The days are getting longer and we are getting some better weather—it’s Washington, it’s going to rain, we know this! But for the most part, all the signs are pointing us towards summer. It’s time to think about filling your calendar with all the fun things to do near Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and throughout Thurston County this summer! Head to a barbecue festival—there are a few!—enjoy boats in the harbor, live music, rides and more. Here is a list of some of the summer events in Thurston County you won’t want to miss.
June 2025 Events in Thurston County
Party on the Prairie: Summer Concert
June 13, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Yelm City Park
301 2nd Street SE, Yelm
This free event is an evening of live entertainment in Yelm! Listen to a great lineup of talented local artists while enjoying your own picnic—don’t forget a blanket!
The Stone City Arts Festival
June 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sussex and Olympia Street N, Tenino
Tenino Arts and the Tenino Stone Carvers are putting on a summer art event in Tenino that is sure to be fun for the whole family! The Stone City Arts Festival will include fine crafts, live music, kids’ activities and crafts, food and more!
Annual Strawberry Festival
June 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
South Bay Grange
3918 Sleater Kinney Road NE, Olympia
Head to the Strawberry Festival at the South Bay Grange for family-friendly fun in Olympia! All the fresh strawberries you could want—including scrumptious strawberry shortcake—as well as lot of entertainment, a fun run, vendor and more! Free admission and free parking. For more information, visit the Strawberry Festival Facebook page.
Olympic Airshow
June 14-15
Olympic Flight Museum
7637 Old Hwy 99 SE, Tumwater
The Olympic Airshow is a thrilling summer event in Tumwater. This year the event features the Smoke-n-Thunder jet car. Check out bombers, fighters, and helicopters from World War II. Special rides will be offered during the event on the B-17 Flying Fortress and the P-40 Kittyhawk There will also be a beer garden, vendors, food, kids’ activities and more. Purchase tickets on the Olympic Air Show website.
LoveOly SummerFest
June 20-22
Washington Street SE and 5th Avenue SE, Olympia
LoveOly SummerFest, put on by the Olympia Downtown Alliance, is a free summer event in Olympia with family-friendly fun. There will be live music and performances, family activities, a biergarten, games, buskers, vendors, Super Smash Bros competition, Diva Drag Brunch and more!
Rochester’s Swede Day Mid-Sommer Festival
June 20-21
Swede Hall
18543 Albany Street, Rochester
Happening June 20-21, 2025, the 45th annual Rochester’s Swede Day Mid-Sommer Festival is a summer event the whole family will enjoy. There will be a parade, plenty of amazing food—including traditional Swedish dishes—activities, live music and more.
Lacey PolyFest
June 27-28
8345 Steilacom Road SE, Olympia
The Lacey PolyFest celebrates Polynesian culture with food, entertainment, craft beer, Poly Island music, lei making, information booth, food and more. Put on by the Polynesian Association of Thurston County. For information email laceypolyfest@gmail.com.
Pride Fest
June 27-29
Port Plaza, Percival Landing, Downtown Olympia
Pride Fest is put on by Capital City Pride each year with three days of entertainment and activities including a parade on Sunday, live music, a block party on Friday and more.
July 2025 Events in Thurston County
Lacey Fireworks Spectacular
July 3, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Rainier Vista Park
5475 45th Ave SE
The Lacey Fireworks Spectacular is always a can’t miss event for the Fourth of July. Enjoy live entertainment, rides, face paintings and more leading up to the incredible firework display.
Tumwater Family Festival and Nisqually Red Wind Casino Fireworks Show
July 4
Tumwater Valley Golf Course
4611 Tumwater Valley Dr SE
Located at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course driving range, the Tumwater Family Festival and Nisqually Red Wind Casino Fireworks Show is a great summer event in Tumwater. There will be music, food, games and, of course, fireworks!
Lacey In Tune
July 8, August 13
Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays
Huntamer Park
Need free family-friendly events in Thurston County this summer? Head to Lacey! Three times a week they will have something happening at Huntamer Park, including children’s entertainment (Tuesday), noon tunes and evening concerts (Wednesday) and music and movies (Fridays). Check the Lacey Parks Culture & Recreation website for the full schedule.
South Sound BBQ Festival
July 12, 2025, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Huntamer Park
618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
Enjoy all the barbecue you can eat at this summer event in Lacey! The South Sound BBQ Festival has live entertainment, a beer garden, kids activities, a chicken wing eating contest and more.
Dragon Boat Festival
July 12, 8:30 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m.
Port Plaza
Enjoy a day by the water with dragon boat racing at the Dragon Boat Festival! The whole family will enjoy the fun and excitement.
Capital Lakefair
July 16-20
Downtown Olympia
The Capital Lakefair is a summer event in Olympia that has something for everything! Enjoy a parade, car show, carnival rides, live entertainment, vendors, activities and more! Don’t miss the fireworks show!
Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally
July 26, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Yelm City Park
115 SE Mosman Avenue, Yelm
Looking for another barbecue event this summer? Don’t miss the Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally. There will be a beer garden, pie eating contest, live entertainment and music and more.
Oregon Trail Days
July 25-27
Tenino
Enjoy all kinds of hands-on family activities at the Oregon Trail Days in Tenino. Don’t miss the parade on July 26 at 10:45 a.m. More information will be announced on the Oregon Trail Days Facebook page as the event draws near.
Thurston County Fair
July 31-August 3
Thurston County Fairgrounds
It’s just not summer without heading to the Thurston County Fair! From animals and carnival rides to fair food and entertainment, it’s a family-friendly summer event in Thurston County everyone loves.
August 2025 Events in Thurston County
Tumwater Artesian Brewfest
August 16, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tumwater Valley Golf Course
4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE, Tumwater
This summer event in Thurston County is for the 21-and-over crowd! So find a sitter and grab your friends for a fun afternoon sipping craft beers from over 40 breweries, enjoying live music, games and more at the Tumwater Artesian Brewfest.
Rainier Bluegrass Festival
August 21-24
Wilkowski Park
206 Thurston Co Rails-To-Trails, Rainier
The Rainier Bluegrass Festival is a multi-day music event that is a fundraiser for We Love Rainier, WA. Listen to three-days of great local bands. Dry camping available. Don’t miss the Rainier Roundup Days, including the fun parade, happening the same weekend!
South Sound Block Party
August 22-23
Port of Olympia
A great way to end the summer, the South Sound Block Party at the Port of Olympia is a two-day music festival with vendors, beer garden and food trucks. Enjoy regional and national touring bands!
Olympia Harbor Days
August 29-31
Olympia Waterfront
Spend Labor Day Weekend at the Olympia Harbor Days! This summer event in Olympia is great for the full family with boat and port tours, food, art, history, music and more—over 300 things to see and do!
