FESTIVAL INFO
AUGUST 15 - 17, 2025
Bellingham's Waterfront, located at 298 W Laurel Street
FAMILY FRIENDLY
LIVE PAINTING HOURS
Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
LIVE ART
World-renowned muralists gather in Bellingham, WA for a weekend of mural painting, demos, music, parties, education and inspiration. This festival is a friendly art contest, in which artists will have two 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.
Indigeversal Collective
Guided by Indigeversal Collective founder, Kaplan Bunce, this initiative unites diverse tribal stories into a cohesive visual tapestry. Under the mentorship of seasoned professionals, many participating artists are stepping into the realm of mural creation for the first time. This experience not only fosters artistic growth but also expands cultural horizons, emphasizing the profound impact of art as a medium for storytelling and community empowerment. Join us in celebrating indigenous heritage and creativity as we paint a vibrant legacy on the canvas of our city’s landscape. Together, we honor traditions, inspire new perspectives, and build bridges across cultures through the universal language of art.
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exquisite Portraits
In 2024, we invited six runner-up artists who will join us in creating live Exquisite Portrait murals. This is an opportunity for artists to gain experience designing and creating public art, gain more exposure, in addition to fostering mentorship opportunities.
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.
WORKSHOPS
Try your hand at spray painting! Last year, one of our most popular installments at the festival, spray paint workshops were offered by local muralist Max McNett. These are interactive opportunities for amateur and experienced folks to play around with aerosol.
MURAL TOURS
Discover the murals around Bellingham by bike! Muralist and Noisy Waters founder Gretchen Leggitt hosts a 2 hour tour of local installations. Featured guest artists in 2023 included Ruckus and Ivan Collins.
ZERO WASTE MURAL 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.
THE WATERFRONT
Noisy Waters Mural Festival is located in Bellingham's Waterfront District, which is an unimproved area and transitioning toward future development.