Whether you are eagerly waiting for that pumpkin spice latte or just the idea makes you cringe, sweater weather is coming soon. Thankfully, our falls are often mild and sometimes the best time of year in the South Sound – not too hot but still plenty of sunshine. Be ready to enjoy every minute of what fall has to offer, regardless of the weather, by checking out this list of upcoming events. Here are the 2024 fall activities in Olympia and throughout Thurston County.
September Events Near Olympia
Olympia Harbor Days
August 30 – September 1
Downtown Olympia
Olympia Harbor Days is a fantastic way to spend your Labor Day weekend! Watch boat races, take a tour of the Lady Washington, eat your fill of amazing food, listen to good music and watch an incredible nighttime drone show. Check out the Harbor Days website for more information.
Lady Washington Sailings
Select dates between August 28 – September 9
Port Plaza
Making her annual stop, The Lady Washington will be in Olympia for sailings and dockside tours. This year there will be a brunch sail on Sunday, September 1 and you can even sail with her from Olympia to Port Orchard via the Tacoma Narrows on Monday, September 9, when she leaves our Port. The Lady Washington is famous for her parts in movies and TV Shows, including “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Prices vary. Visit the Historical Seaport website to purchase tickets in advance.
Master Gardener Fall Fundraiser and Plant Sales
September 11 25, October 9, 23: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Yauger Park
3100 Capital Mall Drive SW, Olympia
Looking for some fall color or a couple more perennials to add to your garden? Check out the Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sales! On September 25 and 23, they will also be having Handicraft Sales.
Also in September, join Marianne Binetti via Zoom for the Master Gardeners’ fall fundraiser. The virtual event will be all about “Dirt Cheap Garden Magic – Reuse, Recycle and Redesign your landscape for less money and less maintenance.” The fundraiser is happening September 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration for this event is $35. For more information check the Master Gardener Foundation’s website.
Tumwater Falls Fest
September 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater
The Tumwater Falls Fest is back for its third year with plenty of fun for the whole family. Enjoy the half-mile trail loop along the Deschutes River, then check out the live music, kids’ activities, local artists and more. When you get hungry, snack on the local food trucks and other vendors. For more information, visit the City of Tumwater website.
Reach The Beach
September 28
Regional Athletic Complex
8345 Steilacoom Road SE, Olympia
Start in Lacey or Olympia for this incredible bike ride through beautiful scenery to Reach the Beach! The bike ride ends in Westport and you can choose how long of a ride you want, 25, 44, 77, or 100 miles. Proceeds benefit the American Lung Association. Visit the American Lung Association website to sign up.
October Events Near Olympia
BOO-CODA
October
Bucoda will once again transform into BOO-CODA for Halloween thrills and chills! Check out a morbid parade, haunted houses, decorated businesses, a thriller flash dance and more. Find out more at the BOO-CODA website.
Olympia Fall Arts Walk
October 4, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 5, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Downtown Olympia
Head to downtown Olympia for the Fall Arts Walk! It’s an amazing way to support our local artists, the downtown area and the general community. Enjoy demonstrations, performances and more. Visit the Arts Walk Olympia website for more information.
My Morbid Mind Haunted House
October 4, 5, 31: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 11-12, 18-19, 25-26: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
October 24, 27, 29-30: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Kids Walk Thru October 27: 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
4548 Marvin Rd SE, Olympia
If you want to scare the summer away, don’t miss the My Morbid Mind Haunted House. On weekends and select weekdays, you are sure to be freaked out by this fall activity in Olympia that features live actors, props and special effects. They recommend their haunted house for kids 12 years and up. On October 27 is the kid walk-through. During these times, the lights are on and there is no scaring. Buy tickets in advance. For more information visit the My Morbid Mind website or their Facebook page.
Children’s Day
October 5, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Huntamer Park
618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
The City of Lacey is putting on the greatest show with this year’s Children’s Day! “Under the Big Top” will have all kinds of games, giveaways, activities, live performers and lots of kid-friendly food vendors. Admission is free, so come and have some fun! Visit the City of Lacey website for more information.
Harvest Festival
October 5, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
South Union Grange
10030 Tilley Road S, Olympia
The Thurston Conservation District is once again having its Harvest Festival at the South Union Grange this October. Celebrate fall’s bounty with pie-baking contests, cider pressing (bring your own apples!), soil testing, kids arts and crafts and more! If you bought native bulbs and seeds, pick them up at the harvest festival. There will also be live music and food trucks. Find more information on the Thurston County Conservation District website
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 14
Squaxin Park
2600 East Bay Drive Northeast, Olympia
The City of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe are celebrating on October 14 and you are invited. There will be speakers, performances, education and food. For more information as the event draws closer, visit the City of Olympia website.
Boo Bash
October 25-31
Hands On Children’s Museum
414 Jefferson Street NE, Olympia
This year’s Boo Bash at the Hands On Children’s Museum will include an ecto-glow room, painted pumpkin prints, looking for treasure in ghostly gold mine, navigating a straw bale maze, photo ops and a scavenger hunt, to name just a few of the fun awaiting your little ghouls. On the weekends there is extra fun, with apple pressing and Dr. Science Demos! Costumes encouraged for the whole family! Learn more at the Hands On Children’s Museum website.
Have a fun fall event or activity you want added to the list? Email submit@ThurstonTalk.com.
