In Bellingham and beyond, find fun activities, great eats, beautiful art, and so much more. Here are 26 things to do in 2026 across Whatcom County.
1. Meet Lanny Little, the muralist of Bellingham’s memory. Little’s murals have depicted historic sites of local or national significance and adorn some of Bellingham’s most notable buildings.
2. Celebrate Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s Golden Season. For 50 years, the symphony has experienced remarkable growth and has hosted many incredible musicians. This season is exceptional, and internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto in April 2026.
3. Volunteer or donate to one of the many wonderful area non-profit organizations doing positive work throughout Whatcom County, including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond.
4. Enjoy Southern and Pacific Northwestern fine dining at The Fork at Agate Bay. Here, locally and regionally inspired offerings combine to create Southern-style meals that meet Pacific Northwestern specialties, such as local shellfish, meats, and mushrooms.
5. Go behind the scenes at the Assistance League of Bellingham’s Thrift & Gift Shop. Find unique adult clothing and accessories, housewares, collectibles, art, furniture and “that hidden treasure” you have been searching for.
6. Get on the water with Whatcom Wake Sports. The friendly team at Whatcom Wake Sports wants everyone to feel welcome, whether it is your first time on a boat or if you are a seasoned rider.
7. Encounter a menu as delicious as it is beautiful at Keenan’s at the Pier in Bellingham. Executive Chef Ashley Kovacevich and her team draw inspiration from local, seasonal ingredients to create diverse menus throughout the year.
8. Have fun with Chuckanut Sports Car Club. Auto aficionados can socialize and compete in autocross events with any automobile, from a fancy sports car to a compact electric vehicle.
9. Enter the world of Fairhaven’s Barrett Lizza. With a blend of art and design, this artist showcases an eclectic collection of artwork and has created environments for some notable names in entertainment.
10. Discover Western Washington University’s Exciting Activities and Events open to the public. The campus offers countless fun activities open to the public, including performances, sports, and art and science museums.
11. Explore Bellingham’s historic Pacific Highway 99. From early roads to today, the earliest highways and roadside businesses are relics along the modern interstate.
12. Go foraging in Whatcom County with A Good Start to Mushrooming. Foraging in Whatcom County offers a unique opportunity to explore forests, trails, and coastal ecosystems teeming with mushrooms and other natural treasures. However, when embarking on your foraging journey, it is essential to conduct thorough research and collaborate with experts.
13. Walk the longest public pier in Washington at Bellingham’s wooden Little Squalicum Pier. Spanning 1,248 feet, recent updates include modern features like deck grating, pedestrian guardrails, and wind- and solar-powered lighting. It is the longest public pier in Washington
14. Uncover the grisly tales behind ‘Murder in the Fourth Corner’ by Todd A. Warger. A true crime chronicle published in 2014 focuses on Washington’s frontier era, spanning from the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries.
15. Spend time at Allied Arts of Whatcom County’s new space. With 45 years in the community and celebrating in a fabulous brand-new space at 1213 Cornwall in Bellingham, it’s the perfect place to combine a beautiful gallery and the popular Art Thrift Store.
16. Eat the deliciousness of Bellingham’s El Capitan’s Gourmet Sausages, Pretzels & Taproom. With the unique combination of the fun of piracy and pork sausage, El Capitan’s has remained popular with locals and visitors alike
17. Introducing Renaissance Woman Jenna Bean Veatch’s program, Creative Workspace, which offers three 12-week sessions a year (online and in person), an annual summer gathering, and the Not-Creepy Gathering For People Who Want to Fall In Love, where singles meet.
18. Take a ride on Washington’s oldest foot ferry. This historic route between Blaine Harbor and Semiahmoo Resort can be taken aboard the MV Plover.
19. Catch a game as Whatcom area schools prepare for Inaugural Varsity Girls Flag Football Season. The WIAA sanctioned varsity girls flag football, so starting this fall, female athletes across the state will have the opportunity to compete in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
20. Meet the All-Voices A Cappella Chorus. With a shared desire to form a heartfelt musical connection with their audience, the Mount Baker Toppers perform at numerous local events, offering excellent entertainment and musical education to the community.
21. Learn how Love2Hope provides food and health care to pets that need it the most. This non-profit organization focuses on helping unhoused individuals and their companion pets by providing minor veterinary care, vaccinations, pet food, supplies, and essential items for the people themselves.
22. For an outdoor hobby, try Benchmarking in Bellingham. By surveying the scene for survey monuments, the appeal of benchmarking is similar to that of geocaching. It transforms our relationship with the environment built around us.
23. Remember a Whatcom County storyteller, historian, and renaissance man, George Hunsby. “I wrote about things that were of interest to me,” Hunsby once wrote. “If I have been able to give someone a joyful moment or perhaps a laugh by my writings, then I have been fully compensated.”
24. Bite into big Asian flavor in Bellingham with Buu Chan. These amazing Asian-based sauces, oils and kimchi are produced locally by a one-woman business.
25. Take a Day Trip from Whatcom County for a quick, fun getaway. Or plan an Overnight Trip for a longer, more relaxing time.
26. The WhatcomTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Whatcom County, including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar.
