What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Dec. 29
Giant Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration: Chabad of Olympia Jewish Discovery Center is hoting this event at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at Olympia’s Port Plaza, 701 Columbia St. NW. It will feature the Grand Menorah lighting; latkes, donuts and other Chanukah treats; and crafts for kids. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at jewisholympia.com/celebration
A Magical Cirque Christmas: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia will host two performances of this variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. Performances begin at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec 29, at the center, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Get ready to be dazzled and filled with holiday cheer as you watch world-class entertainers perform to holiday music.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Noon Year’s Eve Party at HOCM: The Hands On Children’s Museum will again host its Noon Year’s Eve Party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 31. Celebrate with a family countdown, Times-Square style ball drop, and a bubble dance party every hour. Create sweet candy-inspired noisemakers, launch a hot cocoa catapult, and take a stroll down Gingerbread Lane, a collaborative kid-created cardboard gingerbread village where John Dough (aka The Gingerbread Man) is the star of the party. Plus, don’t miss Dr. Science demos, sock skating, a photo booth and more. Get your tickets online to save time and money.
Dress Up & Dance Party for Kids: Head to the Lacey Timberland Library dressed for fun in costume or fancy clothes for this dance party for kids ages birth to 12 and their friends and caregivers. Take a commemorative photo and have fun dancing with scarves, bubbles, glow sticks & more. The fun lasts from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the library, 500 College St. SE.
Symphony puts on Epic Movie Music Battles: The Olympia Symphony presents an epic musical showdown featuring some of the most iconic characters and music in movie and comic history. Who will come out on top in these legendary face-offs? Will it be Batman or Superman? Star Trek or Star Wars? Join us for a concert where the orchestra brings these epic rivalries to life, allowing the audience to decide the ultimate winners. Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy music from your favorite franchises at this event for all ages. The 70-minute concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets range from $15 to $86.
ASHHO’s New Year’s Eve Party: The ASHHO Cultural Community Center will welcome in 2025 with a family-friendly night packed with fun, food, and good vibes. Enjoy dinner, groove to the beats of DJ SY, and sing your heart out to your favorite tunes during Karaoke. Kids will love the activities and games designed just for them. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the ASHHO center, 5757 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and younger.
Wednesday, Jan. 1
First Day Hikes: Head to a Washington State Park on Jan. 1 for the park system’s annual First Day Hikes events. Choose a guided hike, snowshoe excursion, trail ride, polar plunge or scavenger hunt to enjoy on New Year’s Day. First Day Hikes events vary in difficulty, ranging from smooth, flat ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks will even offer multiple hikes to suit different interests and skill levels. Additionally, several hikes will include talks with rangers, which allow attendees to learn about the park’s history and natural features. All participants will receive a collectible Washington State Parks 2025 First Day Hikes pin. Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Visit the First Day Hikes website to view all activities and registration information. All hikes are free and a Discover Pass is NOT needed to park on state managed lands on Jan. 1. However, if you plan to participate in a First Day Hike at a park that becomes a Sno-Park during the winter (Lake Easton State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park and Mount Spokane State Park), a Sno-Park permit is required.
Thursday, Jan. 2
Schmidt House History Talk on gardening: The monthly free history talk will be on “Gardening’s Past, Gardening’s Future,” presented by Jill Severn, a semi-retired journalist, legislative policy analyst, and speechwriter who writes a weekly gardening column. She will discuss how gardening — both vegetable and ornamental — has evolved in the past 100+ years, and how wars, economic and cultural change, and the search for sustainability have affected what and how we grow — and perhaps most importantly, why we garden. The talk will begin at noon at the Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater; doors open at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free; first come, first seated, until capacity is reached.
Discovery Speaker Series on Seaweed Farming: Join Puget Sound Estuarium at the Olympia Timberland Library for its Discovery Speaker Series, which happens every first Thursday of the month, from October through March, discussing current environmental research or sustainability projects. Thursday’s talk, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is “The Allure of Seaweed Farming: Why should (or shouldn’t) we cultivate kelp and other seaweeds in Washington state?” The speaker is Meg Chadsey, who serves as Washington Sea Grant’s Carbon Specialist and NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab Liaison. Over the past 12 years, Meg’s original focus on ocean acidification has expanded to include marine renewable energy, marine carbon dioxide removal, and kelp aquaculture. She has a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Washington. The library is at 313 Eighth Ave. SE.
Saturday, Jan. 4
South Sound Roller Derby Boot Camp: Registration is now open for South Sound Roller Derby’s annual New Skater Boot Camp! The first session will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7075 Pacific Ave SE. South Sound Roller Derby will host beginner and intermediate programs designed to teach you how to skate with a focus on roller derby. Whether you’re new to skating or looking to sharpen your derby skills, the boot camp offers hands-on coaching, skill-building drills and a supportive community to help you succeed. Coaches will guide you through skating techniques, derby rules and gameplay strategies. No prior skating experience is required! Sign up on the South Sound Roller Derby boot camp webpage.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening calendar? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
