What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Dec. 8
2024 Holiday Tour of Historic Homes: The Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum is sponsoring the 2024 Holiday Tour of Historic Homes on Sunday, Dec. 8, from noon to 4 pm, featuring six historic properties including the Bigelow House Museum and homes in the South Capitol Neighborhood. Tour tickets are $35 per person and are available to purchase in advance at Drees, 524 Washington St. SE; Childhood’s End Gallery, 222 Fourth Ave. W; and Thompson’s Furniture, 5407 S. Capitol Boulevard, Tumwater. Tickets also will be sold on the day of the tour at the Bigelow House Museum, 918 Glass Ave. SE, and at the Coach House, 211 21st Ave. SW. Net proceeds of the tour benefit the preservation and interpretation of Olympia’s historic Bigelow House and programming throughout the year by the Olympia Historical Society. For more information on tickets and the featured properties, visit www.olympiahistory.org.
Hanukkah Bazaar: Discover quality arts and crafts, and meet the makers at this market at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 Eighth Ave SE, Olympia. The sale will run from 11 am to 4 pm Sunday, Dec. 8, and will feature sculptural jewelry, glass art, fiber arts, calligraphy, wood and metal craft, photography and much more. Baked goods (including for your pets) also will be for sale.
Monday, Dec. 9
Community Diaper Drive: Raise for Rowyn and Redwood Doulas are hosting a community diaper drive benefiting Dry Tykes and Wet Wipes, a local nonprofit that provides essential supplies to families in need. From Dec. 8-14, people can donate diapers at the Raise for Rowyn office or during the Grinchmas Bingo Night from 6-9 p.m. Dec 9 at The Juice Box in Centralia. The Raise for Rowyn office is at 448 Sussex Ave W, Tenino, on the northeast side of the building; a drop-off box will be available after hours, but the organizations recommend visiting during designated hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 or 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 14. For more information, contact support@redwooddoulas.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
South Sound Story Guild: The story guild presents “Fringe Fairy Tales” by Gretchen Peterson from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Harbor House, 217 Thurston Ave NW, Olympia. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Go to southsoundstory.org for more information.
Friday, Dec. 13
Ballet Northwest’s Nutcracker opens: Ballet Northwest’s Nutcracker has been a South Sound holiday tradition for 40 years. The production features 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. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturday, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21, and at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22. Tickets are $18 to $39 plus a service fee.
Sam Miller Christmas Show: Olympia comedian Sam Miller will perform his holiday show at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE. Tickets are $20 general admission; $17 for Olympia Film Society members, or $30 for VIP tickets to the first two rows of main floor or first row of the balcony. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Ceramics Open House & Holiday Sale: Check out the city of Olympia’s ceramics studio at The Olympia Center and learn about class opportunities from its instructors. Purchase beautiful, affordable pottery made by students and instructors for holiday gifts. There will be new items on sale each day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The Olympia Center is at 222 Columbia St. NW.
Treble Voices for Peace concert: This group will present its Winter Solstice Concert, “Welcome the Light,” at 7 p.m. Friday at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Admission is free.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Turn of the Tides Eco Fair Celebration and Arts Bazaar: The Puget Sound Estuarium is hosting its seasonal Turn of the Tides winter festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. The family-friendly, free event offers hands-on arts activities and games, and a chance to learn about local animals. Sip on warm drinks while learning from local community organizations, and purchase unique artwork by eco-inspired local artists. Participating organizations include Wolf Haven International, Fossilized Fun Education and Entertainment, Puget Sound Museum of Natural History, Olympia Surfrider Foundation, Department of Ecology, Center for Natural Land Management and Washington Native Plant Society.
Santa visits Centennial Station: Santa Claus will be visiting the Olympia/Lacey train station at 6600 Yelm Highway SE on Saturday morning. He is scheduled to arrive on train 502 at 10:23 a.m. and will be at the station until 12:30 pm. There will be cookies, juice and coffee. A giving tree for Feline Friends of Olympia and Caring Hearts 4 Paws will also be available. The free event is hosted by the Centennial Station volunteers who keep the Amtrak train station running.
Holiday Native Art Market: The Evergreen State College’s House of Welcome will host its annual Holiday Native Art Market from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, featuring original art work by 50 artists who create a wide variety of contemporary and customary arts in many different media and at a wide variety of price points. Frybread, Indian tacos, coffee, beverages and desserts will be offered for sale. Park in lot B and take the short walk to the House of Welcome. The college charges for parking on Friday; parking is free on Saturday.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Wreaths Across America ceremony in Tumwater: The Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in partnership with Masonic Memorial Park in Tumwater will pay tribute to local fallen veterans by placing wreaths on their graves in a ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Spanish War Memorial in Masonic Memorial Park, located on Cleveland Avenue, 400 feet south of North Street and across from Gunderson Dental Care. There will be a small ceremony with local veterans representing all branches of military service members; George Rogers Clark of the Sons of the American Revolution will act as color guard and distribute wreaths; Beverly York of the Olympia Highlanders Pipes & Drums will perform a tribute; Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution will conduct the ceremony and distribute wreaths to those in attendance; along with other local dignitaries. The wreaths will be placed on graves at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Breakfast with Santa: The West Thurston Regional Fire Authority will host its annual Breakfast with Santa and Raffle from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the West Thurston Fire Station, 10828 Littlerock Road SW, Olympia. Enjoy a breakfast and a photo with Santa. Tickets are $6 and will be available at the door; cash, checks and VenMo will be accepted.
Cocoa & Crafts at WET Science Center: What better way to spend a cold December day than by sipping cocoa and making crafts. All ages are welcome to join the fun at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
Pigs on the Wing -- Echoes of Pink Floyd tour: Portland-based Pigs on the Wing have built a loyal following dedicated to the band’s high-energy take on Pink Floyd’s music. Expect to hear the band focus on their favorite sections of the classic albums, including hits, deep cuts, and the band’s trademark willingness to explore the sonic space in experimental improvisation. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia; doors open at 7 p.m. Portland’s Last Giant will open. Tickets are $37 general admission; $34 for Olympia Film Society member. Show is all ages.
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