June 9, 2026

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Celebrating 45 Years: Music in the Park Returns to Downtown Olympia This July

The Olympia Downtown Alliance announces the return of Music in the Park as the beloved summer series celebrates its 45th anniversary.

Held over four Wednesdays in July, this year’s free concert series features local and touring acts spanning samba, community chorus, surf punk, indie folk, Americana, and pop-infused soul.

Whether you’re dancing in the park, singing with friends, or enjoying food from a local vendor, Music in the Park remains one of downtown Olympia’s favorite summer traditions.

2026 Concert Schedule

Olympia Family Fun Night — July 8 (SYLVESTER PARK)

The season opens with a celebration of community featuring the lively rhythms of Samba Olywa, the harmonies of Voices of the Sound, and the historic American Legion Band, which has entertained Olympia audiences for more than a century.

6:00 PM – 6:20 PM | Samba Olywa

6:20 PM – 6:45 PM | Voices of the Sound

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | American Legion Band

Punk Power — July 15 (SYLVESTER PARK)

Downtown comes alive with the dance-punk energy of J. Graves, followed by Olympia surf-punk legends The Proffits.

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM | J. Graves

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | The Proffits

Next Gen Talent — July 22 (SYLVESTER PARK)

Celebrate emerging local talent with singer-songwriter Anne Magnolia and Olympia-based soul-pop group WINEHOUSE.

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM | Anne Magnolia

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | WINEHOUSE

Indie-Americana — July 29 (PORT PLAZA FINALE)

The series wraps up with an evening of heartfelt songwriting and harmonies featuring Olympia favorite Erina and acclaimed Americana band Daring Greatly.

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM | Erina

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Daring Greatly

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and takeout from downtown restaurants. Food vendors are still being finalized, but guests can expect favorites such as Sofie’s Scoops, Lolli Llama Candy Company, and Batdorf & Bronson Legacy Cafe.

Mark your calendars and join us for four evenings of free music, community, and summer fun in Downtown Olympia.

Score & Explore: Downtown Olympia has officially kicked off! While you hunt for soccer balls hidden in participating businesses, be sure to score some incredible specials and promotions.

JUNE SPECIALS & PROMOTIONS FROM PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES:

Restaurants & Dining

• Basilico Ristorante: Focaccia Tartufona - Our new focaccia sandwich with cooked Parma Ham, Mortadella, arugula, and truffle paste.
• Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar: June is geoduck month at Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar. Come in to taste this giant clam native to the PNW.
• Uptown Grill: Happy Hour 2–5pm Sunday–Thursday. Brunch 10am–1pm Sunday.
• Well80: Happy Hour 3pm–5pm.

Cafes, Coffee & Sweets

• Johnny Coffee: Summer’s here! POG Matcha, Horchata Cold Brew, and Raspberry Vietnamese Coffee—made with house-made flavors and crafted for slow mornings, warm afternoons, and everything between.
• Lolli Llama Candy Company: Say "FIFA Olympia" and receive 10% off our huge selection of cold drinks, ice cream, and candy!
• Rhythms Coffee: $5 Vanilla Bean Latte: House-made Madagascar Vanilla Bean Syrup, Choice of Whole Milk or Oat Milk.

Retail & Specialty Shops

• Noctua Emporium: FREE Tea on Tap every Sunday in June (Come early, only while supplies last)
• Olympia Bed Store: Come into the store and check out soccer-themed exclusives!
• Underhill Plants: Pride Sale June 24–28th! Also, workshops all month!

How to Play: Score & Explore

Experience the global excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ right on our waterfront at the Olympia–Lacey Fan Zone! We're bringing the beautiful game straight to our sidewalks with the Score & Explore Passport.

THE GAME PLAN: 

• Hunt for mini soccer balls hidden inside participating businesses.
• Collect passport stickers along the way.
• Redeem your passport and you'll take home an exclusive, limited-edition Fan Zone enamel pin! 

WHEN: June 1-30, 2026

HOW TO PLAY: 

Pick up a physical passport at any participating business, or print yours at home. You’ll also find a full map of participating businesses on the site so you can plan your attack strategy.

No yellow cards here! Just great local businesses, a limited-edition prize, and pure World Cup energy. Lace up your sneakers and join us downtown!

Creatures of the PNW Chalk Art Celebration

Get ready to transform the sidewalk into a vibrant outdoor art gallery! "Creatures of the Pacific Northwest" is a celebration where young artists get to bring Cascadia’s amazing wildlife to life in front of Orca Books Cooperative in Downtown Olympia. 

