Holiday fun in Bellingham: Your guide to Winterfest, markets, concerts & more

The holidays are meant to be spent with families and friends. As you and yours celebrate the holiday season in Bellingham, here are some of the local events that’ll bring extra cheer.

Holiday markets in Bellingham

Celebrate The Holidays

Twenty decor, gift, vintage and food vendors from Western Washington are coming together for Celebrate The Holidays, including La Conner Tea Company and It’s the Sweet Things Bakery. The event, produced by Joyce Hill, continues through Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2214 Electric Ave. in Bellingham. Admission is $10 on Thursday and $7 on Friday and Saturday. Parking is free.

Festive First Friday and Fabulously Festive Holiday Art Market

First Friday is back, with a festive twist! Enjoy live music, explore late-night shopping and grab a bite to eat on Friday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 10 p.m. At the annual Fabulously Festive Holiday Art Market, you can admire work by more than 20 local artists work. The free event is 5 to 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in FAB Artist Studios, 314 E. Holly St. in Bellingham.

Make. Sale Holiday Craft Market

Visit vendors and see their crafts at the annual Make. Sale Holiday Craft Market, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 6, at Shift Art Space, 306 Flora St. in Bellingham. Enjoy coffee and treats from Café Vello while shopping for gifts, art, clothing, plants and jewelry.

Art and Ales Holiday Market at Aslan Brew Pub and Depot

The Art and Ales Holiday Market is on Saturday, Dec. 6. from 3 to 8 p.m.. For the first time, Aslan Brew Pub and Depot will co-host local artists and live music. Grab one of their specialty drinks and wander between the two buildings to satisfy your holiday needs at 1322 N. State St. in Bellingham.

Foothills Artisans Holiday Sale

Find unique handmade gifts at the Foothills Artisans Holiday Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Thirteen local artists will be selling their jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, art dolls and more at 2821 Mt. Baker Hwy.

Lost Giants Cider Company Holiday Maker’s Market

Support pups looking for their forever homes at Lost Giants Cider Company Holiday Maker’s Market, which benefits Happy Tail Happy Homes. More than 20 makers will ensure there’s something for everyone or every pup. This free event is on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 to 6 p.m. at 1200 Meador Ave. in Bellingham.

Whatcom Holiday Gift Bazaar

Get special holiday prices on photographs, paintings, cards and other art at the Whatcom Holiday Gift Bazaar, 1095 Telegraph Road in Bellingham. The event is Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whatcom Hills Waldorf School Winter Holiday Faire

Step into a magical world at the Whatcom Hills Waldorf School Winter Holiday Faire. Enjoy all-ages craft workshops, baked goods, warm treats and holiday vendors at this free event, at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec 13, at 941 Austin St. in Bellingham.

Winter Brewfest 2025

Bellingham’s breweries are coming together for the 2025 Winter Brewfest on Saturday, Dec 6. All money for this 21-and-older event raises goes to The Zoe Fund, a foundation that assists low-income individuals whose pets need emergency care. There will be more than 13 local beer and ciders to taste, along with food trucks, live music and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. The event runs 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in 2599 S. Harbor Loop Drive.

Kulshan Brewing Holiday Maker’s Market

Join Kulshan Brewing for its fifth annual Holiday Maker’s Market. This market combines environmentally conscious artists who focus on sustainability and delicious brews to celebrate all things holidays. Vendors and the brewery will be donating 10% of all sales made during the market to United Way of Whatcom County. This free market runs 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in Kulshan’s Roosevelt Taproom, 1538 Kentucky St. in Bellingham.

Assumption Catholic School Christmas Bazaar

The Assumption Catholic School Parent Teacher Club is bringing the holiday cheer to school. The annual Christmas Bazaar brings 40 local vendors to display their crafts and gifts. There will also be a used book sale; all books are $3. This free event takes place at 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shop Small Holiday Makers Market

More locally made gifts can be found at the Shop Small Holiday Makers Market, 355 Harris Ave. in Bellingham. Vendors will sell everything from homemade soaps to candles and jewelry. Food trucks will serve hot holiday beverages and food. The event runs noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

Improv comedy, concerts to celebrate the season

“How the (Blank) stole (Blank)mas”

It’s “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” with a twist! Inspired by the classic Christmas movie. The Upfront Theater, 207 Prospect St., No. 100, in Bellingham, is taking audience suggestions to create a brand-new story every Friday and Saturday until the week of Dec. 20. Tickets cost $17, or $13 for students and those 55 and older.

“A John Prine Christmas with the Jenner Fox Band”

The Jenner Fox Band is celebrating the holidays by performing songs and stories from the 1994 album “A John Prine Christmas." New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St., No. 100, in Bellingham, will host a performance at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, and Monday, Dec. 8. Admission is $22.

“A Very SUGAR Holiday, with Honey”

Sugar and Honey is beginning a new tradition with the debut of the Holiday Cabaret, an adults-only night of self-expression, live music and dancing on Thursday, Dec. 11; Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13. There will also be drinks and snacks to go. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Firehouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave. in Bellingham. Tickets are $35.

“Funk The Halls: A Holiday Soul Session Featuring North Sound Soul”

Bring a funky twist to the holiday classics with Funk The Halls! The Bellingham-based band North Sound Soul is bringing back the Christmas classics with a unique sound. Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at The Blue Room, 202 E. Holly St., No. 301, in Bellingham, with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is $15.

