If these chilly mornings have you thinking about sweater weather, hot apple cider and spooky vibes, don’t worry, you are not alone! Summerween fans can rejoice as fall activities are just around the corner and we have the big list to keep you busy during your favorite season. From boats to bats, there are treats, chills and excitement throughout September and October with these fall activities near Olympia and throughout Thurston County.
Olympia Harbor Days
August 29 – August 31
Downtown Olympia
Say goodbye to summer with the Olympia Harbor Days event happening Labor Day weekend. This free event has boat tours, shows and dock races. Check out ships, historic vessels, canoes and more. Book a harbor cruise, then enjoy the music and food back at the port! There are plenty of kids’ activities making this a fun family event in Olympia. Check out the Harbor Days website for more information.
September Events Near Olympia
Movies at the Marina – Port of Olympia
September 6, 8 p.m.
1022 Marine Drive NE, Olympia
Enjoy those last nights of warm weather with Movies at the Marina! On September 6, the Port of Olympia will be showing the classic “Jumanji” starring Robin Williams. The movie is free and concessions will be available for purchase. Bring a chair and/or blankets.
Coffee & Cars
September 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Forza Coffee Company
1800 Cooper Point Road SW, building 13, Olympia
What’s better than a bit of coffee and some hot cars on a nice fall day? Nothing, which is why Forza Coffee Company is bringing back Coffee & Cars! There will be coffee and food specials, a DJ, raffle prizes and lots of cool cars.
Back to School Bash
September 12, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Craft District Amphitheater
4200 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater
Part of the Tumwater Craft Concert Series, the Back to School Bash features Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies as the final send-off to the summer season. Listen to the music while enjoying all the Craft District has to offer, including shopping, food and drinks.
Headstone Art
September 13, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Masonic Memorial Park
455 North Street SE, Olympia
This fall activity in Olympia is perfect for getting you into the spooky season mood. Bring your own art supplies or use the ones provided to create headstone rubbings or sketches. You can even help Masonic Memorial Park by recording who’s in the cemetery. Kids are welcome and there will be discovery sheets for them. While the event is free, donations are gratefully accepted.
Ratapalooza
September 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thurston County Fairgrounds
3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey
For some of you this may seem like a Halloween horror come early, but pet rats are actually sweet, intelligent and very trainable! Come see why many people love to keep rats as pets at Ratapalooza! Already a rattie? Enter your pet rat and win prizes! Enter by August 24. There will be games, vendors, raffles and more. Put on by RatsPacNW Rat Fanciers Club.
Nisqually Watershed Festival
September 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia
Enjoy a free, family-friendly festival with live performances, animal encounters, exhibits, activities, hands-on learning and more. When you get hungry, don’t worry, there will plenty of food including a salmon barbecue lunch with fish provided by the Nisqually Indian Tribe! For more information, visit the Nisqually River Council website.
Tumwater Falls Fest
September 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater
Local musicians, kids’ activities, artists and more await you at the Tumwater Falls Fest, put on by the City of Tumwater and the Olympia Tumwater Foundation. It’s a great way to celebrate fall! There will be lots of food options too, so come hungry. And after you are full, walk it off by exploring the half-mile loop around the Deschutes River. In 2025, there will be a stone carvers demonstration, music by Shamrock and Oly Mountain Boys, balloon twisting, face painting, story time, a puppet theater and more. For more information, visit the City of Tumwater website.
Reach The Beach
September 27-28
Swantown Marina
1422 Marine Drive NE, Olympia
Support the American Lung Association with a scenic bike ride during Reach the Beach – now a two-day event! On Saturday, choose from a 45- or 68-mile loop in Thurston County. On Sunday, their traditional, 100-mile ride from Lacey to Westport will take place! You can choose to do the entire 100 miles, or shorter options of 24, 44 or 78 miles. Visit the American Lung Association website to sign up.
October Events Near Olympia
BOO-CODA
October
Bucoda
If you are ready to celebrate Halloween, head to Bucoda! Transformed officially to BOO-CODA for the entire month of October, they have enough Halloween and spooky events to make even Wednesday Addams smile! From a Thriller flash mob dance to haunted houses, trick-or-treating, a hearse parade and more – your dark heart will be jumping for joy. Find the full schedule at the BOO-CODA website.
Olympia Fall Arts Walk
October 3, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 4, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Downtown Olympia
The 2025 Olympia Fall Arts Walk is a celebration of community and local art! Head to downtown Olympia for this fall event with performances, demonstrations, activities and more. Visit the Arts Walk Olympia website for more information.
Harvest Festival
October 4, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
South Union Grange Hall
10030 Tilley Rd SW #860, Olympia
The Thurston County Conservation District is putting on its Harvest Festival and everyone is invited! This fall event in Olympia features cider pressing, scarecrow making contests, pie baking contests, kids crafts, soil testing, seed swaps and more! It’s the perfect fall event. Order your seeds and bulbs for pick up before September 15!
Children’s Day
October 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Huntamer Park
618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
The 2025 Children’s Day in Lacey is video game themed! The free event will have games, inflatables, activities, live entertainment, food and more! Visit the City of Lacey website for more information.
My Morbid Mind Haunted House
October 10, November 1, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 11, 17-18, 24-25, 31, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
October 23, 26, 28-30: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Kids Walk Thru October 26: 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
4548 Marvin Rd SE, Olympia
If fall is synonymous with scares for you, then you will not want to miss Olympia’s scariest haunted house – My Morbid Mind! Opening for the 2025 season on October 10, they recommended their house for those 12 and up. They do have a no-scare kids walk-through on October 26. Purchase tickets online or at the door. For more information, visit the My Morbid Mind website or their Facebook page.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 13, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Squaxin Park, shelter #4
2600 East Bay Drive Northeast, Olympia
The Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia will be having music, food, presenters, and more at this family-friendly, free fall event celebrating Indigenous People’s Day. For more information as the event draws closer, visit the City of Olympia website.
Have a fun fall event or activity you want added to the list? Email submit@ThurstonTalk.com.
Check out more Thurston County events on our local activity calendar.
