2023 Holiday Shopping and Activity Guide
If you're looking for festive activities, holiday happenings, or great shopping ideas, you've come to the right place. Scroll through our guide on Christmas things to do in Olympia and see how Thurston County likes to celebrate the season.
Winter Events
Kick off the holidays with the LoveOly Winter Fest!
Running from November 25 to December 24, 2023, the LoveOly Winter Fest celebrates the season with live music, festive lights and refreshments for all ages. There will also be horse-drawn carriages, holiday storytelling, and performances at the Washington Center.
Revel in tradition with Ballet Northwest’s The Nutcracker at the Washington Center
Join Clara and the Nutcracker Prince for the epic battle between the mice and the soldiers, journey through the Kingdom of the Snow and celebrate with the Sugarplum Fairy in the Land of the Sweets when Ballet Northwest returns to the Washington Center for the 36th-year. Shows run weekends, December 8–17, 2023. Tickets can be purchased here.
Meet the Nutcracker ballerinas from Ballet Northwest at the Hands On Children’s Museum
Get up close with sugarplum fairies at the Hands On Children’s Museum with sessions on November 11 or 18, as well as December 2, 2023. The museum has 28,000 square feet of indoor space, and its eight themed galleries create a sense of wonder and delight for children, who can learn through 150+ hands-on exhibits.
Oly on Ice
Glide into the holidays at Oly on Ice
The popular pop-up rink in downtown Olympia is back for a fifth year, offering affordable, family-friendly ice skating daily from November 17, 2023 through January 15, 2024. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Holiday Shopping
Get into the festive spirit at the Kris Kringle Market
On Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18, 2023, start the holidays off with live music, food trucks, shopping and much more at the Kris Kringle Market located at the Lacey Community Center.
Plan ahead at Tenino Holiday Market
Stroll through the beautiful Kodiak Room in downtown Tenino where more than 30 local artisans will have gifts, decor and treats for three days only – Friday, November 24 through Sunday, November 26, 2023. Learn more here.
Stock up at the Olympia Farmers Market Holiday Market
Washington’s second-largest farmers market is open for the holiday season every Saturday and Sunday through December 17, 2023. Find local produce to complete holiday meals, artisanal goods, handcrafted gifts, seasonal wreaths and much more.
This season, there are three Holiday Shopper’s Delight bonus market days for last-minute shopping: December 22, 23 and 24, 2023.
Find quirky holiday gifts along the Thurston Bountiful Byway
With 91% of its businesses having 10 or fewer employees, Thurston County is the place to buy small-batch, locally made goods for the holidays.
- Pick out a Christmas tree at Hunter Family Farm. The Hunter family have been Christmas tree growers since 1948 and provide a fantastic selection of precut and u-cut trees available Friday, November 24, 2023 and throughout December (weekdays 10am to 6pm, weekends 9am to 6pm). Schilter Family Farm is another great spot for Christmas tree shopping in the area.
- Luxuriate with the lavender products at Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm. Visit The Gift Shoppe for fun, eclectic presents and delights, including seasonal artisanal wares, farm-direct essential oils and more
- Pick up a selection of small-batch spirits from Salish Sea Organic Liqueurs and Sandstone Distillery, and create the perfect holiday cocktail with their hand-crafted organic liqueurs and spirits made from locally sourced ingredients.
- Source a gently used book from A Novel Bookstore. This family-owned shop offers a wide range of fiction and nonfiction titles for both adults and children.
- Enjoy locally made sweet treats from Aunt Kate’s Chocolates and BitterSweet Chocolates.
Find a gift that keeps on giving at these Vintage and Second-hand Shops
Downtown:
- Fifth Avenue Flea Market - Offers an assortment of vintage goods, ranging from clothing and furniture to artwork and eclectic memorabilia.
- Hot Toddy - This boutique specializes in curated fashion items, including retro dresses and graphic t-shirts.
- Peacock Vintage - Mid-century decorations and Victorian furniture are just some of the staples at this shop.
- Rainy Day Records - Along with a vast collection of vinyl records, this store sells cassettes and audio equipment.
- Psychic Sister - Features an array of vintage clothes tarot cards, and more.
Along the Byway:
- DC Treasures - This thrift store boasts extensive aisles of furnishings clothes, and kitchenware.
- The Iron Works Boutique - Showcases a variety of antique items and clothing in a cozy space.
- Tenino Antique Mall - With a variety of decorations, jewelry, and books, this store is an organized treasure chest of items.
- The Shiplap Shop & Coffee House - This local cafe features mouthwatering doughnuts, outdoor seating, and assorted home goods.
Accommodations
Check into these cozy B&Bs abound in Olympia & Beyond
From restored historic buildings to cottages in the forest, the B&Bs of Olympia offer warm and cozy accommodations for a Thurston County holiday getaway.
- Swantown Inn & Spa is an 1887 Queen Anne/Eastlake Victorian mansion listed on both the city and state historical registers. Located in a quiet neighborhood in the heart of Olympia, the inn can be a headquarters for exploring the Puget Sound region, or a refuge to escape from it all.
- The Eld House is two private cottages on the shores of Eld Inlet, the southernmost on Puget Sound. Enjoy a tranquil oasis in the forest with continental breakfast served early or late.
- The Marie Bed and Breakfast, built in 1892, was recently restored and is one of the finest examples of Queen Anne–style architecture in West Olympia.