Family events in Bellingham, WA

Get an early look before the official fall opening with a special preview at Gabriel's Art Center. As part of downtown Bellingham's First Friday Art Walk, the center presents an open house showcasing GAK and GAC instructors, visual artists, performers, and dancers sharing their own work. Explore the new space, meet the teachers behind the classes, and discover what GAC has planned. This event is free, open to all ages, and requires no tickets or registration.

A casual gathering of car lovers takes place at Bellis Fair Mall, presented by Broken Motor Car Club. Enthusiasts of classics, exotics, muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles, and daily drivers are welcome. Coffee and pastries from local vendors will be available. Upon arrival, attendees should check in at the Broken Motor Car Club table so attendance can be recorded for insurance purposes. To keep the meet safe and enjoyable, no burnouts, excessive revving, or reckless driving are permitted, and participants are asked to follow event signage and parking directions while respecting the venue and fellow attendees. Admission is free.

Imports & Classics presents the second annual waterfront car show celebrating car culture across classics, JDM, exotics, and high performance builds. The show welcomes all makes and models and is organized by a passionate team of enthusiasts. Expect 18 award categories, a live DJ, raffles, and a welcoming, all ages atmosphere. Vehicle registration is $20 with pre registration and $25 on the day of the show, while spectators are free. The lot is gravel, so lowered vehicles should use caution. Event guidelines prohibit burnouts, speeding, and reckless driving, and ask that everyone respect each other, the City, and the Port of Bellingham. For questions, email Milad@importsandclassics.com.

This free, family-friendly gathering features local illustrator Luciana Navarro Powell, the creator behind Squirrel Draws Big Feelings, and includes a hands-on chalk art activity. Through the characters Squirrel, Porcupine, and Bear, the book explores what it feels like when emotions run high and how creativity can offer calm. As the story unfolds, Squirrel channels big feelings into chalk drawings, and friends who are unsure at first discover that making art together, sharing, and friendship can help. With rhyming text and lively mixed-media artwork, the book encourages readers to express themselves even when words are hard to find. Registration is requested to help anticipate audience size. Powell is an award-winning illustrator who started her career in Brazil, moved to the United States in 2002, and now lives in Washington state. She has illustrated more than twenty children’s books and enjoys hiking with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

An outdoor screening of The Princess Bride is part of Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema’s 25th anniversary season of films beneath the night sky. Set at Historic Fairhaven’s Village Green, this long-standing summer tradition brings together families, friends, visitors, and the greater Bellingham community for an evening filled with entertainment and hometown charm. Before the movie even begins, families spread out blankets, friends share dinner, kids play on the Green, and neighbors reconnect on a beautiful summer evening. Many attendees pack a picnic, grab pizza from OVN, and pick up something sweet from Sweet Haven or It's The Sweet Things, then settle in for a night of community, connection, and outdoor fun.

Experience the ghostly side of historic Fairhaven on a walking tour that travels up and down Harris Avenue, stopping at places connected to reports of haunted activity. Explore notable spots along the route that have a reputation for hauntings. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Move with friends in the open air as the sun sinks over Bellingham Bay at Zuanich Point Park. Wireless headphones will be provided so you can dance to a varied playlist broadcast by radio, and gear will be available on a first come, first served basis. Plan to meet by the statue to get set up. This gathering welcomes everyone, including people of all shapes and sizes, every color, gender, sexual identity, age, and ability. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and dress for the weather. Free parking is available in the lot next to the park, and public restrooms are on site. Donations are appreciated and can be made via Venmo, PayPal, credit card, or with cash or check at the event. If moving in public feels new, participants can choose their own pace, express themselves in ways that feel right, let go of self judgment and judgments about others, and enjoy the feeling of moving together. Share a few songs and a sunset, then settle into the simple pleasure of knowing your body is already part of the dance of life.

Discover a stately 1910 residence built for influential citizen Victor Roeder, born on Bellingham Bay in 1861. The house and surrounding grounds were later donated to Whatcom County for public use in 1971. Tours are offered through a collaboration between the Whatcom County Historical Society and Whatcom County Parks and Recreation. Group sizes are limited and participation is first come, first served. Street parking is available, with accessible parking located at the rear of the building.

A long-running Bellingham tradition invites generations of participants to the track for a friendly mix of racing, jumping, and throwing. From a quick dash like the 100 meters to the shot put and high jump, there are options for beginners and experienced athletes alike. Open to ages 2 and up, this welcoming series focuses on community spirit and approachable competition at Civic Field. Entry is $6 per person per meet, with an individual season option for $45 that includes a T-shirt, and a $125 family pass for up to five members of the same household without a T-shirt. Coordinated by Jim Pettinger and supported by Coldwell Banker Bain.

Drop in for practical help from Arc of Whatcom County staff with applications and paperwork related to developmental disabilities. Staff can explain Developmental Disabilities Administration services, walk through the eligibility application and assessment, help set up a Social Security Administration account, outline the steps for applying for Supplemental Security Income, and suggest what documentation to gather. Guidance is also available on guardianship, including the court petition process and reporting, as well as getting started with Partners4Housing and preparing for a Residential Assessment. Support includes information on the Washington State Disability Parks Pass and the Federal Access Pass. No RSVP is needed, and assistance is provided as staff are available. Attendees may use a printer, scanner, and paper shredder at no cost. Time may be limited, so plan to focus on getting oriented and starting your paperwork. Privacy cannot be guaranteed because multiple people may be helped at once. For private one-on-one support, contact the organization to schedule an appointment at a different time. If the office is closed due to a holiday or severe weather, this session will be cancelled. Materials and information shared are educational in nature and are not legal, financial, or professional services. Staff are not attorneys and do not provide legal or financial advice. For those needs, seek assistance from a qualified professional.

This hands-on program invites young engineers to build, create, and explore with LEGO bricks, Magnatiles, Plus-Plus pieces, and more. Participants will take on projects such as constructing bridges and designing bird nests and fairy homes using materials from nature. It is designed for children ages 5 to 7. The cost is $99, and pre-registration is required.