Things To Do
Where to go in Lacey.
Verified events and places only — no padded listings. Guides are added as they're researched.
This Weekend
Verified events during the weekend of Fri Oct 30 – Sun Nov 1.
Thu, Oct 1 – Oct 31 · Thu & Fri 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Creativity Corner: Spooky Boo Boxes
Lacey Museum and Cultural Center, 6th Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Free, all-ages drop-in craft for October: color and decorate your own Halloween treat box. No registration needed.
Sat, Oct 17 – Oct 31
LoveOly Downtown Scavenger Hunt
Downtown Olympia
Pick up a passport downtown, find hidden costumed rubber duckies, and submit by 6pm Oct 31.
Mon, Oct 19 – Oct 31 · 7:00 PM
My Morbid Mind Haunted House
4548 Marvin Road SE, Lacey
The South Sound's iconic barn haunt returns for the 2026 season. Open Friday Oct 23 and Saturday Oct 24, 7-11 PM; Sunday Oct 25 is Kids Night, 7-9:30 PM (door sales only). Season runs through Oct 31. Tickets $23-$35.
Event details ↗Fri, Oct 30 · 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Lacey Night Market: Season Finale
Lacey Depot, 5555 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA
The final Lacey Night Market of the 2026 season at the Lacey Depot, closing out the year with a Haunted Night Market theme. Free admission, presented by the City of Lacey.
Event details ↗Sat, Oct 31 · 3–6pm
Yelm Prairie Park Trunk or Treat
Prairie Park, 201 Prairie Park Street SE, Yelm
Over 90 decorated cars at Prairie Park in Yelm, with awards for best in show and kids' choice.
Sat, Oct 31 · 2–4pm
First United Methodist Church of Olympia Trunk or Treat
First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia
Church-hosted trunk or treat on Legion Way, 2–4pm.
Sat, Oct 31 · Not specified
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Lacey, WA
A free community cultural celebration honoring and remembering deceased loved ones.
Event details ↗Sat, Oct 31 · 3–6pm
Downtown Olympia Family Trick-or-Treating
Downtown Olympia (pet contest at 5th & Washington)
Family trick-or-treating downtown 3–6pm, plus a pet costume contest 4–5pm at 5th and Washington.
Sat, Oct 31 · 4–7pm
Woodlawn Trunk or Treat
Woodlawn, 5930 Mullen Road SE, Lacey
Trunk or treating at Woodlawn in Lacey with a themed maze (Five Nights at Freddy's, Ghostbusters, Killer Clowns — not too scary, no jump scares) and $3 cake pops supporting Family Education and Support Services.
Sat, Oct 31
Pizza Bar for Trick-or-Treaters at Bottega
Bottega, 640 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
A kids' pizza bar for trick-or-treaters on Halloween, with happy hour running for the adults.
Awaiting verification·Bottega, owner-provided via the site's editorSat, Oct 31 · 2–4pm
Tumwater Trunk or Treat
Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater
Free community trunk or treat at Tumwater City Hall with games and treats.
Find this useful? Keep Living Lacey close.
Bookmark this page for next time, or follow along for local updates, weekend ideas, and discoveries around Lacey.
Family Activities
Guides built from verified parks, lakes, and events — no padded listings.
Guide
Free Outings: Parks & Playgrounds
Verified parks with playgrounds, trails, and picnic spots — all free to visit.
Guide
Halloween & Fall Fun with Kids
Verified family-friendly Halloween and fall events around Lacey — updated as organizers confirm dates.
Guide
Lake Days with Kids
Swimming, picnics, and shoreline strolls at Lacey's lakes — with verified public access and water quality notes.
Outdoors
Lakes, paddling, fishing, and forest walks.
Lake
Hicks Lake
Stocked rainbow trout plus bass and panfish fishing, boating from the WDFW launch, and picnicking, bank fishing, and walking trails at Wanschers Community Park.
Lake
Long Lake
Year-round fishing for stocked rainbow trout plus yellow perch, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead and common carp; boating from the WDFW launch.
Lake
Pattison Lake
Year-round fishing for stocked rainbow trout plus naturally reproducing largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and rock bass; boating at a 5 mph maximum year-round.
