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Discover the charm of downtown Olympia, Washington, where historic streets lined with eclectic shops, diverse dining options, and cultural landmarks create a bustling urban hub. Immerse yourself in the city's vibrant arts scene, savor local cuisine, and explore its rich history while strolling through the heart of this captivating capital.
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what’s happening
Whether it is one our annual LoveOly events or a host of other fun, festive or cultural activities hosted by community members...there is always something going on downtown, Olympia!
april
12apr5:00 pm7:00 pmSamba Olywa Practice

Event Details
Samba Olywa meets most Sunday evenings from 5 to 7pm at the Eagles Hall on 4th Ave in Olympia. All are welcome to attend to
Event Details
Samba Olywa meets most Sunday evenings from 5 to 7pm at the Eagles Hall on 4th Ave in Olympia. All are welcome to attend to learn to drum or dance to Samba and other Latin rhythms, no experience necessary. Small donation requested at the door but no one turned away for lack of funds. Samba Olywa is funded in part from a grant by Inspire Olympia. See our website for more information.
Time
(Sunday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Eagle's Ballroom
805 4th Ave E
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
april 19, 2026 5:00 pm
Organizer
Samba Olywa
14apr5:00 pm7:00 pmRemembering Exclusion, Honoring Community: Chinese Life in Olympia

Event Details
Dive deeper into stories about Olympia’s early Chinese immigrants and Chinatowns in a presentation by local historian Ed Echtle. Then, celebrate Olympia’s present-day Chinese and
Event Details
Dive deeper into stories about Olympia’s early Chinese immigrants and Chinatowns in a presentation by local historian Ed Echtle. Then, celebrate Olympia’s present-day Chinese and AANHPI communities in a presentation by Lin Crowley, TESC Chinese Language Teacher and Asian Pacific Islanders Coalition and Olympia Area Chinese Association member.
Presentations will be followed by an audience Q&A and time to explore the exhibit.
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Time
(Tuesday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Olympia Arts & Heritage Museum
203 Columbia St. NW
Organizer
16apr7:00 pm8:30 pmComedy for a Cause 2026

Event Details
On Thursday, April 16th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Homes First will host Comedy for a Cause 2026 at the Swantown Inn Grand Victoria Ballroom in Olympia.
Event Details
On Thursday, April 16th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Homes First will host Comedy for a Cause 2026 at the Swantown Inn Grand Victoria Ballroom in Olympia. The evening features nationally touring headliner Sam Miller, whose debut comedy album reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts, alongside performers El Sanchez and opener Aaron Riggs.
Be ready for a 50/50 raffle too!
Ticket proceeds support a $3,500 goal that will fund the relocation of a current Homes First tenant into a more accessible unit, simultaneously opening a home for another community member in need of stable housing.
VIP: $45 (early entry at 6:15 PM, preferred seating, one complimentary drink)
General Admission: $35 (beer, wine, and specialty cocktails available for purchase)
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Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Swantown Inn
1431 11th Ave SE
17apr7:00 pm8:00 pmWizard of Oz on Ice

Event Details
The Wizard of Oz on Ice is a stunning blend of storytelling, skating, and visual artistry that brings this timeless tale to life in a whole new way.
Event Details
The Wizard of Oz on Ice is a stunning blend of storytelling, skating, and visual artistry that brings this timeless tale to life in a whole new way. The themes of friendship, courage, self-discovery, and the magic of home will continue to resonate with audiences, both young and old. As you watch Dorothy and her friends glide across the ice, remember that the journey they embark on is one that speaks to the heart, reminding us all that the answers we seek may already be within us.
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Time
(Friday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
18apr7:30 pm8:30 pmMCE: The Searching Soul

Event Details
Join us for a profound and moving musical journey. The Searching Soul pairs the lyrical brilliance of Felix Mendelssohn with the soaring, spiritual depth of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Event Details
Join us for a profound and moving musical journey. The Searching Soul pairs the lyrical brilliance of Felix Mendelssohn with the soaring, spiritual depth of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Accompanied by an orchestra, this concert explores music that reaches for meaning, hope, and transcendence.
Time
(Saturday) 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
Organizer
19apr5:00 pm7:00 pmSamba Olywa Practice

Event Details
Samba Olywa meets most Sunday evenings from 5 to 7pm at the Eagles Hall on 4th Ave in Olympia. All are welcome to attend to
Event Details
Samba Olywa meets most Sunday evenings from 5 to 7pm at the Eagles Hall on 4th Ave in Olympia. All are welcome to attend to learn to drum or dance to Samba and other Latin rhythms, no experience necessary. Small donation requested at the door but no one turned away for lack of funds. Samba Olywa is funded in part from a grant by Inspire Olympia. See our website for more information.
Time
(Sunday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Eagle's Ballroom
805 4th Ave E
Organizer
Samba Olywa
24apr5:30 pm8:30 pmMISCAST! - Live Cabaret at The Leaning Maple

