every rental. Upstairs, a kitchenette offers a sink, counter space, and electricity for events, though there's no full kitchen or barbecue. A chair lift provides access to the second floor. Rentals run June through September, with a four-hour minimum. Alcohol is permitted with a Washington State banquet permit and a licensed bartender, and an onsite rental monitor is present during events.

• Spaces for 40-850 Guests
• 1 Theater
• 3 Event Spaces
• 5 Total Spaces

Urban Grace is a historic 40,000-square-foot event venue and community facility in downtown Tacoma, Washington. The building traces back to 1883, when First Baptist Church first incorporated on the site; the congregation outgrew a series of earlier buildings before starting a capital campaign in 1921 for the structure that stands today. Architects Heath, Gove, and Bell designed the Gothic Revival building, completed in 1925 with glazed terracotta facing and cut stone supplied below market rate by the Walker Cut Stone Company. From the outset, the building was designed to serve more than worship, and that dual purpose carries through in its event spaces today. The Auditorium, renovated in 2021, seats up to 850 guests including its balcony, or 450 on the lower level alone, beneath a lattice-designed domed ceiling, with theatre seating, a modern sound system, and projection capabilities suited to weddings, concerts, and large gatherings. The Large Event Space offers 4,180 square feet of hardwood flooring and a raised stage for receptions of up to 200, backed by a full commercial kitchen, while the Chapel seats up to 80 amid stained glass and mahogany accents for more intimate ceremonies and small gatherings. A Conference Room and a Small Event Space accommodate meetings and gatherings of 40 and 60 respectively, each lit by the building's original ten-foot windows overlooking downtown Tacoma. Beyond hosting weddings and private events, Urban Grace is also home to more than fifteen resident nonprofits and arts organizations.

• Spaces for 220 Guests

Gig Harbor is a mile-long harbor town where water, arts, and history meet, its waterfront dining and boat-filled marina about ten minutes from The Inn at Gig Harbor's door, with the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula close by for guests who arrive early or stay on after an event. The Inn at Gig Harbor itself is a Pacific Northwest-style hotel with 64 guest rooms and suites built around small-inn hospitality, giving it a base sized for a full guest list while staying personal enough to coordinate closely with a single event team. Its event space totals more than 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting rooms, currently set up to host groups of up to 100 people, with a stated capacity of up to 200 as configurations expand. The rooms carry linens on every table and come equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, LCD projectors, flipcharts and whiteboards, a dance floor, and a business center, details that make the space workable for corporate meetings and board retreats as readily as for wedding receptions and other social gatherings.

• Spaces for 20-350 Guests
• 10 Museums
• 1 Outdoor
• 10 Total Spaces

Set beside Tacoma's Union Station and the Bridge of Glass, the Washington State History Museum turns its downtown campus into an event venue with a rare backdrop: a multi-tiered outdoor amphitheater surrounded by historic architecture, with views of Mount Rainier, the Cascade Mountains, and the Thea Foss Waterway. Indoors, the Grand Lobby's vaulted ceilings, balconies, and natural light offer a more traditional reception space. Ten rentable spaces in total accommodate groups from small board meetings up to 350 guests, including a state-of-the-art auditorium built for conferences and film screenings, and a mezzanine overlooking Union Station with its own catering kitchen access. Every facility rental includes up to two hours of access to the museum's exhibition galleries, so guests can tour the Great Hall of Washington History or the fifth-floor special exhibits before or after an event. Rentals also include tables and chairs, on-site event support and security staff, and use of available audio/visual equipment, with spaces bookable up to two years in advance for weddings, receptions, corporate meetings, and community gatherings.

• Spaces for 200-300 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

Art on the Brink. The largest and most active museum glass workshop on the West Coast provides an opportunity to see and experience modern glass art. This remarkable location, with its iconic architecture and panoramic views of Mount Rainier, is a must-see for anybody visiting Seattle. The Museum, which is located on the Thea Foss Waterway in downtown Tacoma, provides a variety of indoor and outdoor areas, as well as exclusive access to the Museum's galleries, making it a great location for a memorable event. Featuring a 6,900-square-foot floor area, the Grand Hall is ideal for weddings, formal dinners, and modern art events. There is also adequate room for dance and musical entertainment. Gathering the Light, a spectacular glass triptych by Northwest artist Cappy Thompson depicting a legendary version of the glass-making world, has been put in the Grand Hall, providing an artistic background for your event. The Main, Mezzanine, and Rooftop Plazas all provide spectacular views of the metropolis, Thea Foss Waterway, and Mount Rainier. The Main Plaza is the most popular of the three. In the reflecting pool on the Main Plaza, close to the Museum's entrance, you can see Martin Blank's Fluent Steps installation, which is part of his Fluent Steps series. You and your guests will have no trouble moving between any of these places and the inside of the Museum, as well as the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, which is located nearby. The Hot Shop Amphitheater, which is a functioning glass workshop, is housed within the Museum's 90-foot-tall cone. It is the Museum's hallmark area and will elevate your event to a higher level by allowing your guests to witness artisans produce works of art from molten glass while they are there. The Hot Shop rental fee includes the services of a team of glassblowers for the length of the event. The Theater at the Museum is outfitted with a stage, Wi-Fi, and a huge projection screen for presentations. This venue has a large capacity and can accommodate a variety of presentations and gatherings.

