Cheers: Bellingham Beer Week starts Friday with special brews, ‘beer Olympics’
Bellingham’s weeklong beer celebration is returning this weekend, featuring local brews, events and more.
Bellingham Beer Week is a citywide celebration during which Bellingham-based breweries host events each night, collaborate on new beer releases, and come together for one large celebration on April 18: April Brews Day.
“Think of it like an adult spring break. Any Bellingham activity paired with a fun beer event afterward is a guaranteed good time. Plan a walk through the park, a hike on Chuckanut, a visit to the beach, a trip to Mount Baker, or a mountain bike ride on Galbraith — then work your way through all 15 local breweries. The possibilities are endless,” a new release announcing the event states.
“Here in Bellingham, we believe that a rising tide raises all ships. Our goal with Bellingham Beer Week is to come together as small locally owned businesses to uplift our craft and give the people who love it an experience to remember,” the news release states.
The celebration starts with the ceremonial keg tapping at 4 p.m. Friday, April 10 at the official Bellingham Beer Week 2026 Kick-Off Party at Wander Brewing, 1807 Dean Ave.
Throughout the week, events like the Fountain Neighborhood Block Party, Beer Olympics, blind tastings, trivia, new beer releases, The Wild West (Coast) IPA Showdown, and Tipsy Tales: A Boozy History of Bellingham, will take place across the city. For the full event schedule, visit the Bellingham Beer Week website.
Bellingham’s “biggest beer festival” is also returning for its 22nd year as part of Bellingham Beer Week: April Brews Day.
The 21-and-over only beer festival featuring local vendors, live music and food trucks as a fundraiser for The Max Higbee Center, a local organization that creates recreation programs for kids and adults with developmental disabilities.
“April Brews Day is Bellingham’s biggest and best beer festival, bringing thousands of people together to enjoy over 40 PNW craft breweries/cideries, non-alcoholic options, live music, local food, and more,” according to the event’s website.
Tickets are available online and cost $65 for general admission in advance or $75 at the door. VIP tickets cost $90. All tickets include tasting tickets for beer and food and a collectable tasting cup. VIP tickets offer advanced entrance and extra tasting tickets.
April Brews Day is at the Civic Stadium parking lot at 1445 Puget St.
Bellingham Beer Week will feature these Bellingham breweries: Aslan Brewing Co., Beach Cat Brewing, El Suenito Brewing Co., Fountain Brewing, Gruff Brewing, Kulshan Brewing Company, Larrabee Lager Co., Menace Brewing Co., The North Fork Brewery, Otherlands Beer, Stemma Brewing, Stones Throw Brewery, Structures Brewing and Wander Brewing.
