Bellingham Improv Festival

Overview

The Bellingham Improv Festival (BIF) is an annual four-day celebration of improvisational theatre hosted by The Upfront Theatre in downtown Bellingham, Washington. The 2026 edition is the 4th annual, bringing together improv troupes from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond for shows across a range of teams, styles, and formats.

Performances and workshops are split between two neighboring venues: The Upfront Theatre and the New Prospect Theatre, located across the hall from each other on Prospect Street. Workshops are led by visiting improv professionals and are offered at a range of experience levels, from first-timers to seasoned performers.

Submissions

Applications for improv teams, individual performers, and workshop teachers are now open. Submit at theupfront.com/bifsubmit. Deadlines and fees:

• Early bird: by July 30, 2026 ($25)
• Late: August 1-15, 2026 ($35)

Selections are finalized in September 2026. Tickets, workshops, and full festival information will be available in early fall.

Sources

• The Upfront Theatre - Bellingham Improv Festival
• Bellingham Improv Festival - Submission Page
• Bellingham.org - Bellingham Improv Festival
• The Upfront Theatre - BIF 2025