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Late September brings a familiar crispness to the Pacific Northwest morning air. Along Bellingham Bay, the saltwater mist hangs low over Squalicum Harbor, carrying the unmistakable scent of the salty waters and the turning of the seasons. For coastal communities, this time of year marks a profound transition: fishing fleets wrap up the years seasons, the intense summer runs, and the salmon smokehouses work around the clock, and the community gather along the harbor to share meals harvested straight from cold Salish Sea and Pacific Northwest waters.
Since time immemorial, these cold waters have sustained our people. We raise our hands in deep gratitude and respect to the Creator, Mother Earth, and all living things that give up their lives so that we may be nourished to care for our families, friends, and community.
Whether you are looking to stock your kitchen this weekend with farm-fresh produce and wild fish, or gearing up for the biggest maritime celebration of the year at Bellingham SeaFeast 2026, we have a packed lineup of events, alder wood fire pit cooking, and exclusive market savings waiting for you.
Grab your tote bags, bring an appetite, and mark your calendars for unforgettable weekends on the waterfront.
Saturday, September 19: Docks, Markets & Fresh Catches
Kick off your Saturday by supporting our local seafood across two of Bellingham’s favorite weekend staples.
Bellingham Dockside Market:
When: Saturday, September 19 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Squalicum Harbor (2599 S Harbor Loop Dr, Gate 5, Bellingham, WA)
There is simply nothing quite like purchasing seafood directly from the people who harvest it. At Bellingham Dockside Market, you can connect directly with local commercial fishermen and their families. You have front-row access to seasonal Salish Sea abundance, harvested with care and precision.
It's recommended to bring a cooler to keep your seafood cold.
Bellingham Farmers Market:
When: Saturday, September 19 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Depot Market Square (1100 Railroad Ave, Downtown Bellingham, WA)
Just up the hill at Depot Market Square, the Bellingham Farmers Market vendors will be there with early-fall harvests. Pair your fresh seafood with peak-season heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, crusty sourdough, local dairy and so much more.
What’s SeaFeast All About?
Bellingham SeaFeast is where the Pacific Northwest comes alive on the waterfront.
We're a sea-to-table celebration of fresh, local seafood served steps from the working docks that bring it ashore—paired with a deep respect for the fishermen, ecosystems, and sustainable practices that keep these waters thriving for generations to come. Think incredible food, salty air, and a community that takes its relationship with the local beautiful waters.
SeaFeast is more than just a meal. It's a full Pacific Northwest experience—from art, music, seafood, culture and performances rooted in our waterfront community, to hands-on exhibits and educational activities that connect visitors to the maritime history shaping our past, present, and future. Come for the BBQ salmon, halibut and more, stay for the culture and seafood vibes, and leave with a little inspired about local seafood and our environment.
The Pillars of SeaFeast:
Maritime Cultural Heritage: Celebrating the stories, traditions, and art forms that define life on the Bellingham waterfront—and the people who keep that culture alive.
Working Waterfront: SeaFeast happens right where the boats come in. Shining a spotlight on the fishermen and maritime industries that make this community run.
Sustainable Seafood: From boat to plate, SeaFeast's champions fishing practices that protect the health of our oceans because great seafood starts with a thriving sea.
Ocean Conservation: SeaFeast is committed to the long game. SeaFeast partners with organizations and educators dedicated to preserving Puget Sound and the Salish Sea for generations to come.
The Main Event: Bellingham SeaFeast 2026
Next weekend, the Squalicum Harbor, in Bellingham, WA. transforms into a full-scale waterfront festival honoring maritime heritage, commercial fishing fleets, seafood vendors, artists, music, indigenous traditions, and so much more!
Dates: Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27, 2026
Festival Hours: 10:00 AM to approximately 6:00 PM daily
Location: Squalicum Harbor Waterfront, Fishermen's Pavilion (2599 S Harbor Loop Dr) & Zuanich Point Park (2600 N Harbor Loop Dr, Bellingham, WA)
Admission: FREE General Admission!
Order Your SeaFeast Gear: Pick It Up at the Festival!
SeaFeast has so many fun designs and styles this year! Show your love for our working waterfront and Salish seafood with SeaFeast's official apparel. Every item helps celebrate Bellingham’s maritime heritage and supports vital community programs. Wear it at the harbor, at the festival, or around town, and keep SeaFeast close all year long.
Where to Pick Up: All pre-ordered apparel and merchandise can be picked up at the Bellingham SeaFeast Merch Booth during the festival on Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27**.
Savor the Smoke: Čha•k’os 🔥 Fire Pit
*i'stiya-s'ihlen — Let’s Go Eat!*
Follow the aromatic woodsmoke drifting through the harbor breeze, and you will find the beating culinary heart of this year’s festival.
