What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Tuesday, July 29
Circus duo performs at Olympia Library: Join Coventry & Kaluza, a circus duo who will perform a free show from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday featuring juggling, acrobatics, music, comedy and hula-hooping. The library is at 313 Eighth Ave. SE, Olympia.
Beer Choir at Three Magnets: The South Puget Sound Beer Choir will gather at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Three Magnets Brewing in Olympia. Grab a beer and sing some silly songs about beer. Beer choir hymnals will be provided. Vocal acumen is not required. Three Magnets is at 600 Franklin St. SE, Olympia.
Lacey in Tune features Science Heroes: Head to Huntamer Park in Lacey at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for free family entertainment. Science Heroes transforms science into an adventure through hands-on experiments and interactive stories. Don’t miss out on free STEM fun for the kids! Huntamer Park is at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey.
Wednesday, July 30
Lacey invites community to provide input on 2025 draft Comprehensive Plan: The City of Lacey is entering the final phase of its 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update and invites community members to help shape Lacey’s future by providing input on the draft goals and policies by July 30. The Comprehensive Plan is the City’s 20-year roadmap for guiding growth, development, and public investment through 2045. It addresses land use, development, housing diversity, economic vitality and climate resilience. The draft reflects community input gathered throughout 2024 and 2025 and provides a vision for the city. The public is encouraged to visit the Lacey Policy Review Tool webpage to review the draft goals and policies and provide comments and additional guidance. For more information, visit the Comprehensive Plan webpage.
Brick bending LEGO art at HOCM: Head to the Hands On Children’s Museum Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday to catch viral sensation and Portland-based LEGO artist Jeff Sanders, whose curved LEGO structures have enchanted over 250 million viewers online (check him out on YouTube). During this four-day LEGO extravaganza, Sanders will be on-site leading collaborative builds and showcasing his art. Activities run from 10 am to 4 pm all four days at the museum, 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia. Activities free with admission.
Lacey in Tune’s Wednesday concert series celebrates the ‘80s: Join the city of Lacey for a free midweek evening concert at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. The band 80s Daze will transport you back to the days of Rubik’s Cube, Super Mario, layers, lace, Pac Man and Madonna. The show starts at 6:30 p.m.; bring your own chairs or blankets.
Olympia’s Music in the Park wraps up season: Olympia Downtown Alliance’s Wednesday evening free concert series featuring local bands ends its 2025 season at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Port Plaza, 701 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. Minda Lacy will be the opening performer at 6 p.m., followed by Eden Lane Jazz & Swing at 7 p.m. Pack your blankets, lawn chairs and favorite takeout from a downtown Olympia restaurant, then settle in for two hours of free music.
Thursday, July 31
Thurston County Fair returns: Get ready to Boogie on Down to the Thurston County Fair, back this summer with four days of classic fair fun for all ages from Thursday, July 31, to Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey. Carnival ride wristbands are back; on Friday, Aug. 1, you can ride all you want for $50. Gates open daily at 10 a.m. with carnival rides opening at 1 p.m. Tickets range from $7–$9, with season passes also available. You can get in on opening day Thursday with $1 plus a non-perishable food donation. Find other daily deals online. This year’s county fair brings wild rides, live entertainment, daily baking contests, local agriculture, 4-H and FFA showcases, and small-town community magic. Fair food favorites are back, plus tasty new eats from first-time vendors. The fairgrounds is at 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey.
Play in the Park aerial show: The city of Lacey is sponsoring a free performance by Wings Circus, a family-friendly troupe spreading whimsical circus shows all around the Pacific Northwest. Stemming from the great Wings Aerial Acrobats formed in 2021, Wings Circus brings exhilarating circus acts including aerial, acrobatics, flow arts, and more. Then join in some circus play with hands on fun. Don’t forget to bring your own seating to this free show at 11 am Thursday at Rainier Vista Community Park, 5475 45th Ave SE, Lacey.
The Beatles vs. Stones show: Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Tickets are $35-$65, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased online, by phone at 360-753-8586 or at the theater’s Box Office Tuesday through Saturday noon to 5 p.m and two hours before performances. The Washington Center is at 512 Washington St. SE in Olympia. The show is appropriate for all ages.
Friday, Aug. 1
Lacey’s Concert & Movie at the Park: Head to Huntamer Park for a fun-filled evening featuring food trucks, live music, and a movie. This week’s concert, beginning at 7 p.m., will feature Sway, a Northwest Live Cover Band that plays top 40 dance and party hits from today and yesterday, including mashups, remixes and continuous medleys. Then at dusk, the city will screen “Wicked Part 1,” which is rated PG. Bring your own chairs or blankets to the park at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey.
Tumwater’s Screen on the Green features “Mufasa”: Grab a blanket and pack a picnic for a free family-friendly movie under the stars at Tumwater Valley Golf Club, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE, Tumwater. Food available for purchase from Baby’s Dream Dogs; popcorn will be provided by Steve’s Wicked Kettle Korn. Before the movie, enjoy the spirit of African rhythms with the Crow Drummers. Then at dusk they will screen “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Bring chairs and blankets, but please leave grills, umbrellas and pets at home. Seating begins at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 2
WET Science Center takes flight: Soar into the science of flight with airborne crafts and high-flying fun. Design paper airplanes, build a kite and make crafts of creatures that fly and glide from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free and activities are appropriate for all ages.
Cops, Cars N Kids at Cabela’s: Join Lacey Police Department at Cabela’s from 11 am to 3 pm for a day of fun meeting officers and detectives, checking out SWAT gear, bouncing in bounce houses, doing a Home Depot kids clinic activity, all while eating free popcorn and sno-cones and listening to KGY Radio Live. If popcorn and sno-cones aren’t your thing, there will be food trucks offering a variety of food for purchase. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite cars in the car show, and donate blood at the Bloodworks NW Blood Mobile. Cabela’s is at 1600 Gateway Blvd. NE, Lacey.
Under the Big Top Community Resource Fair at Capital Mall: Stop by the “Under the Big Top” Community Resource Fair to get connected to local organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies. You can get your questions answered in person or sign up for services ranging from housing, food assistance and health care to transportation, education and jobs. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia.
CatVideoFest 2025: CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses. CatVideoFest is only available in theaters, and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters; local tickets sales will benefit Concern for Animals. The 70-minute film will screen at 7 pm Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia; doors open at 6 pm. General admission is $16.25; Olympia Film Society members pay $13.25.
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 28, 2025 at 1:26 PM.