As the non-profit dedicated to Bellingham's vibrant downtown, we strive to keep you informed about the exciting developments, events, and initiatives that shape our community. Read and share our press releases about Downtown Bellingham Partnership events, programs, organization, and service announcements. We also share news from community partners and press outlets.
For press inquiries and further information, please contact Jenny Hagemann, our Development & Communications Manager. We look forward to sharing the stories that make our downtown a thriving and engaging destination.
See below to subscribe to our monthly newsletters, which highlights news each month, and for quick links to local publications and the City of Bellingham’s official news.
Beginning Sunday, June 15, Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will introduce new service to several areas and improve service to several others.
Highlights of the service expansion include:
● More frequent service to the Bellingham Waterfront:
○ Route 47 will travel between Downtown Bellingham and Squalicum Harbor every 30 minutes, connecting riders to Squalicum Harbor, the Granary, the Portal Village, and other waterfront destinations.
From My Bellingham Now article by Sam Kristofferson June 4, 2025 10:00 am
If you take a walk through downtown Bellingham on the first Friday of the month, you may hear the sound of live music echoing down the bustling streets as the sun begins to set.
These musicians are curated and booked by one man: Pace Rubadeau, a trumpet player and cornerstone of the Bellingham music scene.
Since moving to Bellingham 10 years ago, Rubadeau has made a unique impact on not just the music community but on the lives of thousands of Bellingham residents.
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) is excited to announce the lineup and several new attractions for the 21st annual Downtown Sounds, featuring free live music in the Arts District on five Wednesdays from July 9 to August 6, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This all-ages event transforms five blocks of Bay, Holly, and Prospect Streets into a lively hub of music, food, and activity, featuring an electrifying mix of funk, soul, and reggae music from national headliners and regional openers to the outdoor stage.
Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will provide free rides on all bus trips within Whatcom County from August 8 through August 17, 2024. Free Fare Days is an opportunity for regular riders and newcomers to experience the ease and efficiency of WTA's bus services at no cost.
Read MorePrepare for a mind-expanding journey on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, at 4 PM at the Trackside Beer Garden! The 3rd Annual Acid Ball Psych Rock Music Festival promises to be a highlight of your Summer with:
Festival Headliners:
● Frankie and the Witch Fingers: Known for their high-octane live shows and psychedelic rock infused with garage punk, this band delivers a visceral experience with intense riffs, wild energy, and mind-altering melodies.
Read MorePrepare for an extraordinary evening as Black Violin commemorates 20 years of musical innovation with their BV20: Then & Now tour, coming to Mount Baker Theatre on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. This groundbreaking duo, renowned for their genre-defying fusion of classical music and hip-hop rhythms, is set to captivate audiences with live performances across the country once again this fall. In celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary, their new single “Legends in the Making” is out now.
Read MoreWhatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is excited to announce the return of the Kids Art Contest. The event will take place on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at two locations: Bellingham Kids Fest and the Ferndale Block Party.
Kids will create their drawings aboard a WTA bus parked at each event. Winning submissions will be permanently displayed on one of two Hybrid buses.
Read MoreWhatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Community Van Grant Program. This program aims to enhance public transportation in Whatcom County by providing surplus vanpool vans to qualifying not-for-profit and government organizations.
Program Highlights:
Eligibility: 501(c)(3) not-for-profits and government organizations serving Whatcom County.
Vehicles: Up to eleven retired vanpool vans, seating 12-15 passengers, are available and all are in good working order.
Application Deadline: Friday, August 23, 2024, at 3 p.m.
Requirements: Recipients must use vehicles for community transportation, track ridership, and submit monthly and year-end reports.
Downtown Sounds has returned to the Arts District with a lineup of musical acts that span genres of funk, soul, R&B and jam rock to bring a unique spin to one of Bellingham’s hottest community events. But as Downtown Sounds celebrates 20 years of summertime memories, the team behind it wanted to make this year bigger and better than ever before.
Read MoreBellingham Whatcom County Tourism, in collaboration with the Port of Bellingham and Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026, will host a free Team USA Watch Party for the women’s soccer match between USA and Germany on Sunday, July 28 at Kulshan Trackside Beer Garden.
Read MoreBack in Summer of ‘05, Fiamma Burger made its debut at the Bellingham Farmers’ Market in the form of a mobile unit. Fiamma aimed for a West Coast spin on the smash style burger, thus the flagship Fiamma Burger was born - a patty smashed and cooked to order that still holds the thickness and texture West Coasters had come to expect. The community embraced the flagship burger, especially in regards to the quality of ingredients. As Bellingham continues to evolve, Fiamma burger is still committed to using those same, quality ingredients to create a flavorful smash style burger with a variety of additions available.
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