Lake
St. Clair Lake
Year-round fishing for stocked rainbow and brown trout, plus bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and stocked channel catfish; boating from WDFW access sites.
Saltwater & Shoreline
Beaches, marinas, and wildlife refuges on Puget Sound and Henderson Inlet — all within or beside Lacey.
Wildlife Refuge
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516
Federally managed estuary where the Nisqually River meets Puget Sound, just east of Lacey at I-5 exit 114. More than five miles of trails including the Twin Barns Loop and the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk for birding and wildlife viewing. Grounds open sunrise to sunset; visitor center Wed–Sun, 9–4. A $3 daily entrance fee per vehicle covers up to four adults (children 16 and under free; cash or check only) — America the Beautiful passes cover entry. No pets.
Saltwater Access
Johnson Point
Johnson Point Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516 (unincorporated Thurston County)
Quiet residential peninsula north of Lacey extending into Henderson Inlet. Informal public beach access at road ends, known for sand-dollar beds and shoreline walks. Zittel's Marina sits at the point for boaters launching into Puget Sound.
Saltwater Access
Tolmie State Park
7730 61st Ave. NE, Olympia, WA 98506
105-acre marine day-use state park with 1,800 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound, just south of Lacey near the Nisqually reach. Forested picnic areas, tide pools, and an underwater park for divers. A Discover Pass is required for parking ($10 daily or $30 annually).
Saltwater Access
Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area
7000 Whitham Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506
DNR-managed natural area on Henderson Inlet protecting a great blue heron rookery and bat habitat. Three trails — a paved road, a forested loop, and a barrier-free overlook — plus a seasonal boat launch. A Discover Pass is required for parking ($10 daily or $30 annually). Note: no dogs, and parking is very limited.
Marina
Zittel's Marina
9144 Gallea St NE, Olympia, WA 98516
Family-run marina on Johnson Point at the north end of Nisqually Reach, with a ramp and sling boat launch, dry storage, moorage, haul-out, boat rentals, dockside fuel, and a tackle shop. Popular launch for salmon fishing, crabbing, and kayaking.
Marina
Zittel's Marina
9144 Gallea St. NE, Olympia, WA 98516
Family-run marina at the end of Johnson Point Road (the continuation of Meridian Road NE) on Henderson Inlet. Public boat launch plus covered and open moorage, boat rentals, a store and fuel dock, and haul-out and bottom-painting services. Private facility, so a launch fee applies — call (360) 459-1950 for current launch fees and store/fuel dock hours.
Golf
Public courses in and around Lacey.
Golf Course
Capitol City Golf Club
5225 Yelm Hwy SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Public 18-hole course on the south side of Lacey off Yelm Highway, open to the public with a clubhouse and grill.
Golf Course
Indian Summer Golf & Country Club
5900 Troon Lane SE, Olympia, WA 98501
18-hole championship public golf course with practice facilities, clubhouse, and dining, in the Lacey Urban Growth Area.
Golf Course
The Golf Club at Hawks Prairie
8383 Vicwood Ln, Lacey, WA 98516
Two distinct public 18-hole courses in northeast Lacey — The Links (open, links-style) and The Woodlands (tree-lined). Book tee times online; the Woodlands course is seasonal, reopening mid-March.
Upcoming Events
Verified events around Lacey — this month through the holidays. New dates appear as organizers confirm them.
Thu, Oct 1 – Oct 31 · Thu & Fri 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Creativity Corner: Spooky Boo Boxes
Lacey Museum and Cultural Center, 6th Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Free, all-ages drop-in craft for October: color and decorate your own Halloween treat box. No registration needed.
Sat, Oct 17 – Oct 31
LoveOly Downtown Scavenger Hunt
Downtown Olympia
Pick up a passport downtown, find hidden costumed rubber duckies, and submit by 6pm Oct 31.
Mon, Oct 19 – Oct 31 · 7:00 PM
My Morbid Mind Haunted House
4548 Marvin Road SE, Lacey
The South Sound's iconic barn haunt returns for the 2026 season. Open Friday Oct 23 and Saturday Oct 24, 7-11 PM; Sunday Oct 25 is Kids Night, 7-9:30 PM (door sales only). Season runs through Oct 31. Tickets $23-$35.
