The Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) is excited to announce the full music lineup for Downtown Sounds and a new, expanded event footprint to include a block of Holly Street. This free community concert series takes place at the corner of Holly, Prospect, and Bay streets and offers family-friendly activities and dining as well as a beer garden for 21+ goers. Headlining bands and opening acts from the local region and across the country are now announced:
Downtown Sounds general entry is free and opens at 5:30 p.m. each evening. Opening acts begin at 6:00PM with headlining acts taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. Each Downtown Sounds concert includes local food truck vendors including Cicchitti's Pizza, Sage Against the Machine (vegan), Big Bites, Hank & Bubby’s ice cream, and more. For 21+ goers, this year’s beer, wine, and cider garden will impress with local pints from Boundary Bay, Aslan, Stemma, Menace, Wander, and Kulshan breweries. Cider and hard seltzer fans will enjoy rotating flavors from Bellingham Cider Company, and wine drinkers can choose from white, rosé, and red options. The main entrance to the beer garden in 2022 will be located at the corner of East Champion and Bay Streets.
Special perks including a dedicated, shorter entry line and VIP lounge within the beer garden are available for Downtown Bellingham INSIDERS, a loyalty program that offers members discounts at over 20 downtown retailers and restaurants all year long in addition to exclusive perks at Downtown Sounds and DBP’s other signature events. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to become INSIDERS, starting at a donation level of $10 per month to skip the line and receive a complimentary drink, and $25+ monthly donors are also welcomed to the VIP lounge. Program information and registration can be found here https://www.downtownbellingham.com/insider.
“We’re thrilled to bring back Downtown Sounds with an even bigger footprint and a full five-week schedule in 2022. This event has become a hallmark our businesses, community partners, and visitors look forward to each year as was deeply missed through two years of COVID restrictions and adaptations. We can’t wait to see the streets fill in celebration and joy,” says DBP Program Director, Lindsey Payne Johnstone.
Downtown Sounds is made possible by Premiere Sponsor, WECU. This year, the Family Alley will feature the WECU Game Zone, including giant “WECU pong,” cornhole, and giant Jenga. Additional activities include the popular photo booth, glitter tattoos, face painting, and street chalk.
“As a community-focused credit union, WECU is all about supporting our local community,” said Keith Mader, PR Manager for WECU. “Downtown Sounds not only builds community, but it also brings people downtown to support local businesses. For these reasons, we are proud to continue our sponsorship of Downtown Sounds.”
Downtown Sounds relies on community partners and volunteers. Additional support comes from Groove Merchant Northwest, Boundary Bay Brewery, SPARK Museum, the Hotel Leo, Wild Buffalo, Bayou on Bay, Bellingham Cider Co., Faithlife, Visit Bellingham Whatcom County, and the City of Bellingham.
“This event is truly a celebration of community partnerships, and we rely on this cooperation to make Downtown Sounds happen year after year,” Payne Johnstone said.
For more information, including a complete lineup, please visit www.downtownbellingham.com/downtown-sounds.