Tree lighting, Winterfest and other festivals

Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Christmas spirit comes alive at this free annual tree lighting ceremony at 1100 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham. Enjoy free hot chocolate, cookies and activities from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Fairhaven Winterfest

The holiday spirit will be in full gear at the annual Fairhaven Winterfest, which kicks off in Bellingham’s historic Fairhaven neighborhood at 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Highlights include a fire-lit stroll on the Lake Padden Trail, the Bellingham Yacht Club lighted boat parade and a gingerbread house contest. Winterfest runs through Saturday, Dec. 20, with events happening every Saturday.

At Spirits and Sweets Saturday on Saturday, Dec. 13, you can take photos with Santa and his Elves, take a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout Fairhaven and listen to holiday music.

The Sweater Weather event on Saturday, Dec 20, lets the four-legged members of your family join the holiday festivities. In addition to Santa and his Elves coming back for another photo opportunity, there will be a Holiday Dog Parade. The Funk Sweater Showdown is on the same day.

Holiday Trees Celebration & Giving Wreath Wall Kickoff at Hotel Bellwether

Local businesses are coming together to decorate Hotel Bellwether, 1 Hotel Bellwether Way in Bellingham, to benefit Skookum kids. Starting on Saturday, Dec. 6, the lobby and halls will be lined with various decorated Christmas trees. This event is free and open to all ages.

You can even vote on your favorite trees. Voters are automatically entered into a raffle to win an overnight stay in the Bellwether’s Lighthouse Suite. Voting ends Dec. 31 with the winner announced in the new year.

Deck the Old City Hall

Old City Hall has been decked for the holiday season. Wander through the halls admiring all the festive lights, wreaths and garlands scattered throughout the building. Admission is by donation and decor will be up until January 4, 2026.

There will also be live performances on the first three Sundays of December.

On Dec. 7, Community Ukulele Players will put a tropical spin on holiday classics from noon to 2 p.m.

On Dec. 14, Christian Anne Smith is bringing her puppets to tell The Tale of Tatterhood from noon to 2 p.m.

The Bellingham High School Showstoppers will sing Christmas classic and favorites on Dec 21 from noon to 2 p.m.

Wreath Decorating Make and Take

The Garden Spot Nursery, 900 Alabama St. in Bellingham, is hosting a wreath making class on Sunday, Dec 7. Anyone can come and adorn a wreath with all the classic holiday decorations, such as berries, forest trimmings and classic large bows. The class is at 10 a.m. and costs $60..

Living Ornament Make and Take

Create a living ornament at the Garden Spot Nursery’s Make and Take event. This class will provide all the things you’d need to create a personalized terrarium. Walk away with a glass ball filled with tiny lichens, mosses, twigs, forest trimmings and tillandsia. The class is on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m., at 900 Alabama St. The fee is $20 per person.

Events at Bloedel Donovan Community Building

Beginning on Friday, Dec. 12, the Bloedel Donovan Community Building is hosting family-friendly events at 2114 Electric Ave. in Bellingham.

The first event is Family Ornament Making and costs $30 per family for up to four members. This event is on Dec. 12 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The kids can craft too! On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Children’s Holiday Market gives youth the chance to sell their homemade crafts, gifts and goodies. This free event takes place at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Sunday, Dec. 21, you can make last-minute gifts at the Do-it-Yourself Gift Making event from 10 a.m. to noon. This class — for children 7 to 12 years old — will teach kids how to make three homemade gifts that they can take home to place under their trees. Admission is $40.

Fiber workshops at Whatcom Museum

No stocking? No problem! On Friday, Dec 12, Seattle fiber artist Flóra Carlile-Kovács will teach workshop participants wet felting techniques to help create the perfect stocking for the holidays. This class at Whatcom Museum, 250 Flora Street in Bellingham, is for those 18 and older; admission is $65 for museum members and $70 for non-members.

Carlile-Kovács will return to Whatcom Museum to teach a class on nunofelting on Saturday, Dec. 13. In this day-long class, attendees will learn the delicate skill of nunofelting while troubleshooting common errors. This class is for those 18 and older, and is intended for intermediate or advanced felters, who will walk away with a custom nunofelt scarf. Class is held in at Whatcom Museum at 250 Flora Street in Bellingham.

The class is at 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It costs $180 for museum members and $200 for non-members.

New Year’s Eve celebrations to ring in 2026

A Very Upfront New Year: The Grand Recap

To mark and celebrate the end of 2025, the Upfront Theatre cast is revisiting favorite shows with the audience’s help! There’s a toast at 9 p.m. — midnight on the East Coast — with sparkling apple juice. This love letter to the year is on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 203 Prospect St. Admission is $18, $14 for students and those 55 and older.

New Year's Eve’s Party With Spaceband

Spaceband is taking over Bar Two Eleven, 211 E. Chestnut St. in Bellingham, to mark the end of 2025 with top R&B and hip hop hits from the 1990s and 2000s. The fun starts at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Upfront New Year’s Eve: Countdown to 2026!

Welcome 2026 with improvisational comedy! The Upfront Theatre’s New Year’s Eve Party Show will feature festive and fast improv games plus complimentary champagne or non-alcoholic drinks. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Admission is $29.

New Years Party At Stones Throw Brewery

The brews will be flowing to ring in the new year at Stones Throw Brewery, 1009 Larrabee Ave. in Bellingham, on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The brewery will be broadcasting the iconic New York City ball drop at 9 p.m. and midnight. Live bands will play all night starting at 6 p.m.. This free event is open to all ages and friendly pups.