Events Calendar | ThurstonTalk

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The ThurstonTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Thurston County including Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar.

Have an event that isn’t listed? Please email events@ThurstonTalk.com with the following information:

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Date, time and location (name of business if applicable and complete address)
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Music in the Park @ Sylvester Park

Jul 9 @ 6:00 pm

Music in the Park Returns to Downtown Olympia in July
Presented by Olympia Federal Savings

The Olympia Downtown Alliance is excited to bring back Music in the Park—a beloved summer tradition featuring live, local music in beautiful downtown settings. Join us for four Wednesdays of free outdoor concerts at Sylvester Park and Port Plaza.

Whether you’re dancing with friends or relaxing on a blanket, this series is your invitation to celebrate summer with music, community, and good vibes.

2025 Concert Schedule

Sylvester Park Concerts

July 9 – PC&J (6:00 PM) | The Eclectics (7:00 PM)
July 16 – Anderson Raye (6:00 PM) | Nikko & The Night Shift (7:00 PM)
July 23 – Danika Rozhanica (6:00 PM) | Briarfinch (7:00 PM)

Port Plaza Concert

July 30 – Minda Lacy (6:00 PM) | Eden Lane Jazz (7:00 PM)

Concerts begin at 6:00 PM with opening acts, followed by headliners from 7:00–8:00 PM

What to Bring
Pack your blankets, lawn chairs, and your favorite takeout from a downtown Olympia restaurant, then settle in for an unforgettable evening of music under the summer sky.

Why It Matters
Music in the Park draws hundreds—sometimes thousands—of attendees each summer, spotlighting the talent of local and regional musicians while boosting the vibrancy of downtown Olympia.

Categories: Arts and Entertainment Family Events Music Concerts Outdoor Recreation

Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Jul 9 @ 7:00 pm

38th Annual Summer Lecture Series in July and August

2025 brings an exciting lineup of great guest speakers for the 38th Annual Summer Lecture Series! This event brings high quality speakers on a variety of natural and cultural history topics to the Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.

Free tickets are available at the door starting at 6:30, with a limit of 100 people in the audience.

At this time the event is in-person only. Combine your visit with a stroll on the refuge trails. Entry to the refuge is free for event attendees.

July 9, Steve Albrecht, Leaving No Trace

July 16, Dr. Greg Hood, Beavers in Tidal Marshes

July 23, Dave Slater, Fascinating Lives of Five Washington Shorebirds

July 30, Jennifer Hahn, Foraging as a Passport to Place

Aug. 6, Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project

Aug. 13, Dr. Jane Mangold, Invasive Plants in the West

Aug. 20, Marco Pinchot, Running the Nisqually Community Forest

Aug. 27, Janine Gates, Saving the Nisqually Delta: Lessons in Citizen Activism

Categories: Education Family Events Local History Volunteer and Community Enrichment Workshops, Classes and Lectures

How-To Make Fruit Shrubs & Leathers with Chef Valerie Warren of Backyard Dining! @ Olympia Farmers Market

Jul 10 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Make the most of fresh Summer abundance: Chef Val will be demonstrating her delicious drinkable fruit shrubs and easy, crowd-pleasing fruit leather snacks! If you’re looking to zhuzh up your cocktails, give the kids something healthy they’ll love, or simply ensure no produce goes to waste, this is one you and you’re tastebuds are going to love!

Categories: Education Family Events Food & Beverage Home and Garden Workshops, Classes and Lectures

U-pick and shopping @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

Jul 11 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

The Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm provides organic lavender (fresh, dried and culinary), premium-quality essential oils and sprays, and handmade gifts from local artisans. Locally-owned and lovingly operated, this charming boutique venue features 13 varieties of lavender, a gift shop, on-site distillation, happy honey bees and more. Explore some of our offerings here, learn about the different varietals and properties of our botanicals, or come out to the farm for a visit!

Opening weekend June 27th and 28th from 10:00 to 4:00 including a plant sale.

