How to Celebrate Local Holidays and Traditions in Bellingham

I’m honestly floored by the amount of options available in Bellingham alone to engage in holiday cheer, traditions, support local makers, and just enjoy the adventures. I’m going to list some of the best spots online to check for events and share my favorite four events I look forward to annually.

Fairhaven Winterfest

In Historic Fairhaven at the end of November they decorate the tree outside of the Village Inn and light it up. But what I love most about Fairhaven Winterfest is that is lasts the entire month with all kinds of winter fun sprinkled through out. The “Big” events and activities tend to fall on each of the Saturdays in December, and can include things like:

• Santa Claus & Elves Photos

• Horse drawn Carriage Rides through the Village

• Holiday Pop-up Market at Firehouse Arts and Event Center

• Winterfest Art Walk

• Live Holiday Music

• Fire Dancing by Pyro Dancers LLC — Chef and I saw this last year, it was AWESOME and took place on the Village Greens after the tree lighting.

• Winterfest Warm-up in the Village Books Reading Gallery

• Holiday Dog Parade and Funky Sweater Showdown with Prizes

• Winter Solstice Reflection Moment

Check out the Enjoy Fairhaven website for the latest details and specifics regarding when things are happening.

Shop Small Holiday Makers Market Series

Chef and I LOVE the Bellingham Makers Market! They always have some of the best vendors and locally made gifts in Bellingham. We go every time they have it. Most years it is held in the Bellingham Cruise Terminal over 2 weekends. One in late November and the other in December. We’ve gotten leather goods, artwork, handcrafted soaps and candles, and jewelry. There are so many options! Visit the Bellingham Maker’s Market Website for more details.

Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony

Over by the Downtown Bellingham Depot where the Farmer’s Market calls home there is another tree lighting ceremony usually around the first week of December. This one is also just a fun gathering for the crowd-filled “wow” moment were we plug in a massive tree and it sparkles and just ignites that childlike wonder. It’s a fun photo opportunity, there is usually cocoa to enjoy and it’s just a fun excuse to bundle up and enjoy the community.

Bellingham Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade

This is one of the fun ones. I don’t have a boat but I sure do love watching them all parade around. Boulevard Park and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal are great spots but there are plenty of other spots across Bellingham where you can catch the boats.

I love that all boaters in our community can join in and you don’t have to be a Yacht club member, you just register so that togetherness of the boating community is so fun to see. Some folks go all out, others just add to the fun by being there. Visit the Bellingham Yacht Club for More Info.

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Those are a few of the staples that I’ve come to enjoy regularly over the years. There are truly so many, so to stay up to date of the latest winter events and timelines I will usually check out these resources for specific dates and times annually:

• Bellingham.org

• Downtown Bellingham Partnership

• EventBrite - Bellingham, WA

• Bellingham Herald Event Section

Enjoy Holiday Traditions in Bellingham!

I hope this quick list of goodies has inspired you to explore Bellingham in the winter! Get out there! It’s never as cold or rainy as you think and the warmth of the community will keep you cozy.