Bellingham’s Growing Festival Draws Big Names and Inclusive Outdoor Adventures to the PNW
The Northwest Tune-Up festival, one of the fastest-growing outdoor festivals in the Pacific Northwest, returns for its fourth year to Downtown Bellingham, July 11–13, 2025. Since its debut in 2022, this dynamic, family-friendly festival has become a magnet for some of the biggest names in the mountain biking and music worlds, attracting elite athletes, top-tier brands and internationally known musicians.
Northwest Tune-Up curates an unparalleled experience by drawing inspiration from some of the world’s best bike and music festivals. At its heart, the festival captures the unique spirit of Bellingham—a community where outdoor culture thrives year-round alongside its rich heritage in music, beer and art. Set against the contrasting backdrop of Bellingham’s coastal and mountain landscapes, the event blends cycling events, live music, art and community engagement, making it a must-attend festival in 2025 for outdoor and music enthusiasts.
The festival’s impact is as significant as its offerings. In 2024, Northwest Tune-Up generated over $2 million in direct and indirect economic impact and welcomed an estimated 10,000 attendees across its free and ticketed areas. It featured 21 local breweries and cideries, 75 outdoor brands and bike manufacturers and five non-profit beneficiaries.
“Northwest Tune-Up is built on community support, both by our attendees and participants, as well as in our mission to stimulate the community in Bellingham,” said Tune-Up co-founder Brandon Watts. “Tune-Up was built on the idea of creating more recreation opportunities for future generations, and to date, we have grossed over $200,000 for local nonprofit beneficiaries. We do this because we love our community and want to see it thrive.”
Cycling Activities & More
Festivalgoers can look forward to three marquee cycling events that are rooted in the thrill of competition, the camaraderie of riding and the joy of pedaling. Each event offers something unique, but the spirit of cycling culture ties them all together. The high-energy Pump Track Drag Race pits riders head-to-head on a fast and flowy course, showcasing precision and power without pedaling—and its new location in the free public zone provides a front-row seat for anyone who loves quick bursts of action. For those seeking a true test of skill, the Cascadia Dirt Cup – Galbraith MTN Enduro challenges riders with 4–6 stages of technical descents on Bellingham’s iconic grails, blending speed and adrenaline in a timed race format. Meanwhile, the Gravel Gran Fundo is a family-friendly, stress-free group ride with three scenic route options that focus on the joy of exploration and connection rather than competition. Fun challenges and prizes await riders at the Gravel Gran Fundo, where all bikes and all skill levels are welcome.
Whether you’re riding Bellingham’s world-class trails or cheering from the sidelines, the festival is designed to make cycling accessible, welcoming and unforgettable. Ticketholders are treated to a variety of free, hands-on activities every day, including endless bike demos, shuttles to nearby trailheads, organized group rides, skills clinics for adults and kids, bike stunt shows, airbag jump sessions, live art exhibits, kids activities and more. Plus, with the publicly accessible Exhibitor Village, both ticketholders and the general public can browse and shop the latest gear from over 75 participating brands.
Registration for all three marquee events is now open at https://nwtuneup.com/bikes/races
The Best of Live Music in Downtown Bellingham
Music is the heartbeat of Northwest Tune-Up. Past artists have included STRFKR, Galactic, Yonder Mountain String Band, Lupe Fiasco, PJ Morton, Cut Chemist, RJD2, The Crystal Method, Chali 2na and many more. With a lineup once again curated by Hunter Motto, talent buyer for Seattle’s renowned Crocodile live music venue, this year’s lineup promises an eclectic mix of hotly anticipated and exciting new artists to its stages.
New this year, main stage performances will span two days—Friday and Saturday. Returning in 2025, local artists will perform on the free Rainier Tunetown stage, located in the Exhibitor Village, giving the public an intimate experience with emerging talent from around the Pacific Northwest. Artists for 2025 will be announced in early spring, adding another layer of anticipation to this vibrant celebration of music and community.
Early Bird Tickets
Early bird 3-day youth ($55 USD), adult ($149) and VIP ($247) tickets are now available at https://nwtuneup.com. Ticket prices increase April 1, 2025. Kids 12 and under are free with a ticketed adult. Single-day and music-only tickets will be released soon.
Partner with the Festival: Exhibitor Opportunities
Northwest Tune-Up offers unique exhibitor opportunities for brands and like-minded businesses looking to connect with a highly engaged, outdoor-oriented audience. Spanning 19 acres of festival grounds, the event provides numerous touchpoints for brand engagement, from unique consumer activities to personalized brand experiences. This creates an ideal environment for fostering connections with attendees who are passionate about cycling and the outdoors.
Each year, the festival refines its experience based on feedback from ticketholders and exhibitors, ensuring that both brands and attendees get the most from their participation. Businesses interested in expanding their reach and aligning with an emerging cycling culture are encouraged to email exhibitors@nwtuneup.com.
About Northwest Tune-Up
Northwest Tune-Up is a three-day, community-forward bike and music festival in Bellingham, Washington that is dedicated to improving cycling access, fostering recreational development and preserving Pacific Northwest heritage. Nestled in the northwest corner of the state, Bellingham has grown into a cycling mainstay of the West Coast. Well-known for its access to the Cascade Mountains and San Juan Islands, the region has flourished with year-round trail and recreational opportunities and is surrounded by an active cycling community on the forefront of craft brewing, music and art. The 2025 Northwest Tune-Up festival will return for its fourth year July 11–13, 2025. For more festival information, visit www.nwtuneup.com.
