Annual Events
JAN – FEB – MAR – APR – MAY – JUN – JUL – AUG – SEP – OCT – NOV – DEC
January
Polar Bear Plunge at Birch Bay
This annual ritual draws hundreds of participants and onlookers each year. The Polar Bear Plunge is becoming a destination spot for the holiday. Participants come from as far away as Germany, Tokyo, Chicago, and British Columbia to plunge in to the bay’s chilly water. Birch Bay
Padden Polar Dip & Resolution Run
Celebrate New Year’s Day with a quick chilly dip in the swim area at Lake Padden, then enjoy some coffee and hot cocoa to help everyone stay warm. Before the Dip join us for the Resolution Run-Walk around beautiful Lake Padden (2.6 mile loop). Lake Padden, Bellingham
March
Whatcom County Home and Garden Show
The largest home show north of Seattle. Come see the biggest and best display of products for your home and garden in Northwest Washington. With over 200 vendors there is something for everyone. Lynden
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Bellingham’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a “green” parade to honor our Police and Fire Departments. Featuring the Grand Marshal, dancers, pipe and marching bands, plus human- and green-powered floats. All are welcome. Downtown Bellingham
Wings Over Water: Northwest Washington Birding Festival
The Wings Over Water Birding Festival in Blaine celebrates the incredible variety of migratory birds which flock to Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay each winter and spring. Visit the festival for a day-long birding expo with free activities for the whole family, including wildlife demonstrations, bird viewing stations, exhibits, displays, craft vendors and more. For a small fee wildlife cruises of Drayton Harbor are available on the MV Plover Ferry. Blaine
Spring Craft & Antique Show
Welcome spring with over 100 of the Northwest’s finest artisans selling handcrafted gifts, home decor, garden and vintage treasures. Creativity and inspiration abounds in Lynden with live entertainment. Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, Lynden
April
Bellingham Bay Rendezvous
Visit Bellingham’s many skippered charter vessels at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in the Historic Fairhaven District and learn about summer cruise opportunities. Activities include boat tours, day sails, antique marine engine demonstrations, kids activities and food booths. Local boats participating include the Schooner Zodiac, David B, Victoria Star and Gato Verde, Several historic schooners from across Puget Sound will travel to Bellingham to participate in the festivities. Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Bellingham
Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival
Fairhaven’s annual celebration of seafood and community founder Dirty Dan Harris! Food & games, live music, fish fillet contest, salmon toss, cupcake eating contest, toy boat building, interactive fish art, 1800’s dress up, cooking demos, chowder cook-off and the world’s only piano race! Fairhaven Village Green, Bellingham
May
Procession of the Species Parade
The Procession of the Species is a joyous, spontaneous artistic pageant where community members celebrate their relationships with each other and with the natural world. Downtown Bellingham
Ski to Sea Race & Fairhaven Festival
Bellingham’s annual Ski to Sea Race is a 100-mile relay of seven venues encompassing seven different sports from the snowfields of Mount Baker, down Highway 542 and the Nooksack River and across Bellingham Bay via downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, running, canoeing, bike riding and kayaking. The Fairhaven Festival is at the Ski to Sea race finish line, with live music on two stages, food and crafts booths, beer garden and more. Ski to Sea attracts not only high-caliber athletes, but teams seeking non-competitive adventure and fun.
