Your Downtown Experience Awaits

Discover Downtown’s dining, coffee, shopping, & music scene! It’s all a 15 minute walk from campus.

 

Every Wednesday, come Downtown with your Western Student, Faculty, or Staff ID to score deals and discounts all day long, you name it from coffee to cocktails and everything in between.

Follow our social media for weekly features and reminders of Western Wednesday deals!

 
A group of students pose with Victor the Viking at Western Wednesday: First Night Out

Western Wednesday: First Night Out

Wednesday, September 24th | 5:30-9pm

Celebrate the first night out of the 2025-26 school year!

Join the tradition of walking from Red Square to Depot Market Square where you’ll find a block party with music presented by The Blue Room and tons of activities until 7:30pm. From 7:30-9pm, head into Downtown to explore 30+ businesses are celebrating your return with exclusive discounts, freebies, and special happenings - just for you.

Schedule -

  • For accessibility accommodation please contact rosellc@wwu.edu.

  • Presented by The Blue Room, ÆFECT is a four piece progressive rock band formed in Bellingham, WA, full of intricate compositions and genre-defying soundscapes.   

    Link: 

    https://www.instagram.com/aefect_official?igsh=c2E3aXc4eXhhOW5i&utm_source=qr

  • Presented by The Blue Room! Ready for a rock show?? Link: https://linktr.ee/gods.censored

  • Continue the night with fellow Vikings by exploring your favorite Downtown places, including more than 30 establishments offering discounts throughout the night just for WWU on Western Wednesday.

    Stay tuned for details on the official afterparty hosted by The Blue Room!

For accessibility accommodation or questions, please contact nathalie@downtownbellingham.com

Weekly Participating Businesses:

Promote your business participation with our handy marketing kit!

Discover Downtown Favorites & Save

Experience (and save) the most as an INSIDER.

For $60/year or $5/month, you gain access to discounts and deals at 30+ businesses Downtown!

Student-favorite INSIDER deals:

  • Mallard Ice Cream: 15% off

  • Flatstick Pub: play games for free!

  • Third Planet: 20% off one item per purchase

  • Pure Bliss Desserts: 15% off one individual dessert, beer or wine pour from our tap menu (does not whole cakes or other preordered desserts).

Monthly Happenings

Stay up-to-date on all events and happenings Downtown! Trivia, live music, shows, markets, and more, all in one place.

 
 
 

Follow Along

Follow our social media accounts to see and hear about Downtown’s happenings, new INSIDER deals, and more.

Announcing 2024’s Scepter Award winners! Join us on Monday, December 16th to celebrate the people, places, and organizations that make Bellingham shine! The Scepter Awards honor those who have impacted and improved life in Downtown Bellingham
Your support made 2024 unforgettable for Downtown Bellingham! 🌟 From record-breaking Downtown Sounds attendance to vibrant flower baskets, graffiti cleanup, and grants that energized businesses and events, donor dollars made a huge impact. Let&rsquo
Happy Friday! It’s bound to be a great weekend spent in Downtown Bellingham 💛✨ catch a show, start your holiday shopping, try a new or new-to-you restaurant, spend time at a museum, the neighborhood is yours to explore! #dtbham #bellinghamexpe
New spots just dropped in Downtown! 💥🍹 Head to Starla’s Tavern, Red Star Taco, or Roe to level up your next dinner, happy hour, or night out with unique drinks, bites, and the best vibes ✨ find a comprehensive directory of all of Downtown&rsq

Fast Track To Calling Bellingham Home

Local Legends You Can’t Miss

There are some things, places, and events that are core to any city’s identity. Bellingham becomes Belling-home when you experience these must-dos!

 
 

Events

Downtown Bellingham has something going on, all year long! Whether you’re looking to explore the city center, enjoy a live musical performance, or tease your brain with some trivia - Downtown’s got you covered.

Be There: Downtown Sounds

 

Food & Drink

With a growing list of PNW-inspired fine dining to authentic and fusion cuisines, our food scene challenges the status quo. Our coffee shops are renowned for locally-sourced, fair trade and organic beans and our specialty shops won't disappoint. Reimagine your idea of dining out, and rediscover what Downtown has to offer.

Can’t skip: Pel’meni

 
 
 

New Experiences

Sunrise to sundown, Downtown Bellingham has something going on. Grab a workout at our yoga studios, stimulate your mind with a documentary at our independent theaters, discover new wonders at our electric museums, or try something completely new. Either way, you'll find it Downtown.

Local Legend: Pickford Film Center

 

Live Music

Bellingham has a deeply talented local music scene. From local favorites to nationally touring acts, catch your next show Downtown.

All Ages Venue: The Blue Room

 
 

Highlight reel of the State Street Parking Lot Party on 9/24/22 in partnership with WWU, Daylight Properties, and Industrial Credit Union.