Need Labor Day weekend plans? Find fun at Harbor Days, Porch Fest and Shrek’s return
Harbor Days brings in boats — and vendors
Harbor Days, Olympia’s maritime heritage festival, is focused on tugboats and brings in plenty of other boats, including the tall ship Lady Washington and the steamer Virginia V. But as locals know, the festival is also celebrated for its plentiful shopping opportunities. This year, the event website promises hundreds of arts and crafts vendors. That’s not including the food vendors, whose offerings will include brisket and bulgogi, crab cakes and crepes, ice cream and kettle corn. Among the attractions at the festival will be bands, belly dancers, the Vuelta La Luna Circus, roaming pirates, sand carvers and mermaids. The festival happens from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Percival Landing and Port Plaza in downtown Olympia.
‘Shrek’ at the Port
The lovable green ogre is back on the big screen Saturday, Aug. 30, in Olympia. The 2001 animated fantasy-comedy, which shows that true love isn’t just for fairy princesses, is screening at 8 p.m. at Swantown Marina as part of the Port of Olympia’s Movies at the Marina series. The film is free, and there’ll be food available for purchase. Bring your own chair and/or blanket, and be prepared for often-precipitous temperature drops when the sun sets. The screening happens south of the marina office at 1022 Marine Drive NE, Olympia.
Porch performances
Play Music on the Porch Day, traditionally held the last Saturday in August, has been a thing since 2014, and some South Sound musicians have been participating at least since 2019. This year, though, Olympia is stepping up its celebration with the first Olympia Porch Fest, happening from noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. The fest features a long list of well-known bands and solo artists, including Eleanor Murray, The Oly Mountain Boys, Malaikat dan Singa and Artesian Rumble Arkestra — plus comedy by Sam Miller. The porch locations, on Olympia’s east side, are a secret; those wishing to attend can gather at San Francisco Street Bakery, 1320 San Francisco Ave. NE, Olympia, for a map. The fest is free, with donations encouraged.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks with DJ Kevin the Brit about what’s happening around town on KGY-FM’s “Oly in a Can,” airing at 2 p.m. Fridays.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.