The Pacific Northwest’s capital city transforms into a winter wonderland each December, offering celebrations that blend small-town charm with sophisticated cultural experiences. From artisan markets tucked into historic downtown buildings to sprawling light displays that illuminate family farms, the Greater Olympia area delivers authentic holiday experiences you simply won’t find in larger cities.
As Olympia Auto Mall’s locally-owned Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac dealership, Titus-Will has been part of these community celebrations for years. Our team put together this guide based on our staff’s favorite local traditions and feedback from customers who’ve made these events annual family outings. We’ve also included practical transportation tips and vehicle prep advice to help you safely navigate between celebrations during those notorious Pacific Northwest winter conditions.
What Makes Olympia’s 2025 Holiday Season Special
These celebrations stand out because of their genuine community connection. Unlike overly commercialized holiday events, Olympia’s festivities grew from local traditions and continue through volunteer efforts and small business partnerships. The geographic concentration helps too. Most events sit within a 20-minute drive of each other, making it totally feasible to hit multiple celebrations in a single weekend.
Downtown becomes this walkable holiday destination, with decorated storefronts complementing the organized festivals. Local artisans dominate the markets rather than mass-produced vendors showing up. Many celebrations weave in live performances from regional musicians too. December temperatures typically hover between the mid-30s to mid-40s, with frequent rain that makes vehicle and wardrobe prep essential for comfortable outdoor experiences.
Downtown Holiday Festivals and Winter Celebrations
The downtown district packs multiple celebrations within walking distance, transforming Capitol Way and surrounding streets into one big interconnected holiday destination throughout December.
LoveOly WinterFest
LoveOly WinterFest anchors the downtown holiday calendar with a festive street celebration held annually on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. In 2025, it will take place on November 30th. This festival combines the traditional tree lighting ceremony with extended activities showcasing local talent and businesses.
Live performances feature regional musicians on multiple stages, while local artists demonstrate crafts and sell handmade goods throughout the downtown corridor. The festival sets up dedicated family zones with activities like ornament-making workshops and storytelling sessions. Local restaurants get involved too, offering special menus and outdoor service areas enhanced by festive decorations.
Parking tip from our staff: The downtown public lots fill up fast after 10 AM. Get there before 9:30 AM to lock down convenient parking, then grab breakfast before activities kick off.
Downtown for the Holidays
Downtown for the Holidays goes beyond a single event into a season-long initiative organized by the Downtown Olympia Partnership. Throughout December, participating businesses coordinate hours, window displays, and promotional activities. The initiative includes designated free parking days, removing those typical meter fees to encourage downtown visits.
Many stores extend evening hours for convenient after-work shopping. Decorated storefronts follow coordinated themes, and plenty of businesses set up photo installations. Live music performances rotate through different downtown locations on weekends. Their website keeps a running calendar showing participating businesses and special promotions.
Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
The 22nd Annual Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival brings this neighboring community together for an evening celebration on the 6th of December 2025. Located at the Tumwater Town Center, this event combines the ceremonial tree lighting with family activities and local entertainment.
You’ll find visits with Santa, holiday craft stations for children, and performances by school choirs and local musical groups. The actual tree lighting ceremony happens at a designated evening hour, preceded by countdown activities. Free parking and the compact venue layout make this particularly accessible for families with young children. Our customers with multiple kids appreciate not having to navigate large downtown lots with little ones in tow.
Holiday Markets and Artisan Shopping
Olympia’s holiday shopping scene puts handcrafted goods from regional artisans front and center, with markets that showcase talent from across Thurston County.
Olympia Farmers Market Holiday Market
The Olympia Farmers Market Holiday Market extends the beloved summer institution into December with indoor operations. The market runs select weekends throughout the holiday season in covered facilities, maintaining that direct connection between makers and shoppers.
Vendors include farmers offering winter produce, greenhouse growers with fresh herbs and greens, and artisans selling handcrafted gifts. Unlike typical holiday markets, this venue keeps its agricultural roots while incorporating seasonal crafts. The heated indoor space gives you comfortable browsing regardless of weather, and that waterfront location offers some pretty scenic views.
From our team members who frequent the market: it gets absolutely packed between 10 AM and noon. Visit after 1 PM for easier browsing and shorter checkout lines. The waterfront parking lot fills early on market days, but there’s additional parking available two blocks east on Columbia Street.
Tenino Holiday Market and Local Craft Fairs
The Tenino Holiday Market brings holiday shopping to this historic Thurston County community, operating this year from November 28th to 30th. Held in the Tenino City Park Depot Museum or nearby community spaces, this market emphasizes local artisans and crafters from smaller surrounding communities.