Hosted by Orca Books and supported by the Olympia Downtown Alliance, this playful, community-filled day is designed to get kids outside, creating, and celebrating our local PNW critters. Whether they want to draw an Orca, a hidden Bigfoot, or a friendly banana slug, we provide the chalk, they provide the imagination!

Raffle Prizes

The fun doesn't stop when the masterpiece is finished. Every artist aged 6 to 18 who completes their chalk art can enter to win one of three giant prize baskets! Each prize is bursting with incredible goodies and gift certificates from local Olympia businesses.

Community Booths

Keep the celebration going! We are thrilled to welcome the South Sound Reading Foundation and Western Wildlife Outreach, who will be joining us to hand out free books and fun, educational activities for the kids.



It’s the perfect way to kick off summer break, meet neighbor friends, and showcase your child's creativity. Space is limited, so grab your spot today!

Join us for June Business Connect at OlyAHA!

Calling all Downtown Olympia business owners and entrepreneurs! Ready to connect with your neighbors, talk shop, and stay in the loop on all things downtown? Join the Olympia Downtown Alliance for our next LoveOly Business Connect!

When: Wednesday, June 10

Time: 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm

Where: Olympia Arts + Heritage Alliance Museum — 203 Columbia Street Northwest

We are diving straight into the space with some fantastic interactive activities:

• Scavenger Hunt: Explore the museum with a fun scavenger hunt activity and take home a small prize upon completion!
• Small Group Tours: Enjoy an exclusive tour of the museum's incredible collections led by the Oly AHA team.

Come hungry and ready to mingle! We will have delicious light appetizers from Row Restaurant, along with assorted beverages, including beer and wine.

Whether you’ve been on the block for decades or just opened your doors, we’d love to see you there. Come grab a bite, meet fellow business owners, and help us keep building a strong, supportive neighborhood network.

Community Print: Downtown Olympia Creative Space

Community Print is a cornerstone of Olympia’s creative community, providing artists, makers, and curious beginners with access to letterpress and printmaking tools, education, and shared creative space.

What began in the late 1990s in a bustling artist collective above the former Fish Tale Brewery warehouse has grown into one of the region’s most beloved community arts organizations.

Today, Community Print is thriving at its home at 414 Legion Way SE in downtown Olympia. The expanded space includes a growing letterpress studio, a Risograph printer for self-publishing projects, and a variety of hands-on classes designed for all skill levels.

Explore upcoming classes and register online at community-print.org/classes.

Whether you're an experienced artist or simply looking to try something new, Community Print continues to prove that creativity—and community—are alive and well in downtown Olympia.

Discover the WET Science Center

Looking for a fun, free activity in downtown Olympia?

Operated by LOTT Clean Water Alliance, the WET Science Center (Water, Education & Technology) offers hands-on exhibits that make learning fun.

Discover how the urban water cycle works, explore a miniature wastewater treatment plant, build a reclaimed water pipeline, play games that introduce clean water careers, and even calculate how much water you use each day on the giant water-use calculator.

The WET Science Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and admission is always free. Be sure to check their calendar for upcoming events, special programs, and hands-on activities throughout the year.

South Sound Story Guild presents...

Fairytales for Grown-Ups

Wednesday, June 10 | 7:00 PM

Traditions Café | 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia

Step into a world of myth, magic, and storytelling with acclaimed storyteller Will Hornyak as the South Sound Story Guild presents Fairytales for Grown-Ups. Drawing from Irish myths, Russian folktales, Arabian legends, and the Brothers Grimm, Hornyak brings timeless tales to life with boundless wit, energy, and imagination.

A featured performer at the National Storytelling Festival and storytelling events across the country, Hornyak is known for captivating audiences with unforgettable performances that blend humor, wisdom, and wonder.

Reservations are recommended by calling (360) 705-2819. A suggested donation of $15 is appreciated, and no one will be turned away. Soul Café opens for dinner at 5:30 pm before the show.

Whether you're a longtime fan of folklore or simply looking for a unique evening in downtown Olympia, this is a storytelling experience you won't want to miss.

June Speaker Series at the Olympia Senior Center

Looking for a way to learn something new, connect with others, and have fun? Join Senior Services for South Sound every Wednesday at 11:00 am for their free June Speaker Series at the Olympia Senior Center. No membership or registration is required—just drop in and enjoy.

This month’s lineup includes

• A virtual trip to Paris through art, poetry, music, and conversation with presenter Maureen Wells on June 10
• Practical tips for composting and gardening from local Master Recycler Composters and Master Gardeners on June 17
• An introduction to the ukulele on June 24, where participants can learn basic chords and strumming techniques while playing familiar songs.

Whether you're interested in travel, gardening, music, or simply meeting new people, the June Speaker Series offers something for everyone. All events are free and open to the public.

Learn more and view the full schedule here.