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.

Online trivia through Zoom, every Tuesday night, featuring a mix of gallery and breakout rooms allowing you to socialize while you play several rounds of trivia including a weekly suggested category.
Zoom link available each week at http://Facebook.com/WorldsBestTrivia.
Teams or individuals can play. To participate in scoring, teams designate a scribe who submits answers using google forms. Players of all ages welcome!

See restoration history and help us maintain older sites that need love. Meet at NSEA’s campus by 8 am and your group leader will shuttle everyone to the site. You can expect to be back to NSEA at 12 pm. All materials and tools needed will be provided, all you need to bring is weather-appropriate clothes, sturdy shoes, and a water bottle! Restrooms at NSEA will be available before the shuttle leaves and once you return.
Since space is limited, registration is required. With the carpool, we ask that you only sign up if you can stay for the whole time. Any volunteers under 18 years of age need to bring a completed Youth Liability Form, and anyone under 14 must also be accompanied by an adult.

In just a few months, the Trump Administration’s foreign and domestic policies and its changes in Canadian and Mexican sentiment, tariffs, and stricter immigration and border policies have had notable impacts in border communities like Whatcom County. Drs. Laurie Trautman and LaTrelle Scherffius will explore how shifting policies are shaping a new narrative concerning U.S. border security. Through the lens of U.S./Mexican border history, they’ll delve into the hardening of the U.S./Canadian border and explore how past policies on the southern border might indicate what the future on our northern border and impacts those changes could have on border communities including Whatcom County.
Purchase tickets in advance by 6:00 pm Sunday, April 20.
Location: Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 S Harbor Loop Drive, Bellingham, WA.
Registration: https://bhamcityclub.wildapricot.org/event-6130990/registration
Time: Doors open at 11:30 am. The meeting starts at 12:00 pm and ends at 1:30 pm.
Ticket prices (tickets are nonrefundable): Member, $25; Non-member, $30; Youth under 25, $10; Program only (no meal), $10.

Join Village Books for a mysterious evening of music, stories, and fun with Anacortes author Matthew Sullivan!
Spaces are limited and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to secure your spot so don’t delay.
Matthew Sullivan’s novel, Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, was an IndieNext pick, a Barnes & Noble Discover pick, a GoodReads Choice Awards Finalist and winner of the Colorado Book Award. His new stand-alone novel, Midnight in Soap Lake (4/25), is published by Hanover Square Press/Harper Collins. He lives and writes in Anacortes, WA.
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The Chuckanut Radio Hour, a recipient of Bellingham’s prestigious Mayor’s Arts Award, is a radio variety show that began in January 2007. Each Chuckanut Radio Hour includes guest authors, musicians, performance poet Kevin Murphy, and episodes of “As the Ham Turns” serial radio comedy performed by the Chuckanut Radio Players Les Campbell, Tonja Meyers, Lisa Colburn, Dee Robinson, Sarah Hawley, and Robert Muzzy. Not to mention groaner jokes by hosts Paul Hanson, Kelly Evert, and announcer Rich Donnelly. The Chuckanut Radio Hour’s first guest was Erik Larson and has since included, Tom Robbins, Maria Semple, Christopher McDougall, Erica Bauermeister, and Garrison Keillor, among many others. Tickets for the Chuckanut Radio Hour are $5 and are available on Eventbrite.The Radio Hour airs Sundays at 7pm on Community Powered KMRE at 88.3FM and kmre.org. Co-sponsored by 12th Street Shoes.
*Online registration closes two hours prior to the event. Tickets may be available at the door.

