From racing to rocking out, the focus is on the fun. Photo: Eric Mickelson
Northwest Tune-Up is always evolving. Not because we’re chasing growth for growth’s sake, but because we want the experience to feel better for ticketholders every single year.
That means paying attention to the details, fine-tuning the flow of the weekend and fixing the parts that need work. And most importantly, listening to the community that shapes this event alongside us.
Tune-Up has always been community-powered at its core, and a lot of what you’ll experience in 2026 comes directly from rider feedback, attendee conversations and ideas shared over the last few years.
While the spirit of the festival stays the same, this year brings smarter upgrades, new ways to participate and more reasons to stick around all weekend long.
Bigger Exposure with Pinkbike + Trailforks Partnership
One of the biggest additions for 2026 is our partnership with Pinkbike and Trailforks, two platforms that have shaped modern mountain bike culture in a massive way. The goal is simple: bring more riders into the fun that is NW Tune-Up.
Launching May 11, the Northwest Tune-Up Trailforks Multi Sport Challenge encourages riders to get outside, log rides (or other activities) on their local trail systems and unlock badges over the 30 days. Record your activity over all 30 days, and you’ll be entered to win the grand prize: two Adult 3-Day VIP tickets, a hotel stay at SpringHill Suites from July 9-12, and a Specialized Stumpjumper 15 EVO Expert.
Whether you’re riding Galbraith every day or exploring your own trails closer to home, the challenge is designed to connect riders everywhere through movement, exploration and a little friendly motivation.
The air is thinner up there for some riders at the Freestyle Showdown. Photo: Eric Mickelson
More Airtime, More Style
The Bellingham waterfront freestyle zone gets a serious upgrade this year with two major additions:
The Outdoor Research FMB Bronze-Level Freestyle Showdown presented by Zink Bikes returns on Saturday, July 11 with a redesigned course, new features and equal cash payouts. Expect bigger tricks, more progression and riders chasing valuable World Tour points.
We’re also adding the Red Bull Best Whip to the mix for the first time ever. Style takes center stage here, with riders throwing their biggest whips on a spectator-friendly jump on Saturday, July 11.
Together, these events bring more energy to the waterfront venue and give you even more reasons to hang out, heckle from the sidelines or just watching people do things you’d never attempt yourself.
In 2026, Freehub PRESENTS Mountain Bike Film Festival moves from the Mount Baker Theatre to the Tune-Up main stage. Photo: Eric Mickelson
A New Way to Start the Weekend
Tune-Up unofficially starts a day earlier in 2026 with Freehub PRESENTS mountain bike film festival. Past editions of the film festival were held at the beautiful Mount Baker Theatre, but this year, the films move outdoors to the Tune-Up main stage. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the debut of 7 cycling films under the stars. Free for all 3-Day ticketholders. Standalone film festival tickets available for purchase now—Tune-Up festival ticket not required.
More Flexible Ways to Experience Tune-Up
Not everyone comes to Tune-Up for the full festival weekend, and we’ve heard that loud and clear.
Last year, we quietly introduced bike demo-only tickets as a low-key option for riders who just wanted time on trail testing bikes. This year, we’ve made them an official part of the experience with advance purchase options and clearer planning around demo access.
If your perfect Tune-Up day looks more like back-to-back bike demos and less like late-night music, this gives you another way to plug into the weekend without committing to the full festival pass.
Load up and head out faster with over a 30% increase in bike shuttle capacity in 2026. Photo: Hannah Childress
More Riding, Less Waiting
If you’ve experienced Tune-Up with us before, you know: maximizing ride time is everything.
Listening to rider feedback, we’ve expanded Shimano shuttle service to do exactly that. With more shuttles and more trips between downtown and Galbraith Mountain, we can accommodate over 30% more riders every day, which means less time waiting around and more time on trail. Everybody win.
It's easy to get to know the people behind your favorite brands at Tune-Up. Photo: Eric Mickelson
Still the Same Core—Just More of It
While there’s plenty that’s new, the core of Northwest Tune-Up hasn’t changed.
You’ll still find:
- 100+ brands to shop, demo and connect with
- Races, clinics and group rides for all levels and ages
- A downtown venue built around human-powered access
- A music lineup that carries the energy into the night (have you seen who's playing yet?!)
- Plenty of after-parties and ways to plug in with the local bike community
The difference in 2026 is how much more connected it all feels, with more ways to participate, more ways to watch and more ways to be part of our Bellingham community that makes this event so special.
Whether you’re showing up to race, ride, watch or just take it all in, this year opens the door a little wider.
Grab your tickets, we can’t wait to party with you!