What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Oct. 12
Apples for a good cause: Help kids, help hungry neighbors, and treat yourself by buying a box of apples from the Olympia Host Lions Club. For $50, you’ll receive a 40-pound box of Fuji apples with free local delivery. Place your order by Oct. 12 for delivery at the end of the month. Each purchase supports Lions service club projects. Or choose to Buy a Box for the Bank and your donation will be delivered directly to the Thurston County Food Bank in your name. Learn more and order today at OlympiaHostLions.org or call Lions President Erik Johnson at 360-995-1010.
Monday, Oct. 13
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Squaxin Park: Join the Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia to celebrate local Indigenous culture, history and communities from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday at Squaxin Park Picnic Shelter #4, 2600 East Bay Drive N.E. Olympia. There will be cultural performances, speakers and educational activities. Parking is limited, so attendees who won’t be walking from nearby neighborhoods are encouraged to carpool, bicycle or take a fare-free Intercity Transit bus. The city will also offer complimentary event shuttle service from the east side of the Olympia Farmer’s Market District parking lot every 30 minutes starting at 11 a.m.
Thurston County Auditor’s Office closed Monday: The office will be closed Monday for staff training. Licensing customers with immediate needs can visit one of the eight local subagents located throughout the county. A complete subagent listing and their hours of operation is posted on the auditor’s website.
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Christian Women’s Connection: This group is holding its annual “Country Fair Gift Basket Auction” luncheon at noon Tuesday in the Gallery next to Seventeen51 Bistro & Restaurant at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. Cost is $22 inclusive. Attendees will be able to bid on a variety of gift baskets during a silent auction. Lunch will be meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and chocolate cake. Brenda Peterson will talk to us about “Heartstrings.”. Call Sylvia for a reservation at 360-791-4698 or 360-943-0627.
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Mariachis at the Washington Center: At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Mariachi Herencia De México will perform at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The Chicago-based, 14-member, two-time Latin Grammy-nominated group has issued five chart-topping albums and has performed all across the North America. Tickets are $29-$85.
Thursday, Oct. 16
Olympia World Affairs Council Speaker Series: Join Medard Ngueita, executive director of World Relief Western Washington, for a discussion on global displacement driven by conflict, climate change, and systemic inequities. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Lacey SPSCC campus, 4220 Sixth Ave SE. Doors open at 6 p.m.for a meet and greet. For more details, visit the OWAC website.
Open house for Olympia’s Community Oversight Programs: Join us for a fall launch of the City’s updated Community Oversight of Law Enforcement programs. Learn about the expanded role of the Civilian Police Auditor and the newly formed Community Policing Board, then join a community conversation. The event will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave. E. Presenters from each group will share a brief overview of their role. Then, join in open discussions to explore future community engagement and education initiatives for these programs.
Friday, Oct. 17
Avanti Haunted School Returns: This fun-fundraiser helps us send Avanti High School students to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Ticket are $12 and sales are online only; please purchase tickets before you arrive as days do sell out. The Haunted School is open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, plus Oct. 23-25. Please arrive 15 minutes before your reservation. Dress for being outdoors and walking stairs; visitors will encounter: loud noises, bright and flashing lights, artificial fog, stairs, jump scares, gore, and teenagers. Guest can choose their “scare-level” in advance.
God is a Scottish Drag Queen returns for Halloween: The beloved deity in a floral power suit returns with a spook-tacular twist! God descends from the heavens (or perhaps a haunted attic?) to hilariously roast everything from pumpkin spice lattes to demonic possession. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE. Tickets are $35-$69.
Blues guitarist Terry Robb performs in Olympia: Internationally acclaimed guitarist Terry Robb will perform an intimate local show at 7 p.m. at New Traditions Fair Trade & Gathering Place, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. The Vancouver-born, Portland-based bluesman took home the Muddy Award for Best Acoustic Guitar so many times that the Cascade Blues Association finally broke down and attached his name to the trophy permanently. Tickets are $25 general admission and $18 for students.
Saturday, Oct. 18
Masterworks Choral Ensemble presents “Dance On”: Dance On! will feature folk styles from around the globe as well as American pop hits. Masterworks will be joined by dancers from Ballet Northwest for the show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $18-$38.
Wolves Shape Ecosystems at WET Science Center: Learn about wolves and the impact they have on their environment when Wolf Haven International staff give a special presentation at 11 a.m. Saturday at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Olympia Film Society presents All Freakin’ Night: This annual night-into-morning festival of nine frightful movies will start at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Doors open at 9 p.m. The screenings last 6 hours and 40 minutes. Tickets are $23.25 general admission and $18.25 for OFS members. This year’s films were curated by host Jake Gallo, aka Strong Knotz, an independent local filmmaker, panelist/moderator at Crypticon in Seattle, and host of Video Psychosis, a film podcast based in Olympia. Organizers urge attendees to “dress to distress” for the costume contest. All bags, backpacks, carry-on luggage will be subject to searches: “best to leave your unmentionables at home,” OFS says.
Queer Prom -- Halloween Edition: Bring your gals, your ghouls, your ghosts and your gays to Queer Prom Saturday evening at TCMedia Studios, 440 Yauger Way SW, Olympia. The fun will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m. with a DJ mixing beats throughout the decades with a Halloween twist, drag host Lucy ElleBalls, and a photo booth. There also will be a Halloween costume contest. This 21-and-older event will be recorded for public access television. Presale tickets are $20, or pay $25 cash at the door.
Furniture bank open: The nonprofit all-volunteer Thurston County Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month (as well as the following Wednesdays) from 9 a.m. to noon at 2121 Log Cabin Road. SE, Olympia. The Furniture Bank building is at the back of the parking lot. Donations of gently used furniture are accepted. Pick up of donations within a limited geographical area (15 minutes from the building) can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed. For more information, go to the website.
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 October 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM.