Events in Bellingham today

Morning Buzz brings young professionals together for coffee, networking, conversation, and updates. Each gathering also features a thought-provoking question focused on professional and personal growth, offering an opportunity to build relationships and gain new perspectives. Those interested in Whatcom Young Professionals may attend up to three times as a guest.

Learn about the WA Cares Fund, how it works, and who may qualify. Find answers to frequently asked questions about long-term care and the fund. Northwest Regional Council provides support for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.

Designed for children from birth to age 3 with an adult partner, this storytime features simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Children around ages 4 to 7 can enjoy stories, songs, activities, and more while building early literacy skills.

Enjoy a lively game of SuperBingo at the Burlington Senior Center, with a variety of prizes to shop for. Everyone is a winner, so there are no losers in SuperBingo!

Bellingham Script Studio meets at New Prospect Theatre for a free, hands-on screenwriting session open to local writers at any stage. The focus is on sharing pages, hearing them read aloud, and receiving thoughtful feedback in a supportive, writer-centered environment. Each session features up to three scripts, with a limit of fifteen pages per script, including shorts or excerpts from features. Scripts are read in the order they are received. To be placed in the queue, submit pages in professional screenwriting format to joshua.krenz@gmail.com. When your turn comes up, bring printed copies for each character and one copy for narration. Actors provide cold readings of the roles, giving writers a chance to hear their work while actors practice their cold reading skills. New participants are welcome, and producers, directors, and actors are encouraged to attend. There are also opportunities to connect with other creatives.

At Village Books in Fairhaven, author Donna Miscolta talks with Jane Wong about Ofelia and Norma, a novel that follows twin sisters as they navigate identity, body shame, and the strain on their bond in a culture that stigmatizes larger bodies. In community college, Ofelia’s solitary walks unexpectedly change her body, and Norma feels their likeness slipping away. Norma transfers to a new school, and each sister faces the world on her own. Ofelia later pursues intentional weight loss that spirals into disordered eating until a frightening treadmill mishap prompts a reset. She leaves the family home, while their mother Lyla, often at a loss emotionally, remains behind. Norma finds refuge in the campus pool, then a troubling incident pushes her inward. The sisters keep their experiences private, the distance between them grows, and they move into careers apart, until a gentle reconnection leads to shared truths and to Ofelia’s promise to help seek justice for what Norma endured. Donna Miscolta is the author of four works of fiction, including Ofelia and Norma from Regal House Publishing. Her earlier books have earned recognition such as a 2020 Latino Book of the Year listing, the Next Generation Indie Book Award for Multicultural Fiction, an Independent Publisher Book Award for Best Regional Fiction, two International Latino Book Awards, and finalist honors for the Washington State Book Award. Her writing appears widely in journals and anthologies, most recently in Mixed Roots, edited by Anne Liu Kellor. A recording of her work is included in the Library of Congress PALABRA Archive, and she also blogs about writing, reading, and life in Spain. Jane Wong is the author of the memoir Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City and the poetry collections How to Not Be Afraid of Everything and Overpour. A Kundiman fellow and Pushcart Prize recipient, she has held fellowships and residencies with the U.S. Fulbright Program, Harvard’s Woodberry Poetry Room, Artist Trust, Hedgebrook, UCross, Loghaven, and the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund. Her interdisciplinary installations and performances have appeared at the Frye Art Museum, Richmond Art Gallery, and the Asian Art Museum. She grew up in a take-out restaurant on the Jersey shore and is an Associate Professor at Western Washington University.

Explore how choral singing can help people move beyond feeling overwhelmed by the world’s injustices and toward meaningful engagement. Drawing on biblical, historical, scientific, and community organizing perspectives, Dr. Chelle Stearns’ lectures examine music as a source of communal restoration, reconnection, reconciliation, realistic hope, and healing. Topics include the history of prophetic voices in song, the relationship between music and the brain, and how singing can build resilience and support social change. The final session includes community singing led by Sara Wevodau. All are welcome. Sessions are free, and donations are welcome. Each session will also be livestreamed.

Jenna is a small town waitress with a remarkable gift for pies, and she channels her complicated feelings into creations like The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie and Betrayed By My Eggs Pie. When a baking competition in a nearby county presents a possible way forward, and a meaningful new connection enters her life, she must decide whether to reach for a new beginning and shape her own recipe for joy. This comic Broadway musical is powered by a notable creative team, with original songs by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, known for Brave and Love Song, a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson of I Am Sam, choreography by Lorin Latarro with credits including Mrs. Doubtfire and Chess, and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, whose work includes 1776, Jagged Little Pill, and Pippin.

Enjoy weekly trivia hosted by the crepe makers, with a different theme each week and lots of prizes to win.

Morning Buzz brings young professionals together for coffee, networking, and conversation. Each gathering offers time to share updates and explore a thought-provoking question focused on professional and personal growth, helping attendees build relationships and gain new perspectives. Those considering involvement with Whatcom Young Professionals may attend up to three times as a guest.

Help sand fence boards, edge garden beds, and prepare a new area for fruit-bearing trees and bushes. Bring gloves and water, along with a handheld electric sander and extension cord if you have them. All ages are welcome, and children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Build basketball skills at a clinic open to boys and girls ages 8–14. Players will work on shooting technique, offensive skills, defensive fundamentals, and team play, with coaches helping them develop the 9 Keys of Shooting and confidence on the court.

Designed for babies around 0–24 months, this gathering offers caregivers time to connect while little ones explore and socialize. The group then comes together for stories, conversation, songs, and play, supporting babies’ earliest brain development milestones.

A brief ceremony and community gathering will honor and remember those who served. Everyone is welcome, and families and neighbors are encouraged to take part in showing gratitude to local veterans.

Enjoy an evening centered on connection, relaxation, and holiday treats at Haus of Beauty in Lynden. Meet beauty and wellness providers, explore mini treatments, and browse event-exclusive specials. Introductory 15-minute therapeutic massage sessions will be available for $20, with walk-ins welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Festive refreshments will also be offered.

Readers meet at Village Books in Fairhaven for a discussion of “Goodbye Russia” by Fiona Maddocks, offering a chance to share perspectives and questions about the book.

Enjoy an all-ages gathering at Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery. There is no cover charge, and tips are appreciated.

Jenna waits tables and is a whiz with pies, all while longing to leave her small town and a troubled marriage behind. She channels her feelings into playful desserts that mirror her life, including a key lime creation about chasing happiness and a cheeky pie inspired by heartbreak. When a nearby baking competition and an unexpected spark with someone new hint at a clean slate, she must decide whether to follow her own recipe for joy. This laugh-filled Broadway favorite is powered by a pioneering creative team, with original songs by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson, choreography by Lorin Latarro, and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus.

A supportive network of local women gathers at Shawn O'Donnell's Skagit Valley for connection and conversation. Participants are invited to introduce themselves, share what they are working on, and let others know how the group can support them.

Morning Buzz brings young professionals together over coffee for networking, sharing updates, and thoughtful conversation focused on professional and personal growth. The gatherings offer an opportunity to build relationships and gain new perspectives. Those considering involvement with Whatcom Young Professionals may attend up to three times as a guest.

The Bellingham Executive Association brings together Whatcom County business owners, executives, and decision-makers for professional networking. Members exchange ideas, support one another’s goals, and share referrals while building relationships that can lead to strategic partnerships and long-term business growth. Meetings offer introductions to established local leaders in a warm, professional setting, with one seat available per industry category.

This family-friendly Dinovember tea party welcomes young children and their caregivers. Dress up in your finest party clothes or a favorite dinosaur costume and enjoy a dinosaur-themed storytime, followed by snacks, simple crafts, and lively games. Along the way, kids can practice polite table habits, giggle over some silly dino etiquette, and meet a special dinosaur visitor. Come ready to read, play, enjoy a treat, and celebrate like it is the age of the dinosaurs.

Curious about how a story takes shape? In this engaging preview, Glassburn shares one of the nineteen pieces from Where Do Stories Come From? and guides participants through the creative process behind it. Writers at any level will gain practical insights for turning a single idea into a compelling narrative.

This IF4 screening takes place at the Lincoln Theatre and is hosted by North Sound Trout Unlimited. Door sales may be available if capacity allows on the day of the event. For screening specifics, contact the host at scott@theconfluenceflyshop.com. For IF4 or program inquiries, email info@flyfilmfest.com.

Presented by Steve Paus and Katie Gaut, this program introduces the Whatcom Maritime Storytelling Atlas, a public history project exploring changes to Bellingham Bay and Whatcom County’s working waterfront through maps, historic photographs, oral histories, and place-based storytelling. The presentation focuses on Mapped Memories, an interactive map-based archive that reconnects historic photographs and objects with the places they document. It also invites the community to help identify, contribute, and preserve local history. Gaut leads the Atlas’s GIS and digital development, while Paus has helped shape its historical content, partnerships, and public-facing vision.

Henry Diltz: Behind the Lens highlights the legacy of a photographer whose images helped define the music scene of the 1960s and 1970s. With an unobtrusive, candid approach, he created more than 250 album covers, including The Doors’ Morrison Hotel, and captured thousands of promotional images and intimate moments with artists such as the Eagles, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, America, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, The Monkees, and David Cassidy.

BTG Satellites, a partnership between the Bellingham Theatre Guild and New Prospect Theatre, presents A. R. Gurney’s coming-of-age story set during a summer in 1950s Buffalo. Siblings Nick and Peggy face concerns about their mother, their father’s apparent indifference, and the complications of their own love lives. With nostalgic, humorous, and heartbreaking moments, the play explores how people endure life’s unexpected and sometimes painful turns. The production features local actors and contains adult language and situations.

Informal drop-in sessions for Highland Pipes players offer an opportunity to receive individualized help, ask questions, and connect with fellow pipers. Participants may arrive early to warm up their pipes.

Explore the Bellows-Blown Smallpipe in a hands-on session led by Vienna Scheyer. Several instruments will be available to try, and no prior experience is needed. The session will cover the fundamentals of operating the instrument, making it suitable for first-time players as well as those who are beginning their smallpipes journey and would like extra support with the basics.

Stop by The Local Shop for a Christmas mini photo session. Bring friends, a partner, family, grandkids, or kids in Christmas pajamas to capture a Christmas card photo.

A storytime designed for toddlers who have outgrown Baby Storytime but are not quite ready for Preschool Storytime. Little ones can enjoy a mix of play, songs, rhymes, and books that supports early learning and cognitive development.

Enjoy live tunes from the Western Americana Music Group, featuring students from Western Washington University, at Amy’s Place in Bellis Fair Mall.

Enjoy tea and a tea pairing while browsing beautiful jewelry, including permanent jewelry. This gathering offers a chance to sip, socialize, and spend time with friends or family.

Explore more than 2,000 new and unreleased frame styles from brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Caviar, Kate Spade, Nike, Dragon, Ted Baker, NW77th, Erkers 1879, and others, with all frames offered at 40% off. Vision Plus’s optical team can help with frame styling, and snacks and drinks will be available while you browse. Each purchase enters you into a raffle for prizes such as designer sunglasses, prescription lenses, and designer bags or backpacks. Frame purchases must be paid in full and cannot be combined with insurance benefits. HSA, FSA, Flex, and VEBA cards may be used. Lens orders are not available during the sale. After your frame arrives, the optical team can discuss prescription needs, lens options, custom measurements, and insurance coverage for prescription lenses.

Enjoy a free, all-ages evening of games and community connection. Bring a favorite board, card, or tabletop game to share, or come ready to learn something new. Free pizza slices are available while supplies last, and guests are welcome to bring dinner or snacks.

Enjoy more than six courses of food paired with seven wines from France and Italy. The dinner will be moderated by William Woodruff of Chloe Imports. Reservations are required.

Enjoy an energetic mix of alternative, hard, punk, and classic rock, with a touch of metal. There will be plenty of rock and music to dance to, and no cover charge.

The Gilded Lily will offer a variety of vintage and antique finds at the Red Barn market events, including brass, Homer Laughlin, transferware, uranium and milk glass, primitives, wood shelving, fairy lamps, hens on nests, pictures, mirrors, seasonal decorations, books, figurines, and kitchenware. More than 100 vendors will be featured. Cash is preferred, and Venmo will also be available.

Play Magic: The Gathering in a mostly Commander format. Bring a deck and a friend. Prerelease events are advertised separately.

Cécilia brings traditional music to life with a spirited blend of Celtic and Quebecois roots, arranged with touches of contemporary, classical, jazz, and swing. The trio of Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer revels in making music together, shaping an energetic, fresh sound with accordion, piano, and violin. Their debut album, Accent, showcases lively rhythms and warmly expressive melodies, and the concert reflects that same character. Each performance fosters a shared musical experience that lingers long after the final notes fade. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $30 for Celtic Arts Foundation members. Refreshments will be available for purchase. All ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded.

Four local bands, Dull Cosmos, Seraphic, Dead Julia, and Cloud Corporation, bring a lively night of music to The Globe. Costumes are encouraged as the next generation of Anacortes music takes the stage.

W. Kamau Bell steps back into stand-up with a set brimming with questions, thoughtful reflections, and a generous helping of silliness amid hectic times. Grounded in the idea that the way forward is to face things together, he shapes the experience into a shared challenge and asks the audience to be with him.

Alex Cameron brings his sleaze pop sound to The Shakedown in Bellingham, performing alongside Josh da Costa. Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance and $25 on the day of the show.

Jay Irwin and the group head to Lynden for a performance at the Thirsty Badger Tap Room and Beer Garden, an all-ages venue.

JP Falcon Grady returns from a hiatus for a special acoustic performance with saxophonist David Tondi. A Native American singer-songwriter from Browning, Montana, and a member of the Blackfeet Nation, JP blends storytelling, thoughtful lyrics, melody, and a smooth voice. He won in both the Best Band and Best Local Performer categories in Bellingham Alive’s Best of the Northwest 2023 contest.

Applications are available for the Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair. For an application, contact Scott Sahagian. Please be cautious of scammers requesting money and do not send them payment.

Explore what drives addiction in this one-day seminar with New Earth Recovery. The seminar will cover how addiction works in the brain, how false beliefs can lead to destructive coping behaviors, ways to support people who are struggling, and hope for healing.

Explore minerals, fossils, and more, all available for purchase. Admission is free.

This supportive, practical workshop for parents of adolescents with Level 1 Autism explores how autism can affect communication, sensory needs, emotional regulation, flexibility, and executive functioning. Led by Katie King, a Licensed School Counselor and Mental Health Therapist, the workshop offers strategies for supporting teens while encouraging independence and self-advocacy, strengthening connection, reducing conflict, and nurturing confidence and resilience. Parents can also connect with others navigating the experience of raising an autistic teen.

This annual Toys for Tots Turkey Shoot brings a day of friendly competition that supports children in the community. Shooters can participate in classes for every experience level, including Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, and Bandits. A $35 Turkey Card covers six events, and every card guarantees a win. All proceeds help provide toys for local children, and both donations and toys are accepted. Lunch features a traditional Thanksgiving feast available by donation. The event also includes the famous Pig shoot, determined by random draw in Buddy Backer style. Refund policy for Turkey Cards applies. Partially used cards are not refundable, though non winning cards may be redeemed for meat or other designated prizes with no refund of the purchase price. Unused cards may be returned for a refund of the purchase price if a donation to charity is not desired.

Get hands-on in the soil at a monthly Weed and Feed in the Chuckanut Center garden. Participants connect with fellow gardeners, learn practical maintenance techniques, and pitch in on projects that support a garden that shares fresh produce each year. Each month features focused tasks around the house, property, and garden, with plenty of hard work balanced by shared laughs. After the work session, a meal prepared by Chuckanut Center volunteers and board members is served. Tools, gloves, and on-site guidance are provided, and the event is open to everyone.

The Weitzel & Andrew Home Team and Safe Harbor Legal Solutions offer a free educational seminar for those considering a move, downsizing, or a later-life transition. Topics include financial strategies, estate planning basics, preparing wills, protecting assets, avoiding common estate planning mistakes, and a question-and-answer session with experts.

Kick off holiday shopping by browsing a local craft fair pop-up, now in its fifth year. Craft vendors are also welcome to register.

Cold and flu season can arrive quickly, and this hands-on workshop focuses on herbal first aid approaches that aim to ease discomfort, support recovery, and reduce lingering coughs or spread of illness. Learn about immune-supportive herbal tonics, how to use steams to open congested sinuses, and how to tell different types of cough apart so you can match them with appropriate herbal options. The practical portion includes crafting a vapor balm to take home, brewing a medicinal tea correctly, and preparing an onion poultice for ear pain and to help ward off infection. The class also explores the role of fever, when it can be beneficial, when to bring it down, and how different plants may be suited to different fever patterns. Tuition is $85 and includes in-person instruction, handouts, and a sample of the aromatic vapor balm. Hosted at Apothecary Wellness Center.

Designer Jamie Lomax visits Apple Yarns to inspire makers who enjoy colorwork and playful design. Her approach turns simple stitches into bold, modern, wearable pieces, and this appearance offers a welcoming space for fiber friends to connect. Whether someone is deep into a current WIP or just beginning to explore colorwork, there is an opportunity to learn, share ideas, and spark creativity for winter stitching.

The Bayshore Symphony opens its 22nd season with music by American and English composers. The program features the premiere of the Bayshore Overture, composed by TV and film composer Ron Jones, along with selections from Handel’s Water Music and works by Ralph Vaughan-Williams, Morton Gould, Gustav Holst, and Robert W. Smith. Michelle Rockwood conducts.

