There's nothing worse than finding out about an event after the fun is already over. Also, seasonal celebrations can really help you understand what a community is like and get in touch with its spirit. Here, we've compiled a listing of yearly events that we think are too fun to miss, and also represent some aspect of the true spirit of Bellingham.
If you like starting the year off with a bang, this is definitely an event to consider. Every year at Lake Padden there's a resolution walk/run and subsequent polar bear plunge. The
St. Patty's Day "Green" Parade - March
It might seem odd to be sharing a fairly common national tendency on a page like this, but hold onto your hat, because Bellingham likes to do things a little bit differently. The Bellingham St Patrick's Day Parade has a bit of a twist because it's green. Not only are participants encouraged to dress and decorate their floats appropriately for everyone's favorite day to be Irish, they're also encouraged to use recycled and reclaimed materials, and to use alternative modes of transportation. Also, there's no arduous registration process for individuals who want to march along. Just show up at the staging area! Registration is only necessary for floats and bands.
Skagit Tulip Festival - April
There's something just amazing about fields and fields full of colorful flowers stretched out to the horizon. Every April, the Skagit Tulip Festival is a celebration of that sort of majesty. This isn't an event you can really take in with just one stop, however. The Tulip Festival is the tulip farmers' way of sharing the beauty of their crop with us, but it is an agricultural product. There are literally hundreds of acres of tulips available to see. Don't worry about getting lost or missing out too badly. though. The festival website provides maps to help you plan your trip.
If just looking at flowers isn't your thing, it's still worth checking out. There are special events, as well as suggestions for local museums, galleries, breweries and wineries.
Dirty Dan Days - April
We can't talk about Bellingham events without talking about Dirty Dan Days. This festival is a celebration of the founder of Fairhaven, Dirty Dan Harris. It's a celebration of 1800's style, chowder, and piano racing.
You read that right. Piano racing. Dirty Dan Days is proud to boast the world's only uphill piano race.
The Fairhaven neighborhood is a wonderful place to visit in and of itself, and the Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival is an excellent excuse to check it out.
Ski to Sea Race - May
What's better than skiing and kayaking? How about a seven leg relay race, featuring seven different sports?
Ski to Sea is a relay of mammoth proportions. It covers cross country skiing, downhill skiing or snowboarding, running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking and sea kayaking. The race is over 90 miles long, stretching from Mt. Baker to Fairhaven. It's eight people to a team, and the race is limited to only 500 teams, so if you want to participate you should find a team early! The Ski to Sea website will point you toward the racer's message boards.
Not an athlete? Not to worry! Not only are the races great fun to follow on your own, many teams also make use of support teams to help provide transportation for the races around the various legs. If you don't want even that much participation in the race, there's also a grand parade the day before the race, and a community block party the day before that. There are also races and parades for the kids, about a week in advance.
World Naked Bike Ride - June
This is the sort of event you really want to know about in advance, whether it's because you want to participate, watch, or avoid it all together. The World Naked Bike Ride is pretty much what it sounds like. A group of people get together to ride their bikes, with encouraged nudity or partial nudity.
It would be easy to think that this is a nudist activity, but that actually isn't the point of the ride at all. It's not Bellingham based, but instead a international organization focused on exposing the dangers that cyclists face on the road. The nude aspect of the ride is meant to emphasize how unprotected they are.
That doesn't mean, however, that participants don't have fun with their unclothed and semi-clothed states. Costumes and body paint are generally encouraged.
There doesn't seem to be a central point of organization for the World Naked Bike Ride in Bellingham specifically, but there is a bit of information on it if you go looking, and there's usually a facebook component for each year's event. It looks as though the ride usually happens in June, so keep an eye out if you want to participate or spectate.
Bellingham Music Festival - July
For something on the opposite end of the spectrum, consider the Bellingham Music Festival. This isn't a hokey, locally sourced concert or a gathering of bands. This is one of the most important and prestigious orchestra festivals in the states.
This is a great opportunity for Western students in particular, as there's a reduced price for single day tickets available to students. This is not a cheap event, and it honestly shouldn't be for the type of talent coming to Bellingham for this event. Some of the best musicians from around the country are featured in this festival, and if you like classical music, then you really don't want to miss this.
Bellingham Traverse - September
This is Bellingham, and Bellingham isn't content with having just one multi-sport race. The Bellingham Traverse has six legs, and several options for team structure. You can participate in the Traverse as a team, as a partnership, or on your own. The race includes running, mountain biking, road biking, and paddling (either canoe or kayak), in various amounts. There are six legs to this race all told, and it ends at Boundary Bay, with the promise of a chance at a cold beer. Could this be any more Bellingham?
Yes. Yes it could. Because the race is also designed around the life journey of local salmon.
Art tours and festivals - October through December
We can't talk about Bellingham without also talking about art. Bellingham has a thriving community of local artisans and crafters, and it's really inspiring to see some of what they have to offer. In fact, we think that art is so important that we have several different ways for you to engage with it, if you want.
First, there's the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour. For the last two weekends in October, participating artists around Whatcom county open their studios to the public for free. This gives you an opportunity to look at and possibly buy art, as well as get a chance to see artisans at work.
Next, there's the Holiday Festival of the Arts, put on by Allied Arts. The location changes, so check their website in mid to late October, but this is a six week art festival that stretches from mid-November through December. I'm sure it's no accident that this happens just in time for some prime holiday shopping, but it's still a great way to see the work of over a hundred local artists in one place.
If you simply can't wait for these, you might want to know about the Bellingham Art Walk. This isn't strictly seasonal, as it runs on the first Friday of every month, but shhhh. We won't tell if you don't.
Last but not least!
Halloween Thriller Dance - October
Keep your eyes peeled toward the end of October, because this is definitely an event you don't want to miss! There's no set website for this event, but it can be found on most Bellingham monthly event calendars if you go looking. We believe the Thriller Dance is usually at Maritime Heritage Park on Halloween, but it's always best to double check online for specifics from year to year.
I'd say more, but I think the video says everything better than I could.
Thanks for reading along with us about Bellingham's Seasonal Events. The list is by no means comprehensive, though. If you're looking for more, this is a great place to start.