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.
Northwest Tune-Up isn’t your average music festival. It’s a thrilling fusion of world-class mountain biking adrenaline-pumping bike races award-winning breweries and live performances by top-tier musicians—all in one of North America’s best mountain bike destinations.
Experience 3 days of bike demos from top cycling brands shuttles to nearby trailheads hands-on skills clinics spectator-friendly bike races endless cycling entertainment 20+ taps from local craft brewers and over a dozen performers across 3 stages.
Mainstage Music:
* Friday: Yonder Mountain String Band (bluegrass) Indigo De Souza (bubblegrunge) Petty or Not (pop) and The Lil Smokies (Montana roots bluegrass)
* Saturday: Lupe Fiasco (hip-hop) Emancipator (livetronica) Magic Sword (synthwave) and Protoje meets Tippy I (modern reggae)
* Sunday: RJD2 (electronica) Dengue Fever (Cambodian rock) Saxsquatch (filthstep with Bigfoot) and The Moondoggies (American rock)
Free afternoon music on the Tunetown stages in Expo Village. Besides the public zone, paid ticket are accessible for all fans: music-only tickets, 3-day tickets, VIP tickets, single-day tickets, and youth. Children 12 and under free with adult.
Located at the Bellingham Waterfront, July 12–14, 2024. For tickets or more information, visit nwtuneup.com.
Northwest Tune-Up isn’t your average music festival. It’s a thrilling fusion of world-class mountain biking adrenaline-pumping bike races award-winning breweries and live performances by top-tier musicians—all in one of North America’s best mountain bike destinations.
Experience 3 days of bike demos from top cycling brands shuttles to nearby trailheads hands-on skills clinics spectator-friendly bike races endless cycling entertainment 20+ taps from local craft brewers and over a dozen performers across 3 stages.
Mainstage Music:
* Friday: Yonder Mountain String Band (bluegrass) Indigo De Souza (bubblegrunge) Petty or Not (pop) and The Lil Smokies (Montana roots bluegrass)
* Saturday: Lupe Fiasco (hip-hop) Emancipator (livetronica) Magic Sword (synthwave) and Protoje meets Tippy I (modern reggae)
* Sunday: RJD2 (electronica) Dengue Fever (Cambodian rock) Saxsquatch (filthstep with Bigfoot) and The Moondoggies (American rock)
Free afternoon music on the Tunetown stages in Expo Village. Besides the public zone, paid ticket are accessible for all fans: music-only tickets, 3-day tickets, VIP tickets, single-day tickets, and youth. Children 12 and under free with adult.
Located at the Bellingham Waterfront, July 12–14, 2024. For tickets or more information, visit nwtuneup.com.
Join us in the beer garden on Saturday, July 27th for a Summer Book Exchange!
Love books and brews? Relax in our beautiful beer garden, enjoy some refreshing drinks, and exchange your favorite reads with fellow book lovers!
The book exchange is open to all ages and lasts from 11 am – 4 pm. $1 from every pint sold during the event will be donated to the Whatcom Literacy Council.
How It Works:
Bring one or more books you’re ready to part with.
Swap these books with ones others have brought.
Enjoy your new reads with a drink in hand!
This event is in partnership with the Whatcom Literacy Council.
The South Fork Nooksack River is a popular river access spot that often sees its fair share of trash, so we are starting the summer season with a River Litter Cleanup in Acme, WA! Teams will pick up trash from the riverbanks and adjacent roadways before it has a chance to wash into the waterway. Find out more and register at https://nsea.volunteerhub.com/vv2/event/28574821-a766-4c6b-a8c9-08548e473c20
Join your community in celebrating healthy water, healthy habitat, and healthy people during the 12th annual Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run! This free event welcomes people of all ages and speeds. The 5K course has beautiful views of Whatcom County shoreline and beaches. Children 10 and under can enjoy the Smolt Sprint obstacle course. This year Run with the Chums will be held on September 14th, as a kick off event for Whatcom Water Week at the BP Highlands. The 5K will start at 10AM, and the Smolt Sprint at 9:45 AM. Learn more and register today at www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums. Register before September 1st to receive a free Run with the Chums T-Shirt while supplies last.
M.A.D. H.O.P.E. (Making A Difference, Helping Other People Everywhere) is looking for volunteers for our Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Well-Being Program, 2024-2025!
If you care about Whatcom youth, have availability during the school day, and are looking for a way to help our community, please join us for this impactful and in-person training series.
Each volunteer is required to attend the following training dates:
Tuesday, September 17, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 18, 11 am to 3 pm
Thursday, September 19, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 25, 11 am to 3 pm
M.A.D. H.O.P.E. (Making A Difference, Helping Other People Everywhere) is looking for volunteers for our Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Well-Being Program, 2024-2025!
