Fire & Story Festival Returns to Bellingham Waterfront for Its Fourth Year, Bringing Fire, Art & Wonder to the Darkest Nights of Winter
Three nights of performances, immersive art and artist-built fire installations return January 28–30, 2027
In the middle of winter, when daylight is scarce and outdoor events are few, Fire & Story Festival brings artists and audiences together on the Bellingham waterfront for three nights of fire, music, storytelling and immersive art.
Returning to Bellingham’s waterfront for its fourth year January 28–30, 2027, Fire & Story is built around a simple idea: winter doesn’t have to be a season of retreat. Produced by Bellingham placemaking agency Paper Whale, Fire & Story creates an inspiring reason to gather outdoors in January, using fire, heat, light and imagination to make the cold and darkness part of the experience rather than something to escape.
The festival will feature 12+ artist-built, hand-forged fire pits alongside 150+ individual artists and performers, including musicians, storytellers, comedians, visual artists, dancers, glassblowers, metalsmiths, puppeteers, stage designers and more. The result is an outdoor cultural experience designed to be explored rather than watched from a single stage, with fire pits, performances, installations and unexpected moments spread across five stages at the Bellingham waterfront.
Winter weather is a key component of Fire & Story, regardless of the elements: fire glows brighter against a dark sky, cold air makes gathering around a flame (or inside a mobile wood sauna) feel more intentional and the elements add an atmosphere that can't be recreated in a summer festival.
“Fire & Story is quickly becoming a peak Pacific Northwest winter festival experience,” says Nick Hartrich, Executive Director of Paper Whale. “The darkness, the cold, community gathering around large fires and story; it’s a curated experience. Fire & Story is about embracing our elements, celebrating story and visual art, giving the community a reason to put on your boots, leave your house, and celebrate what makes us human: culture and connection.”
At the center of the festival are more than a dozen custom fire pits created by artists and metalworkers. These are functional works of art as much as they are warm gathering places, with several available for purchase following the festival. The marquee Virgil fire pit stands more than eight feet tall and spins, while other sculptural pieces create distinctive gathering spaces throughout the festival grounds.
Paper Whale created Fire & Story as part of its broader work to bring culture and creativity into public spaces and create opportunities for people to connect with one another through shared experiences. The organization sees winter as an important—and often overlooked—time for that work.
January presents practical challenges for event producers: short days, inclement weather and a natural desire to stay inside. Fire & Story intentionally works within those conditions rather than around them. The festival gives performers a setting built specifically for winter and gives the community a reason to gather during a month when the cultural calendar is typically quieter.
Artists: Applications Open Through October 1
Artists and performers interested in participating in Fire & Story 2027 can apply through October 1, 2026. The festival is seeking musicians, storytellers, dancers, puppeteers, theatre artists, installation artists, light artists, comedians and other performers and makers who want to contribute to an outdoor winter experience. For more information or to apply, visit fireandstory.com/apply.
Tickets Go On Sale October 1
Tickets for Fire & Story 2027 go on sale October 1, 2026, with both 1-day and 3-day passes available. The performer lineup and sauna reservations will be announced in November and December, respectively.
Fire & Story Festival takes place January 28–30, 2027, from 4–11 PM at the Bellingham Waterfront, 1145 Granary Avenue. The festival is family-friendly, with programming designed for adults, families and curious humans of all ages. For tickets and festival updates, visit fireandstory.com.
About Fire & Story Festival
Fire & Story is a three-night winter festival of fire, folk, light and lore produced by Paper Whale. Held at the Bellingham Waterfront, the festival brings together music, storytelling, performance,
illuminated art, handcrafted fire pits and other creative experiences to transform the darkest nights of winter into something worth stepping outside for. Learn more at fireandstory.com.
About Paper Whale
Paper Whale is a Bellingham-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit placemaking agency that activates spaces, champions local creatives, and invites global perspectives to the community through public art and shared cultural experiences. Its programs include the Fire & Story Festival, Noisy Waters Mural Festival, Rising Tide Speaker Series, public art projects, immersive installations, and other creative placemaking initiatives throughout Bellingham. Learn more at www.paper-whale.com.