The Ski to Sea Race is held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend every year. The Ski to Sea Junior Race is the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend (Saturday at Lake Padden); the Ski to Sea Junior Parade is the evening before (Friday). The Ski to Sea Carnival takes place at Bellis Fair Mall and runs 10 days before and on race day. The Ski to Sea Grand Parade is held Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, as is the Ski to Sea Block Party at Boundary Bay Brewery. Race: Throughout county; Festival: 10th Street & Mill Avenue, Bellingham
Bellingham Technical College Welding Rodeo
The Welding Rodeo features an array of industry vendor booths, forged items, public welding opportunities and the up close and personal view of welding and art in action. Friday showcases 10 Amateur or High School/College level teams, and Saturday showcases 10 Professional level teams competing for prizes and cash over eight hours. The public is invited both days. Bellingham
June
Lynden Farmers Day Parade
The Farmers Day Parade is a long-standing tradition honoring the economic and social impact of the agriculture industry on the community of Lynden and its surrounding area. A parade different from many others, the Farmers Day Parade is filled with commercial, agricultural, organizational and lots of community entries. Only in Lynden can you see a procession of tractors, animals, antique cars and trucks with traditional floats, bands and a variety of children’s entries. Lynden
Bellingham Scottish Highland Games
The purpose of the Bellingham Highland Games Association is to promote and preserve traditional Scottish Highland culture. The annual Bellingham Scottish Highland Games includes competition in piping, drumming, dancing, and athletics. It also presents Clan information, Fiddle & Harp performances,
Scottish Country Dancing and more and is set into a Country Fair type atmosphere for the whole family. In the 1980′s, the event was moved to Ferndale’s Hovander Homestead Park, one of the most beautiful of the Whatcom County Parks. Over the years, attendance has grown in participants and spectators, and the quality of the cultural displays and the excellence of competition has just gotten better. Don’t miss this great two-day event. Ferndale
Lummi Stommish Water Festival – Lummi Reservation
The Lummi Stommish Water Festival began back in 1946, when World War II veterans were coming home and Lummi World War I veterans decided to gather in celebration of their safe return. Stommish is a Cowichan word meaning “warrior,” and it has become an international renowned gathering which includes the “War Canoe races,” a “Sla-hal Bone Game” tournament, and an “Honoring All Veterans” Pow Wow. Stommish is a multi-cultural contemporary Coast Salish gathering which includes fun and enjoyment for the whole family. This annual event features: athletic events, traditional singing and dancing, a traditional Lummi-Style Salmon Barbeque, a carnival and a moonlight concert series featuring Native comedians & local musicians all throughout the weekend. Admission is free and Stommish is open to the public. Lummi Island
Warbird Weekend
The Heritage Flight Museum‘s annual Warbird Weekend includes a dinner/dance fundraiser on Friday night, and an all-day fly-in on Saturday. Heritage Flight Museum, Bellingham
Deming Logging Show
The Deming Log Show features 31 events and exhibitions demonstrating the talents and strengths of local loggers. Don’t miss axe throwing, speed climbing, log rolling, chainsaw bucking and the ironman. Deming
Hands Across The Border
Join hundreds of scouts and veterans who participate in the annual Hands Across the Border ceremony at the Peace Arch State and Provincial Park between the United States and Canada. The International Peace Arch Association sponsors this celebration that includes a flag exchange, speeches, a parade through the arch and a peace ceremony. Peach Arch Park, Blaine
July
Bellingham Festival of Music
Under the direction of maestro Michael Palmer, the Bellingham Festival Orchestra brings together principal players from major American and European orchestras and exceptional musicians from regional and national ensembles to present concerts of classical music at the highest caliber of artistic excellence. Performing Arts Center, Western Washington University, Bellingham
Bellingham’s Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration
Each year, the Port of Bellingham partners with Haggen Food and Pharmacy and the Bellingham / Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry to put on the Haggen Family Fourth of July Festival at Zuanich Point Park. Festivities run from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm, ending with an evening fireworks show over Bellingham Bay at around 10:30 pm. Activities include: art and photo display in the Squalicum Boathouse, arts and crafts, beer garden, kids zone, live music and vendors for food. Bellingham
Blaine’s Old Fashioned 4th Festival
Come spend the day celebrating the 4th of July in Blaine with day-long activities that include a pancake breakfast, a parade at noon, an art & crafts fair with over 80 vendors, a show & shine, live entertainment, and plenty of good food. Blaine
Northwest Raspberry Festival
July is National Raspberry Month and at the peak of the summer harvest season Lynden hosts the Northwest Raspberry Festival, filled with delicious family-friendly fun! Savor fresh raspberry sundaes on locally-produced ice cream, listen to live jazz, sidewalk shop and taste in downtown Lynden. Kids activities include inflatable games, face painting, a Rookies 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and Very Berry Storytime at the Lynden Library. Annual Curt Maberry Memorial Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. Raspberry pancake breakfast at the Lynden Community Center, followed by a 5K fun run/walk, Razz & Shine car show, and wine tasting at Samson Estates located on a working raspberry farm. Lynden
Everson – Nooksack Summer Festival
Birch Bay Discovery Days