Event details ↗Fri, Oct 30 · 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Lacey Night Market: Season Finale
Lacey Depot, 5555 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA
The final Lacey Night Market of the 2026 season at the Lacey Depot, closing out the year with a Haunted Night Market theme. Free admission, presented by the City of Lacey.
Event details ↗Sat, Oct 31 · 3–6pm
Yelm Prairie Park Trunk or Treat
Prairie Park, 201 Prairie Park Street SE, Yelm
Over 90 decorated cars at Prairie Park in Yelm, with awards for best in show and kids' choice.
Sat, Oct 31 · 2–4pm
First United Methodist Church of Olympia Trunk or Treat
First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia
Church-hosted trunk or treat on Legion Way, 2–4pm.
Sat, Oct 31 · Not specified
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Lacey, WA
A free community cultural celebration honoring and remembering deceased loved ones.
Event details ↗Sat, Oct 31 · 3–6pm
Downtown Olympia Family Trick-or-Treating
Downtown Olympia (pet contest at 5th & Washington)
Family trick-or-treating downtown 3–6pm, plus a pet costume contest 4–5pm at 5th and Washington.
Sat, Oct 31 · 4–7pm
Woodlawn Trunk or Treat
Woodlawn, 5930 Mullen Road SE, Lacey
Trunk or treating at Woodlawn in Lacey with a themed maze (Five Nights at Freddy's, Ghostbusters, Killer Clowns — not too scary, no jump scares) and $3 cake pops supporting Family Education and Support Services.
Sat, Oct 31
Pizza Bar for Trick-or-Treaters at Bottega
Bottega, 640 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
A kids' pizza bar for trick-or-treaters on Halloween, with happy hour running for the adults.
Awaiting verification·Bottega, owner-provided via the site's editorSat, Oct 31 · 2–4pm
Tumwater Trunk or Treat
Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Road SW, Tumwater
Free community trunk or treat at Tumwater City Hall with games and treats.
Thu, Nov 5 – Nov 28 · Thu & Fri 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Creativity Corner: Little Leaves of Light
Lacey Museum and Cultural Center, 6th Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Create a colorful leaf sun catcher that fills your space with warm, fall-inspired colors. Visit Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE and open to all ages.
Event details ↗Tue, Nov 17 · 6 pm
2027 Lacey Budget Public Hearing
Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers, Lacey, WA
The Lacey City Council takes public comment on the proposed 2027 budget, a $245.5 million spending plan that draws about $3.31 million from reserves and proposes water, wastewater and stormwater rate increases. Hearings are also scheduled Nov. 2 and Dec. 1, with adoption expected in December.
Event details ↗Thu, Nov 19 · 6:30-7:30 pm
Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor: An Origin Story by Jerry Farmer
Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers, Lacey, WA
Join Jerry Farmer for the origin story of a local Lacey restaurant, Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor. Hybrid format: attend in person at Lacey City Hall Council Chambers or join online (registration required for online attendance only). Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Event details ↗Sat, Nov 21 · 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Lacey Holiday Market
Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA
The City of Lacey’s Holiday Market at the Lacey Community Center: shop local vendors and kick off the holiday season. Free admission.
Mon, Nov 30 · 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Lacey Holiday Lights
Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey, WA
Light up Lacey: lighted vehicles, activities, food vendors, Santa, and the lighting of Huntamer Park for the holiday season.
Wed, Dec 2 · 9:00 a.m.
Winter Registration
Online at laceyparks.org
Registration opens for Lacey Parks programs taking place in January, February, and March of 2027.
Event details ↗Thu, Dec 3 – Dec 31 · Thu & Fri 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Creativity Corner: Home Sweet Holiday Home
Lacey Museum and Cultural Center, 6th Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Add a sprinkle of Christmas magic to your own little holiday gingerbread house, then complete it with a favorite photo. Visit Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE and open to all ages.
Event details ↗Fri, Dec 4 · 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Signing Santa
Chambers Prairie Elementary, Lacey, WA
Presented by the Signing Santa Organization and Lacey Parks, Culture and Recreation — bringing children who are deaf or hard of hearing, their families, friends, and the community together.