Join Village Books and North Cascades Institute in welcoming both Brooke Williams and Lyanda Lynn Haupt back to the Readings Gallery!
Years ago, naturalist and environmental writer Brooke Williams had a powerful dream about a dragonfly, a dream that cracked open his world by giving rise to a steady stream of dragonfly encounters in his waking life. Encountering Dragonfly chronicles his “re-enchantment” as he follows these winged messengers into a new relationship with the natural world.
This evening’s event will feature Brooke Williams in conversation with award-winning nature writer Lyanda Lynn Haupt about the nature (how), meaning (what), and importance (why) of an ensouled, enchanted relationship with the natural world.
Brooke Williams writes about evolution, consciousness, and his own adventures exploring both the inner and outer wilderness. His writing has appeared in Orion, Outside, Huffington Post, and numerous other publications, and has been anthologized in Best American Essays. Brooke’s books include Open Midnight: Where Wilderness and Ancestors Meet (Trinity University Press, 2017), Mary Jane Wild: Two Walks and a Rant (Homebound Publications, 2020), and Encountering Dragonfly: Notes on the Practice of Re Enchantment (Uphill Books, 2025). He has also spent the last forty years advocating for wilderness and has served on the board of multiple environmental organizations including Western Environmental Legal Center, Center for Humans and Nature, and Utah Rivers Council. He lives with the writer, Terry Tempest Williams, and two cats near Moab, Utah, where they watch light and wait for rain.
Lyanda Lynn Haupt is an award-winning author, naturalist, ecophilosopher, and speaker whose work explores the beautiful, complicated connections between humans and the wild, natural world. Her most recent book is Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit (2021). Previous books include: Mozart’s Starling, The Urban Bestiary, Crow Planet, Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent, and Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds. She is a winner of the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award, a finalist for the Orion Book Award, and a two-time winner of the Washington State Book Award. Lyanda has created and directed educational programs for Seattle Audubon, worked in raptor rehabilitation in Vermont, and as a seabird researcher for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the remote tropical Pacific. Her writing is acclaimed for combining scientific knowledge with literary, poetic prose, and her essays have appeared in a variety of publications, including Orion, Discover, Utne, LA Times, and Times Literary Supplement. She lives in the mossy green woodlands of Bellingham, Washington.
North Cascades Institute envisions healthy Northwest ecosystems where all communities and species thrive. Our mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and community through the hands-on study of the natural and cultural history of the Pacific Northwest.

Thursdays in April!
The G.B.U. is a Bellingham classic! This show features a rotating performance format as well as special guest players to really make sure you get a wild and hilarious show that can go anywhere!
We are an all ages venue. Shows with “mature content” or “recommended for” will be advertised accordingly.

- It’s Bellingham Beer Week, and we’re throwing a Mini-Block Party on Friday, April 25th, from 5 PM to 8 PM in Historic Fairhaven Village – and you’re invited! Come for the beer, stay for the good times, and maybe even show off your best dance moves (we promise we won’t judge).
? What’s on tap? We’ll be serving up our flagship and seasonal craft beers, including our annual collab beer with Bellingham Homebrewers Guild – a session IPA! If you love local beer, this is your chance to sip something special.
? Live Music: The incredible Danned if We Do will be playing all the best danceable hits from the 70s and 80s – basically, the kind of tunes that make you want to grab a beer in one hand and a dance partner in the other.
? Tasty Eats: You can’t party on an empty stomach! Galley 2 Go will be on-site, serving up delicious food to keep you fueled for an evening of fun.
Bellingham Beer Week is an 11-day celebration of our city’s amazing craft beer scene, leading up to the grand finale – April Brews Day, Bellingham’s biggest beer festival. So why not kick off the weekend with us?

Date and time: recurring on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m.
First Fridays is a monthly celebration that showcases local artists and galleries, places to dine and sip, late night shopping, events, live music, and more! Join us on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m.
With fresh programming each month, First Fridays provide opportunities to engage with Downtown Bellingham and discover the city center throughout the year. Dozens of businesses host artists, feature signature dishes, become a stage for musicians, and more!
It’s a great night to experience Downtown!

Head down to the Beer Garden on Friday, April 25th for live music from Whalien & Family Mystic!
Doors open to this all-ages show at 6 pm, with music starting at 6:30.
$10 cover. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
We’ll be serving up our classic Fish Fry menu for you to enjoy!
Whalien’s high-energy rock fusion will have you grinning, gasping, and dancing!
Family Mystic is more than just a band; they are a transformative experience that redefines healing through song, dance, and emotional connection. Based out of Portland, OR, this collective of four visionary songwriters blends elements of classic funk/soul, 60’s/70’s psychedelia, a splash of progressive jazz fusion, with angelic four-part vocal harmonies, innovating a genre-defying experience that calls listeners into the heart of being human through the sanctity and celebration of music.

Friday and Saturdays in April. Get ready for an adventure that’s anything but ordinary.
Hilarious adventure awaits! Join our band of unlikely heroes as they are called upon by audience members to embark on a true-to-life quest. Armed with d20’s, the audience will journey with our heroes through strange lands, navigate perils and pitfalls, bond over pints, and fight off dangerous foes. Will our heroes survive and complete their quest? That is up to the dice!
This show is sponsored by our friends at Cosmic Games!
We are an all ages venue. Shows with “mature content” or “recommended for” will be advertised accordingly.