Birch Bay Discovery Days is a great weekend for the entire family. Fun activities abound with a grand parade down Birch Bay Drive, arts and crafts fair (Saturday & Sunday) and a variety of food vendors. There’s plenty of more to do this day; kite flying on the beach, clamming, wake boarding and lots of family fun. Birch Bay
Old Settler’s Picnic
Pioneer Park is the spotlight of this annual community celebration in Ferndale, occurring the last weekend of July. Ferndale Heritage Society volunteers open the park’s historic cabins for public viewing. The overall event is organized by the Old Settler’s Association. It includes a parade, baseball tournaments, crafts, food vendors, a talent show, musical entertainment, non-profit expo, flower show and beer garden. It is the longest continually running annual picnic in the state. Ferndale
August
Northwest Washington Fair
The Northwest Washington Fair is a 6 day event located in Lynden, WA. Highlights include a Demolition Derby and nightly entertainment in the grandstands, draft horse, livestock judging, food displays, commercial exhibits and two carnival areas. Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, Lynden
Lynden PRCA Rodeo
The Lynden Rodeo is full of action and excitement as some of the nation’s top cowboys and cowgirls converge on Lynden for two days to test their skills in Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, and all seven official PRCA Rodeo events. Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, Lynden
Pudget Sound Antique Tractor Show & Pull
Drayton Harbor Days
Kids games, crafts, scavenger hunt, the “Prestigious George Raft Race”, pirate costume judging contest, arts, crafts & food vendors, vintage steam boats and much more! Blaine
Civil War Reenactment
Reenactors portray different units and organizations that existed during the American Civil War including civilians, infantry, cavalry, navy, marines, engineers, surgeons, nurses, ministry, and sutlers. Ferndale
September
Whatcom County Farm Tour
Whatcom County Farm Tour is an annual event where over a dozen farms around Whatcom County open their doors to the public. The farm tour is a festive day of fresh flavors and local food explorations. See the bounty of Whatcom County on this free, family friendly self-guided tour. Enjoy leisure strolls through fields and orchards, exciting interactive activities and the chance to discover the roots of abundant food grown in Northwest Washington. Choose a favorite few stops or be ambitious and hit them all. Held the second Saturday of September and organized by Sustainable Connections. Whatcom County
Bellingham Traverse
Bellingham Traverse is an endurance multi-sport challenge that simulates the life journey of salmon. Soloists, tandem and relay teams will compete for survival on the course that demonstrates the urban and natural challenges that salmon face in their journey. The disciplines of the traverse course are Run, Mountain Bike, Road Ride, Trail Run, Paddle and TREK. The teams must finish together as they cross the finish line. The course winds through the scenic greenways, back roads and open water on Bellingham Bay, demonstrating the unparalleled beauty of The Fourth Corner. Bellingham
Festival 542
Festival 542 (formerly known as the Mt. Baker Hill Climb) features a 24.5-mile ride up an elevation of 4,300 feet on the scenic Mt. Baker Highway 542 from the tiny community of Glacier to the road’s terminus at Artist Point (Heather Meadows this year due to snow). Riders may then choose to complete the loop back down for 50 miles, or ride up and down again to make 100 miles. This year’s event will include a run and cyclocross race, as well as art, family events and food. The event is organized by Norka Recreation. Glacier
Chuckanut Century Bike Ride
Chuckanut Century Bike Ride is hosted every September by the Mt Baker Bicycle Club. There are distance options including 25, 38, 50, 56, 62, 100 and 124 mile loops. All versions begin at Boundary Bay Brewery in downtown Bellingham. Riders may then choose to travel either north to Birch Bay or south along scenic Chuckanut Drive past Samish Bay and Padilla Bay. Bellingham
Fairhaven Salmon Barbeque
Fairhaven Salmon Barbeque & Sidewalk Sale is a festive public event on the Village Green in the Historic Fairhaven District each September. The outdoor BBQ meal is $15 person and features wild king salmon, coleslaw, corn on the cob, beverage and dessert in an atmosphere of live music, face painting, a fun photo booth, balloons, games, raffles, kid friendly vendors and more. Meanwhile, the surrounding shops open their doors for a district-wide sidewalk sale and great bargains the same day. Fairhaven
October
Whatcom Artist Studio Tour
The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour was founded in 1995 to bring the public into artists’ working studios for a two weekend self-guided tour and sale. The Studio Tour offers visitors insight into the creative process, work-life and work-environment of area artists and provides an opportunity for people to purchase original works directly from their makers. The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour began with ten artists and has grown to be a well orchestrated tour featuring over 50 artists working in more than a dozen different media, and featuring 41 studios scattered throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County. The tour includes both emerging and established area artists. Each studio features the work of the primary artist, and some may include additional artists as well, providing a unique and compelling variety of artwork. It’s an opportunity to buy work from local artists, to find new sources of inspiration, to share and to learn. And it’s a fun two weekends of exploring Bellingham, Whatcom County and artists workspaces! Whatcom County
Cloud Mountain Farm Fruit Festival
Cloud Mountain Farm Center’s Fall Fruit Festival is an annual event that has been held for over 20 years. They have close to 200 varieties of common and uncommon fruits, cider, nuts, plus rare fruit jellies and sauces for you to taste and enjoy. These are all fruits you can grow in NW Washington. Live music provides a pleasant background to this event. This is a festive family outing that many people annually attend.
