As usual, there’s much going on culturally this season to boost our spirits and connect us to local community. Through October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month continues to shine a spotlight on local stories, traditions and flavors that shape Seattle’s rich cultural fabric. Check out events from the MEXAM NW Festival (also through Oct. 15) to the Dia de Muertos Festival at Seattle Center (Nov. 1-2).

This weekend’s happenings include the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival from Elysian Brewing — a festive bash that combines a music lineup featuring Monsterwatch, legendary pumpkin tapping as well as a 21st birthday to celebrate.

The month’s music lineup kicks into gear with two shows by Richmond, Virginia-based band Carbon Leaf — at Tractor Tavern on Saturday, October 4, and at The Triple Door on Sunday, October 5. The group’s winding 33-year journey has taken them through Americana, rock and pop sounds, and they’re currently celebrating their 15th studio album, “Time is the Playground” (released September 2024). This latest work gets described as “a 12-song meditation on time, love and growth, blending nostalgic storytelling with folk-infused indie rock.” Their loyal fans are so happy they’re back with fresh offerings.

Of note, there seems to be a ton of women power dominating this season’s concert roster. For example, on October 8, Grammy-award winning trio I’m With Her makes their way to the Moore Theatre, having released a new record “Wild and Clear and Blue” earlier this summer. They recently won the Song of the Year at the Americana Awards for “Ancient Light,” which gets described as “intimate yet robust, powerful yet tender.”

On October 9, Big Wild (aka Jackson Stell) comes to Showbox SoDo. His latest album “Wild Child” is being described as his most fearless and freewheeling work to date — “an electrifying, genre-hopping odyssey rooted in a single powerful mission: to reconnect with the joy and wonder that first sparked his love of music.”

On October 10, Grammy-nominated artist Joan Osborne performs at Kirkland PAC, singing the songs of Bob Dylan in support of her latest album, “Dylanology Live” (released in April). The record features eight captivating performances of Dylan songs selected by Osborne, and featuring special guests Jackie Greene, Amy Helm and Robert Randolph.

Another dynamo singer-songwriter, Molly Tuttle, graces The Showbox stage with her talent October 16 . With two Grammy-winning albums, a Best New Artist nomination and a growing reputation as one of the most gifted guitarists of her generation, Tuttle has already carved out a place for herself in American roots music. Yet a bold new album, “So Long Little Miss Sunshine,” that came out in August is further boosting her into the spotlight with its blend of pop, rock, and country. It’s also said to be her most vulnerable and self-defined work to date; the album art shows Tuttle both with and without wigs, a poignant nod to her lifelong experience with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that caused her to lose her hair at age three.

The historic Moore Theatre spotlights Cornelia Murr October 19 as the support for Matt Maltese. Murr’s new album “Run to The Center” received wide-spread critical acclaim, including a nod from Rolling Stone who included it in their “Best Albums of 2025 So Far” list.

Also at the Moore, STG welcomes back Bailadores de Bronce, a local Mexican folklorico dance troupe, performing at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21. This year’s performance, “Echoes of Mexico,” centers the vibrant heartbeat of southern Mexico (Colima, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Tabasco regions) through a showcase of traditional dance. Think powerful rhythms, colorful traditions and expressive footwork. (Title I schools are eligible for $5 tickets to the matinee performance.)

We’re especially jazzed about upcoming bigger concerts, too, like the October 22 union of Lorde and The Japanese House at Climate Pledge Arena, and Portugal. The Man plays Showbox Sodo on November 9.

On November 26, three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Sarah McLachlan brings her “Better Broken Tour” to Paramount Theatre. Her highly anticipated album (her 10th) of the same name came out September 19, via Concord Records. It takes its title from its opening track – “a soul-searching reflection on the fortitude that comes from weathering life’s constant storms.” We can’t wait to dive in.

Cloudbreak: Seattle’s Citywide Live Music Fest returns for its fourth year, showcasing a diverse mix of talent across the city from November 6 to 26. This year, more than 70 hotels, 400 artists and 20-plus venues have joined the celebration, including new venue additions like Hidden Hall.

On December 19 Jay Som plays Neumos, bringing dream pop songs by this artist who’s also impressively established herself as a sought-after producer and engineer. So far, she’s collaborated with artists like boygenius, Troye Sivan, Lucy Dacus, Vagabon and others.

And on a slightly different note, on October 19 at 7 p.m., Town Hall Seattle invites folks to an inspiring night anchored around documentary “The Man Who Saves The World?” The event, being described as “not just a film screening,” features acclaimed filmmaker Gabe Polsky (In Search Of Greatness, Red Army, Red Penguins) and spiritual journeyman/peace activist Patrick McCollum (the subject of the documentary), along with Rev. Dr Kathianne Lewis. Moderated by two-time Academy Award Nominee Steve James, the evening is a live experience featuring music, storytelling and conversation with the film’s subject, McCollum — kung fu master, U.N. peacekeeper, Wiccan chaplain and the man prophesied to save the Amazon. As Jane Goodall (who’s featured in the doc) once said herself, “Patrick is probably the most extraordinary person I’ve met.”