Whatcom County’s holiday events: Tree lightings, markets, ice skating, parties and more
Looking for some fun, festive events to celebrate the holidays? We’ve put together a guide of Whatcom County holiday events you won’t want to miss.
Tree lightings
▪ Bellingham’s Downtown Tree Lighting will start at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The free event will include free hot chocolate, cookies, activities and the tree lighting at 6 p.m. The event is at 1100 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham.
▪ Ferndale’s Holiday Tree Lighting will start at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. The free event includes the lighting of the 30-foot tree, hot chocolate and cookies and photos with Santa. The tree lighting is at the Riverwalk, at 1955-1969 Main St.
Holiday markets
▪ The 45th Annual Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts returns to Bellingham from Nov. 22 through Dec. 24. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with free admission at 1331 Commercial St. in Bellingham.
▪ The Pacific Arts Market has returned to Bellingham’s Bellis Fair Mall, filling the old DSW building with a variety of vendors to shop from. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sunday in December at 8 Bellis Fair Parkway.
▪ Aslan Brewing Co. is hosting a holiday market titled Arts and Ales, from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The free event is open for all ages and will include live music and a variety of local vendors. Aslan Depot is at 1322 N. State St. in Bellingham.
▪ Gabriel’s Art Kids, a children’s art school, is hosting the Bizarre Bazaar: Art Gallery & Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8. The free market will feature local artists of all ages. The bazaar is at Gabriel’s Art Kids at 1405 Dupont St. in Bellingham.
▪ Semiahmoo Resort is hosting a Holiday Lights Market featuring 19 local vendors from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The free event includes live music, food trucks, a visit from Santa and more. Semiahmoo Resort is at 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway in Blaine.
▪ The Children’s Holiday Market will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Bellingham’s Bloedel Donovan Community Building. The market will feature young artisans and vendors and is free to attend. The Bloedel Donovan Community Building is at 2214 Electric Ave.
▪ Kulshan Brewing Co. is hosting a Holiday Maker’s Market from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at its K2 Roosevelt Taproom. During the market $1 of each pint poured and 10% of market profit will go to benefit United Way of Whatcom County. Kulshan’s K2 taproom is at 1538 Kentucky St. in Bellingham.
▪ The Bellingham Dockside Market is hosting a special Holiday Dockside Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. The market will include its usual local seafood vendors, as well as live music, free cookies and a market with food and craft vendors. The dockside market is at 2599 S. Harbor Loop Dr. in Bellingham.
▪ The Shop Small Holiday Makers Market, a free vendor market hosted by Bellingham Makers Market, will run from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 22 at The Bellingham Cruise Terminal at 355 Harris Ave. in Bellingham.
Holiday parties
▪ Bar Two Eleven is hosting a New Years Eve Celebration with SPACEBAND starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. The event is only for ages 21 and up, and tickets can be purchased online in advance for $15. Bar Two Eleven is at 211 E Chestnut St. in Bellingham.
▪ Whatcom Museum is hosting a New Years Eve party from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, including a cash bar, live music, appetizers and a champagne toast at 9 p.m. as the ball drops in Times Square. Tickets for the 21 and up event cost $50 per person and can be purchased online in advance. The party is at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall at 121 Prospect St. in Bellingham.
Christmas Eve services
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are happening across Whatcom County at various churches and organizations.
▪ Christ the King churches are having Christmas Eve services Dec. 24 at Bellingham, Blaine and Ferndale.
▪ Cornwall Church in Bellingham is hosting Christmas Eve services at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Dec. 24 at 4518 Northwest Drive.
▪ First Presbyterian Church in Bellingham is hosting a Christmas Eve service for families at 4 p.m. and a traditional service at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The church is at 1031 N. Garden St.
Other holiday events
▪ Fairhaven Winterfest, Bellingham’s monthlong holiday celebration, features a variety of free events from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21, including carriage rides, photos with Santa, the lighted bike parade and more. For the complete lineup of events and more information, visit Fairhaven’s website.
▪ Lighthouse Missions in Bellingham is hosting a one-day holiday donation drive, The Drive for Joy. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, the nonprofit will be collecting a variety of items to give to give to local citizens who are homeless. Items such a clothing, deodorant, toothbrushes, Christmas cards, hats, coats and gloves are welcomed. Donations can be dropped off through the drive-thru donation line at 839 W. Holly St. in Bellingham.
▪ The Northwest Lighted Christmas Parade in Lynden will drive along Front Street starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade is free to attend and will feature lighted tractors, cars, trucks and more. The first 500 parade watchers will also receive free hot chocolate.
▪ The Bellingham Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade will start at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, with a lineup of decorated boats along the coastline. Viewers can watch the parade from the Cruise Terminal, Taylor Dock and Boulevard Park.
▪ Christmastime at Bellewood Farms, a farm and distillery in Lynden, will feature free Santa photos, along with cider, hot cocoa, adult beverages and smores available for purchase. Christmas trees are also available for purchase from the farm, and Christmas carolers will perform each weekend in December. Bellewood Farms is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at 6140 Guide Meridian Road in Lynden.
▪ The Downtown Lynden Business Association is hosting an Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Hunt from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The free scavenger hunt begins at the corner of Front and Fifth streets, where participants pick up a clue card. After finding the elves across businesses, participants can turn in their cards for a chance to win a variety of prizes and gift cards up to $300.
▪ The Bellingham Sportsplex is hosting a Santa Ice Skate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. The event costs $10 per skater and includes admission, skate rental, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Bellingham Sportsplex is at 1225 Civic Field Way in Bellingham.
▪ A Public Menorah Lighting to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26. The event includes the giant menorah lighting, latkes, doughnuts and is free to attend. The event will take place outside of Claire’s inside the Bellis Fair Mall at 1 Bellis Fair Parkway in Bellingham.
Want to add an event to our article? Email asmith@bellinghamherald.com.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
