It's the first full week of September, and the Olympic Peninsula is still buzzing with outdoor activities, art, and plenty of live music. The Wooden Boat Festival is just around the corner, too. Let's dive in.
Midweek Highlights
Starting today, Wednesday, September 2nd, you can join the Railroad Bridge Park Bird Walk hosted by Dungeness River Nature Center. It's a free, early-morning start for bird enthusiasts. If you're looking for something a bit more adventurous, the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center has an Art Adventure Package: Kayaking, Kelp, and Creativity! for those who want to combine art with the outdoors. Come evening, Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel will be playing at the Field Arts & Events Hall.
Thursday offers a couple of community-focused events. The Dungeness River Nature Center continues its Ecology of the Dungeness 5-Week Course for those interested in local watershed ecology. Over at the Akalat Center, there's a Quileute Healing Circle, a free potluck-style gathering with traditional drumming, singing, and dancing. And if you're up for some movement, Finnriver Farm & Cidery is hosting a Line Dance with Bailey Bee.
The Weekend Ahead
Friday kicks off with the Port Townsend Farmers Market in Downtown Port Townsend. In Sequim, it's the First Friday Art Walk Sequim, a free monthly event. The Blue Whole Gallery will have an Opening Reception for "Travel the World thru Art" with artists Jane Smith and Dee Cantlon present. For theater lovers, Olympic Theatre Arts presents The 39 Steps.
Saturday is packed. Farmers markets are in full swing with the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market, Port Angeles Farmers Market, and Belfair Saturday Market. The Dungeness River Nature Center has OPAS Backyard Birding: “Bird-Friendly Communities”, a free session on creating bird-friendly spaces. You can also get free admission to the Rothschild House Museum for their Free First Saturday @ the Rothschild House Museum. Finnriver Farm & Cidery hosts Interdependence Day, a community event with a market, circus, and dance party. For music, Trio Santiago performs at Vintage by Port Townsend Vineyards. Later, Sound Advice Dance is at the American Legion. In Port Townsend, there's the Art Walk (Port Townsend) at Northwind Art and the general Port Townsend Art Walk in the downtown historic district. The JCHS Museum of Art + History will have its Fall Art Exhibits. And for something a bit louder, West End Thunder Drag Racing is happening at Forks Airport - S18.
Sunday brings more farmers market goodness with the Chimacum Farmers Market. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center continues its Kinship: A Collaboration With Nature exhibit. The Port Townsend Marine Science Center - Store & Gallery has the "Salish Explorations" Watercolor Exhibit. You can also take a FARM & CIDERY TASTING TOUR at Finnriver Farm & Cidery. Olympic Theatre Arts has another showing of The 39 Steps. For free music, Abracadabra Trip plays at Taps at the Guardhouse, and the Field Arts & Events Hall hosts Free Jazz Sunday with the Jean Lenke Jazz Combo.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
Next week, the Dungeness River Nature Center continues its Railroad Bridge Park Bird Walk on Wednesday. Thursday, the Ecology of the Dungeness 5-Week Course is still running, and Northwind Art opens Showcase 2026: Round Three. The Quilcene Lantern hosts Open Mic w/ Jesse Adams. Ian Maksin: Beyond Neoclassical performs at Field Arts & Events Hall. Forks welcomes the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival, and the Olympic Peninsula YMCA hosts Welcoming Week.
Friday, September 11th, brings the Port Townsend Farmers Market, and the much-anticipated Wooden Boat Festival kicks off at Point Hudson Marina.
Saturday, September 12th, you'll find the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market, Port Angeles Farmers Market, and Belfair Saturday Market. Finnriver Farm & Cidery offers another FARM & CIDERY TASTING TOUR. The Port Angeles Second Saturday Art Walk is happening on the Port Angeles Wharf. For music, Cold Comfort plays the Quilcene Lantern, and IAN MAKSIN in FORKS, WA: "The Power of Cello" Summer 2026 Concert Tour is at the First Congregational Church United Church Of Christ. Active folks can participate in the GOAT Run, Full & Half-Marathon on the Olympic Discovery Trail: Adventure Route Trailhead. Don't miss the Hwy 112 Great Strait Sale along Washington 112 and the Jefferson County Farm Tour starting at Chimacum Corner Farmstand.
Sunday, September 13th, the Chimacum Farmers Market is open. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center hosts the last day for the "Kinship: A Collaboration With Nature" Exhibit. JazzVox: Caity Gyorgy & Mark Limacher perform at JazzVox: Sequim. Olympic Theatre Arts has a final showing of The 39 Steps. The Old Alcohol Plant Inn presents "The Magic of Water" Art Showing, and The Mississippi Hotdogs play the Uptown Pub. The Wooden Boat Festival continues in Port Townsend.
Monday the 14th, the Forks Branch Library has a Bad Art Night for Adults – Forks. And on Wednesday the 16th, Finnriver Farm & Cidery hosts a Paint & Sip at Finnriver.