Fridays in April our D&D Improv & Crits show goes dark for the late show.
Get ready for a wild, no-holds-barred adventure! Join our ragtag band of misfits as they’re dragged into a quest where the stakes are high, the jokes are dirty, and the dice have no mercy. Armed with nothing but d20’s and a slightly functional moral compass, our heroes will rely on audience suggestions to navigate through absurd lands, outwit treacherous foes, and probably make some questionable decisions along the way.
The audience calls the shots, and things are bound to get messy as our heroes flirt with danger. Will our heroes survive the madness and complete their quest? That’s up to the roll of the dice.
Get ready for an adventure that’s anything but ordinary.
This show is sponsored by our friends at Cosmic Games!
Recommended for mature audiences. See our Upcoming Shows for all ages options.

Happy Earth Day! Join us, the Whatcom Land Trust, and the Nooksack Tribe for a special day of restoration at Maple Creek Reach. This stunning property has undergone incredible restoration efforts over the past 15 years, and now it needs your help! With breathtaking views along the North Fork of the Nooksack River and frequent eagle sightings, this is a volunteer favorite—and for good reason. But there’s still work to be done, and LOTS of invasive Scotch broom to remove! Come be a part of this rewarding effort and help restore this beautiful landscape.

Happy Earth Day! Join us, the Whatcom Land Trust, and the Nooksack Tribe for a special day of restoration at Maple Creek Reach. This stunning property has undergone incredible restoration efforts over the past 15 years, and now it needs your help! With breathtaking views along the North Fork of the Nooksack River and frequent eagle sightings, this is a volunteer favorite—and for good reason. But there’s still work to be done, and LOTS of invasive Scotch broom to remove! Come be a part of this rewarding effort and help restore this beautiful landscape.

Return to the Roarin’ 1920s & Join us in Fairhaven for a weekend of Murder & Mystery!
The Fairhaven Association along w. our presenting sponsor Village Books is preparing for our 5th annual Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend.
We turn back the clock to 1928 Fairhaven for “The Big Sleep of the Bootleg Bigshot”
on Saturday April 26 and Sunday April 27th
*Story written by Cryptid Escapes
Gumshoes, Can you find the murderer and discover the motive?
Collect clues from 20+ village businesses, question suspects, gather information and make your accusation (you could win prizes!)
Saturday Schedule:
Check in opens at 10am, collect clues and interview suspects until 5pm
NEW! Speakeasy Stroll: As part of Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend – Take a Speakeasy Stroll through the village on Saturday. April 26th from 2-9pm
1920’s drink specials at Sugar & Co., Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery, The Black Cat, Galloway’s Cocktail Bar, Colophon Café and Skylarks!
Sunday Schedule:
Check in opens at 10am, collect clues and interview suspects / accusations due by 1pm!
Suspects will gather on the Green to answer your questions
Vendors and Live Music w. Ciel on the Village Green from 11am – 1pm
The “Whodunit” will be announced at approx. 1:15pm – prizes drawn afterwards

Get ready for an exciting weekend on the water as the Community Boating Center opens for another incredible season in beautiful Bellingham Bay!
? 50% Off Rentals – Book a rental through the weekend with our coupon FIRSTFLOAT and explore the bay at half the price!
? Party Atmosphere – Enjoy live music, tasty snacks, and a vibrant community vibe.
?? A Little Mystery – The weekend overlaps with the Dirty Dan Murder Mystery, adding an extra layer of adventure to the fun!
Whether you’re an experienced paddler or trying boating for the first time, this is the perfect chance to embrace the beauty & community of Bellingham Bay. Join us as we set sail into a new season—see you on the water!

Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a gentle walk along the river to learn how to identify conifers, forage spruce tips, nettles, and wildcraft them into foods and medicines.
There is no elevation gain on this trail, but quite a bit of walking, and a nice period of sitting to craft our concoctions.
Things to bring with you to class:
-Dress for the weather (warm outdoor clothing)
-Your most comfortable walking shoes
-Snacks and water
-Notebook and pen (optional)
-Foraging basket
-Garden gloves (thicker the better. I have some available for borrowing)
-Two medium-large glass jars
-Please bring at least one 12oz and one 16oz jar, both with lids
Northwest Natura is providing:
-Processing equipment
-High quality alcohol for tincture infusions
-Sugars for making syrup
*Please register via the event website.
*Registered individuals will receive an email a few days prior to the event with driving directions, weather forecast, and a reminder of what to bring with you.

