Events & Activities Happening in Downtown Bellingham
SCEPTER AWARDS
Tickets Live Now!
Celebrate the people, places, and organizations that make Bellingham shine on Monday December 16th at the Wild Buffalo House of Music’s iconic stage! The Scepter Awards honor those who have impacted and improved life in Downtown Bellingham with a community ceremony and party. Our favorite Bellebrities will showcase their lip-syncing skills, light bites will be provided with your ticket and drinks will be available to purchase at the bar, and a 50/50 raffle will be up for grabs.
SHINE BRIGHT BHAM
Holiday Events, Shopping, and Festivities
Gather your crew and soak in the festive vibes with sparkling lights, stunning decor, and over a dozen magical events. From cozy window displays to unforgettable memories, we've got the ultimate holiday experience waiting for you!
Gifting and giving yourself a little holiday retail magic is easy with our helpful Downtown Holiday Shopping Guide too!
Photo Credit: Kristina Gray - INSIDER benefits at Black Sheep
BECOME A DOWNTOWN INSIDER
Donate monthly to support & save at your favorite Downtown businesses
Give a little - get a lot.
Ready to get year-round deals at your favorite businesses and support the health and vitality of the Downtown neighborhood? Sign up or gift a membership today starting at $5/month!
More Ways To Engage With DBP
City Block District 5 meeting at the Ranch Room
CITY BLOCK PROGRAM
Connecting businesses with their neighbors
The City Block Program fosters connection, collaboration, and discussion between businesses through monthly meetings in respective “districts”. Find your district and get plugged in!
Western Wednesday poster on WWU’s campus
WESTERN WEDNESDAY
Welcoming WWU to Downtown every Wednesday with deals, discounts, and experiences
Experience everything Downtown has to offer with deals on everything from coffee to cocktails and everything in between! Featuring 60+ participating businesses, grab your WWU ID and head Downtown to experience the city center on a budget.
Every Wednesday. All. Day. Long.
CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOOD
Join us in continuing our programs, events & projects with a donation!
Downtown is the heart of Bellingham and Whatcom County, providing a gathering place for community, offering a wealth of retail, dining, and entertainment experiences, & acting as the focal point for culture and creativity. We are committed to championing the vitality of our community, and can't do it without your support.
2024 Impact Report
Charging Ahead
So far in 2024, the Downtown Bellingham Partnership reached new milestones in championing the vitality of our city’s core. Lindsey Payne Johnstone was appointed as our permanentExecutive Director, bringing her 16-year tenure and dedication to leading our mission forward.
This year also marked a pivotal shift at City Hall. Mayor Kim Lund began her term by issuing an Executive Order highlighting Downtown Bellingham’s essential role in the broader community’s socioeconomic well-being and pride.
Our signature event, Downtown Sounds, celebrated its 20th anniversary with record-breaking attendance, a testament to the community’s enthusiasm for shared culture and celebration. In this year’s donor report, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting Downtown Bellingham as a thriving center for commerce, culture, and celebration, making it a place that all residents and visitors can cherish.
Each milestone we reach is possible because of your belief in Downtown Bellingham’s future. With your continued support, we are laying the groundwork for a formal three-year strategic plan in 2025 that prioritizes a thriving, inclusive downtown at the center of commerce, culture, and community celebration.
Be In The Know
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Our Donors & Partners
City Support
The City of Bellingham provides financial support via contracts supporting partial staffing and execution of our signature events, and full funding of our landscaping and cleaning services.
Main Street Supporters
A major source of financial support we receive each year is through accreditation with Main Street America and the Washington State Main Street Program, making our organization eligible for the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program. Businesses who pledge to the WA Main Street Tax Incentive Program receive 75% credit on their state B&O taxes and the entire donation may be tax deductible. Those tax dollars are then reinvested in the Downtown Bellingham neighborhood - a true win-win for everyone!
Thank you to the over 40 businesses and government entities supporting the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s mission in 2024.
Financial & Legal Institutions
Realty & Property Management
Construction & Building Services
Education & Personal Health and Well Being Providers
Retailers, Distributors & Consumer Product Manufacturers
Food, Beverage, & Entertainment Venues
Public Utility & Government Partners
Video & Media Production
Regional & Peer Organization Partners
We recognize the important work of regional economic development organizations and nonprofits supporting commerce, culture, and celebration to further the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s mission of champion the health and vitality of downtown Bellingham.
This project, co-funded by the Port of Bellingham, City of Bellingham, and Whatcom County, is designed to help all business professionals find the information they need to be successful in Whatcom County.
The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce is the leading advocate for businesses in the Northwest Washington region. The chamber advocates for a strong business community and aims to make the Bellingham and Whatcom County area a great place to live, work, shop and play by influencing public policy, aiding in economic development, and helping its members succeed.
The Western SBDC brings a consortium of business development resources to your community. These assets are delivered to you through one-on-one counseling with our certified business advisors, our popular and proven training events and our best-in-class small business market and strategy research.
Sustainable Connections advances a regenerative local economy that builds community, strengthens food systems, catalyzes climate solutions, and expands access to housing in NW Washington.