Olympia Events Calendar

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:

  • Name of Event
  • Date, time and location (name of business if applicable and complete address)
  • Organizer(s) name
  • Cost
  • URL to purchase tickets
  • Website URL
  • SHORT description of event
  • Photo

Our editors will review and post within a few business days.

Jul
9
Wed
Music in the Park @ Sylvester Park
Jul 9 @ 6:00 pm
Music in the Park @ Sylvester Park

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

Port Plaza Concert

  • July 30Minda 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.

Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Jul 9 @ 7:00 pm
Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

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

Jul
10
Thu
How-To Make Fruit Shrubs & Leathers with Chef Valerie Warren of Backyard Dining! @ Olympia Farmers Market
Jul 10 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
How-To Make Fruit Shrubs & Leathers with Chef Valerie Warren of Backyard Dining! @ Olympia Farmers Market

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!

Jul
11
Fri
U-pick and shopping @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
Jul 11 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
U-pick and shopping @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
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.

Plaza Pop-up: Boat Building @ East Bay Public Plaza
Jul 11 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Plaza Pop-up: Boat Building @ East Bay Public Plaza

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.

Native Storytelling with Itsa Shash @ Hands On Children's Museum
Jul 11 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Native Storytelling with Itsa Shash @ Hands On Children's Museum

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

$1 Admission Exhibits, Activities & Guests @ Hands On Children's Museum
Jul 11 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
$1 Admission Exhibits, Activities & Guests @ Hands On Children's Museum

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

 

FC Olympia Vs West Seattle Junction USL2 @ Regional Athletic Complex
Jul 11 @ 7:00 pm
FC Olympia Vs West Seattle Junction USL2 @ Regional Athletic Complex

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!

Jul
12
Sat
16th Annual Lavender Festival @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
Jul 12 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
16th Annual Lavender Festival @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
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.

Here Be Dragons @ WET Science Center
Jul 12 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Here Be Dragons @ WET Science Center

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.

Zumba in the Park (BBQ Fest) @ Huntamer Park
Jul 12 @ 11:10 am – 11:40 am
Zumba in the Park (BBQ Fest) @ Huntamer Park

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.

Jul
13
Sun
Capital City Chorus Summer Sing Along @ The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Jul 13 @ 3:00 pm
Capital City Chorus Summer Sing Along @ The Washington Center for the Performing Arts

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.

Scherler Sundays @ 7th and Franklin St
Jul 13 @ 3:00 pm
Scherler Sundays @ 7th and Franklin St

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.

FC Olympia Vs Bigfoot FC USL2 @ Regional Athletic Complex
Jul 13 @ 5:00 pm
FC Olympia Vs Bigfoot FC USL2 @ Regional Athletic Complex

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!

Jul
16
Wed
Music in the Park @ Sylvester Park
Jul 16 @ 6:00 pm
Music in the Park @ Sylvester Park

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

Port Plaza Concert

  • July 30Minda 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.

Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Jul 16 @ 7:00 pm
Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

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

Jul
17
Thu
Lunch and Learn: Summer Salsas & Relishes! With Chef Janna of Mothers Roots @ Olympia Farmers Market
Jul 17 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch and Learn: Summer Salsas & Relishes! With Chef Janna of Mothers Roots @ Olympia Farmers Market

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!

Jul
18
Fri
Final Weekend of the Season @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
Jul 18 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Final Weekend of the Season @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
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.

Jul
19
Sat
Farm and Nursery Tours @ Burnt Ridge Nursery & Orchards, Inc
Jul 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Farm and Nursery Tours @ Burnt Ridge Nursery & Orchards, Inc

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

Final Weekend of the Season @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
Jul 19 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Final Weekend of the Season @ Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm
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.