Open each Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00 through July 19th, for U-pick and shopping

16th year Lavender Festival, July 12th from 10:00 to 4:00. Over a dozen local crafters and food vendors will be on hand for your shopping pleasure.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm 9733 Evergreen Valley Road SE, Olympia 98513. Follow signs from the roundabout at Yelm Highway and Meridian.

Categories: Family Events Home and Garden Outdoor Recreation

Plaza Pop-up: Boat Building @ East Bay Public Plaza

Jul 11 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Think you’ve got what it takes to engineer a boat? Use a variety of materials to craft your boat and refine your design as you test it in our reclaimed water stream. Join the WET Science Center educators in the East Bay Public Plaza from 12-3pm.

Categories: Family Events Kids Outdoor Recreation

Native Storytelling with Itsa Shash @ Hands On Children's Museum

Jul 11 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Listen and participate in Native Storytelling with Indigenous Storyteller Itsa Shash.

Stories at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., & 6 p.m.

Itsa Shash is an Indipino storyteller, poet, and musician descended from Indeh (Apache), Nahua, Chichimeca, and Filipino peoples. Itsa has been bringing social stories and music to schools and social gatherings nationwide since he was 4 years old. It is a means to celebrate culture, empower community, and share wisdom and joy.

Free with Hands On Children’s Museum admission or membership. Online reservations recommended.

Presented by Nisqually Indian Tribe

Categories: Family Events Kids

$1 Admission Exhibits, Activities & Guests @ Hands On Children's Museum

Jul 11 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

July 11th from 4-8 PM, explore all the exciting exhibits at Hands On Children’s Museum for just $1 per person!

– Native Storytelling with Itsa Shash (3:00, 4:30 & 6:00 p.m.)

– Water Safety with South Sound YMCA (5–7 p.m.)

– Book Giveaway with South Sound Reading Foundation (5–7 p.m.)

– Adventure Maps with Timberland Regional Library (5–7 p.m.)

Supported By: foundry10, Inspire Olympia, and Lacey Rotary

Categories: Family Events Kids

FC Olympia Vs West Seattle Junction USL2 @ Regional Athletic Complex

Jul 11 @ 7:00 pm

Artesian Soccer does not exist without folks coming to the
games. Make sure and secure your season tickets and single game match
tickets and spread the word on in the community and Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter!

Categories: Arts and Entertainment Family Events Kids Sports

16th Annual Lavender Festival @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

Jul 12 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

The Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm provides organic lavender (fresh, dried and culinary), premium-quality essential oils and sprays, and handmade gifts from local artisans. Locally-owned and lovingly operated, this charming boutique venue features 13 varieties of lavender, a gift shop, on-site distillation, happy honey bees and more. Explore some of our offerings here, learn about the different varietals and properties of our botanicals, or come out to the farm for a visit!

Opening weekend June 27th and 28th from 10:00 to 4:00 including a plant sale.

Open each Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00 through July 19th, for U-pick and shopping

16th year Lavender Festival, July 12th from 10:00 to 4:00. Over a dozen local crafters and food vendors will be on hand for your shopping pleasure.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm 9733 Evergreen Valley Road SE, Olympia 98513. Follow signs from the roundabout at Yelm Highway and Meridian.

Categories: Family Events Home and Garden Outdoor Recreation

Here Be Dragons @ WET Science Center

Jul 12 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

From giant lizards and winged sea slugs to racing watercraft, discover the real-life “dragons” that live among us! Find out how some animals resemble mythical dragons and enjoy a variety of dragon crafts, such as paper airplanes, boats, and masks.

Categories: Family Events Kids Outdoor Recreation

Zumba in the Park (BBQ Fest) @ Huntamer Park

Jul 12 @ 11:10 am – 11:40 am

Zumba in the Park Olympia Lacey (ZIP) kicks off at East Bay Public Plaza (in front of the Hands On Children’s museum) on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 2 pm.
Join us for our fifteenth year of providing free family fun and fitness at various parks throughout the county. These activities are organized by a group of volunteer licensed and experienced Zumba®️ instructors who love to share their passion for active living.
Enjoy 90 minutes of dancing to a variety of rhythms, easy to follow and lots of fun. Children who enjoy dancing are welcome with adult supervision. No child care available.
For our full summer schedule, look us up on Facebook “zumba in the park Olympia Lacey” or email Zipolympia@gmail.com.