The intimate scale creates real opportunities to speak directly with makers about their processes and materials. That historic railroad depot setting adds architectural interest alongside the shopping experience. Several local churches and community organizations also host craft fairs during December.
Must-See Christmas Light Displays Around Olympia
Light displays throughout the region transform properties and parks into illuminated wonderlands, offering free or low-cost family entertainment.
Schilter Family Farm Lighted Nativity Scene
Schilter Family Farm creates one of the region’s most distinctive holiday displays with their Lighted Nativity Scene, typically open throughout December evenings. Located on their working farm property, this drive-through and walk-through display combines religious tradition with elaborate lighting covering multiple acres.
The display includes life-sized nativity figures surrounded by thousands of lights arranged in detailed scenes. The farm setting allows for scale that’s impossible in urban locations. Many Titus-Will customers make this an annual tradition, appreciating both the religious focus and impressive execution.
Timing advice: The drive-through takes about 20-25 minutes to complete. Arrive before 6:30 PM on weekends to avoid the longest lines. The farm often includes visits with Santa on designated evenings and hot beverage sales. Free admission makes this accessible for all families, though the farm accepts donations to support the annual installation.
Christmas in the Park and Regional Light Shows
Various parks throughout Olympia and Thurston County install holiday light displays, creating multiple opportunities to experience seasonal illumination.
Some displays offer drive-through experiences, while others encourage walking through lighted sections. Regional parks sometimes coordinate displays with evening hours extended specifically for viewing. The combination of Pacific Northwest evergreen trees with holiday lighting creates particularly striking visuals as lights reflect off wet evergreen needles.
Family-Friendly Winter Activities and Events
Ice skating typically becomes available at temporary rinks in the downtown area, with Oly on Ice transforming spaces into winter recreation zones. These rinks operate through the holiday season into early January, offering public skating sessions and equipment rentals.
Local theaters and performance venues schedule holiday shows, from traditional Nutcracker performances to contemporary seasonal productions. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts and community theaters present family-appropriate entertainment throughout December. Libraries throughout Thurston County host holiday story times and craft sessions.
Nature-based activities take advantage of the region’s outstanding outdoor access. Winter hiking on trails through surrounding forests offers a completely different perspective than summer visits, with fewer crowds and distinctive seasonal beauty. The Nisqually Wildlife Refuge stays open for wildlife observation, where winter brings migratory bird species you won’t see other times of year.
Getting Around to Olympia’s Holiday Celebrations
Downtown events benefit from concentrated geography, making it totally practical to park once and walk between multiple celebrations. The downtown core includes several public parking facilities, with some offering validation from participating businesses. Street parking becomes competitive during major events, so arriving early definitely pays off.
For events outside downtown, personal vehicles provide the most flexible transportation. Many family farms and regional parks lack public transit access, making car travel essential. The compact geography of Thurston County means drive times between celebrations rarely exceed 20 minutes.
Keep all windows, headlights, and taillights clear of fog, snow, and ice before you head out. Crowded event parking makes visibility risks worse. Our service advisors recommend keeping your fuel tank at least half full during event outings. This prevents condensation and provides heat if you encounter long traffic queues leaving popular displays.
Planning Your Holiday Visit to Olympia
Downtown celebrations cluster naturally, so you can combine LoveOly WinterFest activities with shopping at participating Downtown for the Holidays businesses in a single trip. Markets operate on specific weekends rather than daily, so coordinating your schedule with market dates ensures you don’t miss artisan shopping opportunities.
Weather flexibility improves your experience dramatically. Most outdoor events proceed during light rain, but having backup indoor options lets you adjust if conditions get particularly miserable. Indoor markets, theater performances, and covered downtown shopping provide alternatives when outdoor activities prove less appealing.
Combining holiday events with Olympia’s year-round attractions creates much richer visits. The state capitol campus offers impressive architecture and grounds that are accessible year-round. Local breweries and restaurants showcase Pacific Northwest cuisine at its best. Museums and galleries provide cultural experiences that complement holiday celebrations perfectly.
The Titus-Will team welcomes you to stop by our dealership while you’re exploring Olympia’s holiday season. We’re located right in the Olympia Auto Mall and we’re happy to provide local recommendations, or that winter vehicle check to ensure your holiday travels stay safe and worry-free.
Olympia’s holiday season reveals community character through celebrations that emphasize local participation over commercial spectacle, creating authentic experiences that truly reflect the region’s values and creativity.
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