Summer evenings in Whatcom County have a new soundtrack. Bellewood Farms and Distillery in Lynden is hosting its Farmtunes concert series every Friday through the end of August, running from 6 to 9 p.m. The weekly event combines live music, farm-fresh food options, and access to Washington State's first true farm-to-glass apple distillery, making it one of the most distinctive outdoor music experiences the region offers right now.
What to Expect at Farmtunes
Farmtunes takes place on the Bellewood Farms property, a working apple orchard and distillery operation that sits in the fertile flatlands of northwest Whatcom County near Lynden. The setting is hard to replicate. Rows of apple trees frame an outdoor gathering space where local and regional musicians perform each Friday evening while guests settle into indoor or outdoor seating. Food options are available on site, so visitors can make an evening of it without needing to plan around dinner elsewhere.
The farm-to-glass distillery angle is what separates Bellewood from most agritourism destinations in the state. The operation grows its own apples, presses them on site, and distills the juice into award-winning spirits. The distillery was the first in Washington to complete the full cycle from orchard to bottle, earning it recognition in competitions for apple brandy and spirits made entirely from fruit grown on the property. Visitors who have not yet toured the distillery will find Friday evenings a good time to sample what the farm produces while catching live music.
A full live music calendar with artist listings and specific dates for the remaining Farmtunes Fridays is posted at the Bellingham.org events calendar, where visitors can also find details on other Whatcom County events running through the summer.
Why This Series Matters for the Region
The Whatcom County agritourism economy has grown steadily over the past decade as farms across the county have expanded beyond traditional produce sales into experiences that draw visitors from Bellingham, the greater Seattle area, and across the Canadian border. Bellewood Farms is one of the anchors of that trend, and the Farmtunes series is part of how the operation maintains year-round community relevance.
Late July and August are historically the peak weeks for Whatcom County tourism, driven by warm weather, the opening of area beaches at Birch Bay and Blaine, and events like the county fair. Layering a weekly outdoor music series into that calendar gives both visitors and longtime residents a low-key Friday night option that connects the agricultural identity of the county with the arts and community gathering traditions that define Bellingham's culture.
Indoor and outdoor seating availability is a notable practical detail, particularly given that Pacific Northwest evenings can shift quickly even in summer. Guests who want to guarantee a comfortable spot are encouraged to arrive early, especially on Fridays when weather conditions are favorable and the farm tends to draw larger crowds.
Planning Your Visit
Bellewood Farms and Distillery is located at 6140 Guide Meridian Road in Lynden, roughly a 20-minute drive north of downtown Bellingham. Parking is available on the farm property. The remaining Farmtunes Fridays run through the end of August, making the next few weeks the last chance to catch the series before apple harvest season shifts the farm's focus toward fall programming.
Fall at Bellewood brings its own attractions. Apple picking typically begins in September, followed by pumpkin patch operations and cider events that draw families from across the region. But for the next few Fridays, the focus is squarely on live music and late-summer evenings on a working farm.
For more on Bellewood's hours, event calendar, and distillery tours, visit the Bellewood Farms website directly. For a broader look at things to do in Whatcom County this summer, the Visit Bellingham events listing is updated regularly with concerts, festivals, and community events through the end of the season. The Farmtunes series is free to attend, making it one of the easiest summer outings to put on the calendar before August runs out.
Whether you are a regular at Bellewood or have never made the drive out to the Lynden area, a Friday evening at Farmtunes is a fitting way to close out the summer season in Whatcom County before the first apple harvest arrives.
