Top Winter Activities
Winters in Olympia are for sleeping-in, spending time with friends and family, and celebrating the holidays at the festive events and markets that pop up throughout the season.
Olympia winters are filled with festive events, gift shopping, holiday parties, and fun, family-friendly activities. Find the perfect gifts for every person on your list at the many unique stores and vintage and antique shops. Spend the holiday season ice skating at Oly on Ice and perusing various pop-up markets filled with artisanal crafts and live performances. Grab your friends and ring in the New Year while dancing the night away. Fill your holiday season with these Olympia winter activities!
1. Oly on Ice
Skate through the holiday season at Oly on Ice, a family-friendly pop-up ice skating rink at Isthmus Park. Oly on Ice features public ice skating, live performances, a variety of family-friendly activities hosted by local organizations, and sensory skate hours.
- Date(s): November 22, 2024 - January 20, 2025
- Location: Isthmus Park | 529 4th Avenue W, Olympia, WA 98501
- Admission: $5 - $99
2. Kris Kringle Market
Visit Kris Kringle Market for a variety of amazing holiday experiences. Enjoy shopping from vendors then stop at the beer garden and sip craft beer. The kids will love the kid zone area featuring an obstacle course, crafts, and games. Keep an eye out for Krampus and Santa!
- Date(s): November 16, 2024
- When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Location: Lacey Community Center | 6729 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98503
- Admission: $3 - $20
3. Lincoln Winter Market
Support local artists and makers while checking off your holiday shopping list at Lincoln Winter Market. Take your time shopping at the different vendor booths, enjoy food and beverages from local businesses, and watch live performances.
- Date(s): November 30, 2024
- When: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Location: Lincoln Options Elementary | 213 21st Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501
- Admission: Free
4. LoveOly WinterFest
The kick-off celebration of Downtown for the Holidays, Winter Fest offers live entertainment for shoppers to listen to while browsing handmade gifts from local vendors. There will also be carriage rides and holiday storytelling for people of all ages to enjoy.
- Date(s): November 26 - December 26, 2023
- When: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
- Location: 115 State Avenue NW, Olympia
- Admission: Free
5. Downtown for the Holidays!
Downtown for the Holidays is a shopping and dining promotion held at local participating businesses in Downtown Olympia. Every time you make a purchase of $10 or more, get a sticker added to your passport. Once you reach five stickers you can turn it in for a Love Oly gift!
- Date(s): November 24, 2024 - December 24, 2024
- When: During Business hours
- Location: Participating local businesses
- Admission: Free
6. Tenino’s Grand Twinkle Tour
Pack the kids into the car with mugs of hot chocolate and enjoy this drive-thru holiday experience built with twinkling lights and holiday displays. Help out your neighbors and bring donations to Tenino Food Bank Plus during the event.
- Date(s): 2024 dates TBD
- When: 7 p.m.
- Location: Tenino Middle School | 301 Old Highway 99 SE, Tenino, WA 98589
- Admission: Free
7. A Christmas Carol at Harlequin Productions
Revisit a classic holiday tale on the stage with festive effects and engaging performances. Harlequin Productions' adaptation of this Charles Dickens story embraces festive cheer in a whimsical setting.
- Date(s): November 27 - December 24, 2024
- When: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Location: 4th Avenue, East, Olympia, WA 98501
- Admission: $33 - $55
8. The Hip Hop Nutcracker Presented by The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Make your way to the Washington Center for a magical night featuring a holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another spectacular tour. This contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event.
- Date(s): November 12, 2024
- When: 7:30 p.m.
- Location: 512 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501
- Admission: $59-$109
9. New Year's Eve Celebrations Across Thurston County
Olympia features a vibrant nightlife scene, where thrilling New Year's parties await. Explore a variety of breweries and cheers to the start of 2025 with a craft beer. Browse through our dining options around the New Year's weekend and find a special meal for this winter holiday. Live it up by heading to a casino and experiencing fun entertainment.
Love a quality road trip? Us too! We also happen to love foods grown and harvested in the region where we eat them!
AND we also love getting to know the local history, culture and characters in the areas we explore. If this sounds like you too, then a little road trip on the Thurston Bountiful Byway is in order. The Thurston Bountiful Byway is 60-miles of authentic cultural and culinary experiences. Plan your getaway, load up the car and hit the open road!
Stay With Us!
Make the most out of your time with us this holiday season by relaxing and recharging at one of our many modern hotels, or splurge on a spa-experience at a B&B before setting out again for more winter activities.
Lodgings
Candlewood Suites Olympia-Lacey
4440 3rd Ave SE Lacey, Washington 98503 (360) 491-1698
Comfort Inn Lacey
4700 Park Center Ave., N.E. Lacey, Washington 98516 (360) 456-6300
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey Olympia
4460 3rd Ave SE Lacey, Washington 98503 (360) 491-7985
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia — Lacey
4704 Park Center Ave NE Lacey, Washington 98516 (360) 412-1200
Quality Inn & Suites Lacey
120 College Street Lacey, Washington 98503 (360) 493-1991
Best Western Plus Lacey Inn & Suites
8326 Quinault Drive NE Lacey, Washington 98516 (360) 456-5655 Find A Room
Super 8 by Wyndham Lacey Olympia Area
112 College St Lacey, Washington 98503 (360) 459-8888
DoubleTree by Hilton Olympia
415 Capitol Way N Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 570-0555
Hampton Inn & Suites Olympia-Lacey
4301 Martin Way E Olympia, Washington 98516 (360) 459-5000
The Heron House at The Eld House
5531 Sunrise Beach Rd NW Olympia, Washington 98502 (360) 701-8388
Hilton Garden Inn Olympia
2101 Henderson Park Lane SE Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 236-9934
The Marie Bed and Breakfast
123 Cushing St. NW Olympia, Washington 98502 (360) 915-8039
Olympia Inn
909 Capitol Way S Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 352-8533
Ramada by Wyndham Olympia
4520 Martin Way E Olympia, Washington 98516 (360) 459-8866
Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
621 Capitol Way S Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 352-7700
Short Stay Lodgings
912 Franklin St SE Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 970-6826
Swantown Inn
1431 11th Ave. SE Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 753-9123
Towneplace Suites by Marriott Olympia
900 Capitol Way Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 753-8770
Best Western Tumwater-Olympia Inn
5188 Capitol Blvd SE Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 956-1235 Find A Room
Extended Stay America Olympia — Tumwater
1675 Mottman Rd. SW Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 754-6063
La Quinta Inn & Suites Tumwater
4600 Capitol Blvd SE Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 352-5433
Motel 6 Tumwater
400 Lee Street SW Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 754-7320
Oyo Hotel Olympia-Tumwater
1600 74th Ave SW Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 587-4810
Prairie Hotel
700 Prairie Park Lane Yelm, Washington 98597 (360) 458-8300
Fairfield Inn & Suites Grand Mound
6223 197th Way SW Rochester, Washington 98579 (360) 858-5757
Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
12888 188th Ave SW Rochester, Washington 98579 (360) 273-8640
Great Wolf Lodge
20500 Old Highway 99 SW Grand Mound, Washington 98531 (360) 273-7718 Find A Room