GENERAL FESTIVAL INFO
ABOUT NOISY WATERS MURAL FESTIVAL
World-renowned muralists gather in Bellingham, WA, August 14-16, 2026 for a weekend of mural painting, demos, music, parties, education and inspiration. This festival is a friendly art contest, in which artists will have three days to paint 8’x’8’ portable walls on public display for the community to enjoy. Attendees will vote for their favorites and the top three winners will receive cash contracts to paint large murals in Bellingham.
In addition, Noisy Waters hosts the Indigeversal Collective- a collaborative mural installation led and produced by First Nation Artists from across North America.
Bellingham is nestled in Whatcom County. The word “Whatcom” is derived from the Lhaq'temish word Xwot'qom, which translates to “noisy water.” This festival aims to make noise in Bellingham by hosting a confluence of vibrant muralists and artists.
Noisy Waters Mural Festival is produced by Paper Whale, a Bellingham-based non-profit placemaking agency. We co-create Noisy Waters on Coast Salish Land, the home of the Lummi and Nooksack people, and this event is dedicated to the first inhabitants of this place.
FAMILIES WELCOME
Bring your kids to Noisy Waters and let their creativity soar on our Kids Wall! Watch as they paint their own mini murals and witness the magic of artistic expression. These moments of inspiration are not just fun—they're formative, sparking creativity and imagination in young minds. Join us for a day of family-friendly fun and watch your children become budding artists! Please visit us at our Kids & Teens wall.
Zero Waste Festival
In partnership with Sustainable Connections, The Noisy Waters Mural Festival practices paint reclamation and recycling methods that make this the world's first Towards Zero Waste Mural Festival! Cheers to reducing waste and leaving a more beautiful impact on the planet.
GETTING HERE AND Parking
There are two public parking lots for the Downtown Waterfront – the lot along the pump track on Granary Avenue and the lot at the end of the Boardmill Building on W Laurel Street. Another parking lot behind the Boardmill Building is currently being developed, as well. Street parking along Granary Avenue & W Laurel Street is also available and free to use.
Offsite parking is also available in under a 10 minute walk. These options include the Commercial Street Parking Garage, the Railroad Garage, The Central Lot above Maritime Heritage Park, and the Depot Market Lot.
There is also a bus option that heads straight from downtown to the festival site, check out the WTA bus route 47 schedule to plan a ride to the festival! From Aug 7-16, WTA is running Free Fare Days, meaning folks can get to the festival by bus FREE (for the first two days of the event)!
Last, but not least, a bike ride to the festival is encouraged - bike racks are right outside the main festival entrance!
The Waterfront
Noisy Waters Mural Festival is located in Bellingham's Waterfront District at the Portal Container Village, which is an unimproved area that is consistently growing and developing.