Live music in Bellingham, WA

Tides & Tunes at the Pier brings relaxed acoustic performances to the Central Avenue Pier beside the Granary Building, offering waterfront views and a welcoming, social atmosphere in the Waterfront District. The season features music from Blue Collar Grass Band, Ki'ihele Music, The Librarians, and J Chang & The Lover Boys. Each show pairs the music with pop ups and special offerings from nearby Granary businesses, including Mercato della Bontà expanding patio service, Bison Bookbinding and Yacht Dogs open for the evening, and Miraculous Eventz hosting a party tent with face painting, hair braiding, tooth gems, and more. This program is supported by funding from the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.

Set in Downtown Bellingham, this monthly First Friday celebration spotlights the city center with art, music, food, and late night shopping. Galleries and creative spaces showcase local work, restaurants and bars roll out signature tastes, and shops extend hours while musicians turn storefronts into stages. Programming changes each month, offering fresh ways to explore the neighborhood as dozens of businesses host artists and special happenings. In May the event coincides with the Children’s Art Walk presented by Allied Arts of Whatcom County, and the January edition may shift to accommodate holiday schedules.

Jamnesia returns with a special Days Between tribute honoring Jerry Garcia, channeling the exploratory spirit of the Grateful Dead. Expect expansive tunes, open-ended improvisation, and a set shaped by in-the-moment interplay. The performance unfolds at Skylark’s Café in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood, a cozy, Victorian-style space suited to deep grooves and conversation. Recognized as a Gold Winner for Best Local Breakfast in the 2025 Best of the Northwest awards, the café offers a warm setting for music that wanders and finds its way home. Grateful Dead inspired jams, soulful Garcia-style leads, and those lift-off moments when the band locks together define the experience. It is a free show that welcomes dedicated fans, dancers, and dreamers who feel the music leading the way.

ʻOno Kitchen & Bar presents its outdoor concert series with John Cruz featured on the bill. An opening set will take the stage before his performance, offering a live music experience that brings a bit of Maui to the Pacific Northwest.

Come enjoy an improvised rock musical with a live band called “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Rock.” The show follows a mismatched band as they create brand new rock songs and ridiculous storylines on the spot, with everything from rival bands and mythical festivals to shady managers and possibly saving the world. You’ll give the suggestion, and they’ll bring the noise. This is an all-ages show featuring live local talent, with instrumentals provided by guest musicians.

The lineup brings together Gallowmaker, Constance Tomb, Slow Goat, and Fomorian for a night of post-punk, gothic rock, and heavy metal. Admission is $12 in advance or $15 on the day of the show.

This recurring open mic takes place on the second Tuesday of each month and spotlights local musicians as they take the stage to share their work, creating an evening full of surprises. Performers interested in a slot can sign up with Nick Taylor at Bellinghome School of Music at (360) 922-0382.

Blind Pilot returns with In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain, the band’s first album in eight years, shaped by a creative reset after a prolonged spell of writer’s block for frontman Israel Nebeker. He stepped back, reimagined his approach, and wrote a full album in a month before bringing the songs to the group with a renewed openness so they could evolve together. Produced by Josh Kaufman, the record brings fresh energy to their refined blend of folk and indie rock and follows 2016’s And Then Like Lions. Core members Ryan Dobrowski, Luke Ydstie, and Kati Claborn lean into instinct and chemistry, capturing an intuitive, play-it-together feel, while the album also features contributions from Dave Jorgensen and Ian Krist. Touring will focus on the quartet, and the spirit of the night centers on connection, letting the music breathe and highlighting the bond between the band and the audience.

The Waterfront Terrace hosts a finale concert for Blues, Brews & BBQ featuring local favorite Chris Eger & the Powerhouse Horns. The Chris Eger Band brings a lively mix of blues, rock, and American roots, led by Chris Eger, an award-nominated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, with a veteran Northwest lineup that includes a driving rhythm section and the Powerhouse Horns. Guests can enjoy barbecue fare, craft brews, and cocktails with waterfront views as boats glide across Bellingham Bay. General admission is $15 for adults and $10 for kids 10 and under, plus taxes and Eventbrite fees, and includes guaranteed entry, the live band, fireworks, and a generous barbecue dinner. A separate $30 barbecue menu crafted by the chef features barbecue favorites, sides, and seasonal fare, with limited quantities available for pre-sale and a smaller amount available at the event while supplies last. To-go food and craft cocktails from Lighthouse Bar & Grill are available on the Terrace. Attendance is limited, with a small number of tickets potentially available at the door until sold out, and pre-purchased tickets guarantee entrance. Seating is first come, first served. A cash bar is available and alcohol is not included in ticket prices. Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended due to limited covered seating. Tickets are non-refundable, and if rain causes a cancellation, refunds are issued minus Eventbrite fees.