As the year starts to come to a close, Whatcom County lights up with holiday happenings! Spend this 2024 holiday season supporting the incredible local businesses around Whatcom County while filling up on holiday cheer.
Check out our full Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information!
Schedule of Events!
Nov. 30-Dec. 14 Letters to Santa / Find the mailbox on the Village Green stage
Nov. 30-Jan. 1 Frequent Shopper Cards – Spend & Eat locally this holiday season and win!
Nov. 30 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY #ShopLocal in Fairhaven, Visit w. Father Christmas & Carriage Rides (Noon – 3pm), Victorian Carolers on the Green (3pm – 4pm), Live Entertainment and Tree Lighting (10th & Mill) (4pm – 5pm)
Dec. 7 Visit w. Father Christmas & Carriage Rides (Noon – 3pm), Firelight Stroll (Lk Padden Creek Trail, Harris Ave.) (5pm – 8pm)
Dec. 12 Tales of the Season Live Reading at Village Books (Starts at 6pm)
Dec. 14 Visit w. Father Christmas & Carriage Rides (Noon – 3pm), Lighted Bike Parade
Dec. 21 Visit w. Father Christmas & Carriage Rides (Noon – 3pm), Victorian Carolers on the Green (1pm - 2pm)
December 1
Santa’s Coming to Boundary Bay! Stop by the brewery on Sunday, December 1st to get your photos with Santa! He’ll be on the bistro deck, from 12 - 3 pm, ready for photos and to hear everything on your wish list!
This event is free and open to all ages! We will not have a camera, so please bring a device to take your photos with. Happy Holidays!
December 5
Your holiday favorite returns! Kick off the season with this fun community-oriented night as you create eight different projects while enjoying festive snacks and seasonal tunes. Registration is per family (up to 4 members) and includes all the supplies to create up to eight different ornaments or holiday decorations.
December 6
The Ferndale Downtown Association, with special help from our incredible fire department, invites you to kick off the holiday season with our Annual Tree Lighting! This year, we’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new, 30-foot lighted tree, along with festive updates to our light poles and holiday decorations around town.
December 6, 7 ,13, & 14
Feel the warmth of the season with high tea at Willowbrook Manor. Sweets, scones, savories and a pot of delicious Willowbrook tea are served in a setting like that of an English country estate.
Reservations required.
Weekends from Dec. 7-22, 2024
Free Santa photos, carolers and s’mores around the bonfire are being offered during Christmastime at Bellewood. Whatcom County’s Bellewood Farms & Distillery is providing opportunities to take free photos of loved ones with Santa, ideal for cards and social media. Santa will be available at Bellewood Farms from noon-4 p.m. starting Dec. 7 and then each Saturday and Sunday in December leading up to Christmas Day.
“Santa photos are perfect for sharing the joy of the holiday season with family and friends,” said Eric Abel, president of Bellewood Farms & Distillery. Carolers and musicians will perform periodically during store hours from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in December.
Attendees also may purchase warm cider, adult beverages and s’more kits to enjoy around Bellewood’s bonfires. Freshly cut Firs, Nobles and Frasers from Alpine Meadows Christmas Tree Farm near Deming will be sold starting Dec. 1.
December 7
Embrace the magic of the holiday season and be part of the community tradition of lighting Downtown's tree! Join us at 5:30pm for free cocoa and cookies, activities, and more (details on website). Then, join the countdown to 6pm when the tree comes to life in a burst of lights!
Stay with us and take your family photos until 7pm, making your Saturday night Downtown a memorable night filled with festive joy!
December 7
Bellingham Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade. The parade route can best be seen from the Cruise Terminal and from the Taylor St. boardwalk all the way to Boulevard Park. You'll see decorated boats from BYC as well as non-member boats, commercial boats and our USCG boats.
December 7
Craving a cozy holiday craft party? Join us in the Old City Hall’s Rotunda Room to create crafts that celebrate the season and make the perfect gifts. We’ll have a different activity each week with versions appropriate for our youngest visitors and seasoned crafters alike. Free fun for the whole family!
On December 7, we’re calling all Swifties to create friendship bracelets at the museum. Use beaded letters to create a custom bracelet for a friend or build a tradeable tribute to your favorite pop star.
December 7
Pick up a FREE Clue Card on Saturday December 7th at ELF HQ - Corner of Front St. & 5th. Find all the elves hiding in businesses in Downtown Lynden & be entered to win one of three baskets filled with downtown business gift cards and treats worth $300. Follow the clues on the card to find the hidden elves!
