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. Have an event that isn’t listed? Click the green “Post your Event” button and our editors will review and approve within two business days.
Don’t Blame Me GLow Skate With Taylor Swift Mix
All Prices include Free Glow Necklaces
$10 With Own Skates
$13 With rental skates
Support local artisans and non-profits at our Earth Day Market on Saturday, April 20th!
Join us in the beer garden from 11 am – 3 pm to shop from and learn about 15+ local, sustainably-minded vendors and organizations! From upcycled clothes, accessories, and decor to organizations dedicated to getting people outdoors and reducing food waste, there’ll be lots to see! Open to all ages and free to attend!?
Join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a walk at one of the most stunning trail systems in the Pacific Northwest. There will be an emphasis on learning lichens and moss, but we will ID any plant or fungi species of interest. Bring your camera, come for the knowledge, and stay for the views! This is a unique field trip offering you’ll remember forever.
Space is limited.
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
The Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham invites you to its annual benefit dance for the Community Boating Center.
This year’s dance will be held on Saturday, April 27 at the Elks Lodge, 710 Samish Way in Bellingham. The doors open at 6:30 and the classic-rock band, The Walrus, will take the stage at 8 pm.
All proceeds, including from a paddle auction, will go to the boating center in its final push to finish its new Wheelhouse in Fairhaven and provide boating access and education to our Whatcom County community.
Get ready for a fun-filled night! Light refreshments will be provided by volunteers from the Corinthian Yacht Club, and beer, wine, alcoholic beverages and water will be available for purchase.
Dance tickets are $25 in advance at CYCbellingham.org/dance or $30 at the door.
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
Join us for the MMS Spring Festival featuring a festival market filled with handmade crafts and products by local artisans! There will be family craft activities, food truck, hay rides, face painting, bake sale and a busking stage for live music. It will be a great opportunity for the Whatcom County community to gather and celebrate spring!
Come explore Rising Moon Meadows at our Learning Center Open House and Farm Tour! Meet our feathered friends—the chickens, greet our curious pigs, always eager for a new scent or taste, and our sweet lambs, always ready for a scratch. Ask us questions and get to know us!
Curious to learn more about the Learning Center? This is the perfect opportunity to see the space and property. Bring the family and explore our engaging environment. Don’t miss the chance to experience the wonder of Rising Moon Meadows—where every corner holds a new adventure! New and old friends are all welcome!
Hope to see you there! Free to attend
Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a day of foraging out in the woods. This course will take place on private and public property approximately 2 miles from of Maple Falls. Location is subject to change based on seasonal anomalies such as delayed sprouting.
This is a great event to be out in nature on Mothers Day!
We will be foraging nettles and other edible or medicinal plants, in addition to any edible mushrooms we may find. For each species, expect short discourse on it’s edibility or medicinal properties, how to prepare it for medicine or food, and information on its ecology.
Expect moderate walking/hiking with frequent stops, self-led exploration, and a lesson in ethical foraging on public lands.
The last half of the class, we will build a fire and cook together using nettles. I will show you 2 recipes and make suggestions for several others.
This will be a fun outing!
Please register via the website.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.
Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
Day 1: An Evening at the Lake: Birch Bark Candles
Saturday June 1st, 2024
(Details on location will be sent to registered participants only).
This is an introductory class to common tree species and a wildcrafting course using several species of trees including Douglas-Fir, Paper Birch and Western Redcedar.
What to expect:
First Half: We will begin the series with an introduction to common trees and general concepts about tree adaptations to better appreciate the materials we’ll be working with in the second half of class.
Second Half: Each person will craft their own primitive candle using bark, resin, roots, and wood.
Please register via the website.
Mark your calendars for the Wander to Wander 1k on Saturday, June 8th, 2024! Learn more and Register at https://www.whatcomdrc.org/wander-to-wander
This Bellingham-based fun run benefits the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center and is hosted by Wander Brewing. Beginning with donuts at the WDRC office, participants will
‘wander’ (or sprint) along the route to Wander Brewing. At the finish, enjoy a complimentary pint of beer (or root beer), food trucks, and the fanfare of this exciting
race!
Costumes are encouraged. All ages, abilities, as well as pets are welcome. We hope you will join in the fun and support the WDRC! This event is ADA accessible and volunteers will be available to support racers who need assistance.
General Registration: $20
Youth Ages 10 and Under: FREE!
BELLINGHAM, WA – Shifting Gears, a local non-profit in Bellingham, is hosting the annual Bellingham Bike Swap on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, in the Boundary Bay Brewery Alley and Beer Garden in Downtown Bellingham.
The Bellingham Bike Swap allows the Bellingham Community to purchase pre-owned bikes or gear at a lower cost, enabling them to experience the joys and benefits of biking. The Bellingham Bike Swap is a space for community members to sell, shop, and simply share in the greatness of the Bellingham outdoor community. Twenty-five percent of each sale will assist with the funding of Shifting Gears biking and hiking programs that help break barriers preventing all women from experiencing the outdoors and creating a more inclusive outdoor world.
