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Visiting Bellingham and Whatcom County in the winter is definitely worth the trip. Head up to Mount Baker to experience all of your favorite snowsports including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Stop by downtown Bellingham and Historic Fairhaven for shopping or visit the theatres, museums and galleries.
Want more events? Check out our event calendar or annual events for a monthly list of events during the fall season. Or stop by our Visitors Center for even more ideas on things to do in the winter.
Above from left to right: The Mt. Baker Theatre, Bellingham Bay on a snow day, holiday specials at Swim Club, and snowboarding at Mt. Baker.
Just For Winter
Enjoy favorite holiday melodies at the Whatcom Symphony. Listen to traditional carols, fun sing-along and special surprises, including a delightful appearance by two very jolly visitors from the North Pole.
Get into the holiday spirit with the many Christmas events in Whatcom County! Historic Fairhaven is a great spot for Christmas shopping, carriage rides, lights and much more! You wouldn’t want to miss the Annual Holiday Port Festival or the Ferndale’s Old Fashioned Christmas celebrations. We even have a parade in the winter, the Lynden Lighted Parade, it is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Enjoy the arts with a performance of the Nutcracker at Mount Baker Theatre or the Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts.
Dip into the New Year with the Resolution Walk/Run & Padden Polar Dip, a brisk walk or run around Lake Padden with a dip in the lake to start a new year.
Check out the Birch Bay Polar Bear Swim which features hundreds of shivering brave souls plunging into the icy waters of Birch Bay.
If your plan is to spend some time at Baker, you may want to watch or participate in the Legendary Banked Slalom races, an extreme snowboarding contest held annually since 1985 at Mount Baker.
The Bite of Blaine is an annual event that is sure to please your taste buds with local restaurants and area food confectioners from Blaine and Birch Bay serving up tasty samples.

Check out our blogs for more insider tips on Whatcom in the winter.
- Being a Beginner at Mt. Baker Ski Area
- Cozy Winter Activities at Whatcom County Museums and Art Galleries
- Holiday Events in Whatcom County
- Outdoor Gear Rentals and Services in Whatcom County
- Snowshoe White Salmon Road with Views of Mount Shuksan
- Sledding at Mount Baker
- Seeking Cross-Country Ski Solitude in the Shadow of Mount Shuksan
- X-C Skiing from the Glacier Creek Sno-Park in Mount Baker Wilderness