Pride in Bellingham returns for the 2026 season with a full weekend of events starting Friday, July 10, and wrapping up Sunday, July 12, with a parade through downtown Bellingham. Organizers have lined up activities across Historic Fairhaven, downtown venues, and Depot Market Square, with all-ages programming throughout.
The weekend kicks off Friday, July 10, with events centered in Historic Fairhaven, Bellingham's Victorian-era commercial district along the waterfront. Fairhaven has long been one of the city's most walkable and community-oriented neighborhoods, and hosting Pride events there reflects the area's history as a gathering place for inclusive community celebrations.
Saturday, July 11, brings two distinct evening events. A dance at -HUT- in downtown Bellingham offers a nightlife option for adults, while Drag Prov at The Upfront Theatre brings improvisational comedy and drag performance together for an evening of humor and entertainment. The Upfront Theatre, located on Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham, is known for its long-form improv performances and has hosted similar special events in past years.
The weekend concludes Sunday, July 12, with the annual Pride parade moving through downtown Bellingham, followed by a festival at Depot Market Square. Depot Market Square, the open-air plaza adjacent to the Bellingham Farmers Market site, provides ample space for vendor booths, community organizations, live performances, and gathering. The Sunday festival is typically the largest public Pride event in Whatcom County and draws participants from across the region.
Beyond the Bellingham weekend, the calendar includes Ferndale's Pride Celebration on July 18. Ferndale, WA -- located about 10 miles north of Bellingham along I-5 -- has grown its own Pride programming in recent years. The full multi-city events calendar and links to individual event details are available at Bellingham.org's Pride activities page.
Pride celebrations in Bellingham draw participants from throughout Whatcom County and across the Pacific Northwest. For visitors planning to attend, Bellingham's downtown core is walkable and well-served by transit. The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) operates fixed-route bus service connecting Bellingham neighborhoods and can help reduce parking pressure during large events.
For the complete schedule, registration links, and updates on individual events as the weekend approaches, visit bellingham.org/bellingham-pride-activities. Organizers are encouraging early registration for events with limited capacity, particularly the Saturday evening venues.
