Get out your costumes and mark your calendars – it’s time to get spooky in Bellingham and Whatcom County! Activities take place throughout the month of October leading up to Halloween, Oct. 31, which is a Thursday this year. Here’s an updated list to satisfy everyone from families to college students to the curious spirits among us. Stay safe, and have fun!
Pumpkin Farms
Looking for a spot to pick your own pumpkins? Two of our Insider Bloggers have offered their top picks. Hilary recommends Stoney Ridge Farm and Cramer’s Western Town as great places to take the kids in her article Fall Family Outing to Whatcom County Pumpkin Patches Lauren also provides her list of top Bellingham area Pumpkin Farms in 6 Stops for Hunting Fall Pumpkins in Whatcom County.
Halloween Events
Gore and Lore Walking Tours, Downtown
Bundle up and take a walk with The Good Time Girls as they bring Bellingham’s spooky past to life during the month of October. Choose either the Downtown or the Fairhaven version of the Gore and Lore Tour, which take place on Friday and Saturday evenings in October with tales of local hauntings and true crime stories of the past. Tours depart at 6 p.m. It’s best to arrive 15 minutes early. Tours are rated PG-13 for violent, gory and scary topics.
Halloween Pop-up at Swim Club
Tuesday, October 15 thru Sunday, November 3 from 4 p.m. – Midnight
Starting on October 15th Swim Club in Historic Fairhaven will transform into Spirit Club, a ghoulish haven with some tricks, but mostly treats.
Chef Todd Alan Martin has created a horror inspired dinner menu to complement beverage director Dennis Schafer’s spooky cocktail menu.
The pop up bar will run from October 15th through November 3rd with additional events scattered throughout the week.
- October 18 – Brennivin night with Jamie buckman, the mistress of malt
- October 26 – “Night with the green fairy” an absinthe night with a go go dancer from Go Go Bungalow
- October 30 – Karaoke with Aireekah, host of Aireeoke
- November 2 & 3- Dia de Muertos (day of the dead) face painting and live music with Bar tabac.
Scream Fair Haunted House in Lynden
October 18, 19, 25, 26, & 31
If you’re not faint of heart, Whatcom County’s largest haunted house experience is inside the Henry Jansen Building at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds (1775 Front Street) in Lynden. This year it runs for 2 weekends in a row, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., as well as on Halloween, Wed., Oct. 31. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 kids age 12 and under. See the Scream Fair website for more details.
Halloween Spirit
October 25 from 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Get dressed up and head to Barkley Village for a Halloween-themed tasting featuring over 11 whiskeys and 11 distilleries! Explore local shops, enjoy a haunted outdoor beer garden and live music from Tom Petty tribute band Petty or Not.
Haunted Old City Hall Tours
October 27 at 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm
Something is afoul this Halloween season in Old City Hall. Join us for haunted tours through our historic building’s former jail in the basement! Who knows what ghosts lurk within? Our guides are foolhardy enough to try and explain these forces to those brave and willing to learn more about the darker side of Bellingham’s local history.
Bleedingham: Bellingham’s Horror Film Fest
If horror movies are your favorite part of Halloween, you definitely want to check out this post about the Bleedingham horror short film festival held each October in Bellingham. Lorraine describes the multi-day event, as “the equivalent of a mini horror comic convention or comic con. Local artists and businesses that connect with the horror, paranormal and related genres can show their wares, find new customers, and enjoy the company of the like-minded.”
To kick off the film festival weekend, Bleedingham is hosting The Night Gallery, a Halloween and horror celebration event featuring macabre artists, crafters, entertainment and filmmaking panels at The Majestic Ballroom in downtown Bellingham on October 25, 2019 from 5-10 p.m. Bleedingham Film Festival is Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, with multiple showings at Pickford Film Center and the Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher.
Rocky Horror Picture Show at Mount Baker Theatre
October 25, Saturday, October 26 & Thursday, October 31 at 8 p.m. & 11:59
Slip on the stilettos and gather your props, the classic “Rocky Horror” returns to the Mount Baker Theatre. Get ready for a night of fun, frivolity, and fetish as Bellingham’s boldest actors, including Miss Bette Desire, bring the cult classic’s characters to life in front of the movie screen, while squeaky clean sweethearts Brad and Janet visit a spooky mansion and embark on an adventure they’ll never forget. The movie is rated R, for ages 16 and older. Buy tickets and get more details at mountbakertheatre.com
Haunted House at Boundary Bay
October 25 & 26 from 6 – 11 p.m. & October 31 from 3 – 11 p.m.
Boundary Bay Brewery and Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY), team up to present The Nightmare On Railroad. The brewery warehouse and “fear” garden will be transformed into spooky scenes filled with ghosts, ghouls, and surprises at every turn. The Nightmare on Railroad Haunted House will also feature live performances by the BAAY zombie dancers. These three nights of Halloween fun will be all ages from 6 – 9 p.m., and 21+ from 9 – 11 p.m. Entry fee is $5 at the door. All proceeds directly support BAAY’s mission to enrich the lives of children through exploration of the arts.
The RE Store Presents Trick or Treat in the Fountain District
Look for balloons by the front doors of businesses participating in the Fountain District’s first Trick or Treat event from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Halloween. This area in Bellingham is made up of the Columbia, Cornwall Park and Lettered Streets neighborhoods. It is bordered to the south by Girard Street, to the north by W. Illinois Street, to the west by Elm Street, and to the east by Grove Street. Heliotrop Hotel will host a family friendly gathering at 5:30 p.m. to end the evening with apple cider, snacks and fun games.
Trick or Treat in Downtown Ferndale
Thousands of people descend upon the streets of Downtown Ferndale in search of candy from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday October 26th. Afterwards, walk down to Pioneer Park for an interactive evening of mystery solving.
Trick or Treat in Fairhaven
Halloween is a major tradition in Bellingham’s Fairhaven historic district, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, attracting thousands of ghosts, goblins, fairies, characters and homemade creations. Most merchants decorate and participate. Look for posters on the windows.
Trick or Treat in Downtown Bellingham
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership invites children with their families to Downtown Trick or Treat from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. More than 100 downtown merchants will scare up a delightful array of in-store “treats” for kids dressed in costume. Look for balloons and posters on participating doors and windows to guide you on your journey!
Chuckanut Brewery
After the kids finish trick-or-treating head to Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen, 601 W Holly Street, for $4 beers to anyone in a costume.
