What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, July 13
Capital City Chorus of Olympia concert and sing-along: This “Summer Sing” concert and Vivaldi “Gloria” sing-along will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Come to sing or come to listen. The first half of the concert 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. The Olympia Chamber Orchestra will be featured along with soloists Danielle Tobin and Crystal Zimmerman. Admission is free and no tickets are needed, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Tuesday, July 15
Tour Olympia’s shoreline through the lens of sea level rise: Explore a new side of Olympia’s Downtown on a hopeful, 1.5-hour guided walking tour showcasing how the community is meeting the challenge of sea level rise. Join the Olympia Sea Level Rise Collaborative to learn what the City of Olympia, Port of Olympia, and LOTT Clean Water Alliance have accomplished since releasing the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan, and how the community continues to prepare for the future. The tour explores the environmental history of the area, the impacts of sea level rise on Olympia’s infrastructure and community, and the different strategies to adapt, as well as the completed projects and long-term plans designed to prepare for sea level rise over the next decades. The tour runs from 3:30–5 p.m. Tuesday. Register for a spot in advance. Bring sun protection, water and comfortable shoes, and meet on the steps in front of Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave E, Olympia.
Wednesday, July 16
Capital Lakefair begins: Mark your calendar for five days of summer fun as Lakefair returns July 16-20 to the shore of Capitol Lake in Heritage Park. The annual community festival includes carnival rides, games and midway opening at noon daily along the northeast shore of Capitol Lake; food concessions and craft vendors; live entertainment; seniors day at Heritage Park from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday; a car show along Capitol Lake from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday; the Grand Parade at 5 p.m. Saturday, starting at 20th Avenue and Capitol Way; and the fireworks finale over Capitol Lake at 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free with purchases for rides, games, and food available on site. Further details — including ticket information for rides — is available on lakefair.org.
Still the Water — Olympia Poets on Place: The City of Olympia’s poet laureate program is hosting a community celebration of poetry and book release of the community anthology “Still the Water: Olympia Poets on Place,” edited by outgoing poet laureate Kathleen Byrd. Anthology poets are invited to read one poem. Poets and guests can receive a copy of the anthology. The event will be from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at Squaxin Park Rose Garden, 2600 East Bay Drive NE, Olympia. Register for the event in advance.
Saturday, July 19
Capital Lakefair Grand Parade: The festival’s Grand Parade begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, starting at 20th Avenue and Capitol Way in the South Capitol neighborhood and making its way north on Capitol into downtown.
Read the Park -- We Were Here Before the State: Gather at Rebecca Howard Park, 911 Adams St. SE, Olympia, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an intergenerational celebration of Black storytelling, legacy, and cultural resistance, survival and sovereignty through literature, live performance, food, and community engagement. This gathering responds directly to the City of Olympia’s ongoing Rebecca Howard Park project and calls for deeper, trust-centered investment in Black voices and presence. The event will feature a Black author showcase provided by Timberland Regional Library, live readings and performances by local Black authors, poets, storytellers and elders, and Black-owned food vendors from Thurston County. This gathering is intended to honor the Black presence in Olympia — not only as a historical fact but as a living, breathing part of the city’s cultural and civic landscape. It centers the voices, stories, and lived experiences of Black communities that have long shaped this land — often invisibly and without recognition.
Sunday, July 20
Capital Lakefair fireworks finale: The fireworks will wrap up the annual five-day festival when they launch at 10 p.m. Sunday over Capitol Lake. The fireworks are visible from around the lake and from the Capitol Campus.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening calendar? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
This story was originally published July 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM.