The holiday season in Bellingham and Whatcom County is packed with festive markets, parades, and light shows. From the Port of Bellingham to Lynden’s small-town parade, here’s your 2025 guide to local holiday events that bring the season to life.
Christmas In Bellingham
Holiday Events in Bellingham & Whatcom County 2025
The holiday season in Bellingham and Whatcom County is packed with festive markets, parades, and light shows. From the Port of Bellingham to Lynden’s small-town parade, here’s your 2025 guide to local holiday events that bring the season to life.
Holiday Port Festival Bellingham 2025
Date: December 6–7, 2025
Location: Bellingham Cruise Terminal – Port of Bellingham
A Whatcom classic. The Holiday Port Festival features live music, Santa photos, a gingerbread-house contest, and the annual lighted boat parade.
Arrive early to tour the gingerbread display and enjoy treats from local vendors.
More info: Port of Bellingham – Holiday Port Festival
Fairhaven Winterfest
Dates: November 29 – December 20, 2025
Location: Historic Fairhaven Village, Bellingham
Historic streets dressed in lights. Horse-drawn carriage rides. Carolers in the plaza.
Fairhaven Winterfest brings together local makers, live music, and a tree-lighting ceremony to start the season.
More details: Fairhaven Winterfest
Downtown Bellingham Christmas Tree Lighting 2025
Date: Saturday, December 6 at 5:30 PM
Location: Depot Market Square, Downtown Bellingham
Downtown comes alive when the tree lights up. The Bellingham Christmas Tree Lighting kicks off the city’s Shine Bright Bham celebration with music, cookies, and cocoa. Families gather at Depot Market Square as the countdown begins and the lights flip on at 6 PM. It’s one of those small-town moments that feels big.
More info: Downtown Bellingham – Shine Bright Bham
Make Sale Holiday Market Bellingham 2025
Date: Early December 2025
Location: Make.Shift Art Space, Bellingham
A favorite for the creative crowd.
The Make.Sale Holiday Market features artists, crafters, and small-batch goods – everything from ceramics to coffee.
Shop local and support Bellingham’s maker community.
Learn more: Make.Shift Art Space
Pacific Arts Market 2025
Date: December weekends
Location: Downtown Bellingham
Over 30 local artists fill this cozy indoor market with pottery, jewelry, textiles, and holiday décor.
If you want to gift local, this is your place.
Details: Pacific Arts Market
Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts 2025
Dates: Late November – December 24 (confirmed for 2025)
Location: Bellingham – exact venue TBA
One of Whatcom County’s biggest art markets.
The Holiday Festival of the Arts showcases handmade goods, jewelry, pottery, and art from dozens of local makers.
It’s the perfect stop for gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
More info: Allied Arts of Whatcom County
Lynden and Blaine
Lynden Lighted Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 6 at 6 PM
Location: Downtown Lynden, Front Street
Small-town holiday charm.
The Northwest Lighted Christmas Parade features illuminated floats, farm tractors wrapped in twinkle lights, and marching bands.
Bring a blanket, arrive early, and watch the glow roll through downtown.
Event link: Lynden Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Harbor Lights Blaine
Date: Saturday, November 29 from 10 AM – 5 PM
Location: Downtown Blaine waterfront
A seaside celebration filled with sparkle.
Holiday Harbor Lights includes a vendor market, Santa visits, horse-drawn carriage rides, and the evening tree-lighting by the harbor.
Enjoy hot cocoa, shop local, and walk the waterfront lights.
Details: Blaine by the Sea
Christmas Lights Around Bellingham
James Street Estates – 3802 James Street, Bellingham
Locals go all-out here. Bring cocoa, drive slowly, and enjoy the lights.
For a full map of displays across Whatcom County, visit Whatcom Kids Insider.
Celebrate the Season
From Fairhaven’s lantern-lit streets to Lynden’s parade floats, Whatcom County glows this time of year.
Whether you’re exploring downtown Bellingham or walking Blaine’s waterfront, there’s something magical around every corner.
Hi! I’m Jolene Baijot, a real estate agent in Whatcom County. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. Whether you’re exploring Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, or any of our other local towns, I hope you find this guide helpful. I appreciate your visit to my website and look forward to talking with you soon.
