Bellingham Farmers Market

Bellingham, Washington, offers two versions of its annual Farmers Market - a large, lively, daytime downtown Saturday market, and a smaller, equally interesting Wednesday afternoon and evening market in Bellingham's historic, Victorian-influenced Fairhaven district.



Both markets are a great place to shop for fresh, local food. Depending on the month, you may find local berries, greens, herbs, corn and other locally-grown vegetables, seafood, locally-made sausage, ice cream, hazelnuts, chocolates, local cheeses, artisan breads, and baked goods. Much of the food is certified organic.

The markets are also filled with local arts and crafts, flowers and plants, and food vendors. Street performers, musicians to jugglers, provide entertainment. And for the travel-weary, body-workers are often on hand for chair massages, or other kinds of mini-therapeutic ministrations for a small charge. Every year the downtown market also offers a number of special events, from the throwing out of the first cabbage on opening day, to celebrations of local specialties like berries, salmon and corn.

Downtown Bellingham Farmers Market
Bellingham's downtown Farmers Market, located on Railroad Avenue at Chestnut Street is one of the largest farmers markets in Washington State. After several years residence in what, for the rest of the week, was a parking lot, the Saturday market's location became permanent with the creation of a Market Square on the site in 2006.

The permanent Market Square includes a covered structure built from steel recycled from a bridge that formerly linked Burlington and Mount Vernon, Washington, just south in Skagit County. Construction of the square facility increased the market's season from spring through fall, to spring through December. It now runs April through December, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Go early for best selection and best parking.

Parking downtown
Early arrivals can often find free angle-in parking along Chestnut Street. Railroad Avenue, which runs north to south from the WTA city bus terminal to the Farmers Market location, offers metered angle-in parking. Some parallel parking is also available on other nearby side streets. There are a small number of handicapped parking spaces on Railroad Avenue directly next to the market.

Take the bus
Bellingham also has a good citywide public bus service which takes you within easy walking distance of the market and downtown shopping.

Fairhaven District Farmers Market
Bellingham's Fairhaven District Farmers Market, located on the Fairhaven Village Green, runs June through September from 3 to 7 p.m.

Parking in Fairhaven
Parking can be at even more of a premium in the Fairhaven District. There is some angle-in parking along the streets, and public lot parking one block south of the market. There are a limited number of handicapped spots, primarily at the corners of the Village Green block. Bellingham's bus service also runs through Fairhaven.

Sorry, No Dogs
The Bellingham and Fairhaven Farmers Markets both have a no-dog policy, due to the bad behavior of some visiting dogs in the past. If you have a dog, even a pocket or purse-sized one, be warned. The markets are enforcing the no-dog rule.

Bellingham Farmers Market web link.

More Pacific Northwest Farmers Markets