Enjoy dancing outdoors with friends, fresh air, and views of Bellingham Bay as the sun sets. A diverse playlist is transmitted to provided headphones, with equipment available on a first-come, first-served basis. People of all ages, abilities, identities, shapes, and sizes are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, and dress for the weather. Free parking and public restrooms are available at the park. Donations are welcome. The experience invites everyone to move in their own way, let go of judgment, and enjoy music and the sunset together, with no pressure to perform or prove anything.

Enjoy an evening of community entertainment featuring SpaceBand, a local cover group performing music from the 90s and 00s, including R&B, hip-hop, dance hits, classic rock, funk, and Motown. Friends and extended family are welcome. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission is $15 per adult, $5 per child, or $40 for a family with two or more children.

Enjoy an art show and sale, a Ukrainian borscht dinner, and the inaugural AnacorTED Talk by the Sunflower F.U.N.D. Admission and dinner are free, and a no-host wine bar will be available. The fundraiser supports emergency efforts to provide alternative sources of power and heat to Ukrainian households and organizations.

Spend the evening exploring PURE and enjoying complimentary mini spa services, free Botox, product samples, custom masks and exfoliants, and holiday specials. Sip, sample, and discover something for your skin or wish list.

Enjoy an evening of live music, food, drinks, and community spirit in support of Skagit Bay Search & Rescue. Local musicians Anthony Robles and SBSAR’s own Bruce Hanna will perform. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, with $1 from every beer, cider, or soda going to SBSAR. The Bay 3 vessel will also be available to view, and everyone is welcome.

Frasier Green IV performs a mix of rock and country hits from the ’90s and early 2000s, along with original music, at Lava Louie’s Pizza in Sedro-Woolley. Food and drinks are available.

Revisiting Creedence brings the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival to the stage, led by Dan McGuinness on lead vocals and Kurt Griffey on lead guitar. Both musicians toured with original CCR members Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford as part of Creedence Clearwater Revisited, building a close connection to the songs. With Cook and Clifford now retired from touring, McGuinness and Griffey carry the legacy forward in concert, presenting the Creedence catalog with the seasoned musicianship, experience, and pedigree developed alongside the originals.

SJB presents an evening tailored to honky tonk dancers at the Edison. The night centers on dancing.

The bi-monthly gathering of the fiber and culinary groups will include discussion of Feast at Yule. This year’s feast will feature Roman foods organized into the original courses, and anyone interested in discussing or helping with it is welcome. The gathering is an official Shire of Thornwold event, and all anti-harassment notices apply.

Enjoy an open old-time music jam featuring fiddle tunes from the Appalachian tradition. The tunes will be played in the key of A, and anyone interested is welcome.

Celebrate the release of Wynne Greenwood’s album Horizon with an afternoon performance. Greenwood is a singer and performance artist who recently moved to the area, and Your Heart Breaks brings a heartstring-tugging musical experience. Snacks will be available. A suggested donation of $10–$20 is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds, and admission is free for those under 18.

Come cheer on the NW SilverStars as they debut their routines, along with local cheer and dance teams performing. The event is hosted by the NW SilverStars at Bellingham High School. Children 4 and under are admitted free.

Take a cozy late-autumn walk along the Hertz Trail near Lake Whatcom. Dress warmly in layers, and bring mittens and a hot drink for the chilly conditions.

Follow host Katie Burrell as the world’s best athletes enjoy their days off across Alaska, Japan, Deer Valley, Chamonix, and Canada. With no agenda or competition, the film captures unscripted moments of joy.

FACES Northwest has reserved the entire Skagit Skate facility for a roller-skating social for autism families. No skating experience is needed. A limited number of skate mates will be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority for individuals with autism. Parents and caregivers may wear shoes on the rink to assist, and must remain on site to supervise their children. Helmets and elbow and knee pads are not provided, so bring your own if you would like to use them. Contact FACES Northwest by email with any questions.

Centered on a twist-filled mystery by New York Times bestselling author J. A. Jance, this event spotlights private investigator J. P. Beaumont as he teams up with Twinkle Winkleman, a tough, sharp-witted mechanic who refuses to ignore danger. After young women from Anchorage begin vanishing when they travel to Seattle for so-called internships, authorities in both cities brush off Twinkle’s concerns, prompting her to call on Beaumont. Their search stretches from Alaska to Washington and uncovers a scheme more treacherous than they imagined, as they work to halt the abductions and bring the missing home. Jance is known for the J. P. Beaumont, Joanna Brady, and Ali Reynolds series, has written six thrillers about the Walker Family, and has published a volume of poetry. She was born in South Dakota, grew up in Bisbee, Arizona, and lives in Seattle with her husband.

Head to The Old Edison for an enjoyable early Sunday evening.