Two of Downtown Bellevue’s longest-running holiday traditions have set their 2026 dates. The Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink, produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA), opens Friday, Nov. 13 at Bellevue Downtown Park. Two weeks later, Snowflake Lane, presented by The Bellevue Collection and the Kemper Freeman family, begins its nightly holiday parade on Friday, Nov. 27.
Snowflake Lane Marks 22 Years
The Bellevue Collection’s free parade runs every night at 7 p.m. from Black Friday, Nov. 27, through Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24. The route sits between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square, from NE 4th Street to NE 8th Street. Each night it fills with dancers, costumed characters, floats, holiday music, lights and falling snow.
Greg Thompson Productions produces the show locally, and most of the dancers and performers are students. Their roles include toy drummers, jingle belle dancers and snow princesses. Nearly 180 characters appear each night, including fairies, ribbon dancers, jinglettes, a snow flurry color guard, polar bears, teddy bears, snowmen and Santa.
Kemper Freeman Jr. started Snowflake Lane in the early 2000s after visiting New York City’s Fifth Avenue and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. He wanted a holiday celebration in Downtown Bellevue that would bring the local and regional community together.
“In looking back on the more than two decades Snowflake Lane has been around, it’s incredible to see how it brings multi-generations and the community together to celebrate the holidays,” said Jennifer Leavitt, senior vice president of marketing for The Bellevue Collection.
The Bellevue Collection’s numbers for the 28-night season:
- Close to 400,000 guests
- More than 55 snow machines, producing snow every night
- More than 850 gallons of snow over the season
- More than 80,000 pieces of candy handed out
Details and FAQs are available at snowflakelane.com.
More Holiday Programming at The Bellevue Collection
- Santa Photos at Snowflake Lane Factory (Nov. 27–Dec. 24, Bellevue Square Center Court, second level): Families can take photos with Santa inside the Snowflake Lane Factory. Information is at bellevuecollection.com/holiday.
- Tree Lighting (Friday, Nov. 27, Bellevue Place Wintergarden): After the parade’s opening night, Santa counts down to lighting a 30-foot holiday tree. The evening also has photos with Santa and characters, music, cocoa and cookies.
- Holiday Entertainment (Dec. 1–4 and Dec. 7–11, Bellevue Square Center Court): Local school choirs and orchestras perform holiday music.
- Season of Celebrations (Dec. 3–24, Bellevue Square Center Court): A 20-foot immersive screen shows how people around the world celebrate.
- Snowflake Lane Getaway Hotel Packages: Guests who book a weekend stay at Hyatt Regency Bellevue, The Westin Bellevue or W Bellevue get a $100 Bellevue Collection gift card for each night. Booking is at bellevuecollection.com/getaway.
Ice Rink Adds $12 “Cheapskate Mondays”
The BDA’s ice rink has been part of Bellevue’s holiday season for 29 years. It now draws more than 45,000 skaters a year. The venue is fully covered and has more than 9,000 square feet of real ice, with views of the Downtown Bellevue skyline.
The rink will be open every day from Nov. 13 through Jan. 18, 2027, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. It sits one block south of Bellevue Square at NE 1st Street and 100th Avenue NE, near Inspiration Playground.
New this year, “Cheapskate Mondays” offer $12 admission, with skate rental included, on select Mondays.
“For many families and friends, a visit to the rink is part of what makes the holidays feel like the holidays,” said Patrick Bannon, BDA president and CEO. “It’s a tradition we’re proud to bring back each year, and it draws people into downtown to enjoy our local shops, restaurants and everything else the season offers.”
Admission includes skate rental, and non-skaters get in free:
- Cheapskate Mondays (Nov. 16–Dec. 14 and Jan. 4–11): $12
- Weekdays, Monday–Thursday (Nov. 13–Dec. 17 and Jan. 4–18, except Nov. 25, Nov. 26 and Jan. 18): $16
- Weekends and holidays, Friday–Sunday plus Nov. 25, Nov. 26 and Jan. 18 (Nov. 13–Dec. 17 and Jan. 4–18): $22
- Winter break (Dec. 18–Jan. 3): $24
A season pass costs $189. Passholders don’t need reservations and can come in any time during public hours. Passes can’t be transferred or refunded.
The rink also offers free skating lessons, themed nights and on-site concessions. Walk-up admission is limited, so the BDA recommends buying tickets in advance at bellevueicerink.com.
The BDA also lists other holiday events around the city: Garden d’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden, holiday performances at Meydenbauer Center Theatre and Gingerbread Workshops at KidsQuest Children’s Museum.