Year Seven of Scarecrow Academy presents “Visions of America on Film,” an ambitious ten-week online discussion series built around buoyant and bracing cinematic views of America. Each week we’ll consider how some of the greatest filmmakers have pictured the US of A, through a variety of genres and eras.
Discussions are led by National Society of Film Critics member Robert Horton, author of the Seasoned Ticket column at the Scarecrow blog and Scarecrow’s “Programmer-Historian in Residence.” The Zoom sessions are free and open to all; there’s no homework, but we encourage you to watch that week’s movie, and please register online in advance. We meet on Saturdays at 2pm Pacific Time, beginning March 15, 2025.
Please register here: https://bit.ly/scarecrowacademy

Friday and Saturdays in April. Get ready for an adventure that’s anything but ordinary.
Hilarious adventure awaits! Join our band of unlikely heroes as they are called upon by audience members to embark on a true-to-life quest. Armed with d20’s, the audience will journey with our heroes through strange lands, navigate perils and pitfalls, bond over pints, and fight off dangerous foes. Will our heroes survive and complete their quest? That is up to the dice!
This show is sponsored by our friends at Cosmic Games!
We are an all ages venue. Shows with “mature content” or “recommended for” will be advertised accordingly.

Saturday Nights April, May, and June at The Upfront Theatre!
Get ready for spontaneous comedy at its best! Punch Line is a short-form show with a variety of improvised word games which will keep you on your toes. Audience members provide the wackiest words, and our quick-thinking performers use them to create scenes full of unexpected laughs and outrageous moments. Enjoy witty banter and surprising punch lines! It’s a hilarious, unpredictable ride and no two shows are ever the same. Get ready to laugh till your sides hurt — the fun starts when YOU fill in the blanks!
Looking for a fun date night idea? Punch Line is the perfect way to break the ice or deepen your connection. The Upfront Theatre, Voted Best Date Night in Bellingham Alive!
We are an all ages venue. Shows with “mature content” or “recommended for” will be advertised accordingly.

Return to the Roarin’ 1920s & Join us in Fairhaven for a weekend of Murder & Mystery!
The Fairhaven Association along w. our presenting sponsor Village Books is preparing for our 5th annual Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend.
We turn back the clock to 1928 Fairhaven for “The Big Sleep of the Bootleg Bigshot”
on Saturday April 26 and Sunday April 27th
*Story written by Cryptid Escapes
Gumshoes, Can you find the murderer and discover the motive?
Collect clues from 20+ village businesses, question suspects, gather information and make your accusation (you could win prizes!)
Saturday Schedule:
Check in opens at 10am, collect clues and interview suspects until 5pm
NEW! Speakeasy Stroll: As part of Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend – Take a Speakeasy Stroll through the village on Saturday. April 26th from 2-9pm
1920’s drink specials at Sugar & Co., Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery, The Black Cat, Galloway’s Cocktail Bar, Colophon Café and Skylarks!
Sunday Schedule:
Check in opens at 10am, collect clues and interview suspects / accusations due by 1pm!
Suspects will gather on the Green to answer your questions
Vendors and Live Music w. Ciel on the Village Green from 11am – 1pm
The “Whodunit” will be announced at approx. 1:15pm – prizes drawn afterwards

Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a gentle walk at the stunning Padilla Bay Research Reserve to learn about traditional and modern uses of PNW native plants, and traditional agricultural practices advanced by indigenous peoples for time immemorial.
Padilla Bay Reserve has incredible plant diversity. This tour will focus on the historical significance of Coastal Prairies, estuarine, and forest plant species, and the importance of restoration projects and accessibility to these areas.
Things to bring with you to class:
-Dress for the weather (warm outdoor clothing)
-Snacks and water
-Notebook and pen (optional)
-Camera (optional)
-Your favorite field guide (optional)
-You will need good shoes for walking, but they don’t necessarily need to be hiking boots; the trail is well maintained.
*Registered individuals will receive an event-reminder email a few days prior to the event.
*Please register via the event website.

Tchaikovsky Competition winning violinist Itamar Zorman joins the orchestra for a powerful afternoon of music centerstage with Harmony from Discord. The program closes with Faure’s Requiem featuring two soloists and two choirs.
Program (subject to change):
Kenji Bunch | Supermaximum (12’)
Henriëtte Bosmans | Concert Piece (17’)
Gabriel Fauré | Requiem (30’)
with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale & Phoenix Chamber Choir
Dr. Felicia K. Youngblood’s engaging and informative Pre-Concert Lecture will take place at 2:15PM in the Walton Theatre. Doors open at 2PM and seating is limited, so please plan accordingly.
More information: https://www.bellinghamsymphony.org/event/singing-out

Every Sunday in April at Stones Throw Brewery! This is a space for the community to come together and celebrate psychedelic culture through vinyl listening sessions, and the sharing of books, posters, magazines, and whatever else we can dream up! Please feel free to bring your own analog media to share, discuss, trade and maybe get your record spun if it fits the flow.