This weekend in Olympia, WA

Gather at North Thurston High School in Lacey, then set out in small groups of five to ten for a multi-stop poker run. Route details will be provided upon arrival. The ride wraps up at JJ's Car Care in Rainer for a barbecue and potluck centered around the poker hands collected along the way. Bring a dish to contribute to the potluck; items can be collected at the school before departure. Poker hands are $10 each with no limit on how many you can purchase, and at the final stop there is an option to buy one extra card per hand for $5. All proceeds help cover the barbecue. Awards will be presented for the best hand, second best, and the worst hand. Please arrive with a full gas tank.

Get equipped for emergencies at a preparedness expo taking place at the Lacey Community Center. This free event is suitable for families and offers an engaging, educational setting with information, guidance, and interactive activities that support safety and readiness for individuals and households.

Now in its fifth year, Fall in the Northwest Market brings over 80 vendors and a variety of food trucks to the Thurston County Fairgrounds and Event Center. Browse a wide selection of goods and seasonal items to get a head start on the fall holidays while supporting local small businesses. Admission and parking are free. Prospective vendors can apply through the event’s official website.

Celebrate the Nisqually watershed with a full day of art, science, music, wildlife, and family-friendly discovery at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy live musical performances and educational wildlife encounters, explore interactive exhibits from local environmental organizations, and dive into hands-on crafting like fish printing—bring a T-shirt—and wooden fish painting. Learn something new with educational shark dissections and an insect extravaganza, and look for FIN, the 25-foot giant wild salmon. Food and drinks will be available throughout the festival, including multiple snack, dessert, and lunch options with a salmon barbecue. Free shuttles run every 15 minutes from the Hawks Prairie Park-n-Ride to the Refuge, and admission is free all day.

Intuitive Tarot sessions with Sage are offered at Radiance Olympia. With four decades of experience, Sage combines Tarot with dreamwork, astrology, and professional coaching, using principles from neuroscience and depth psychology to help clients gain clarity about their path forward. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome. Sessions are available in 15, 30, 45, or 60 minute formats priced at $40, $60, $80, and $100 respectively.

Lula Fest 2026 brings live music, a car show, and vendor booths to Capitol Theater. Headlined by The Pazific from Seattle, the bill also includes Mona Y Latin Drums from Chile, AKA from Olympia, DJ Kalambre from Tumwater, and DJ Muneca from Olympia, and more. VIP tickets are available for 25 dollars. The event is presented with support from City of Olympia, First Security Bank, The Long Game Advisory Group, South Sound YMCA, The JOLT, Mullinax Ford of Olympia, Bytes Recycling, Olympia Downtown Alliance, Olympia Salsa, and Charro Mexican Restaurant.

Autistic and AuDHD community members are invited to a relaxed park hangout aiming to squeeze in one more outdoor gathering before the rainy season. The plan is to meet at Lyons Park, with a backup plan to be shared if weather makes that necessary. Attendees are encouraged to bring anything that adds comfort, such as a chair or blanket, snacks or a picnic, yard games, and sunscreen. Cornhole boards and bags will be available, and there may be a bocce ball set as well. A single sun shade will be set up to offer a bit of relief on sunnier moments.

An evening centered on food, community, and giving supports Veterans, Military Service Members, First Responders, and their loved ones on the path to healing. Contributions through tickets, donations, and participation in the silent and dessert auctions help provide access to integrated therapies that ease trauma, chronic pain, and stress, and address suicidal thoughts. Sharing a meal becomes a step toward hope, recovery, and renewed strength. It is a reminder that healing is possible together.

23 Kitchens transforms its backyard into a festive Oktoberfest beer garden featuring live music by Lavon Blue. Each ticket includes admission, a custom 5 oz mini beer stein, and four tasting tickets to sample a variety of brews. Enjoy cold beer, traditional German bites, and great company in a lively atmosphere. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Hometown comedian Baurice Nelson returns to headline at Ricardo's Kitchen and Bar, bringing a sharpened voice, a bigger stage presence, and material honed over the past two years in Boise. Along the way he has featured and headlined at clubs, theaters, and comedy rooms across the West Coast, earning laughs with candid storytelling, quick turns of wit, and a larger-than-life take on everyday moments. Expect comedy drawn from real experiences that is both relatable and bold, delivered with confidence, charm, and a hint of edge. After building strong momentum on the road, this homecoming feels like a victory lap. The show also features Ian Yearsley. A walk-up bar and snack options will be available. Dinner is offered in the restaurant, and reservations can be made by calling Ricardo's at (360) 413-9995 and mentioning that you are attending the comedy show. Ticketing includes a friends and family presale followed by a general public on sale.

This car show at North Thurston High School welcomes Mustangs alongside other Ford-powered vehicles for a full day of automotive enthusiasm. Pre-registration is available for $20, and onsite registration is $25. Show T-shirts are offered by pre-order only, priced at $25 for sizes Small through XL and $30 for 2X through 5X, with tall options available for L through 4X. Expect raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle benefiting a local charity, activities for kids, music, food, and a variety of vendors. Awards will recognize first through third place across more than 50 classes, plus Kid’s Choice, People’s Choice, Best in Show for early and late models, specialty awards, and a club participation honor that includes a $100 cash prize. Vehicle classes span early non-Mustang Fords through current models and include vintage Mustangs by year and body style, stock and modified categories, Shelby and Roush entries, Ford trucks, Boss, Bullitt, Mach 1, Saleen, Cougar, Dark Horse, special editions such as Ford GT and RTR, European Ford models, police and Panther-platform vehicles, under-construction Ford-powered builds, and a young enthusiasts category. Class listings are being updated and may change. Gold Sponsor: Mullinax Ford of Olympia.

This is a fiction critique session at the Haagen food court. Participants bring several copies of a 4 to 6 page piece for feedback, read it aloud, then listen as the group highlights what works before exploring questions, points of confusion, and suggestions.

Experience a dazzling afternoon of silent-era comedy and suspense with a double feature that scales the skyline. The program begins with Liberty from 1929, where Laurel and Hardy navigate a precarious steel framework after a wardrobe mix-up sets off a chain of close calls and expertly timed gags. The feature presentation, Safety Last! from 1923, follows Harold Lloyd as he tackles a vertigo-inducing ascent up a city skyscraper, building to one of cinema’s most famous moments. Expect thrills, laughs, and breathtaking physical comedy from start to finish.

Presented by SPICY Lounge in collaboration with Chayanne Montiel, this waterfront Latin dance gathering brings salsa, cumbia, bachata, and merengue to an open-air setting by the water. A group lesson is led by SPICY’s dance instructors alongside Chayanne Montiel, with DJ Santos curating the music. Expect lively rhythms, shared laughs, and a welcoming community vibe for friends and families.