Each year, we open applications in early January for bands to submit their interest. We post this application to this landing page and review in March or April, typically to select finalists and negotiate schedules and artist compensation.

Please know we are fortunate to receive hundreds of applications annually and make our best effort to respond to all bands.

YES! Downtown Sounds is free to attend for people of all ages, and our popular Family Alley includes activities such as the photo booth, glitter tattoos, face painting, and street chalk.

For 21+ goers, the beer, wine, and cider garden will impress with local pints from Boundary Bay, Aslan, Wander, Structures, and Kulshan breweries. Cider from Bellingham Cider Company, non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing, and margarita-inspired hard agave cocktails from Thorntail will also be available!

Please note:

• Alcohol service and consumption is only permitted for 21+ attendees per Washington State liquor laws.

• ALL IDs will be checked and you will not be permitted to enter if you do not present ID or you are carrying an expired ID.

• Children, including infants, are not permitted in the beer garden area.

• Looking for childcare during Downtown Sounds? We’ve partnered with Whatcom Family YMCA to bring you Parents Night Out during Downtown Sounds. Learn more and register here.

Pets, including dogs, are prohibited in the beer, wine, and cider garden at any time except for designated service animals.

While you may choose to bring your dog to Downtown Sounds family-friendly areas, we encourage you to consider the volume of a live music experience and the concentration of people (5K+ attendees nightly) as a potential stressor to your furry friend’s well-being.

Yes! Each Downtown Sounds concert includes local food truck vendors. In addition, dozens of nearby restaurants are open for service before, during, and after each night’s concert. An event guide with a full lineup of food options will be published soon!

If you are a food truck owner or manager interested in vending at Downtown Sounds, please apply here.

⚠️ Vending and tabling is by invite only ⚠️

Yes! For 21+ goers, the beer, wine, and cider garden will impress with pints from:

• Boundary Bay

• Aslan

• Wander

• Structures

• Beach Cat

• Kulshan

• Bellingham Cider Company

• PLUS Select Wines

• PLUS Hard Seltzer by Beach Cat Brewing

• PLUS Athletic Brewing’s Non-Alcoholic Brews

Tokens can be purchased for $10 each or 3 for $25 and redeemed for any drink of your choice.

Happy Hour! From 5:30 - 6:30 PM only, get $2 off single drink tokens every Downtown Sounds night. See Happy Hour FAQ for full details.

Get $2 off drink tokens at our 21+ beer, wine, and cider garden from 5:30 - 6:30 PM every Downtown Sounds night!*

Our goal is simple - to encourage enjoying the amazingly talented opening acts. By getting to Downtown Sounds early, you’ll not only beat the line that historically peaks at 7PM, but you’ll also save on your first round 👏

* Terms:

• Single tokens only, no additional volume discounts during Happy Hour.

• Happy Hour tokens must be purchased and redeemed by 6:30PM each evening.

• Happy Hour tokens are transferable during the entire event series and can be used at a later Happy Hour.

• After 6:30 PM, regular pricing will be in effect (see ‘Is There Alcohol’ FAQ for more details).

First and foremost, bring yourself and a community spirit! There are a few reminders to make your Downtown Sounds experience the best it can be.

Bring:

• Your photo ID if you plan to enjoy the beer, wine, and cider garden

  ALL IDs will be checked.

• Sunscreen. Sunburns are no fun.

• Rain coat/weather aware clothing options. We love the PNW, but weather is famously unpredictable.

• Water Bottle(s)

  Please note: Only factory-sealed or empty water bottles will be permitted into the 21+ beer garden upon entry.

• Card and/or cash if you plan to enjoy food trucks and/or the 21+ beer garden.

Not to Bring:

• Bad attitudes. Bring the fun!

• Pets. See pet policy FAQ.

• Alcohol. Outside alcohol not permitted.

• Political materials or propaganda.

• Smoking or vaping products, including cannabis.

• Weapons of any kind.

There is a FREE bike valet onsite at the corner of Holly and Commercial streets in front of Fringe Boutique. We encourage biking for those who are able to utilize this free resource.

We also encourage ride sharing, be it carpooling with friends and family or with a ride service, or the use of public transportation. For those bringing personal vehicles, please visit our Downtown Parking landing page for rates.

For off-street parking, the first floor of the Commercial Street Parking Garage at 1300 Commercial Street is available and has the same rates as on-street parking. Parking is free on all floors after 6:00 pm, and on Sundays. ADA parking for those with ADA permits is available on the upper levels of the garage, no garage permit required.

The Thorntail VIP Lounge is inside the 21+ beer, wine, and cider garden nearest ChebaHut. The VIP lounge features:

• Dedicated bar

• Dedicated restroom

• Seating

• Complimentary snacks from ChebaHut

• Table-side delivery of ChebaHut’s full menu

• Swag from Thorntail Hard Agave

• Limited entry

There are two ways to become a Downtown Sounds VIP:

• Become an INSIDER! Downtown Bellingham INSIDERS contribute a monthly donation to the Downtown Bellingham Partnership and receive discounts at over twenty downtown retailers and restaurants all year long, in addition to exclusive perks at Downtown Sounds and Wine Walk.

  Locals are encouraged to become INSIDERS, starting at a donation level of $5 per month to skip the entrance line to the beer garden, and $25+ monthly donors are also welcomed to the VIP lounge.

• Sponsor events or donate to the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s annual campaigns. Invitations are delivered in contract benefits and/or personal invitation.

Great question! A renewed focus on sustainability will be evident with reusable cups from Perennial Zero saving an estimated 15,000 disposable cups from landfills.  Attendees are encouraged to use public transit, walk, or bike and use the monitored bike valet service onsite to further personal sustainability efforts.

We’ve partnered with Whatcom Family YMCA to bring you Parents Night Out, where you can drop the kids off for their own night of fun while you join the crowds for live music. Your kids will stay with our caring and trained staff while you enjoy a night on the town!

Register for 2 or more dates in the same transaction and receive $10 off - only for Downtown Sounds. Use Promo Code DTSOUND.

• When: Wednesday, July 8, 15, 29, Aug. 5

• Time: 5-8:30pm

• Who: Ages 4-My

• Cost: Members: $40/1st child

  Non-Members: $60/1st child

  • $5 off each additional child!

• Where: Whatcom Family YMCA Intergenerational Space

Spots are limited and will fill up in advance. Register here.

We strive to make Downtown Sounds welcoming and accessible for everyone.

Free ADA parking is available one block away in the Commercial Street Parking Garage on levels 2-5, conveniently located next to an elevator.

The event takes place on paved downtown streets and sidewalks. ADA-accessible portable restrooms are available in the Family Zone, the 21+ Beer Garden, and the VIP area.

While there is not a designated ADA viewing area, seating and tables on a first come first served basis are available in the Family Zone on Holly Street and in the VIP area. Guests are also welcome to bring their own chairs. Please note that depending on the size of the crowd in the beer garden, there may be a designated area for lawn chairs. If so, attendees will be directed by our security team.

Service animals are welcome. Please note that Downtown Sounds features amplified live music and becomes especially crowded near the stage and in the beer garden.

If you have questions about accessibility, accessible parking, or need assistance planning your visit, please contact Nathalie at nathalie@downtownbellingham.com. We'll do our best to help make your Downtown Sounds experience as enjoyable and accessible as possible.