Fall Craft & Antique Show
The Craft and Antique show during the Fall is at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. Over 100 artisans. Enjoy shopping for that special handcrafted gift or unique vintage treasure for your home. Have lunch or a latte in the cafe while enjoying ongoing entertainment. Lynden
November
Allied Arts Festival of the Arts (through December)
The Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts is a six-week long festival featuring the work of over one hundred local artisans and craftspeople. The affordable handmade products range from jewelry to paintings to wearable art to specialty foods. Weekends are packed with activities; hear live local music, catch some of our artists in action, and bring the kids in for fun art projects.
The Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts is a six week-long (mid-Nov-Dec) festival featuring the work of over one hundred local artisans and craftspeople. The affordable handmade products range from jewelry to paintings to wearable art to specialty foods. Weekends are packed with activities; hear live local music, catch some artists in action, and bring the kids in for fun art projects.
Fairhaven’s Holiday Celebration
The Historic Fairhaven Holiday Celebration is a month-long celebration featuring weekend activities that include longer shopping hours, Christmas lights and activities for the whole family. It kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, when Black Friday turns into a glittering evening in Bellingham’s Fairhaven Historic District and the Victorian-era streets of Fairhaven are officially lit with thousands of tiny lights. The Festival begins with an evening Art Walk through the district’s unique shops. Jingle bells and the familiar clop of hooves set the tone each Saturday in Fairhaven, (end of Nov-Dec), as shoppers and families enjoy free horse-drawn wagon rides through city blocks built in the 1800s, as well as appearances by Santa at the Fairhaven Village Inn. Fairhaven
December
Holiday Port Festival & Gingerbread House Contest
The annual Holiday Port Festival is the first two weekends in December and takes place at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven. It features performances by local choirs, orchestras, bands and dance groups. There are lots of free family activities, including horse drawn wagon rides, children’s art activities, complimentary gingerbread cookies and cider to name a few. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be around. Meanwhile, sugar plum fairies transform the Bellingham Cruise Terminal into a sweet Gingerbread House contest during the first weekend of December. Categories range from youth to professional bakers. Previous entries have created miniature versions of the Space Needle, Santa’s stable, and even the Washington State Capitol. Bellingham
Olde Fashioned Christmas in Ferndale
Bring your sweet tooth to celebrate Olde Fashioned Christmas in Ferndale during the first weekend of December. The city is home to Pioneer Park, featuring a collection of actual log cabins built by the first settlers to the region in the late 1800s. Each year, members of the Ferndale Heritage Society spend weeks decorating the cabins for the holidays as the pioneers would have done, then don period costumes to welcome visitors with traditional holiday cheer. Try homemade applesauce in a pioneer kitchen, write a letter to Santa in the one-room school house and mail it in the historic post office, sing carols on a horse and wagon ride, and of course enjoy a warm treat. Ferndale
Lynden’s Lighted Parade
Lynden’s 21st annual holiday celebration begins at 6:00pm on the first Saturday of December with the beloved Lighted Christmas Parade. This event captures the ultimate charm of a farming community, as well as honoring Lynden’s Dutch roots. John Deere tractors, farm equipment, milk trucks, fire trucks, and antique cars are all wrapped in Christmas lights and joyfully paraded through town as onlookers clap and cheer. The procession starts at Fairway Center and travels along Front Street throughout downtown Lynden. Visitors should bundle up in warm clothes and bring their own hot cocoa and lawn chairs! In addition, don’t forget to take a tour of unique light displays & decorated storefronts throughout the city during Lynden in Lights; illuminated designs including Nativity sets, Dutch children, poinsettias, and windmills shine brightly throughout the holiday season for all to see. Lynden
Annual Ring of Fire & Hope
Celebrating the transition of the New Year, the community of Birch Bay presents two unique activities. On December 31, the Annual Ring of Fire & Hope take place after dark. The crescent-shaped shoreline of the bay is lit with hundreds of road flares to signify hope for the coming year. On January 1, at noon, the Annual Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge, promises to wake up participants with a quick jump into the bay’s frigid and refreshing water. Birch Bay