Wed, Dec 9 · 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Cookies with Mrs. Claus
Jacob Smith House, Lacey, WA
Mrs. Claus decorates cookies with her favorite little helpers — each child gets their own plate of cookies to decorate, plus a selfie with Mrs. Claus.
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Breakfast with Santa
Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Kid-friendly breakfast with crafts, games, and Christmas surprises at the North Pole (Lacey Community Center). Pre-registration required through Lacey Parks.
Thu, Feb 11 · 6-8 pm
Lacey Loves to Read: Christina Soontornvat
Koval Center for the Performing Arts, Lacey, WA
Meet New York Times bestselling author Christina Soontornvat, hear her presentation, and get books signed. Presented by North Thurston Public Schools and community partners; free and open to the public.
Event details ↗Wed, Mar 3 · 9 am
Spring Registration Opens
Online, by phone, or Lacey City Hall, Lacey, WA
Lacey Parks spring registration opens for summer camps and programs running April through June 2027.
Event details ↗Sat, Mar 6 · 10 am-6 pm
Lacey Cultural Celebration
St. Martin's University, Lacey, WA
Savor the sights and sounds of the world without leaving Lacey. A free event sharing the heritage and cultures of the community, designed for the whole family.
Event details ↗Sat, May 15 – May 16 · 10 am-6 pm
Lacey Spring Fun Fair
St. Martin's University, Lacey, WA
Two days of free fun for everyone: rides, games, live entertainment, activities, and food and artisan vendors on the St. Martin's University campus.
Event details ↗
Parks & Trails
Public parks and trails in and around Lacey.
Park
Greg Cuoio Park
2711 Carpenter Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98516
Lacey's largest park — 139 developed acres within a 537-acre greenway of forest, wetlands, and tributaries, featuring a nature-themed playground, picnic shelter, and trails. Opened September 2026.
Lake Access
Hicks Lake WDFW Water Access Site
West shore of Hicks Lake, Lacey, WA
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife boat launch with one parking lot and two toilets. Open the fourth Saturday in April through October 31. No hand launches or fishing platforms.
Park
Horizon Pointe Park
5700 Horizon Pointe, Lacey, WA 98513
Neighborhood park serving the Horizon Pointe community in south Lacey, with a playground and open space.
Park
Lakepointe Park
Lakepointe Dr SE, Lacey, WA
Neighborhood park in the Lakepointe community of southeast Lacey.
Park
Long Lake Park
Long Lake shoreline, Lacey, WA
City of Lacey park on the Long Lake shoreline. Note for anglers: fishing is not allowed at Long Lake Park, per WDFW and Lacey Parks and Recreation — use the WDFW access site near the boat ramp instead.
Park
Rainier Vista Community Park
5475 45th Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Large community park and sports hub with a skate park, pickleball courts, ballfields, and playground. Four new pickleball courts (including a championship court) are planned to open in fall 2027. Open 7 a.m. until dark.
Park
Regional Athletic Complex (RAC)
8345 Steilacoom Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98513
100-acre Lacey–Thurston County sports complex with five softball/baseball fields, six regulation soccer/football/rugby fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and two miles of walking trails.
Park
Wanschers Community Park
2606 Hicks Lake Rd SE, Lacey, WA
A heavily wooded City of Lacey park on the west shore of Hicks Lake with grassy picnic areas, picnic tables, bank fishing, a small sandy beach, and natural-surface trails. Parking is limited.
Park
Wonderwood Park
5304 32nd Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Wooded neighborhood park with walking paths through the trees and sports courts, repeatedly rated among Lacey's most-loved parks.
Park
Woodland Creek Community Park
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA
Lacey's flagship community park, home to the Lacey Community Center and Lacey Senior Center. Covered picnic shelters with barbecue grills, restrooms, play equipment, natural trails, and paved walkways; Longs Pond sits at the park. Hosts community events including the Thurston County Emergency Preparedness Expo (Sept. 26, 2026).
Seasonal Guides
Fall color, winter lights, spring blooms, summer on the water.
Seasonal guides coming soon
Day Trips
Easy escapes within an hour or two of Lacey.
Day trip guides coming soon