Olympia Fall 2026 Arts Walk is THIS WEEKEND!
Friday, October 2, from 5:00-10:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3, from 12:00-6:00 p.m.
A semi-annual community event celebrating the arts. Since 1990, thousands gather in downtown Olympia in both the Spring and Fall for a festive arts experience that uses creativity to connect and engage. Olympia Fall Arts Walk returns Friday, October 2, from 5:00-10:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 3, from 12:00-6:00 p.m.
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Visit artswalkoly.com for the latest updates and discover newly added showcases, performances, exhibitions, and activities coming up this Fall Arts Walk.
Join us at Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation for some great classes!
To register or for more information, please click the link after each class, call 360-753-8380 or stop by to see us at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia.
Performing Arts & Dance
Sensory Friendly Creative Dance Class, Sep 28-Nov 16
Sensory Friendly Toddler Dance, Sep 29-Nov 17
Sensory Friendly Creative Dance Class, Sep 29-Nov 17
Intro to Theatre, Sep 29-Dec 15
Intro to Improv, Oct 19-Nov 23
British Rock Invasion Ukulele, Oct 21-Dec 2
Beginning Line Dance Class, Oct 23-Nov 13
K-pop Dance, Oct 24
RakasaFit Core Fitness Belly Dance, Nov 2-Dec 14
Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance, Nov 2-Dec 14
Short Form Improv 2: Hosting, Games & Performance, Nov 3-Dec 8
Hawaiian Dance, Nov 4-Dec 16
Advanced Hawaiian Dance, Nov 4-Dec 16
Long Form Improv Intensive, Nov 5 -14
Ukulele Holiday Songs, Nov 7-Dec 12
Creative Contemporary Dance, Nov 9-Dec 14
All About Guitar Chords, Nov 19
K-pop Dance, Nov 21
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Movie Night: "Silver Screamers"
Join us for a special screening of Silver Screamers, a heartwarming and entertaining documentary about a group of older adults who step outside their comfort zones to create a horror film together. Expect plenty of laughter, conversation and connection as we experience this inspiring film together. $5 per person, with snacks provided.
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Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St NW
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Wednesday, September 30, 6:00 PM
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$5 per person
CSMoFA: Indigenous Takeover at TCMOFA Celebrates "Temporal"
The Coast Salish Museum of Fine Arts (CSMoFA) is set to bring Indigenous futurism to audiences with its annual exhibition, "Temporal: Stories of Indigenous Present, Re-imagining Indigenous Futures." This multi-media event opens on October 2nd for Fall Arts Walk, at the Thurston County Museum of Fine Arts (TCMOFA) and serves as a radical act of reclamation for Indigenous stories and arts.
Featuring a diverse group of multi-generational artists from many Tribal Nations who currently reside across the Pacific Northwest and bringing together many types of art forms, including performance art, larger-than-life installation, digital and video art, 2-D artwork, and traditional Indigenous art forms such as weaving and beadwork.
The participating artists include (linked to their profile):
Virtual Poetry Open Mic and Book Launch Event
Please join South Broadway Press and local poet, Sonya Wohletz, online on October 10th at 4 pm PST for a virtual poetry reading event to celebrate the launch of Sonya's new book of poems, +Milklings+. This will be a free, relaxed event that includes an open mic, so please bring a poem or piece of writing to share if you would like! All are welcome!
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What: +Millkings+ Release Party & Open Mic
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When: Saturday, October 10 · 4-6 PM PST
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Where: Location: Google Meet
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Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fbo-sdto-kcs
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If you would like to participate in the open mic, you can sign up in advance through the online form.
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts Presents:
Amy Tan, Skerryvore, and Randy Rainbow in Oct!
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to welcome audiences back this fall with an eclectic slate of October programming that spans literature, world music, and comedy. From an intimate conversation with literary icon, Amy Tan, to a foot-stomping Scottish folk-rock celebration with Skerryvore to a night of Randy Rainbow's razor-sharp musical satire, this month's lineup offers something for every kind of arts lover.
Tickets for all three events are on sale now through the Washington Center box office at washingtoncenter.org or by calling 360-753-8586.
Arts Walk at the Washington Center, Oct 2-3
Olympia Arts Walk returns Oct. 2-3, and the Washington Center will be part of the celebration. Featured artist Debra Van Tuinen's exhibit, Retrospective, a six-decade survey of her art, will be on display in The Center Gallery throughout Arts Walk. Meet the artist during select hours on Friday, Oct. 2 from 5:00-9:00pm and Saturday, Oct. 3 from 12:00-5:00pm, and explore the gallery while experiencing the vibrant creative community that makes downtown Olympia an arts destination.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1:00pm, join us on the Main Stage for the Artistic Partner Season Spotlight, a special presentation celebrating the local artistic organizations who call the Washington Center home. In addition, Artistic Partners will be in the lobby throughout the day with information about their upcoming seasons, programs, and missions. Come discover the many ways these local organizations bring music, theater, dance, and more to our community.
Subscriptions Now Available
Season Subscriptions (5 or more shows) are now on sale! Subscribers get the best deal on their tickets as well as getting pre-sale access to future events, and an invitation to our annual season preview event.
Subscribing is a way of saying yes - to great plans, to the version of yourself that leans forward and gets surprised, to events you'll be talking about on the drive home.
Concert Closet:
Help a young person step into the spotlight! The Washington Center's Concert Closet is collecting new and gently used black and white clothing for young people ages 10-18 who need concert and performance attire. Donations will be accepted through October 15, with a free distribution event on Oct. 22 from 5:00-6:30pm in the Washington Center Black Box. It's a simple way to help young performers feel confident, comfortable, and ready to take the stage.