• Spaces for 40-200 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 2 Event Spaces
• 2 Historic Spaces

It was purchased in 2012 with the intention of bringing the historic Downtown Tacoma post office building back to life. The building is 72,000 square feet in size. We have worked in close collaboration with local business owners, creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, and artisans to create a space that is an authentic destination in Downtown Tacoma for both working and taking pleasure in the arts and cultural activities. The growth in occupancy of the building has allowed us to witness the realization of our vision, which has manifested itself in thriving tenants, people enjoying open-air cocktails, and wedding procession. Please come to 1102 South A street, where we hope you will enjoy the diverse community that we have created here. The Ballroom, which was originally a Federal courtroom, was completely renovated in 2015 with your event in mind. With its high ceilings, state-of-the-art LED lighting, and breathtaking views of downtown Tacoma and Mount Rainier, the elegant 2,000 square foot room is sure to impress. Please take a look at our video tour and get in touch with Jessica Johnston if you have any further questions or to schedule an appointment. Once a post office warehouse, the Gallery was completely renovated in 2016 to become one of Downtown Tacoma's newest event venues. A large arch window, high ceilings, beautiful woodwork, dimmable LED chandeliers, and large arched windows distinguish this space. Please take a look at our video tour and get in touch with Jessica Johnston if you have any further questions or to schedule an appointment.

• Spaces for 30-500 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Historic Spaces
• 2 Total Spaces

Housed in the historic Balfour Dock building on Tacoma's Thea Foss Waterway, Foss Waterway Seaport is a maritime heritage museum that doubles as a waterfront event venue. Built in 1900, the building is defined by a dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass wall and intricate bridge truss-style ceilings that soar 55 feet above the exhibit hall floor, with direct access to the Esplanade along Commencement Bay. The Seaport offers two distinct event spaces. The Bamford Chart Room suits meetings and smaller gatherings of up to 30 guests, while the North Exhibit Hall accommodates 40 to 400 seated guests — or up to 500 for receptions — amid historic maritime artifacts and views of the bay. Weddings, receptions, and business events alike find a home among the museum's nautical surroundings. Facility rental discounts are extended to non-profit organizations, active military personnel, Tacoma residents, essential workers, and annual Seaport museum members.

• Spaces for 30-7,500 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 8 Museums
• 8 Total Spaces

LeMay – America's Car Museum is a nonprofit automotive museum in Tacoma, Washington, built around the LeMay Collection — once the largest privately owned automobile collection in the world, numbering more than 3,000 vehicles at its peak. The 165,000-square-foot facility opened in 2012 adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, just off Interstate 5, and was cited by USA TODAY as one of the top eight cultural attractions in the world to open that year. Today it displays over 300 cars spanning a century of American automotive history. For private events, the Museum offers numerous indoor and outdoor spaces for gatherings of all sizes. The Showcase Gallery, with vaulted wood ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Downtown Tacoma and Commencement Bay, welcomes up to 500 guests, while the Banquet Room, Club Auto Lounge, Speed Zone, McFarland Mezzanine, and Classics Classroom suit dinners, meetings, and parties from 30 to 200 guests. Outdoors, the 3.5-acre Haub Family Field hosts festivals, concerts, and car shows for thousands. Full-museum buyouts spread across four floors of event space for 1,000 or more guests, and every private event includes full museum access so guests can tour the collection.

• Spaces for 10-150 Guests
• 3 Outdoor Spaces
• 4 Historic Spaces
• 4 Total Spaces

Lakewold Gardens is a nonprofit public garden on the shores of Gravelly Lake in Lakewood, Washington, not a purpose-built banquet hall. The 10-acre estate dates to the early 20th century, and its design took shape over decades under Corydon and Eulalie Wagner, who owned the property from 1938 and brought in landscape architect Thomas Church, who returned regularly after his first Pacific Northwest visit in 1958 to refine the grounds. In 1987, Eulalie Wagner donated the estate to a new nonprofit, and Lakewold opened to the public as a garden in 1989. That history shapes how events work here. Rather than booking back-to-back weddings, Lakewold reserves a limited number each year, giving couples exclusive use of the Wagner House and surrounding gardens instead of a single interior room. Ceremonies and receptions can host up to 150 guests among century-old trees and garden rooms shaped across nearly a century of horticultural stewardship, while smaller micro-weddings and elopements are available for couples who want a quieter version of the same setting, including the Tea House gazebo and the wisteria-covered veranda. The same Wagner House rooms — an Upper Conference Room, Living Room/Dining Room, Veranda, and Atrium — are also available to rent for birthday parties, showers, corporate retreats, and other private gatherings, each with a view out into the garden.

