Downtown for the Holidays—Shop & Dine, Complimentary Parking and so much more! | |
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The magic of the season is calling! We’re thrilled to invite you back to the WSECU LoveOly Downtown for the Holidays, happening through December 24. With festive activities, dazzling lights, and unique gifts waiting for you, there’s no better time to experience the charm of Downtown Olympia.
Here’s how you can join the fun:
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LoveOly Holiday Edition: Shop & Dine (Nov 29 - Dec 24):
Pick up or download your LoveOly passport at any participating shop or restaurant. For every $10 you spend, collect a sticker. Collect five stickers and redeem for a special LoveOly gift, like a power bank, travel mug, frosted votive holder or fanny pack. Supporting local has never been so rewarding—or so fun!
Holiday Lights and Décor:
Stroll through Downtown and soak in the sparkle of over a mile of garland and beautifully decorated storefronts.
Snowfall at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts:
Feel the magic of the season with a touch of winter wonder—right here in Olympia!
Nutcracker-Themed Selfie Scenes:
Capture your holiday memories with themed backdrops like the Land of Sweets, a Gingerbread House, and Winter Wonderland.
12 Days of Free Parking (Dec 12 - 24):
Enjoy free parking at 2- and 3-hour meters, thanks to the City of Olympia.
Salmon Projections on Goldberg Building:
When night falls over downtown Olympia, the Goldberg Building at 4th Avenue and Capitol Boulevard transforms into a canvas for Jill Carter’s projected mural. Collaborating with Dave Sederberg, Carter introduced the "Coho Ho’s," whimsical salmon in winter hats, projected onto the building with specialized high-powered LED lights. This year, projections include the CoHoHo Salmon and festive birds.
Make your holidays merry, bright, and local by being part of the fun. Whether you're shopping for the perfect gift, enjoying a festive meal, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Downtown Olympia has it all.
Learn more
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City of Olympia: Preparing for Wet Winter Weather | |
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Flood Risk in Downtown Olympia:
Flooding can occur due to conditions like low atmospheric pressure, rainfall, high river flow, and wind during very high seasonal tides. Floodwaters may rise up to 18 inches or more above street level, potentially damaging private property and vehicles.
City Preparations During Coastal Flooding:
- Monitoring tide gates
- Closing valves and deploying pumps
- Closing select streets
- Making sandbags available
- Sending alerts to reduce damage
How You Can Prepare
- Stay informed: sign up for alerts like "Budd Inlet Flood Advisories" via Thurston Community Alerts (tcalert.org).
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Follow updates on Capitol Campus (capitol.wa.gov) and City of Olympia/National Weather Service social media accounts.
Click here for a printable flyer.
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What's Happening at the Library | |
Lantern Lights the Library: Live Music
Friday, December 13: 7pm - 9pm
This series of events makes local music accessible to people of all ages in a safe, fun environment. This month, the lineup is: Dead By the Bay, Graceey, and ihyjason. Come get loud at the library! Thank you to Lantern Records and the Friends of the Olympia Library. Tuesday,
Learn More
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Poetry Post
Tuesday, December 17: 3pm - 5pm
(All ages welcome) Drop in to the Olympia Timberland Library meeting room and share your favorite poem or your own literary creation with a fellow library patron through the post! Library staff will anonymously mail your contributions to patrons who have requested to receive a poem. Join us for an afternoon of kindness. Poetry books, art supplies, and typewriters provided.
Learn More
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Messiah Sing Along, Washington Center of the Performing Arts, December 23, 7pm, FREE! | |
Come to sing or come to listen to Handel’s glorious masterpiece! A true community event with guest soloists. Cameron May, Music Director, will conduct the SOGO Conservatory Orchestra, and the audience will be featured as the chorus. Come and join us for this beautiful traditional holiday event for all to enjoy. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by TwinStar and R.L. Ray Violin Shop. | |
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Oly on Ice returns to Isthmus Park in Olympia, offering a season of skating and winter fun from November 22 through January 20. Visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy the rink’s festive atmosphere, whether seasoned skaters or first-timers.
Ticket Options
Tickets are available online or on-site. Advance online purchases are recommended to secure a preferred time. On-site tickets are subject to availability; if the rink is full, guests will be offered the next available time slot. On-site purchases can be made via smartphone, cash, or credit card.
Learn More
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New Exhibition at Childhood's End Gallery | |
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"Paper Trails" celebrates paper as a material through a multitude of artistic applications. The exhibition features sculptural paper forms by Helga Winter, Paper-cuts by Nikki McClure from her recent publication Something About the Sky, a brand new Block Print series by Mimi Williams My Life in Trees, new Intaglio Prints by Lisa Sweet, and Sumi Paintings by Sun Watkins.
Now through January 5
Paper Trails - Fine Art and Craft Exhibition
Childhood's End Gallery
222 4TH AVE W
Olympia, WA 98501
Admission: FREE
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Ballet Northwest Presents "The Nutcracker" | |
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Ballet Northwest’s Nutcracker has been a South Sound holiday tradition for 40 years. The production features professional sets, stunning costumes, 200 local dancers and guest artist Lucas Matzkin from the American Ballet Theatre School in New York. Join Clara and The Nutcracker on their magical journey through the battle scene between the mice and toys soldiers, the enchanting Kingdom of Snow, and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Land of Sweets.
Purchase tickets here.
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An Evening With Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group | |
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A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.
Spend an evening with Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Washington Center, 7:30pm.
Details
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Turn of the Tides: An Eco Fair Celebration and Arts Bazaar | |
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The Estuarium is hosting our seasonal Turn of the Tides winter festival! The event will be held December 14, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Olympia Center.
Join the Puget Sound Estuarium for this family-friendly and FREE event! Enjoy hands-on arts activities and games, and learn about our local animals! Sip on warm drinks while learning from our local community organizations, and purchase unique artwork by eco-inspired local artists. Don’t miss out on the fun—come out to celebrate the changing seasons and our environment together!
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Community organizations will include:
Wolf Haven International
Fossilized Fun Education and Entertainment
Puget Sound Museum of Natural History
Olympia Surfrider Foundation chapter
Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program
Center for Natural Land Management
Washington Native Plant Society - South Sound Chapter
Local Artists will include:
Jae - Campflower Art
SnailBear Art
Bobbi The Sea Lemon
Cambria Rose Art
Artists with Ecology
*Participants may vary or increase in number.
Please add to your calendars and spread the word!
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Ring in the New Year with a musical showdown of epic proportions as we pit blockbuster movie scores against each other in a head-to-head battle! Which score will emerge victorious? That’s for YOU to decide!
EPIC MOVIE MUSIC BATTLES
December 31, 2024
7:30 PM
Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Featuring music from iconic films like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more, this night will be an unforgettable celebration of cinematic magic.
Come dressed as your favorite movie character or simply as the fabulous Patron we know you are. Let’s countdown to midnight together with music, laughter, and a little friendly competition!
Tickets start at 17.25! (Ticket price does not include Washington Center fees)
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The News of the Week in Downtown Olympia is a newsletter created by the Olympia Downtown Alliance and is a summary of happenings Downtown.
If you have news related to downtown you'd like included, please email marketing@downtownolympia.org. Preference is given to Olympia Downtown Alliance members. If we do not share it here, chances are we'll share it on our Facebook or Instagram pages. We do reserve the right to use our discretion on what we share.
The deadline is Friday at 5 pm for inclusion in the next week's newsletter.
If you know of anyone who would like to receive the News of the Week in Downtown Olympia, please have them sign-up at the bottom of our home page here: downtownolympia.org.
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