The hunt is from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Winners will be drawn at 6:00 pm. Elf Hunt HQ closes at 4:15. Pick up your clue cards before then.
December 7
The 2024 Fairhaven Frosty 10k, 5k and Little One’s Run is On! Please join us for a very fun and festive event located at the Fairhaven Park in Bellingham, WA, on December 7th at 10:00 a.m.
Runners can run or walk either the 5K (1 lap) or 10K (2 laps) or Little One’s Run in the field next to parking lot. We encourage holiday-themed costumes (there are several holidays in December, so choose your favorite)!
December 7
Please Join Four Points Bellingham Hotel and Conference center for their 1st Annual Community Holiday Event!
This event is filled with fun holiday cheer for the whole family including: Cookie Decorating Station, Sehome HS Choir Performance, Tree Lighting, Mail your letter to Santa, Raffle Prizes, Visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Sehome HS Choir will be singing some of our favorite holiday songs & Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a appearance before they make the long journey across the world on Christmas Eve. There will also be a toy drive for Toys for Tots. We encourage you to bring a new/unused toy to donate. Four Points will be lighting our holiday tree, so pack up the kids and come on in for some family fun!
December 7
Get ready to unleash your festive spirit with a wicked twist! Join us at the second annual Krampus Holiday Fest at Boundary Bay Brewery in downtown Bellingham. This year, we’re going bigger and better with an incredible holiday market featuring local vendors, a photo booth to capture your best Krampus-inspired looks, a full bar with mulled wine to keep you cozy, and three electrifying rock bands to get you moving!
Plus, we’re introducing a new way to give back—bring warm clothing or blankets for our clothing drive, or non-perishable food for the food drive, and earn raffle tickets for a chance to win awesome gift cards and prizes from local businesses. Come for the fun, stay for the music, and help make the season a bit warmer for those in need. Don’t miss this epic celebration of holiday mischief and community spirit.
Holiday Market starts at 6 p.m.
Music 9 p.m. - Midnight.
December 7
Enjoy the magic of hundreds of luminaries set up along the Padden Creek Trail - enjoy complimentary cider, cocoa and live music along the way...
*This is a free event, but donations are kindly accepted.
End your evening at the Stones Throw Brewery for an all-ages Bonfire.
December 7-8
The Holiday Port Festival is a free, family-friendly event held the the first weekend of December at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The 2024 Holiday Port Festival will be Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th.
December 8
Santa is coming to NEKO Cat Cafe! Santa Paws loves cats, so he's visiting NEKO Bellingham to window-flirt with NEKO's 20+ cats and take free photos with anypawdy who comes by!
Bring your cute self, your besties, or your kiddos to tell Santa Paws what you want for Catmas! Santa will be outside the cat room, so cat room tickets aren't required unless you want some festive kitty snuggles during your visit!
December 8
Enjoy the splendor of Old City Hall, festooned in its holiday finest, while celebrating the songs of the season with the Community Ukulele Players (CUP). Admission to Old City Hall is by donation through the month of December.
December 11-31
Holiday Trees Celebration View, Vote, and Get Entered to Win a Stay in the Lighthouse Suite!
Hotel Bellwether turns into a magical holiday wonderland the entire month of December for our 13th Annual Holiday Trees fundraiser event benefitting Skookum Kids! Support this crucial community organization that supports children transitioning into foster care, while enjoying the festive and fun activity of viewing 18 trees creatively decorated by local businesses. Bellwether Bella, Hotel Bellwether’s Canine Concierge, even decorates her own tree!
December 14
Get ready to celebrate as we mark the 40th year of Jingle Bell Run, the original festive race for charity brought to you by the Arthritis Foundation. Wear your favorite holiday gear, and let's jingle all the way toward a cure! With every step, we're funding critical research for treatments and a cure, as well as supporting life-changing resources and programs.
Don't miss out on this special occasion to make a real difference while celebrating four decades of impact with the Jingle Bell Run. Let's lace up, hit the pavement, and jingle our way toward victory over arthritis!
December 14
Deck the trails and deck out your bike for Bellingham's Lighted Bike Parade. Costumes encouraged, holiday cheer required! FREE and open to everyone.
The bike ride will take place rain or shine.
4:30 pm - Meet up
5:00 pm - Riders depart on out-and-back route down the South Bay Trai
5:20- 5:30 pm - Arrive at Depot Market Square for music, cocoa, and activities!
6:00 pm - Riders depart Depot Market Square (self-guided).
Hosted by: WTA, City of Bellingham, Downtown Bellingham Association, Whatcom Smart Trips and Western Washington University.
