Olympia Arts Walk 2024 in Seattle

The Olympia Arts Walk is a semi-annual outdoor festival that takes place on the Friday and Saturday of the 4th weekend of April and the first weekend of October. For two days, the city center transforms into a creative hub filled with all kinds of art. The festival features demonstrations, concerts, and theatre performances. The streets and sidewalks are full of art on display and for sale. Visitors will find pop-up performances and places to interact with artists around every corner.

Procession of the Species

The highlight of the spring Arts Walk is the incredible Procession of the Species. Olympia and Seattle area residents dress up in the wackiest and wildest costumes of creatures and critters. It's a joyous and spontaneous artistic pageant where everyone gets the freedom to express oneself. Costumes go beyond imagination, and the event is entertaining for both kids and grownups who enjoy the spectacle.

Events & Activities

The Arts Walk features a stunning luminary procession, a night-time parade adorned with captivating light sculptures. Each year, the City selects and commissions two artists to create original works of art for the Arts Walk poster and other event materials—one artist for the fall event and one for the spring. The Arts Walk Innovation Awards recognize and encourage creativity and community engagement in the arts. In addition to showcasing hundreds of artists and performers at various locations throughout Olympia, the Arts Walk & Gallery Boom collaborate to produce the outdoor Arts Market. This vibrant market is held along the street closure of the downtown Arts Walk celebration.