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 25, 2024
4:30 p.m. Meet in Red Square
5 p.m. Start the walk
Start the walk from Red Square.
5:30 p.m. Arrive in Depot Market Square
Games, entertainment, and live music
Free food from Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, Fiamma Pizza, Naan & Brew, Cheba Hut, and more.
7 p.m. Explore downtown businesses
Dozens of local businesses and community organizations are celebrating WWU by offering discounts, free merch and food.
9 p.m. Event ends
Make the night your own! Stroll downtown some more or head back home.
What's Western Wednesday
Every Wednesday is Western Wednesday! Although First Night Out is the biggest Western Wednesday of the Year as we celebrate the first day of classes and our new and returning Vikings, WWU and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership have partnered together to encourage the WWU community to get off campus and explore downtown every Wednesday where more than 70 businesses and community partners offer discounts to WWU students, faculty, and staff. Simply show your WWU ID card and get the discount.
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 from campus to downtown? No worries! You can catch a free shuttle in front of the Viking Union at 5 p.m. The shuttle will provide rides back to campus every 30 minutes until 9 p.m. Priority goes to those with limited mobility.
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)