December 14
Craving a cozy holiday craft party? Join us in the Old City Hall’s Rotunda Room to create crafts that celebrate the season and make the perfect gifts. We’ll have a different activity each week with versions appropriate for our youngest visitors and seasoned crafters alike. Free fun for the whole family!
On December 14, LEGO® Master contestant Brad Bergman will supply holiday cheer with custom buildable LEGO® sets. Work with Brad to build a festive LEGO® ornament and while you’re at the museum, don’t forget to vote for Old City Hall on LEGO® Ideas!
December 15
Enjoy the splendor of Old City Hall, festooned in its holiday finest, while listening to your favorite holiday songs sung by the students of the Brooke Bates Music Studio. Admission to Old City Hall is by donation through the month of December.
December 14
Join us for an evening of festivity! Hosted by Award-Winning Children’s Recording Artist/Entertainer Dana Cohenour.
Santa visit | 4:30pm
Children’s Program | 5pm
Caroling Singalong | 5:45pm
In the spirit of giving, we invite you to bring a donation for the Blaine Food Bank if you're able. Every little bit helps and will be greatly appreciated!
*Complimentary Cookies, Cocoa, & Holiday Punch
December 21
Come to the Bellingham Sportsplex to skate with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Admission includes skate rentals and hot cocoa, picture with Santa and Mrs. Clause.
11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
December 14
This year we have created a very family friendly ride that starts from Hillcrest Church, ride down to the Fairhaven waterfront and then stop at the Village Green.
*Live entertainment at the Green w. PyroDancers LLC, spontaneous caroling? Hot refreshments courtesy of Hillcrest Church.
LIGHT UP YOUR BIKES! We will have a contest for best decor - adult & kiddo. In partnership w. Shifting Gears.
December 21
Craving a cozy holiday craft party? Join us in the Old City Hall’s Rotunda Room to create crafts that celebrate the season and make the perfect gifts. We’ll have a different activity each week with versions appropriate for our youngest visitors and seasoned crafters alike. Free fun for the whole family!
On December 21, we’ll celebrate the winter solstice and create luminaries to light up the darkest night of the year.
December 24
Join us for our bountiful Christmas Eve Buffet at the Lighthouse Grill prepared by our Executive Chef Marcello Mazzoleni and culinary team from 4pm to 8 pm!
Enjoy an elevated buffet, featuring a Consume Bar, Seared Tuna, Pork Adobo, Herb Roasted Prime Rib, Garlic Shrimp & Cabbage, and Broiled Cornish Hens. Festive sides include root vegetables, Potatoes Mille Feuille and artisan breads & salads. For dessert, enjoy sweet treats and assorted pastries and baked goods.
December 25
Join us for our bountiful Christmas Day Buffet at the Lighthouse Grill prepared by our Executive Chef Marcello Mazzoleni and culinary team from Noon to 7 pm!
Enjoy all the traditional favorites with carving stations of Wagyu Beef Steamship Roast, Broiled Cornish Hens and Porchetta. There will also be a Seafood Display, featuring Fresh Oysters, Local Smoked Fish and Dungeness Crab. Festive sides include winter root vegetable and bacon hash, mashed potatoes with veal gravy, cauliflower steak with agrodolce and parmesan and artisanal bites, breads & spreads. For dessert, enjoy sweet treats and assorted pastries and baked goods.
Nov. 2
Join us at our popular Yule Boutique! You won't want to miss our famous 15-foot-long table loaded with cookies, candies, and cakes. Also featured are handcrafted gifts, soup mixes, holiday decorations and vintage collectibles. Free admission. All proceeds support Assistance League of Bellingham's five community programs in Whatcom County.
Nov. 15 & 16
Red Barn Market is coming back to the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. With over 110 amazing handpicked vendors this market is sure to include something for everyone. It's the perfect way to start the Holiday season!
Nov. 16
Fall into the Holidays and shop local this November 16th, from 10am-3pm at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center's 3rd Annual Craft Fair. This year we invite you to shop and support over 30 local small businesses and community organizations.
This year's craft fair will take place at a new location, 140 E. Bellis Fair Parkway, located near Winco Foods across from Bellis Fair Mall.
For more information: https://whatcomcoa.org/events/ or 360-733-4030 ext. 1020.