Event Details
We are kicking off Arts Walk Weekend in Olympia with a live Cabaret event at The Leaning Maple! A Night of Food,
Event Details
We are kicking off Arts Walk Weekend in Olympia with a live Cabaret event at The Leaning Maple!
A Night of Food, Drinks, and Theatrical Musical Performances! 4/24 at 5:30pm
MISCAST! – Live Cabaret at The Leaning Maple in Downtown Olympia!
*Oxford dictionary definition:
/mis-kast • verb
Definition: assigning an unsuitable role to a particular actor
Description:
What would happen if a group of actors audition for a Cabaret Revue, but are terribly miscast?
Join the Signature Players at ‘The Leaning Maple’ on 4/24, for a hilarious musical trip through the resulting mix-ups!
Important:
Address is 111 Washington St NE Olympia WA 98501
Doors open at 5:30pm on Friday 4/24
All Proceeds go to support the performers and help grow the arts culture in Olympia, WA. Food and drinks are available but not covered by the ticket price.
Parking on the street and in the parking lot across from us is FREE after 5pm.
We look forward to seeing you there! It will be a night to remember!
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Time
(Friday) 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
The Leaning Maple
111 Washington St NE
25apr7:00 pm8:00 pmWICKED Sing-Along

Event Details
Join us for a Wicked sing along! This is your chance to sing “Loathing” along with Glinda and Elphaba and belt out “Defying Gravity” with the rest of
Event Details
Join us for a Wicked sing along! This is your chance to sing “Loathing” along with Glinda and Elphaba and belt out “Defying Gravity” with the rest of the audience! Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege who has yet to discover her true heart. Local host Lauren O’Neill will be back to warm up the audience!
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Time
(Saturday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
may
02may11:00 am3:00 pmPaws 4 A Cause Dog Walk

Event Details
Olympia’s Paws 4 A Cause dog walk to fight cancer in people and pets is back for the fifth year in a row! Cancer
Event Details
Olympia’s Paws 4 A Cause dog walk to fight cancer in people and pets is back for the fifth year in a row!
Cancer strikes indiscriminately. That’s why hundreds of people and their pets come together each year to support Paws 4 A Cause, an annual dog walk and cancer-fighting fundraiser, at Capitol Lake.
• What: 1.5-mile, canine-friendly walk to beat cancer + vendors, contests, silent auction and raffles
• When: 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday, May 2
• Where: Heritage Park/Capitol Lake, 701 Water St SW, Olympia, WA 98501
Harlan’s Homes for Hope, a Relay for Life Team dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for cancer, joined forces with Dr. Lisa Parshley, a local veterinary oncologist, to form Cancer Fighters, a local nonprofit public charity hosting the annual PAWS 4 A CAUSE dog walk five years ago.
The event has grown from a 200-person event raising $11,000 in 2022 to attract more than 500+ people in 2025, raising $23,000 to support the American Cancer Society and the Animal Cancer Foundation.
This year, KGY 95.3 and Olympia Subaru are teaming up to provide a live broadcast onsite. They join a list of more than 40 sponsors in the Thurston County area supporting the event.
The Animal Cancer Foundation funds comparative oncology research and unites pet and human research for a cure. The American Cancer Society funds critical cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient and family services.
Since the event kicked off in May 2022, it has raised $72,500 and the group aspires to raise $30,000 this year alone.
Register by April 11 to get t-shirts and swag bags.
Donation:
• $25/person, including t-shirt and swag bag
• $35/group of two (one t-shirt included, additional shirts available for purchase)
For more information: https://www.olypaws4acause.com/
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Time
(Saturday) 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location
Heritage Park
701 Water Street SW
08may8:00 pm9:00 pmBlack Box Jazz: Marina Albero

Event Details
Award-winning pianist and composer Marina Albero weaves a tapestry of sound that defies categorization, drawing from her rich multicultural background in Barcelona, Cuba, and Seattle. A musical polyglot
Event Details
Award-winning pianist and composer Marina Albero weaves a tapestry of sound that defies categorization, drawing from her rich multicultural background in Barcelona, Cuba, and Seattle. A musical polyglot fluent in jazz, flamenco, classical, and Latin traditions, Albero has captivated audiences worldwide with her innovative improvisational style and emotional depth. Her latest album “A Nomad of Sound” (2024) showcases her unique artistic voice alongside acclaimed musicians from New Orleans, building on her impressive collection of Golden Ear Awards and sold-out performances. Whether performing, teaching at Cornish College of the Arts, or curating innovative concert series, Marina creates musical experiences that are both intimately personal and universally moving.
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Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
09may7:30 pm8:30 pmThe Center Salon

Event Details
Join us for the Center Salon, an annual dynamic gathering that showcases many forms of artistic expression – from visual artists and writers to musicians, actors, comedians, and
Event Details
Join us for the Center Salon, an annual dynamic gathering that showcases many forms of artistic expression – from visual artists and writers to musicians, actors, comedians, and filmmakers. Each year brings a unique mix of performances and creative showcases where artists connect and audiences discover something extraordinary.
Time
(Saturday) 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
15may7:30 pm8:30 pmThe Wailin’ Jennys

Event Details
The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse — three distinct voices that together make an achingly perfect vocal sound. With their varying backgrounds, each
Event Details
The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse — three distinct voices that together make an achingly perfect vocal sound. With their varying backgrounds, each of the Jennys is unique in their individual expression and together they have grown into one of today’s most beloved acts on the international folk-roots scene. The Jennys forge a unified folk-pop sound — all delivered with the irresistible vocal power of three. Their live performances never fail to impress and entertain with show-stopping harmonies, impressive instrumental prowess, breathtaking songs and, of course, witty stage banter.
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Time
(Friday) 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
“I am lucky enough to be able to walk downtown to a job I enjoy and to my favorite shops and breweries – all surrounded by Olympia’s natural beauty and caring community.”
– Lyndsie M.
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