In the Gallery:
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Retrospective: The artwork of Debra Van Tuinen
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Showing: July 16, 2026 - Oct 4, 2026
Restrospective represents six decades of artwork by Olympia artist Debra Van Tuinen, from 1977 to the present. Etchings, drawings, encaustic, and paintings consistently express the influence of a play of light on the land and seascapes. Ledges appear stacked among images of water and clouds, with sumi-style strokes creating stability in a moving palette of luminous colors.
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Road Works: The artwork of Eric Johnson
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Showing: Oct 8, 2026 - Nov 15, 2026
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Artist Reception: Oct 21 from 5pm-7pm. Free to the public.
These rapid study paintings were created by the artist live on stage each night while Neil Young performed during his 2008-2009 World Tour. On exhibit are works curated for The Center Gallery from the original collection of 700 paintings.
Our three-floor gallery is open to the public for viewing by appointment (Monday through Friday from 12PM to 4PM), or to ticketed patrons 1 hour prior to an event. To schedule an appointment to view the gallery, or to fill out an application to be part of an exhibit in our gallery, please contact us here.
Monday at the Eagles -- Brian Kirk Vibes
Percussionist Brian Kirk is a longtime Seattle resident who's lived a full life in music. Kirk studied classical percussion and spent years as a percussionist on Broadway in New York City, and touring the world with the Pointer Sisters and Jimmy Scott. His career eventually brought him to Seattle, where he started the Seattle Central College jazz program in the mid-'90s. He returns to Olympia for a night featuring the music of Bobby Hutcherson and more: Brian Kirk - Vibraphone, Peter Adams - Piano, Noah Graham - Bass, Brian Smith - Drums.
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Monday, September 28th, 7 - 9:30pm
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The Eagles Social Club, 4th and Plum
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$15 - $35 suggested
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All ages welcome until 9pm
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The Eagles Social Club welcomes Eagles members and their guests. Be our guest for the evening.
Arts Olympia Fall Show
Arts Olympia will have a Fall Show. Local artists displaying their work. Painting, Collages, Fabric.
Join us for Arts Walk!
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Schwartz's Bakery, 124 4th Ave. E., Olympia.
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October 1 thru November 30, 2026.
Newsletter Roundup
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Olympia Historical Society
If you have an interest in local history, please consider becoming a volunteer with the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. We have a variety of roles to fill, including tour guides for the museum's Sunday afternoon open hours (1:00pm-4:00pm), groundskeeping at monthly Saturday morning work parties, and committee work for our Education, Bigelow House Operations, and Events (annual historic homes tour and spring fundraiser) committees.
To learn more, please email us at [email protected].
South Sound Studio Tour Volunteer Opportunities
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The South Sound Studio Tour is looking for Board Members. Send a resume and short statement of interest to [email protected] to apply.
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The South Sound Studio Tour is looking for volunteers. Fill in the Volunteer Interest Form to help with the 2027 Studio Tour, artist opportunities, and related events.
Downtown Oly Winterfest & Parade is BACK!
Here's how you can help make it happen!
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LoveOly WinterFest - November 29, 10am - 4 pm
We are currently booking 20-30 minute volunteer performances on our Main Stage at 5th and Washington St. This includes dancers, singers, holiday themed performances, etc. Contact Morgan Willie [email protected], for details.
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Jinglebell Parade - November 29, 2-3 PM
We're also bringing back the Jinglebell Parade as part of WinterFest and are looking for local organizations to participate. We're especially hoping to showcase the incredible arts and culture community here in Olympia. There's no cost to enter. Here is the registration link with more details.
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Tree Lighting Ceremony at Sylvester Park - Nov 29, 4:30 pm
We will cap off the day and kick off the season with the tree lighting at Sylvester Park with support from DES!
Museum & Visitor Center Front Desk Docent
The Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance is seeking volunteers to support the OlyAHA! Museum & Visitor Center. Volunteering at the Olympia AHA Museum is a chance to learn and share Olympia's stories, to build connections in the community, to gain museum and customer service experience, and to be a part of something local, vital and lasting. Our volunteers are the face of the Olympia AHA Museum. They greet guests, share stories, and connect visitors to the best of Olympia.
As a volunteer you will:
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Welcome and assist visitors
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Interpret exhibitions
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Sell merchandise
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Help visitors to discover Olympia's arts, heritage, and cultures
We're looking for committed volunteers who are enthusiastic about Olympia's arts, cultures and history.
Our volunteer team is:
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Friendly, welcoming, and professional
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Comfortable learning point-of-sale and scheduling tools
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Reliable, cooperative, and ready to assist visitors
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Volunteer Experience:
Volunteers work in pairs at our front desk for three- or four-hour shifts. Volunteers can expect seasonal appreciation events and ongoing learning opportunities!
Learn more and complete a Volunteer Interest Form at www.olyaha.org/volunteer.
Volunteer at the Thurston County Museum of Fine Arts
TCMoFA is currently looking for volunteers to help support our organization in upcoming programming. The museum is a volunteer operated project run on the passion, commitment, and enthusiasm of local artists and arts organizers. We are seeking volunteers for front desk shifts and flyering in Olympia. To apply visit our website tcmofa.org
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The ARCH Digest is a summary of Arts, Culture and History happenings in the greater Olympia area, submitted by the community. Please turn in ArCH Digest listings to [email protected].
Deadline Monday morning, 8 a.m.
If you know of anyone who would like to receive the City of Olympia Arts & Culture news, which includes a weekly ArCH Digest, direct them here and have them mark the Arts & Culture box.
Disclaimer: Information in the Arts Digest is not vetted through the City, nor is it endorsed by the City. The reader is solely responsible for checking background on any opportunity listed above.
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Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
[email protected]
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