Nov. 16
Discover the magic of the holiday season at the Blaine Middle School Holiday Market! Browse over 50+ local crafters and artisans, including Blaine student vendors featuring candy, candles, jewelry, apparel, skin care, toys, ornaments and so much more. This event benefits Blaine Middle School PTSO supporting students and staff.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 24
Experience the holiday magic and find the perfect gift as Allied Arts presents its 45th Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts. Starring over 100 booths with local artisans and craftspeople presenting their holiday goodies, find one-of-a-kind gifts, specialty food treats, stunning jewelry, beautiful artworks from paintings to photographs, scented soaps and bubbles for a personal spa, and more. Fill your weekends with live local music, artist demos, and workshops. Bring the kids in for free and enjoy fun, family art projects. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy!
The festival is open seven days a week, 10:00am – 6:00pm, except for December 3rd when we are open 11:00am – 9:00pm for Downtown Art Walk, and December 24th when we close early at 3:00pm.
Closed on Thanksgiving
Nov. 30
Go big by shopping small this holiday season! Find unique and delightful gifts at Downtown Bellingham's array of boutiques, shops, and galleries stocked with special finds and one-of-a-kind items. Skip the craziness at big box stores and find the perfect items for your lists (or yourself!).
Nov. 30
Our most popular market event of the year! The FireHouse space becomes a festive holiday bazaar, with wall-to-wall handmade goods and specialties by local artisans and vendors, with live music by Pam Wooster and other favorite local musicians. The perfect seasonal shoportunity!
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 & Dec. 21-22
Bellingham Makers Market is bringing back your favorite holiday market and we are SO excited! Get into the festive spirit and discover unique gifts while showing your support for local artisans at our Holiday Market.
The perfect way to stock up on gifts for all of your loved ones, from hand-crafted soaps, sustainable goods and exquisite art to delectable food items, stylish clothing, aromatic candles, and stunning jewelry.
Nov. 30
Join us at Boundary Bay Brewery on Saturday, November 30th for our Shop Small Saturday Holiday Market. Featuring 15+ local vendors and artisans this market is the perfect place to get holiday gifts for everyone on your list, all while supporting local!
Shop dog treats, sustainable goodies, homemade accessories, cards, prints, paintings, jewelry, clothing, and more! The market starts at 11 am with vendors in the beer garden and on our bistro deck. Free to attend and open to all ages, as well as leashed dogs.
Dec. 1
Bring the whole family to experience the Assumption Catholic School Christmas Bazaar, Sunday, December 1st from 9am-3pm. More than 40 local artists and crafters will be showcasing their handmade gifts. There will also be an assortment of wrapped baked goods for sale and a used book sale. All books priced at $3! It's the perfect opportunity to find special treasures and goodies for your friends and family while supporting local businesses.
Dec. 6
Meet the artists in their element at the Pacific Arts Market Bellingham.
10am-6pm, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the first three weekends in December.
Enjoy live music while you shop handmade. We have jewelry, upcycled decor, candles, soaps, gifts, woodwork, photography, clothing, wind chimes, local honey, desserts and more! Find our family friendly event next to Buffalo Wild Wings at Bellis Fair Mall!
Dec. 6
It's a makers market... but with 20+ cats! NEKO Cat Cafe’s Pawliday MarCat is BACK in their Bellingham Cat Room with seven cat-loving makers & artists!
With the help of 20+ feline purrsonal shoppers: it's the cutest way to stock up on purrsents and treat yourself to kitty snugs in the purrocess! Grab a ticket and you'll get 45 minutes of shopping surrounded by adoptable kitties!
Featuring: Tin Venture Creations, Everwick Candles, Shelby Graffics, Eileen Draws, Wild Material, Mae Botanicals, & Hoag Road Maker Co!
Dec. 6
FABulous friends, it's time for our third annual holiday market! Join us at December's First Friday Art Walk for art, gift ideas, a new gallery show, open studios, and more!
Enjoy hot apple cider and adult refreshments, snap your picture in the photo booth, and give the Naughty or Nice Wheel a spin!
Dec. 7
Join us on December 7th for our annual Holiday Market! If you would like to have a booth at this event, fill out our online vender application before November 1st!
Dec. 7
Explore 19 local vendors and our festive Holiday Pop-Up Store! Enjoy a children's musical program by award-winning children's recording artist Dana Cohenour of Dana's Music Playground, followed by a carol Sing-Along. Plus, a visit from Santa, a letter-writing station, food truck eats, and drinks from our house bar.
Dec. 7
Join Gabriel's Art Kids for a magical two-day celebration of creativity featuring art from our whole community! Find unique treasures - from handcrafted holiday cards and ornaments to ceramics, jewelry, and plushies - while supporting young artists, creative teachers, and The Arts Connector's mission to make art education accessible to all. This holiday market and art gallery showcases handmade items created by students and teachers.