Categories: Family Events Health and Wellness Outdoor Recreation

Capital City Chorus Summer Sing Along @ The Washington Center for the Performing Arts

Jul 13 @ 3:00 pm

Come to sing or come to listen! The concert’s first half will feature the Capital City Chorus Mixed Choir and Chorale presenting several featured pieces, including works by composers who live or work in the City of Lacey. The concert’s second half will feature Vivaldi’s “Gloria” in sing-along style. Bring your own score, or a limited number of scores will be available to borrow. Members of the Olympia Chamber Orchestra will be featured along with soloists Danielle Tobin and Crystal Zimmerman. Free admission, donations gratefully accepted. This event is open to the public. Tickets are not required. Sponsored by City of Lacey and supported with arts funding from the City of Olympia’s Inspire Olympia grant program.

Categories: Arts and Entertainment Family Events Music Concerts

Scherler Sundays @ 7th and Franklin St

Jul 13 @ 3:00 pm

SCHERLER SUNDAYS is a completely-free, non-profit outdoor concert series, now in its fourth year. All ages are encouraged to attend. Wide variety of musical styles with over 30 regional and national performers over the course of 9 weeks.

Each artist is interviewed briefly onstage for a taping of the podcast Low Profile.

Local merchants plus food and beverages available on site, lawn chairs encouraged. Earplugs and sunscreen provided free of charge.

Categories: Arts and Entertainment Family Events Music Concerts Outdoor Recreation

FC Olympia Vs Bigfoot FC USL2 @ Regional Athletic Complex

Jul 13 @ 5:00 pm

Artesian Soccer does not exist without folks coming to the
games. Make sure and secure your season tickets and single game match
tickets and spread the word on in the community and Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter!

Categories: Arts and Entertainment Family Events Kids Sports

Music in the Park @ Sylvester Park

Jul 16 @ 6:00 pm

Music in the Park Returns to Downtown Olympia in July
Presented by Olympia Federal Savings

The Olympia Downtown Alliance is excited to bring back Music in the Park—a beloved summer tradition featuring live, local music in beautiful downtown settings. Join us for four Wednesdays of free outdoor concerts at Sylvester Park and Port Plaza.

Whether you’re dancing with friends or relaxing on a blanket, this series is your invitation to celebrate summer with music, community, and good vibes.

2025 Concert Schedule

Sylvester Park Concerts

July 9 – PC&J (6:00 PM) | The Eclectics (7:00 PM)
July 16 – Anderson Raye (6:00 PM) | Nikko & The Night Shift (7:00 PM)
July 23 – Danika Rozhanica (6:00 PM) | Briarfinch (7:00 PM)

Port Plaza Concert

July 30 – Minda Lacy (6:00 PM) | Eden Lane Jazz (7:00 PM)

Concerts begin at 6:00 PM with opening acts, followed by headliners from 7:00–8:00 PM

What to Bring
Pack your blankets, lawn chairs, and your favorite takeout from a downtown Olympia restaurant, then settle in for an unforgettable evening of music under the summer sky.

Why It Matters
Music in the Park draws hundreds—sometimes thousands—of attendees each summer, spotlighting the talent of local and regional musicians while boosting the vibrancy of downtown Olympia.

Categories: Arts and Entertainment Family Events Music Concerts Outdoor Recreation

Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Jul 16 @ 7:00 pm

38th Annual Summer Lecture Series in July and August

2025 brings an exciting lineup of great guest speakers for the 38th Annual Summer Lecture Series! This event brings high quality speakers on a variety of natural and cultural history topics to the Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.

Free tickets are available at the door starting at 6:30, with a limit of 100 people in the audience.

At this time the event is in-person only. Combine your visit with a stroll on the refuge trails. Entry to the refuge is free for event attendees.

