**Editor’s Note: You have reached the 2016 Independence Day information. 2017 shows and events can be found here.
Let’s start this weekend off with a bang. Your Independence Day weekend in Olympia can be filled with traditional Americana (think: parade) or relaxing journeys (think: hiking). Celebrate 4th of July in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater throughout the weekend. Use our events calendar to keep track of all the patriotic and festive activities happening around Thurston County.
Find a fireworks show around Thurston County.
- South Sound Speedway – Saturday, July 2 ($10 – $20)
- Lacey Fireworks Spectacular and Freedom Concert – Sunday, July 3 (free)
- Thunder on the Canal – Sunday, July 3 ($5 for non-guests of Alderbrook)
- Tumwater Artesian Family Festival – Monday, July 4 ($10 for parking)
- JBLM’s Freedom Fest – Monday, July 4 (military only)
- Watch Tumwater’s annual Independence Day Parade at 11:00 a.m. on Monday.
- Take your kids to the Hands On Children’s Museum Free Friday Night.
- Turn a movie night into a movie day at the Olympia Fire Department’s Summer Movie Spectacular on Saturday. Find complete event details here.
- Drive into Mason County and watch Tahuya’s 4th of July parade on Saturday.
- Chat with local farmers at the West Olympia Farmers Market or Tenino Farmers Market on Saturday.
- Find an outdoor music concert this summer around Olympia.
- Craft a zine at the Olympia Timberland Library on Saturday in honor of International Zine Month.
- Sign up to volunteer at the upcoming Paddle to Nisqually.
- Shake it off at the free Zumba in the Park on Saturday afternoon at the East Bay Public Plaza. Can’t make it on Saturday? Find the full schedule for Zumba in the Park here.
- Catch a production of Little Shop of Horrors by Harlequin Productions this weekend. Tickets can be purchased here.
- Celebrate Lacey with Lacey Days through July 9. Learn more about the activities happening throughout Lacey in this article.
- Keep Fido cool with one of these local hikes suitable for dogs.
- Take the kids out to eat at one of these locally owned family-friendly restaurants.
- Prep for the start of Music in the Park next Wednesday night.
- Head out to Hood Canal for a weekend of 4th of July festivities. You can even make it a day trip.
- Visit an open house event this weekend. Click here to see the list of Van Dorm Realty’s open houses.
Submit an event for our calendar here.
ThurstonTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and throughout Thurston County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar.