Dec. 8: See details here.
Dec. 19: See details here.
The Lummi Holiday Bazaar is a festive community event showcasing the creativity, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit of local artisans, crafters, and vendors from the Lummi Nation and beyond. This vibrant marketplace is a cherished annual tradition that brings people together to celebrate the holiday season through art, culture, and commerce.
Dec. 14
Get ready for a whimsical winter wonderland at the Children's Holiday Market! Join us for a day of festive fun and creativity as little artisans and entrepreneurs show-case their delightful gifts and goodies. This heartwarming event celebrates the joy of giving and the ingenuity of young minds while featuring tons of unique gifts for friends and family. Open to the public.
Dec. 14
Shop local with us on Saturday, December 14th, for our fourth annual Holiday Makers Market benefitting the United Way of Whatcom County! Our Holiday Makers Market aims to support local creatives who strive to be sustainable and environmentally conscious in their craft.
Kulshan will donate $1 per pint sold during the market, and all participating makers will donate 10% of sales in lieu of a vending fee to United Way of Whatcom County. We’re thrilled to be able to bring people together to support creatives in our community, and give back to a great cause!
Dec. 21
Join us for the 3rd annual Holiday Market at Dockside! As usual, you can buy the best in local seafood directly from the fishing families who caught it. At our holiday market, we also have food and craft vendors, free cookies, and a performance by Bellingham Youth Jazz Band at noon!
Get your holiday seafood and gifts at Bellingham Dockside Market!
Spend $50 in Fairhaven Village and get entered to win a prize!
Pick up a SHOP LOCAL Card at the Fairhaven Visitor Kiosk (inside Finnegan's Alley - 1106 Harris) or the Peoples Bank inside Haggen.
Fill out as many cards as you want for a chance to win weekly prizes! $50 per card - shop and dine at your favorite village businesses. Have your cashier initial or stamp a star for every $5 spent, completed cards can be dropped off at the same locations as pick up (Visitor Kiosk & Peoples Bank).
A card will be drawn on the following dates: 12/5, 12/12, 12/19 & 1/2.
GREAT LOCAL PRIZES...
Cards will be available through November 30-January 1st (or until they run out). *Some rules and exceptions will apply
December 7
Mount Baker Theatre
December 1-24
Pickford Film Center
THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004) 12/1
HOME ALONE (1990) 12/7 +12/8
DIE HARD (1988) 12/12
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1993) 12/15 + 19
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) 12/21 + 12/22
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 12/24
December 4
Mount Baker Theatre
December 13
FireHouse Arts & Events Center
December 14
FireHouse Arts & Events Center
December 15
Mount Baker Theatre
December 21
Blaine Performing Arts Center
Purchase a $200 gift card good toward any of our luxurious rooms for any night, and receive $50 to spend at any of the four unique merchants that make their home in our historic building. That means, lunch or breakfast at Avenue Bread, drinks at Overflow Taps, a gift or best-selling book from Village Books, or designer women’s wear from Cheeks Jeans!
You may gift the entire promotion to one recipient, or gift the overnight stay to one recipient and purchase a gift for another with the $50. Or, spend the $50 for a little something for yourself.
This promotion cannot be booked online but is easily obtained by stopping in, calling or emailing us. We are also happy to mail these promotional packages to the recipients of your choice.
Call 360/746-8597, stop by 100 5th Street in Lynden, or email us at info@innatlynden.com. Promotion runs November 1, 2024 through January 15, 2025.
The holidays are here, and we’re spreading cheer with our best offer yet! Plan your perfect winter or spring getaway to Fairhaven and save big.
Book by December 3, 2024 for stays through April 30, 2025, and enjoy:
50% off stays Monday–Wednesday
25% off stays Thursday & Sunday
15% off stays Friday & Saturday
Don’t wait—this special offer is only available for a limited time. Book today!
Kick off your winter adventures with rates starting at just $119 per night, plus a $20 credit to Amendment 21—perfect for enjoying award-winning cocktails or a cozy meal.
Whether it’s a family getaway, solo escape, or romantic retreat, Bellingham has it all. Explore downtown’s festive events, unique shops, and eateries, or enjoy the stunning nearby trails, parks, and waterfront views.
Don’t wait—these savings won’t last! Offer valid for new reservations through 5-31-2025 when booked by 12-03-2024.
It's the Season to Stay! Book your holiday travel with up to 20% off our Best Available Rate.
Book by dates: October 28, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Stay dates: November 4, 2024 to April 21, 2025
