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.
A flood of Western Washington University students descended on downtown on Wednesday in an annual tradition, doubling as an announcement to the rest of Bellingham: The kids are back in town.
Students filled several blocks of East Maple Street at around 5 p.m. for WWU First Night Out. Many students wearing Western merchandise gathered at Red Square on campus and walked in a massive group to Depot Market Square
For 30 years, Boundary Bay Brewery has poured more than just pints. They’ve poured their passion into our community with service, hospitality, and a spirit that has inspired the craft brewery phenomenon Bellingham enjoys today. As they prepare to close their doors at the end of September, we invite you to join us in raising a glass to their legacy.
On Saturday, September 20th, Boundary Bay is hosting a 30th Anniversary Party and farewell celebration unlike any other: two stages, five bands, a full block of Railroad Avenue closed for dancing, and the food and beer we all know and love. From 11 AM to 11 PM, let’s come together to honor a truly monumental run and celebrate a retirement well-earned.
Sustainable Connections is excited to celebrate September Eat Local Month, a month-long celebration of eating local food and honoring those who grow, raise, harvest, and prepare it to share with this community. Eat Local Month will feature the Whatcom County Farm Tour and the Sandwich Showdown, two exciting events that will inspire connection, learning, and delight.
As announced in November, 2024 Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro will be closing its doors at the end of September after 30 years in business. Since this announcement, Boundary Bay has been approached by other breweries about the possibility of using their unique recipes to contract brew the iconic beer and keep the Boundary Bay brand available to customers.
Read MoreMore than 7,000 Chinook salmon are expected to return to Whatcom Creek in downtown Bellingham this season thanks to an ongoing collaboration between Bellingham Technical College (BTC), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC), and the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe.
Read MoreWhatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will provide free rides on all bus trips within Whatcom County from August 7 through August 16, 2025. Free Fare Days are an opportunity for regular riders and newcomers to experience the ease and convenience of WTA’s bus services at no cost.
Read MoreShifting Gears, a local non-profit in Bellingham, is hosting its sixth annual Bellingham Bike Swap on Sunday, June 29th, 2025, in the Boundary Bay Brewery Alley and Beer Garden in Downtown Bellingham.
The Bellingham Bike Swap is a space for community members to sell, shop, and celebrate Bellingham’s vibrant outdoor community. Shifting Gears knows that buying bikes and gear often comes with financial and educational barriers. Through the swap, they aim to create a supportive environment where people can easily purchase pre-owned bikes and gear at a lower cost, so more of this community can experience and enjoy the benefits of biking. Knowledgeable volunteers will also be available throughout the event to offer guidance and expertise to shoppers and sellers alike.
Read MoreBellingham Public Library has secured capital funding of $3.03 million in the 2025-2027 Washington State budget for the Bellingham Central Library Renovation. The allocation represents a $2 million Library Capital Improvement Program (LCIP) grant, as well as $1.03 million in Local & Community Projects (LCP) funding, both administered by the WA State Department of Commerce.
Read MoreBeginning 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.
Read MoreWestern Washington University’s end-of-year celebrations will shut down Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham with an event called Last Night Out on June 4, 2025, for graduating seniors and all students.
This event will be similar to First Night Out, the beginning-of-the-year celebration where Western students walk from Red Square to downtown and enjoy live music, free food and support local businesses at a discount. Unlike First Night Out, students will not walk from Red Square. Rather, they will be responsible for getting themselves downtown.
Last Night Out has a twist. The free food will be provided in a Longest Table style with two 200-feet tables placed down the middle of the street; There will be seating for around 450 people.
Read MoreFrom 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.
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