The Čha•k’os 🔥 Fire Pit honors traditional BBQ open-fire, preparing wild Salish Sea harvests over glowing alder wood embers, deeply rooted in our ancestrial knowledge. Cooking over an open heart requires deep intuition and respect for the fish and ingredients—while keeping the rich seafood tender and perfectly smoked.
Čha•k’os 🔥 Fire Pit Menu:
All seafood is wild-harvested locally from the Salish Sea. Except for our Native Fried Bread, every item on our menu is gluten-free (GF).
Alder Smoked Wild Salmon (GF): Expertly grilled over the coals, featuring rich King, Coho, and Sockeye.
Alder Smoked Grilled Halibut (GF): Thick white-fish
Spot Prawn Shrimp (GF): Wild-harvested, sweet, and succulent, cooked to tender perfection, held on ice.
Dungeness Crab (GF): Naturally buttery sweet crab sections, held on ice.
Geoduck Chowder (GF): Showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s most prized native giant clam simmered with aromatic vegetables and herbs. It is sweet and delicious harvested by commercial diving methods, deep beneath the Salish Sea waters 40-75 feet under.
Native Fried Bread: Soft and fluffy on the inside, perfectly golden with slight crunch on the outside—the ultimate comforting staple, ideal for dipping into hot chowder and eating with your favorite seafood dish.
NEW Zesty Mandarin Coleslaw Salad (GF) & Baked Beans (GF): Every main plate comes with our zesty Mandarin Coleslaw Salad—and trust us, this isn't that heavy, soggy coleslaw. We toss crisp shredded red and green cabbage with juicy mandarin oranges in a light, perfectly balanced citrus-ginger vinaigrette. We know you are going to love it! Also, we will serving our plates with baked beans.
Location: Situated outdoors directly between the Squalicum Boat House and the Fishermen’s Pavilion building.
When: 10am - 6pm
Bellingham Dockside: Lummi Seafood Market Pop-Up Inside the Pavilion
While the fire pit roars outside, take a stroll indoors. Lummi Seafood Market is teaming up with the Dockside crew for a dedicated pop-up inside the spacious Fishermen's Pavilion Building.
Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturday & Sunday, Sept 26 & 27)
Location: Inside the Fishermen's Pavilion Building (2599 S Harbor Loop Dr)
Whether you want vacuum-sealed portions for fall and winter storage or raw ingredients for a family and friends feast, we have you covered. Chat with knowledgeable market staff about our Salish Sea favorites.
SeaFeast Week Exclusive Sale: Stock Your Freezer & Table
To celebrate SeaFeast 2026 all week long, we are offering our biggest storewide savings of the season. Stock your pantry, fill your home freezer, and celebrate the harvest with unbeatable prices on wild, responsibly caught seafood, "Harvested by Indigenous People's of the Salish Sea".
SEAFEAST WEEK SALE:
40% OFF Smoked Salmon
25% OFF Fresh Coho, King, **Sockeye, All Frozen Salmon
15% OFF Frozen Spot Prawns, Cans, Frozen Halibut, Ling Cod
10% OFF Live Dungeness Crab
How to Redeem: Show this newsletter or present the sale screen to your cashier at checkout.
Valid at all locations (Lummi Seafood Market store, Bellingham Dockside, Bellingham Farmer's Market, and at Bellingham SeaFeast, now through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Terms: Not valid with any other discounts or promotions. **Refreshed items are previously frozen to preserve peak ocean freshness.
Hands Raised in Gratitude: Hy’shqe to the SeaFeast Team!
We raise our hands in deep gratitude and extend a huge HY'SHQE \^/ (thank you) to the leaders, visionaries and volunteers working behind the scenes to make this celebration possible:
The Bellingham SeaFeast Board of Directors for their continued dedication to our maritime community and regional waters.
Kevin Coleman, Executive Director of Bellingham SeaFeast, for his leadership and passion for bringing the working waterfront to life.
Tatiana Stone, Director of Operations and Community Engagement, for her tireless coordination, care, and dedication to bringing people together.
The Entire SeaFeast Staff, Crew & Volunteers whose hard work, early mornings, late nights and shared spirit make Bellingham SeaFeast such a wonderful, meaningful gathering for all of us!
Where to Find Us All Season Long:
Lummi Seafood Market (Storefront)
Address: 4920 Rural Ave, Ferndale, WA 98248 (Exit I-5, 260 West)
Hours: Monday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bellingham Dockside Market
Address: Squalicum Harbor (2599 S Harbor Loop Dr, Bellingham, WA 98225, Gate 5)
Hours: 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Bellingham Farmers Market
Address: Depot Market Square (1100 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225)
Hours: Every Saturday (April – 3rd week of December) & 3rd Saturday (Jan–March) | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wholesale & Large Event Inquiries:
Hy’shqe (thank you) for honoring the waters and supporting our Coast Salish fishers. We look forward to seeing you downtown Bellingham this Saturday, September 19, and sharing the fire and food with you at SeaFeast on September 26 & 27!
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