Whatcom Museum

Whatcom Museum The Whatcom Museum offers engaging experiences in art, nature, and Northwest history.

Summer Sunset Cruises are back for a new season on Bellingham Bay. Every Tuesday from July 7 to August 25, 2026, set sai...
06/26/2026

Summer Sunset Cruises are back for a new season on Bellingham Bay. Every Tuesday from July 7 to August 25, 2026, set sail at 6 pm aboard the 100-foot Victoria Star and return to shore at 8 pm.

Climb aboard with Bellingham's favorite local historian, Kolby LaBree of the Good Time Girls, for an evening of waterfront lore, maritime history, and breathtaking bay views. Kolby narrates tales from the past along the shores of the bay, illustrated by historic photographs from the Whatcom Museum photo archives, and brings them to life with charm, wit, and deep local knowledge.

Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating on two levels, an onboard bar with Northwest beers, wines, and cocktails, and views of the city, Lummi Island, and Mt. Baker when the skies are clear. Rain or shine, covered seating available.

Board by 5:45 pm. Members $50, general public $60, children 5 and under free. Tickets are nonrefundable, and the purchase deadline is 12 pm on the day of each cruise.

Get tickets and the full schedule: whatcommuseum.org/cruise

Photo: Scott Pratschner

The matches keep rolling, but this is our final Fan Zone Friday, and it's tomorrow. Come celebrate the beautiful game wi...
06/25/2026

The matches keep rolling, but this is our final Fan Zone Friday, and it's tomorrow. Come celebrate the beautiful game with us one last time on Friday, June 26 from 10 am – 5 pm at both museum locations, free for the whole family.

Here's what's lining up:
12 – 2 pm: Summer of Soccer tote bag giveaway and decoration in the Lightcatcher Studio. The first 100 visitors score a free tote to customize.
12 – 5 pm: Live match stream on the big screen in the Old City Hall Rotunda Room.
2 – 4 pm: Felt soccer pennant craft in the Lightcatcher Lobby.
3 – 5 pm: Mallard Ice Cream cart in the courtyard, plus a meet and greet with Chuckanut Tide youth players.
4:30 pm: Soccer juggling contest, with a custom Fan Zone scarf for the winner.

Free admission, generously supported by the City of Bellingham, Washington - Government. Catch us before the final whistle: whatcommuseum.org/event/fan-zone-friday-2

A few spots are still open for this Saturday, and we'd love to fill them.Spend a day learning scientific illustration wi...
06/22/2026

A few spots are still open for this Saturday, and we'd love to fill them.

Spend a day learning scientific illustration with artist and Burke Museum ornithology collections manager Madison Erin Mayfield. You'll practice observational drawing and work with graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor as you sketch natural specimens. Open to all skill levels.

Class fees include museum admission, all materials, and a take-home kit of pencils and pens so you can keep illustrating at home. There's a 30-minute lunch break; bring a packed lunch or grab something nearby.

"Introduction to Scientific Illustration"
Saturday, June 27, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
The Lightcatcher, 250 Flora St.
$120 members / $140 public

Register here: store.whatcommuseum.org/intro-to-scientific-illustration

Light becomes landscape this summer.Luminous GlowThe Neon Landscapes of Kelsey FernkopfPhotography by Steve GilbertOpens...
06/20/2026

Light becomes landscape this summer.

Luminous Glow
The Neon Landscapes of Kelsey Fernkopf
Photography by Steve Gilbert
Opens July 11 at the Lightcatcher.

Seattle artist and master neon glass tube bender Kelsey Fernkopf explores the expressive potential of neon glass. In his new installation "Lightcatcher Constellation," he composes a landscape of large-scale neon sculptures that shifts as you move through the space, shown alongside Gilbert's original photographs.

On view at the Lightcatcher, 250 Flora St., Bellingham. Open Wed – Sun, noon – 5 pm.

Plan your visit: whatcommuseum.org/exhibition/luminous-glow/

📷 "Blue Door, Whatcom Falls," 2026, neon and composition by Kelsey Fernkopf, photo by Steve Gilbert, image courtesy of the artists

Last chance to see "Personal to Political." The exhibition closes Sunday, June 28.46 fine art prints by 17 African Ameri...
06/18/2026

Last chance to see "Personal to Political." The exhibition closes Sunday, June 28.

46 fine art prints by 17 African American artists exploring history, identity, and spirituality, anchored by Berkeley printmaking studio Paulson Fontaine Press. Don't miss David Huffman's "Basketball Pyramid," a 650-basketball installation. At the close of our showing, and at the artist's request, every basketball will be donated to local schools and recreational organizations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

The Lightcatcher, 250 Flora St. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 – 5 pm. Closed Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth.

Plan your visit: https://www.whatcommuseum.org/exhibition/personal-to-political/

"Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press" was organized by Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA.

The Whatcom Museum is closed Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth, reopening the next day with regular hours.Looking for ways ...
06/17/2026

The Whatcom Museum is closed Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth, reopening the next day with regular hours.

Looking for ways to celebrate? Bellingham's 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is happening Saturday, June 20 at Maritime Heritage Park, 2 – 6 pm.

Free and family-friendly, with live performances, food trucks, Black-owned businesses and vendors, music, and dancing. Presented by Miraculous Eventz and Bellingham Juneteenth .

Details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EH7os9B6L/

Wishing our community a meaningful Juneteenth.

PRINT A POSTER FOR A CAUSE YOU CARE ABOUTJoin artist and production printmaker Mandy Turner tomorrow for a drop-in linoc...
06/16/2026

PRINT A POSTER FOR A CAUSE YOU CARE ABOUT

Join artist and production printmaker Mandy Turner tomorrow for a drop-in linocut poster making studio. Carve your design into a linoleum block, then pull prints you can make again and again. No experience needed, and all ages are welcome.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17, 2 – 4 pm
WHERE: The Lightcatcher, 250 Flora St.
COST: Free with admission, while supplies last

Details: https://www.whatcommuseum.org/event/printed-poster-making/

A huge thank you to our 2025/2026 Youth Advisory Council for a year full of curiosity, creativity, and genuine fun.This ...
06/16/2026

A huge thank you to our 2025/2026 Youth Advisory Council for a year full of curiosity, creativity, and genuine fun.

This group of stellar humans brought so much energy to the museum, and we are grateful for every hour they gave. We will miss our graduating seniors, and we are already looking forward to meeting the next round of YAC.

The Youth Advisory Council resumes meetings in September. If you are a teen interested in joining, send us a message or reach out at https://bit.ly/4xyU4BW.

Summer light, ivy, and a little color on Flora Street. Stop by The Lightcatcher to catch "Hard Edge / Soft Ground" and "...
06/11/2026

Summer light, ivy, and a little color on Flora Street. Stop by The Lightcatcher to catch "Hard Edge / Soft Ground" and "Murmuration" while they're on view.

Summer is closer than you think — and camp spots won't wait! 🐦 If your kid hasn't been signed up for "For the Birds" yet...
06/11/2026

Summer is closer than you think — and camp spots won't wait! 🐦 If your kid hasn't been signed up for "For the Birds" yet, now's the time. June 22–26, ages 5–7, 1–4 pm. Swipe to see the full week of bird walks, nest building, and backyard science, then register at whatcommuseum.org/summer-camps before spots are gone. Members save 10%!

Address

121 Prospect Street
Bellingham, WA
98225

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(360)7788930

Website

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