A popular bike and music festival is returning to Bellingham for the fifth year.
Northwest Tune-Up will take over the Bellingham waterfront for three days of live music, food, beer and bicycles in July.
The festival that became a part of Bellingham’s entertainment scene in the summer of 2022.
“This three-day event combines the joy of cycling, live music and the spirit of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle through an immersive weekend experience for riders, racers, music fans and families alike,” organizers said on the Visit Bellingham Whatcom County website.
The event, which draws up 13,000 attendees every year, has helped raise more than $275,000 for nonprofit organizations supporting “trail development, youth programming and outdoor accessibility initiatives in the Bellingham area,” organizers said.
Here’s what to know:
When is Northwest Tune-Up in 2026? Where?
Northwest Tune-up runs Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12, at Waypoint Park on Granary Avenue in Bellingham.
According to the event website, these are festival hours in 2026:
- Thursday, July 9: 5 to 10 p.m.
- Friday, July 10: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 11: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 12: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There’s also a Mountain Bike Film Festival at the waterfront venue on Thursday, July 9, according to Brandon Watts, managing director at Tune-Up Events.
The event, which is free for three-day passholders, will include a live in-person speaker series by Freeride mountain bike pioneer Brett Tippie, Watts told The Bellingham Herald via email.
Who’s playing at outdoor Bellingham music festival?
A large outdoor stage near Bellingham’s Granary building will serve as the main stage for Northwest Tune-up.
According to Watts, the main stage concert lineup is shaping up to be one of the best yet.
Here’s who’s performing on Friday, July 10:
- 5 p.m.: Henry Mansfield
- 5:50 p.m.: Stephan Day
- 7 p.m.: Delhi 2 Dublin
- 8:25 p.m.: Dirtwire
- 9:45 p.m.: Hippie Sabotage
Here’s who will step into the main stage spotlight on Saturday, July 11:
- 4:50p.m.: Pearl & The Oysters
- 5:45p.m.: Thunderpussy
- 6:55 p.m.: Sierra Hull
- 8:15 p.m.: Here Come The Mummies
- 9:35 p.m.: Souls of Mischief
Between acts on the main stage, Japanese trials bike rider Tomomi Nishikubo will perform, according to Watts.
Who’s playing on Rainer Stage at Northwest Tune-up?
Several artists will be performing on the Rainier Stage near the food area of the festival.
On Friday, July 10, here’s who will be taking the stage, according to the Northwest Tune-Up website:
- 2 p.m.: Adam Greenberg
- 3 p.m.: Scarlett Star
- 4 p.m.: Blue Collar Grass Band
On Saturday, July 11, these artists will perform on the Rainier Stage:
- 2 p.m.: ÆFECT
- 3 p.m.: Old World Astronaut
- 4 p.m.: Pyrocene
Which bike events are in store at Northwest Tune-Up?
If you’re looking for biking events at Northwest Tune-Up, you’re in luck.
“We’re currently reworking the Tile Tank Jump Line and outfitting it with a new start structure,” Watts said. “This new structure, along with a completely new jump line, designed and built by Sensus Rad Trails, will be a lasting piece of recreational infrastructure further progressing the Waterfront Bike Park for expert riders.”
A number of bike events are returning for another year, this time with more participants.
“We have confirmation this year from more professional riders who will participate in all our events — Enduro, Pump Track, Freestyle Showdown and Best Whip — making spectating more elevated and energetic than ever before,” Watts said.
What are prices for three-day passes? Single-day tickets?
As of Wednesday, June 24, there were still tickets available for Northwest Tune-Up.
A VIP three-day pass for festivalgoers 21 and older costs about $293 and includes access to a stagefront concert viewing area, a shaded VIP lounge with seating and power stations and a private premium toilet trailer.
VIP passholders also get complimentary nonalcoholic drinks and snacks as well as access to the VIP-only beer garden and cocktail bar.
Regular three-day passes cost nearly $195 for ages 18 and up, or about $86 for youth ages 13 to 17.
General admission passholders get “access to all festival activities,” organizers said, including live music on Friday and Saturday, bike demos all weekend and daily shuttles to the Galbraith Mountain trailhead.
Also in store are bike clinics, an exhibitor village and “spectator-friendly, world-class bike racing and jump jams,” plus food trucks, a 21-and-older beer garden, family-friendly activities, the Bellingham Markers Market and an all-ages Chill Zone.
For folks who are only able to attend the festival for one day, tickets cost about $112, or $55 for youth ages 13 to 17.
Children 12 and under get in free.
Can’t afford tickets this year? No problem!
Trackside by Kulshan, 298 West Laurel St. in Bellingham, is open for anyone to hang out during Northwest Tune-Up festivities.
Where can I park?
According to Northwest Tune-Up organizers, parking is not included with festival passes.
“We encourage everyone to walk, ride or utilize public transit,” organizers said.
“Paid festival parking will be available as first-come, first-served,” the festival said, adding that parking lot locations will be “announced soon.”
You can find public parking along Granary Avenue and at the end of the Boardmill Building on Laurel Street, according to the Port of Bellingham.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.bellinghamherald.com ’