If you care about Whatcom youth, have availability during the school day, and are looking for a way to help our community, please join us for this impactful and in-person training series.
Each volunteer is required to attend the following training dates:
Tuesday, September 17, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 18, 11 am to 3 pm
Thursday, September 19, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 25, 11 am to 3 pm
M.A.D. H.O.P.E. (Making A Difference, Helping Other People Everywhere) is looking for volunteers for our Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Well-Being Program, 2024-2025!
If you care about Whatcom youth, have availability during the school day, and are looking for a way to help our community, please join us for this impactful and in-person training series.
Each volunteer is required to attend the following training dates:
Tuesday, September 17, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 18, 11 am to 3 pm
Thursday, September 19, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 25, 11 am to 3 pm
M.A.D. H.O.P.E. (Making A Difference, Helping Other People Everywhere) is looking for volunteers for our Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Well-Being Program, 2024-2025!
If you care about Whatcom youth, have availability during the school day, and are looking for a way to help our community, please join us for this impactful and in-person training series.
Each volunteer is required to attend the following training dates:
Tuesday, September 17, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 18, 11 am to 3 pm
Thursday, September 19, 11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday, September 25, 11 am to 3 pm
Ready for another outstanding Fix-it Fair?! Come join us for our Fall repair event at the Ohio Street Workstudios. We will have clothing mending, small appliance repair, knife sharpening, bike repair, jewelry repair, and more!
All repairs are done free or by donation. Repairs requiring additional time or parts may be referred elsewhere.
Let us help you bring all your favorite things back to life!
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.
Pick up beach cleanup supplies, refreshments, and join us on Bellingham’s waterfront to prevent trash from getting into Bellingham Bay! I’s a great idea for a Valentine’s Day weekend date — there’s no better way to impress your bae than showing them you care about protecting our waterways, right?
The Power of Hope dives deeper into the Science of Hope: the most reliable predictor of thriving. This single session training provides a framework and tools to raise hope in your family, community, and workplace. Space is limited to 40 participants.
You will receive a confirmation email after you register and a Zoom link will be emailed out to you before the training. If you do not receive a confirmation or Zoom link email from us before the training, please contact us at info@wfcn.org. We looking forward to meeting you!
Help NSEA and the Whatcom Conservation District plant trees and shrubs along Terrell Creek at a long-term NSEA restoration site. Since 2002, NSEA has partnered with BP Cherry Point and various community groups like the Chums of Terrell Creek to restore stream habitat by removing invasive vegetation and replanting native trees and shrubs.
Terrell Creek not only provides cold, clean, and clear water essential for local coho and chum salmon populations, it also promotes healthy habitat for wildlife throughout the watershed including 170 bird species, steelhead, coastal and residential trout, and a diverse selection of Birch Bay shellfish.
Restock our native plant nursery and pot plants with us! The nursery on our campus holds about 15,000 plants that need to be refilled each spring. No gardening experience necessary! We will show you everything you need to know. This is also a great task for children and folks with more limited mobility.
Trees and shrubs are a vital piece of our restoration work. They provide invaluable services to riparian areas along creeks like shading, filtration, and erosion control. This all works to keep water cold, clean, and clear for salmon! They also increase the biodiversity and provide habitat for birds, amphibians, and mammals.
Join us at Backcountry Essentials on April 17th for an evening of storytelling, film, and community action in the Bellingham area! Hear inspiring readings, watch powerful short films, and connect with local organizations making a difference.
After the presentations, explore ways to get involved—plus, enjoy snacks, happy hour beer prices, crafting with Eliza Carver and earn a raffle ticket by engaging with local groups for a chance to win great prizes!
Doors – 7:00 PM
Presentations – 7:15 PM
Happy Hour & Community Engagement – 7:45 PM
Restock our native plant nursery and pot plants with us! The nursery on our campus holds about 15,000 plants that need to be refilled each spring. No gardening experience necessary! We will show you everything you need to know. This is also a great task for children and folks with more limited mobility.
Trees and shrubs are a vital piece of our restoration work. They provide invaluable services to riparian areas along creeks like shading, filtration, and erosion control. This all works to keep water cold, clean, and clear for salmon! They also increase the biodiversity and provide habitat for birds, amphibians, and mammals.
Restock our native plant nursery and pot plants with us! The nursery on our campus holds about 15,000 plants that need to be refilled each spring. No gardening experience necessary! We will show you everything you need to know. This is also a great task for children and folks with more limited mobility.
