Starting Friday, Nov. 27, Downtown Bellevue launches holiday events for the whole family. The six-week celebration is the latest for the 19-year Bellevue tradition. Celebrants are invited to shop, dine, skate, create gingerbread houses, view a classic holiday performance, enjoy twinkling lights in a beautiful garden and see a magical parade.
Bellevue Magic Season Events
Magic Season Ice Arena
Presented by Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card
November 27, 2015 – January 10, 2016
Produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association
The Magic Season Ice Arena is the region’s largest outdoor holiday ice skating event. The rink offers shelter for all-weather skating and holiday food and beverage concessions. Location of the event is Bellevue Downtown Park – NE 1st Street and 102nd Avenue NE.
Free Skate Mondays is presented by Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card and Bank of America. Just present your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card or Bank of America card and receive two free skate admissions on Mondays. Limit of two admissions per person and limited to venue capacity.
Tickets: $12 regular admission (includes skate rental), 8-year-olds and under $9 (includes skate rental)
Special events: free lessons courtesy of Overlake Medical Center, stroller skating, family skate days and themed skate nights.
The venue can also be booked for private holiday and birthday parties.
Advance Discount Admission Pass – Purchase 10 skating passes (includes skate rental) for $85 (a $35 savings) at BellevueDowntown.com
Snowflake Lane and Celebration Lane
November 27 – December 31
Produced and presented by The Bellevue Collection and the Kemper Freeman Family.
A magical parade of live toy soldier drummers, costumed characters, Jingle Belle Dancers, lively music, falling snow and glittering lights take over Bellevue Way at 7 p.m. nightly starting Nov. 27. Snowflake Lane goers are invited to post memories on social media using #SnowflakeLane! Also, don’t miss Celebration Lane, The Bellevue Collection’s glittering salute to ringing in the New Year.
Snowflake Lane: November 27 – December 24, on the streets between Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place.
Celebration Lane: December 26 – December 31, on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place.
Free nightly shows at 7 p.m.
Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden
November 28, 2015 – January 2, 2016
Supported by Classical KING FM 98.1 and presented by Bellevue Botanical Garden Society and Bellevue Parks & Community Services
Brought to you by the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society and Bellevue Parks and Community Services, Garden d’Lights features thousands of lights which transform the Bellevue Botanical Garden into a blossoming winter wonderland. Stroll through the gardens and enjoy music by Classical KING FM 98.1.
Bellevue Botanical Garden – 12001 Main Street
Open nightly, 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Lights remain on a half hour after the last entry)
Advance tickets available online at Gardendlights.org
$5 admission; children 10 and under free
On-site parking $5 per vehicle, free with handicapped permit. Free parking available at Wilburton Hill Park.
For more information visit SnowflakeLane.com.
For more information visit BellevueDowntown.com or call (425) 453-1223.
The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center
November 27 – December 23
The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center hosts an enchanting series of holiday themed productions, including Ballet Bellevue’s Handel’s Messiah, Village Theatre Pied Piper’s The Elves and the Shoemaker, Evergreen City Ballet’s The Nutcracker, International Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker and Magical Strings – A Celtic Yuletide. For more information and a complete schedule of performances visit www.meydenbauer.com/theatre or call (425) 450-3810.
Theatre at Meydenbauer Center – NE 6th Street and 112th Avenue NE
Tickets for most shows available through Brown Paper Tickets: (800) 838-3006 or BrownPaperTickets.com
Enchanted Holidays at The Shops at the Bravern
November 19 – December 24
Presented by The Bravern
Families are invited to take photos with Santa and gather around for weekly story time. For more information visit TheBravern.com or call (425) 456-8795.
The Shops at The Bravern – 11111 NE 8th Street
Photos with Santa: Wednesdays through Sundays, November 19-December 24 (Noon – 6 p.m.)
Little Bookworms Story Time in Partnership with Seattle Nanny Network and Trophy Cupcake: December 3, 9, 16 and 23 (11 a.m. – Noon)
KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s Family Gingerbread House Workshops
November 27 & 28
Hosted by Hyatt Regency Bellevue
KidsQuest Children’s Museum is hosting workshops for decorating unique gingerbread houses using their giant candy buffet. KidsQuest cleans up the mess and while families and friends go home with a marvelous gingerbread creation to enjoy throughout the season. For more information and to sign up for workshops visit KidsQuestMuseum.org. Pre-registration required and space is limited.
Hyatt Regency Bellevue at Bellevue Place – 900 Bellevue Way NE, Evergreen Ballroom
Family Gingerbread House Workshops:
Friday, Nov. 27, Noon – 2 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. – Noon and 2 – 4 p.m.
For more information and a complete calendar of Bellevue Magic Season events visit The Bellevue Downtown Association website.
