Welcome to Western Wednesday: First Night Out!
Join thousands of Western students in this annual tradition by walking the 20 minutes from WWU’s Red Square to Downtown Bellingham’s Depot Market Square. Once there, the downtown community will be ready to greet you with entertainment, music, food and more. Come play, watch, dance, eat, and explore!
Wednesday, Sept 24, 2025
4:30 p.m. Meet in Red Square
Live Music featuring WWU student & alumni band, Analog Brass. Free giveaways from Viking Athletics and the Foundation for WWU & Alumni. Welcome from A.S. President Aspen Cates-Doglio, Viking Athletics, and Vice Provost Sislena Ledbetter.
5 p.m. Start the walk to downtown Bellingham
Depart Red Square toward Downtown Bellingham.
Free shuttle bus (Starlight Shuttle) departs from the front of the Viking Union at 5:15 p.m. (priority to those with limited mobility).
5:30 p.m. Arrive at Depot Market Square, downtown Bellingham
Live music on downtown’s Railroad Avenue presented by The Blue Room plus free games and entertainment.
7 p.m. Explore Downtown Bellingham
Discover dozens of local businesses and community organizations offering discounts, activities, free merch and more.
Discover Downtown Bellingham.
9 p.m. Event ends
Make the night your own! Stroll downtown some more or head back home using WWU’s Starlight Shuttle or WTA buses. (Learn more under the Frequently Asked Questions section, under Transportation.)
What's Western Wednesday
Every Wednesday is Western Wednesday! Although First Night Out is the biggest Western Wednesday of the year, WWU and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership together encourage students to wear their Viking blue and explore downtown every Wednesday where more than 70 businesses and community partners offer discounts to WWU students, faculty, and staff. Just show your WWU ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just yourself, your WWU ID, and your friends. A water bottle might come in handy and comfy shoes wouldn’t hurt either.
This is Bellingham, baby! We play rain or shine.
WWU Starlight Shuttle
Don’t care to walk between campus and downtown? No worries! The Starlight Shuttle will depart from campus at the Viking Union and downtown at the corner of Maple St. and Railroad Ave. every 30 minutes until 9 p.m.
- Departs for downtown from Viking Union on the :15 and :45 starting at 5:15 p.m. Last shuttle departs the Viking Union at 8:45 p.m.
- Departs for the Viking Union on the :00 and :30 starting at 5:30 p.m. Last shuttle departs the corner of Maple St. and Railroad Ave. at 9 p.m.
- After 9 p.m., book a free ride through the Starlight Shuttle app until 2:30 a.m.
Public Transit
If your legs aren’t yet conditioned for Bellingham’s hills, consider taking the bus! WTA (Whatcom Transportation Authority) buses depart for WWU from the Downtown Station every 15 minutes until 10:40 p.m. WWU (ridewta.com)
Explore Downtown Bellingham
Google Map of First Night Out Locations