July 9, Steve Albrecht, Leaving No Trace

July 16, Dr. Greg Hood, Beavers in Tidal Marshes

July 23, Dave Slater, Fascinating Lives of Five Washington Shorebirds

July 30, Jennifer Hahn, Foraging as a Passport to Place

Aug. 6, Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project

Aug. 13, Dr. Jane Mangold, Invasive Plants in the West

Aug. 20, Marco Pinchot, Running the Nisqually Community Forest

Aug. 27, Janine Gates, Saving the Nisqually Delta: Lessons in Citizen Activism

Categories: Education Family Events Local History Volunteer and Community Enrichment Workshops, Classes and Lectures

Lunch and Learn: Summer Salsas & Relishes! With Chef Janna of Mothers Roots @ Olympia Farmers Market

Jul 17 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Celebrate seasonal blueberries and stone fruit with the legendary Chef Janna’s flavorful and savory concoctions! Discover two ways to top your favorite ingredients with: more of your favorite ingredients! Learn recipes, enjoy the tasting, and take home inspiration for your own signature salsas and relishes!

Categories: Family Events Food & Beverage Workshops, Classes and Lectures

Final Weekend of the Season @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

Jul 18 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

The Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm provides organic lavender (fresh, dried and culinary), premium-quality essential oils and sprays, and handmade gifts from local artisans. Locally-owned and lovingly operated, this charming boutique venue features 13 varieties of lavender, a gift shop, on-site distillation, happy honey bees and more. Explore some of our offerings here, learn about the different varietals and properties of our botanicals, or come out to the farm for a visit!

Opening weekend June 27th and 28th from 10:00 to 4:00 including a plant sale.

Open each Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00 through July 19th, for U-pick and shopping

16th year Lavender Festival, July 12th from 10:00 to 4:00. Over a dozen local crafters and food vendors will be on hand for your shopping pleasure.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm 9733 Evergreen Valley Road SE, Olympia 98513. Follow signs from the roundabout at Yelm Highway and Meridian.

Categories: Family Events Home and Garden Outdoor Recreation

Farm and Nursery Tours @ Burnt Ridge Nursery & Orchards, Inc

Jul 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

SUMMER FARM AND NURSERY TOURS AT BURNT RIDGE NURSERY

Burnt Ridge Nursery will be hosting a public farm and nursery tour, with founder Michael Dolan leading the way as he shares all about their 20 acres of organic fruit and nuts. He’ll show crop plants, including hazelnuts, chestnuts, figs, mulberries, blueberries, kiwis,
and more! Cultivation and propagation techniques will be discussed, as well as varieties that do well here in the Pacific Northwest. A fruit sample plate will be provided after the tour.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Single Tickets are $15, Party of 3 is $35, Party of 4 is $40.
Tickets can be purchased online, on our website at www.burntridgenursery.org or by calling our office at 360-985-2873.

There are 2 tour times scheduled each day. All of the events will be held outside.

Saturday, July 19th, 2025
10:00am-12:00pm or 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday, August 16th, 2025
10:00am-12:00pm or 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday, September 13th, 2025
10:00am-12:00 pm or 1:30-3:30pm

Categories: Family Events Food & Beverage Health and Wellness Home and Garden Outdoor Recreation

Final Weekend of the Season @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

Jul 19 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

The Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm provides organic lavender (fresh, dried and culinary), premium-quality essential oils and sprays, and handmade gifts from local artisans. Locally-owned and lovingly operated, this charming boutique venue features 13 varieties of lavender, a gift shop, on-site distillation, happy honey bees and more. Explore some of our offerings here, learn about the different varietals and properties of our botanicals, or come out to the farm for a visit!

Opening weekend June 27th and 28th from 10:00 to 4:00 including a plant sale.

Open each Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00 through July 19th, for U-pick and shopping

16th year Lavender Festival, July 12th from 10:00 to 4:00. Over a dozen local crafters and food vendors will be on hand for your shopping pleasure.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm 9733 Evergreen Valley Road SE, Olympia 98513. Follow signs from the roundabout at Yelm Highway and Meridian.

Categories: Family Events Home and Garden Outdoor Recreation

July 2025 Jul 2025