Trees and shrubs are a vital piece of our restoration work. They provide invaluable services to riparian areas along creeks like shading, filtration, and erosion control. This all works to keep water cold, clean, and clear for salmon! They also increase the biodiversity and provide habitat for birds, amphibians, and mammals.
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.
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!
Help remove invasive blackberry at a property nestled along the North Fork Nooksack River! Starting a project by removing nonnative species reduces competition and ensures there is plenty of space for the native plants we install to grow into a healthy habitat along the waterway. Noxious weeds like this one spread quickly and often outcompete native plants. This not only reduces the biodiversity of our ecosystems but also harms salmon habitat by replacing native plants that provide shade, bank stabilization, and large woody debris needed for a healthy riparian zone.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 17th, 2025! Miles for Memories is back with an indoor walk-a-thon, a senior services resource fair, and the Amy’s Place Open House. Whether you’re walking with us in person or cheering from afar, you can be part of this exciting day! KAFE 104.1 FM will be broadcasting live on-site, so if you can’t join us in person, tune in to hear the action unfold! And if you’re there, you may even get the chance to meet the team!
Walk with us to raise funds for Dementia Support Northwest and tour Amy’s Place, our new office headquarters and dementia-friendly community center inside Bellis Fair Mall.
Form a team and walk together, or take turns walking laps inside the mall. Raise donations from your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to support the programs and services at Amy’s Place.
Amy’s Place will provide a permanent home for the Dementia Support Northwest office and staff, and lots of space to support our programs, including:
in-person and virtual support groups
free short-term respite care by appointment
dementia-friendly social activities
education and training sessions
dementia resource library
coffee and tea bar
cozy spaces to socialize or relax
lots of volunteer opportunities
While we are thrilled to open the doors to the public this spring, our need for community support is greater than ever. We need to raise funds this year to ensure we can keep our doors open to sustain (and hopefully expand) the services we offer to the community. Please join us for this exciting moment for DSNW, as we embark on a new phase in our journey, and help build community for those affected by dementia one step at a time!
You can sign up individually or start a team and invite your friends.
We encourage costumes, signs, and other positive ways to boost excitement and visibility during our walk. How it works: register today as an individual or start your own team and combine your fundraising power! Share your personal donation page with friends, co-workers, and anyone who would like to help transform dementia services and respite care in our community.
Schedule for the day:
8:30 am: Check-in and on-site registration opens
9:00 am: Mall walk starts & resource fair opens
9:00 – 11:00 am: Kafé 104.1 will be on-site broadcasting from the starting line
11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Amy’s Place Open House – stop by and check out the new dementia-friendly community center in Bellis Fair Mall!
2:00 pm: The walk ends at Amy’s Place. Awards will be announced for teams and individuals. Prizes will be awarded for the largest team, the highest individual and team fundraisers, best costumes, best group spirit, and more!
Earn individual swag and rewards through fundraising!
$0 – Register for free and receive a sticker to personalize and wear during the walk in honor of a love one affected by dementia
$50 in fundraising = Amy’s Place lanyard
$100 in fundraising = Miles for Memories Bandana
$500 in fundraising = Dementia Support Northwest Enamel Pin
$1,000 in fundraising = Miles for Memories custom medal
We hope you will join us as a walker, sponsor, vendor, or volunteer for Miles for Memories 2025. Please choose your registration level, then complete this registration form. You may choose to donate today or come back to donate at another time.
Please contact our office with any questions or ideas, (360) 671-3316 or heather@dementiasupportnw.org
We look forward to seeing you on May 17th,
Your Miles for Memories Planning Team
Dementia Support Northwest
Spread mulch around recently planted trees and shrubs to protect them as they grow through the summer. Not only will the mulch improve soil structure as it decomposes, but it also supports plants by conserving soil moisture, moderating temperature, and impeding the growth of weeds and grasses. This project is on a tributary that runs directly into Tenmile Creek, a tributary of the Nooksack River.
Tenmile Creek has historical documented presence of chum and coho, as well as steelhead and resident trout. In the early 1900’s this creek supported large runs of chum and coho that continued into the 30’s. These runs were so plentiful that some of the salmon carcasses would overflow into nearby fields. However, due to extensive habitat alteration and degradation, salmon runs drastically declined in the 50’s and 60’s.
Streamside native vegetation was lost in the process of modifying the creeks to better suit farmlands. This meant that there was a decrease in large woody debris (LWD) inputs and an increase in flow of sediments and nutrients into the creeks. The loss of native vegetation meant that invasive species, such as reed canary grass, could flourish and quickly overtake the riparian zone. Reed canary grass clogs streams and slows the flow of water making it very hard for salmon to swim in slow, murky waters.