• Spaces for 350 Guests

Set just off I-5 in the heart of Tacoma, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma - Seattle sits less than two miles from downtown, within reach of the Tacoma Dome, the Museum of Glass, LeMay - America's Car Museum, and the Washington State History Museum. The location also puts groups within easy reach of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and the Port of Tacoma, making the hotel a practical home base for events that draw visitors from around the region. On site, the hotel offers 7,000 square feet of event space across eight meeting rooms, able to host groups of up to 450 guests for meetings, conferences, and private gatherings. A full-service restaurant and lounge, business center, and seasonal outdoor pool round out the property, along with free WiFi, free parking, and a complimentary breakfast each morning. Pet-friendly guest rooms are also available for travelers bringing along four-legged companions.

• Spaces for 100-200 Guests
• 1 Country Club

It doesn't matter if your wedding is elegant or simple, opulent or intimate; the Browns Point Improvement Club is a magnificent venue in which to have it and make it unforgettable. There is 90 feet of beach beachfront adjacent to the clubhouse, which is located close to Lighthouse Park. It has a west-facing orientation, which makes it an ideal setting for magnificent sunsets and memorable wedding photographs. A fully equipped kitchen is accessible for food preparation and serving, and has a commercial-sized refrigerator, a gas oven, and two serving windows for convenience. You are free to select any caterer of your choosing. The Clubhouse, which has a maximum capacity of 170 people, is an excellent venue for most weddings. A seaside balcony terrace that extends nearly the whole length of the building provides additional fun for your guests. The building features hardwood flooring, picture windows, and an elevator. The rental fee includes the use of our lifetime tables and chairs, as well as access to our parking lot and security guard.

• Spaces for 150-220 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Waterfront

Gig Harbor Yacht Club has been part of the South Sound boating community since 1958, when it began as a small group of charter members meeting above Gig Harbor's waterfront. Today the club's clubhouse sits in downtown Gig Harbor with a view of the bay from its outdoor deck, and it opens its doors to members and non-members alike for private events. The clubhouse offers an open floor plan that hosts can decorate to fit their occasion, with capacity for 150 to 200 guests depending on the event configuration. Weddings, birthdays, meetings, and other special and casual occasions all take place here, supported by round and rectangular tables, chairs, a state-of-the-art AV system with a 75-inch flat screen and overhead projection, and an in-house chef and catering team. The entire venue is handicap accessible, with plenty of free parking and easy access to nearby downtown marinas, parks, and lodging.

• Spaces for 120-13,000 Guests
• 2 Barns
• 4 Event Spaces
• 1 Convention Center

It's the place where millions of couples have exchanged their first kiss beneath the dazzling lights of the midway and where hundreds of first dates have evolved into lifelong relationships. It is the place where memories and traditions are created. When it comes to planning a fairy tale wedding, the historic Washington State Fair Events Center is the ideal location. Create the wedding of your dreams with The Fair's distinct indoor and outdoor settings, which will serve as the background to your celebration, with only your creativity serving as the limit. From a rustic rural reception in our Fair Farm to an elegant occasion in the quaint Fair View Club, a sunny ceremony in our beautiful Planting Patch, or a huge soiree, the Washington State Fair Events Center provides a memorable background for your wedding celebration that will last a lifetime. A range of indoor and outdoor locations are available to accommodate any size celebration and any budget. Photographic possibilities that are one-of-a-kind, set against the gorgeous background of the historic Fairgrounds.

• Spaces for 50-250 Guests
• 2 Outdoor Spaces
• 2 Event Spaces

Tucked on the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club's range and clubhouse property in Puyallup, Washington, the Chateau is the club's rental hall for weddings, parties, and special events, open to members and the public alike. The main hall seats up to 250 guests and includes hardwood floors, a stage, a sound system, a projector, free WiFi, and a commercial kitchen with a flat top, six burners, six ovens, and a dishwasher. A separate carpeted changing room with a garment rack is available for wedding preparation, and outside catering or a recommended local caterer are both welcome. Smaller gatherings can rent the Foyer, which includes a Beer Garden Patio and kitchen access, for groups of up to 50, while an outdoor picnic area accommodates up to 250 guests. The club also hosts its own annual traditions in the space, including the Crab Feed & Comedy Night and a New Year's Eve party. The property is handicap accessible, and RV and tent camping sites are available on-site for guests staying over.

• Spaces for 100-200 Guests
• 1 Winery

Founded in 2008, Olalla Vineyard & Winery has been serving the local community. It is a small, family-owned winery with a strong connection to Croatian culture. Joe and Konnie Serka were the former owners and operators of the vineyard, and they took great care of it. As the vineyard grew and developed into the lovely paradise that it is today, Joe and Konnie put their souls into its development. With the help of their son Stuart and daughter Mary Ellen, the current owners hope to carry on the winemaking legacy of the past while also developing the winery into a one-of-a-kind, boutique destination vineyard and winery with a strong emphasis on agricultural tourism. A summer wedding in a vineyard is the perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. Stunning photographs and memories will be created by the natural background of our vineyards and gorgeous gardens, which you and your guests will cherish for a lifetime. We have a vineyard setting that will provide for a picture-perfect environment, regardless of whether your personal style is formal and sophisticated or informal and relaxed. Outdoor marriages are only permitted during the months of June, July, August, and September, and they are limited to 100 people or less at each location. More information on how we can make your special day a dream come true may be obtained by contacting us.