Capital Lakefair Returns to Olympia for Five Days of Summer Fun

One of Olympia’s favorite summer traditions is returning to the shores of Capitol Lake this July. Capital Lakefair 2026 will take over Heritage Park from Wednesday, July 15, through Sunday, July 19, bringing five days of carnival rides, live music, local food, arts and crafts, classic cars, a grand parade and a spectacular fireworks finale. Festival admission is free. 

For nearly seven decades, Lakefair has brought families, neighbors and visitors together in the heart of downtown Olympia. The celebration began in 1957 as a family-oriented community festival organized with support from local residents and small businesses. The 2026 event marks its 69th year serving Thurston County.

Carnival Rides, Food and Live Entertainment

The colorful Funtastic Traveling Shows carnival will open daily at noon, offering rides and midway games for a variety of ages. Carnival hours are noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to midnight on Sunday. Ride tickets will be sold at the event.

Visitors can also explore arts and crafts booths featuring work from local makers, enjoy free performances on the entertainment main stage and sample food from more than a dozen concessionaires along Water Street. Many of the food stands are operated by local nonprofit organizations that use Lakefair proceeds to support their programs throughout the year. 

Lakefair’s main stage will feature admission-free entertainment from local, regional and national performers throughout the festival. Craft booths are scheduled to remain open from noon to 9 p.m., while food concessions will generally operate from noon to 11 p.m.

Classic Cars Along Capitol Lake

The annual Capital Lakefair Car Show will roll into Marathon Park on Friday, July 17, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors can walk along Deschutes Parkway and view an assortment of custom and vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles. The show is free for spectators and stretches north from Marathon Park toward Heritage Park.

Earlier that Friday, Lakefair will host 50+ in the Park from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. near the main stage. The special senior-focused celebration will include entertainment, vendors, activities, prizes and giveaways.

Cheer on the Grand Parade

The Lakefair Grand Parade, one of the festival’s most anticipated traditions, will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 18, following pre-parade festivities at 4:45 p.m. The route starts on Capitol Way at 20th Avenue and travels north through downtown to Fifth Avenue, ending near the bridge and Lakefair grounds.

Spectators can expect decorated floats, community groups, marching units and other colorful entries celebrating the people and organizations that make the South Sound special.

Fireworks Over Capitol Lake

Lakefair Week will conclude on Sunday, July 19, with the Grand Finale Fireworks beginning at 10:15 p.m. The show will light up the sky over Capitol Lake and can be viewed from Heritage Park, Deschutes Parkway, the Capitol Campus and other locations with a clear view of the lake.

 The combination of fireworks reflected across the water, carnival lights glowing along the shoreline and the Washington State Capitol dome in the background creates one of Olympia’s most memorable summer scenes.

A Celebration That Supports the Community

Capital Lakefair is about more than rides and entertainment. The volunteer-led nonprofit supports local organizations, provides fundraising opportunities for nonprofit food vendors and operates a scholarship program for students from area high schools.

With free admission and activities for nearly every age and interest, Capital Lakefair remains a celebration of everything people love about summer in Olympia: community, entertainment, local food and time together beside the lake.

Capital Lakefair 2026 at a Glance

When: July 15–19, 2026
Where: Heritage Park and Capitol Lake, downtown Olympia
Admission: Free; carnival rides, games, food and merchandise cost extra
Grand Parade: Saturday, July 18 at 5 p.m.
Fireworks: Sunday, July 19 at 10:15 p.m.
Parking: No dedicated event parking; nearby street parking is available. Downtown street parking is free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and throughout Saturday and Sunday.