Pumpkin spice can now be found, well, everywhere, and that means only one thing: fall is just around the corner! We may have a late summer or we may be getting out those cozy sweaters early – only time will tell – but either way, there are plenty of fun things to do in Thurston County for fall. Check out this list of 2026 fall activities near Olympia.
Sunflower Festival
Now-September 7
Rutledge Family Farm
Say goodbye to summer with the happiest flower at the Rutledge Family Farm! You can walk the fields, snap photos and pick your own sunflowers to take home with you. Enjoy a wagon ride to the 3-acre sunflower field planted with over 43 different varieties of sunflowers! They also have food and drinks for when you get hungry, and the farm’s famous activities are also available for the whole family to enjoy.
Movies at the Marina – Port of Olympia
August 21, 8 p.m.
September 5, 8 p.m.
1022 Marine Drive NE, Olympia
Movies at the Marina is put on by the Port of Olympia, and is a great way to enjoy our last warm nights! On August 21, they will be showing, “SING” and on September 5, they will be showing “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” The movies are free and concessions will be available for purchase. Bring a chair and/or blankets.
2026 September Events Near Olympia
Olympia Harbor Days
September 4-6
Downtown Olympia
The Olympia Harbor Days event is happening once again Labor Day weekend! This family-friendly event is free, making it a great choice for your long weekend. Enjoy boat tours, shows and dock races. Book a harbor cruise, enjoy the music and food at the port and let your kids enjoy the many activities. Check out the Harbor Days website for more information.
Nisqually Watershed Festival
September 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia
The Nisqually Watershed Festival is a great way to spend a lovely fall day outdoors! Enjoy live performances, animal encounters, exhibits, activities, hands-on learning and more, all for free! There will be lots of food as well, including a salmon barbecue lunch with fish provided by the Nisqually Indian Tribe!
Tumwater Falls Fest
September 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater
Put on by the City of Tumwater, the Tumwater Falls Fest has plenty of food and fun for the whole family. There will be local musicians, children’s activities, demonstrations and art vendors. Don’t forget to explore the half-mile loop around the Deschutes River. For more information, visit the City of Tumwater website.
2026 October Events Near Olympia
BOO-CODA
October
Bucoda
Can’t wait for Halloween? Neither can the city of Bucoda! Their website is counting down the days until it transforms into BOO-CODA for October! Get in on the fun with hearse parades, Thriller flash mobs, trick-or-treating and more. The whole family is welcome and encouraged to dress up and have fun all month long! Find the full schedule at the BOO-CODA website.
Olympia Fall Arts Walk
October 2, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 3, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Downtown Olympia
The 2026 Olympia Fall Arts Walk has a full schedule with performances, demonstrations, activities and more. Visit the Arts Walk Olympia website for more information.
Children’s Day
October 3, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Huntamer Park
618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
The City of Lacey invites you to its 2026 Children’s Day at Huntamer Park! They have not announced this year’s theme yet, but will soon. The day always includes tons of inflatables, activities, crafts, entertainment and yummy fair food! Visit the City of Lacey website for more information.
SUP Witches of Olympia Festival
October 10, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Swantown Marina, North Point Parking Lot
1422 Marine Drive NE, Olympia
Come paddle with witches, wizards and the fae folk! The SUP Witches of Olympia Festival is back and promising to have all the fall fun you could want, in including costume contests and of course, time on the water!
- 9 a.m. — Check-in, take photos, and vibe to live spooky music
- 10 a.m. – Enjoy the festival, meet vendors, take photos, and vibe to live spooky music
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — On the water: the paddle, photos, and parade
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Costume Contest (Adults and Children) at the main stage
My Morbid Mind Haunted House
October 9-10, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 16-17, 23-24, 30-31, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
October 22, 25, 27-29: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Kids Walk Thru October 26: 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
4548 Marvin Rd SE, Olympia
Olympia’s scariest haunted house – My Morbid Mind! – is opening for 2026 on October 9! This is a haunted house for those who like legit scares – it’s recommended 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 12, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Squaxin Park, shelter #4
2600 East Bay Drive Northeast, Olympia
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Squaxin Park! The Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia will be having music, food, prayer, presenters, and more at this family-friendly, free fall event.
Haunted Market
October 22, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Yelm Community Center & Yelm City Park
301 2nd Street SE, Yelm
New for 2026! The City of Yelm is putting on a Haunted Market and everyone is invited! Shop local vendors and food trucks, whose spooky delights are sure to put you in the Halloween Spirit. Come in costume!
Boo Bash
October 24-31
Hands On Children’s Museum
414 Jefferson Street NE, Olympia
If you are looking for more treats than tricks, check out the Hands On Children’s Museum’s Boo Bash! It has plenty of not-so-spooky fun for your littles! Enjoy the Glow Zone, hay maze, farm-stand photo ops, science demos, ghostly ghoul-friends, pumpkin decorating and more! Be sure to come in costume and participate in the costume parade.
Have a fun fall event or activity you want added to the list? Email submit@ThurstonTalk.com.
