BELLINGHAM, WA, October 22, 2025—Local placemaking agency, Paper Whale, is expanding the footprint of its annual 3-night festival, Fire & Story, this winter. The festival will take place January 22-24, 2026 at Bellingham’s Waterfront, across from Waypoint Park. After selling out the festival in 2025, Paper Whale is making room for even more attendees to experience the warmth and delight of this immersive festival celebrating the primal conjunction of fire, story, music, art, and community. In 2026, the Fire & Story promises to offer more immersive art, more fires, a larger kids and family area, an expanded food court, a VIP ticketing option, and over 120+ unique performers.

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Fire & Story is a family-friendly winter festival brimming with illuminated art installations, roaring fire pits, and captivating performances which include music, storytelling, fire dancing, live metalsmithing, saunas and so much more. Each winter, as darkness lengthens, Fire & Story answers with warmth, light, and gathering. 

Past Fire & Story attendee, Jeff Bos, says: “My son and I walked to Fire & Story where our community convened to experience art in the most beautifully eerie space... Snow underfoot, captivating stories, a spinning fire pit. It was exactly the showcase of local talent and creativity that attracted us to move here over nine years ago.”

A collection of large, wood-burning, sculptural fire pits illuminate the grounds alongside distinct stages: Song, Story, Lore, and Fable. New in 2026, is the fifth stage just for kids: the Wonder Stage. Expect age-appropriate storytelling, performances like puppeteers and musicians, and engaging activities that will delight children and parents alike.  “We’ll be creating a warm, reverent vibe kindled by nature-based storytellers and stoked with interactive art, music, and movement,” said Wonder Stage lead, Linds Cain of Wonder Mountain School. "Night by night, we’ll weave together moments of wonder and play, setting the stage for a 'Kiddy Rave'—a radiant celebration where young hearts lead the dance floor.”

Fire & Story remains committed to being family-friendly, while also offering adult‑oriented spaces like the 21+ Fable Lounge. A blend of live music and variety shows draw you deeper into the night, with a newly expanded lounge pouring an expanded craft beer and specialty cocktail menu. Whiskey tastings by local distiller Doc Swinson's are a perk of this year’s limited VIP ticketing. Fable Lounge encourages attendees to linger longer and stay for the one-of-a-kind, adult-oriented closing performance each night.

Fire & Story attendees are encouraged to purchase 3-night passes since tickets are not guaranteed to be available at the door. Sauna reservations are sold separately, and require an event pass to participate. Attendees are also encouraged to come dressed in their most outlandish, folklore-inspired garb, while being prepared for any Pacific Northwest weather. This event happens by rain, snow and starlight.

Paper Whale Executive Director, Nick Hartrich, says of Fire & Story: “Forget what you think you know about local events. Fire & Story is Bellingham’s best-kept secret whispered out loud. Raw, offbeat, and burning at the edges, it is unapologetically us. Come ready to be undone.”

Event Details

Dates: January 22-24, 2026 (Thursday-Saturday) 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Location: 1145 Granary Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Map

Ages: All ages, with 21+ beer garden

Price: Starting at $40 for a 3-day pass; kids under 12 are FREE when accompanied by an adult

Tickets: Early-bird tickets on sale starting October 22, 2025

For more information:

https://www.fireandstory.com

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About Paper Whale

Paper Whale, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has been activating underutilized spaces in Bellingham since 2022 with a goal to cultivate community by producing multi-sensory events that inspire and creatively activate placemaking. Learn more and get involved at www.paper-whale.com.

Media Contact:

Nick Hartrich, Executive Director, Paper Whale

nick@paper-whale.com