Here are all the Bellingham street closures for Ski to Sea this year

Memorial Day is almost here, which, in Bellingham, means Ski to Sea is about to take over town. Even if you’re not planning on attending, between the crowds and street closures, it can still impact your weekend.

Whether you’re going to the festival and need to know where to park, or you’re just looking to avoid Ski to Sea traffic, here’s what you need to know.

Saturday, May 24 street closures

While Ski to Sea is on Sunday, the weekend’s festivities kick off on Saturday with the Whatcom Memorial Day Parade. The parade will run from noon to 2 p.m. along Cornwall Avenue. According to the city’s Public Works department, Cornwall will be closed between Alabama Street and East Champion Street between 8 a.m and 3 p.m. To get around the closure, drivers will be directed to take Ellis Street and turn east onto York Street and north on James Street until Meador Avenue.

There will also be limited parking near the parade route. Between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., vehicles won’t be allowed to park on F Street, between Cornwall Avenue and Girard Street — or Alabama Street between Cornwall and James. Parking will also be closed along Ellis, Franklin and Grant streets between State Street and Ohio Street.

Parking for disabled parade attendees will be available on Kentucky Street near Cornwall and by F Street and Alabama.

Sunday, May 25 street closures

On Sunday, you’ll have to watch out for both the race and the parade.

While the majority of the Ski to Sea route is well outside of Bellingham and the busier areas of Whatcom County, there’s still a chance of running into either of the race’s two biking legs. The 42-mile road bike portion of the race takes place primarily along Mount Baker Highway, before turning north near Maple Falls along Silver Lake Road and heading toward Everson along South Pass Road. The 14-mile cyclocross race does make its way back into Bellingham, largely along Marine Drive and Roeder Avenue.

The kayak portion of the race ends in Fairhaven’s Marine Park. According to Public Works, cars returning from the race’s finish line will be diverted from 4th Street to Bayside Road and Hawthorn Road, as opposed to the typical Harris Avenue route.

You can find the full route on the Ski to Sea website.

Near the finish line, the Fairhaven Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mill Avenue between 10th and 11th streets will be closed Saturday and Sunday, according to the public works department. 11th Street, between Knox and McKenzie avenues and 10th Street between Mill and Donovan avenues will be closed on Sunday as well.

Parking won’t be allowed on Harris Avenue, between 12th Street and Marine Park, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Disabled parking will be available near the Ski to Sea finish line on Fourth Street between McKenzie and Harris Street, while disabled parking near the festival will be on 10th Street near Mill Avenue.

Public transportation

The Whatcom Transit Authority is expanding its bus schedule on Sunday for Ski to Sea, according to a press release. Route 14 will run every 15 minutes between Western Washington University and Fairhaven, from 10:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Route 1 between downtown’s Bellingham Station and Fairhaven will run every 15 minutes between 11:25 a.m. and 6:55 p.m.

Route 47, between Squalicum Harbor and downtown, won’t run Sunday to avoid interfering with the Ski to Sea route.

This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.