“The Bellingham Bike Swap serves as a marketplace for individuals to sell their pre-loved gear, providing our community access to affordable equipment while celebrating Bellingham’s vibrant cycling scene. Additionally, it reinforces Shifting Gears’ mission to welcome more women into outdoor recreation.”
– Krysy Keller, Executive Director of Shifting Gears.
Everything happens on Sunday, June 9th, at the Boundary Bay Beer Garden. Those looking to sell gear can drop off items between 7am and 10am before everyone is welcome to ‘Shop the Swap’ from 1pm to 5pm. Unsold gear and checks can be picked up by ‘sellers’ between 6pm and 8pm at the end of the day.
The Bellingham Bike Swap started in 2018 and has been hosted at Boundary Bay Brewery every year since. Shifting Gears is blown away at the increasing level of community, volunteer, and partner support. The Bellingham Bike Swap has become a key fundraiser for Shifting Gears’ programming and an annual event for the Bellingham community.
Shifting Gears is a women-led, women-directed non-profit in Bellingham, WA, whose mission is to empower all women through outdoor recreation and education opportunities to remove barriers and foster belonging. By participating in Shifting Gears, community members will walk away with the tools they need to attain their recreational goals and feel empowered to reach other personal goals. For more information about the Bellingham Bike Swap, visit https://letsshiftgears.org/bikeswap.
This course will take place on Northwest Natura’s private forest land in Whatcom County off Highway 542 near Maple Falls, WA. Driving directions and details on what to bring with you will be provided in an email as the event date approaches.
Bushcraft is a term used to describe the practice of skills which aid in living outdoors. Here are the skills we will cover in this crash course:
Survival Basics focused on Shelter
Shelter – survival shelter construction
Fire making without a lighter
Knot-tying and lashing basics.
Tools of the trade and practice using them.
Knife and ax skills
We will practice all of these skills together in this full-day course. Knives and ferro rods provided for the day.
You are encouraged to bring your own outdoor tools such as a knife, ax, fire starter, tarp, containers (pots, water bottles), paracord, first aid kit, etc. so you can practice with your kit. I can answer any questions about your gear and help you troubleshoot issues you may have with them.
Space is limited to 10.
Please register via the website.
Come join us to celebrate life and freedom this June 15th at Boulevard Park.
The Official Juneteenth celwbrationis a family friendly and inclusive event that aims to uplift, educate and create a space where everyone in the community can embrace one another.
This will be a fun filled day with games, performances, a live DJ, face paint, guest speakers, local vendors and more!
You don’t want to miss it!
This is day 2 of the series.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.
Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
This is a deep dive into more mixed forest species and a wildcrafting course using Pacific Willow or Vine Maple, and Western Redcedar.
What to expect:
First Half: We will wander along a forest road and onto random footpaths along the Nooksack River, observing tree species and searching for the perfect materials to use in the second half of class. This class will be accessible while incorporating wandering and choosing paths at random based on resources and curiosity.
Second Half: Using Western Redcedar from the forest, learn how to make traditional cordage. Using willow stems from the riverbank, enjoy the view while you craft a decorative ring to be hung up in your garden, your front door, or elsewhere to be admired. Extra decorating materials will be provided. An email with ideas of what you may want to bring for decorations will be sent to you a few days prior to the event.
***Please register via the website.
Join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a walk at one of the most beautiful coastal parks in the Pacific Northwest. There will be an emphasis on learning about creatures in the tidepools, lichens and ferns, but you will learn a lot about other plants, fungi, edible seaweeds, and coast ecology through exploration of tidepools at low tide. Bring your camera, come for the knowledge, and stay for the views! This is a unique field trip offering you’ll remember forever.
Space is limited. Please register via the website.
This is day THREE of this series.
The series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in having fun outdoors learning about PNW plants, wildlife, tidepools, bogs, natural history, foraging, and a bit of photography.
Each class will incorporate hands-on experience and photo prompts to deepen your awareness of the natural world and augment your curiosity.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings, have mini lectures, or engage in activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, go to the website.
Join NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center and Kulshan Brewing Co. for a cornhole tournament and pint night in support of NWTRC’s adaptive horsemanship and riding programs for children and adults of all abilities.
Team check-in will begin at 5pm
Tournament begins at 5:30pm.
Pint Night starts at 6pm. $1 from each pint sold from 6-9pm will be donated to NWTRC.
The tournament will be run using the American Cornhole Association rules.
We’ll have tons of fabulous prizes, including a beautiful cedar cornhole set for the winning team!
Hosted at Kulshan Brewing Roosevelt (K2) Taproom.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.
Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
DAY 3-
First Half: Test your identification skills gained over the series.
Second Half: Harvest and process Red Alder and start a carving project with guidance. Bring a saw and a hatchet if you have one, and spoon-carving knives if you want to make a spoon. Bushcraft knives will be provided to everyone. Saws, axes, and spoon knives are limited but available to borrow.
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Registered individuals will receive details in an event-reminder emails a few days prior to each event with driving directions.
Please register via website.
