Community Calendar and Information Hub

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.

May
9
Fri
Edible Plant Identification in the Chuckanuts with Northwest Natura @ Chuckanut Mountain (Trail TBD)
May 9 @ 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Edible Plant Identification in the Chuckanuts with Northwest Natura @ Chuckanut Mountain (Trail TBD)

Join Naturalist,Jazmen Yoder on a hike along one of the Chuckanut Mountain trails to get outdoors in early spring and learn the names and flavors of edible plants as we go.

The trailhead is TBD based on abundant species. Expect some elevation gain but keep in mind we’ll be stopping frequently to botanize and learn about edible plant species.

Things to bring with you to class:
-Dress for the weather (warm outdoor clothing)
-Hiking shoes
-Snacks and water
-Notebook and pen (optional)
-Camera (optional)
-Your favorite field guide (optional)

Registered individuals will receive an email a 3-5 days prior to the event with trail info, driving directions, weather forecast, and a reminder of what to bring with you.

Please register via the event website.

May
10
Sat
Ethnobotany Tour at Sugarloaf Mountain w/ Northwest Natura @ Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead
May 10 @ 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Ethnobotany Tour at Sugarloaf Mountain w/ Northwest Natura @ Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead

Join Salish Sea Naturalist and Outdoor Educator, Jazmen Yoder on a hike to Sugarloaf Mountaintop while learning about traditional and modern uses of PNW native plants.

Anacortes Community Forest has incredible plant diversity. This tour will focus on edible and medicinal coastal prairie and mixed forest plant species and show you how to identify them. You will learn a ton about each plant including edible and medicinal uses, and traditional harvest, cooking, and agricultural techniques.

There is some elevation gain on this hike, but we will be stopping frequently to botanize.

Key takeaways:
-Plant identification skills
-Learn which species would be appropriate to forage for food or medicine and which should be left alone and admired based on their ecological role, restoration status, and/or cultural significance to indigenous peoples.
-Guided plant identification notes from the instructor using a whiteboard at each stop
-Find community outdoors with nature-loving folks on this hike through the forest to Salish Sea vistas!

Please register via the event website.

May
24
Sat
Memorial Weekend Block Party @ Stones Throw Brewery
May 24 @ 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Memorial Weekend Block Party @ Stones Throw Brewery

We invite the whole community to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend 2025 with a Stones Throw Block Party on Saturday, May 24th! As part of Fairhaven’s beloved Ski to Sea festivities, we’re turning the street into a lively, all-ages outdoor beer garden from 12–9pm, packed with live music, delicious local food, and of course, ice-cold craft beer.
Live Music Lineup:
12–2:30pm: Adrian Clark & Phil Sottile
3–5:30pm: Bridge
6–9pm: Pat McFarland Band
Food Trucks On Site All Day:
Galley2Go
Street Dogz
Dougs Burgers
?We’ll be pouring 10 of our fan-favorite Stones Throw brews, plus a guest tap from Bellingham Cider – perfect for sipping in the sun with friends, family, and your four-legged pals!
?The celebration keeps going on Sunday, May 25th, with an extended beer garden from 12–9pm, stop by before or after catching the Ski to Sea race at Marine Park!
Let’s kick off summer the Fairhaven way, see you at the block party!

Bushcraft Basics: Fire & Shelter Building with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land
May 24 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Bushcraft Basics: Fire & Shelter Building with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land

This course will take place on Private Land in Whatcom County off Highway 542 next to Boulder Creek ~2 miles east of Maple Falls, WA.

The skills we will cover in this outdoor workshop include:
-An Introduction to Bushcraft in the Pacific Northwest
-Survival priorities

Activities:
-Knots
-Shelter construction from raw materials
-Second shelter construction: simple tarp deployment
-Knife, ax, and saw practice with guidance if needed
-Fire-making tutorial using foraged materials and no lighter
-Use a ferro rod or flint & steel.
*Optional to make tea over a fire using wild edible/medicinal plants.

We will practice all of these skills together in this full-day course.

Northwest Natura is providing day-use materials including:

Morakniv 511 knives
Ferrocerium rods and strikers
Fire resources (wood, tinder)
Saws (limited number)
Axes (limited number)
Tarps, paracord, and other shelter supplies
Demo Equipment; examples of several kit items

More details provided via the event website.
Please register via the event website.

May
25
Sun
Bushcraft Basics: Natural Cordage with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land
May 25 @ 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Bushcraft Basics: Natural Cordage with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land

The Bushcraft Basics series by Northwest Natura teaches students practical outdoor skills like fire-making, shelter-building, knot-tying, and wildcrafting skills like weaving, making cordage, and more.

In this course you will learn how to make cordage using different plants that you forage.

Practice self reliance skills in this half-day course.

Key takeaways:
-Ethnobotany of various species of fiber plants
-How to harvest and process fiber from multiple species of plants
-Learn two techniques of twisting plant fibers into cords and ropes
-Improve your self-reliance skills in a casual group setting where you will meet folks who share your interests and love for nature.

***Please register via the event website.
More info available on the website as well.

May
26
Mon
Good Neighbor Night at Stones Throw Brewery @ Stones Throw Brewery
May 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Good Neighbor Night at Stones Throw Brewery @ Stones Throw Brewery

Join us for Good Neighbor Night as we partner with Common Threads Farm, a local nonprofit cultivating healthier kids, communities, and the environment through hands-on food education. From 5–9pm, 10% of all beer sales will be donated to support their amazing school garden and cooking programs.
? Featuring dessert from the Common Threads Food Truck – grab a sweet treat like their fan-favorite sunflower butter or pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (while they last)!

?? Be sure to enter the raffle for a chance to win a fun gift bag put together by the Common Threads team!

Come raise a glass for a great cause and connect with folks growing good things right here in Bellingham!