Bellevue Magic Season Celebrates Holidays in Downtown Bellevue

It’s that time of year again, and the 15th annual Bellevue Magic Season will kick off Nov. 25 with 6 weeks of holiday festivities, including ice skating, music, and performances, in downtown Bellevue.

Residents can warm up to the holiday season at the covered, open-air ice rink in Bellevue Downtown Park. Admission is $10, including skate rental, or request a pass from the popular Bank of America for free skate Mondays.

At 7 pm each night, snow will fall and live toy soldiers will entertain holiday shoppers along Snowflake Lane – the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street – at The Bellevue Collection. The first night this event is performed on November 25th.  You can typically expect more fanfare and a special appearance by Santa, as well as the Bellevue Fire Department and their firetrucks.

Enjoy festive live music by the outdoor fireplace at The Bravern or catch a holiday performance at The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center.

The Bellevue Botanical Garden will also feature its annual Garden d’Lights display from 5-10pm Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. Admission is $5.

Produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association, Bellevue Magic Season runs through Jan. 8, 2012. See below for all of the 2011 Bellevue Magic Season events:

—

Magic Season Ice Arena brought to you by Bank of America | November 25 – January 8
Produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association

The Magic Season Ice Arena brought to you by Bank of America presents the region’s only open-air holiday ice skating experience. The festive venue offers shelter for all-weather skating and stunning views of the park’s waterfall. For more information call (425) 453–1223 or visit magicseason.com.

• Bellevue Downtown Park – NE 1st Street and 102nd Avenue NE
• $10 admission (Includes $3 skate rental fee)
• Advance Discount Admission Pass – Purchase 10 skating passes for $75 (a $25 savings)
• Free Skate Mondays – Compliments of Bank of America (Show your Bank of America debit or credit card to receive two free skate admissions on Mondays, or pick up Free Skate Monday passes at a downtown Bellevue banking center. For participating branches and promotion details, visit magicseason.com)

Snowflake Lane | November 25 – December 24
Produced by The Bellevue Collection

• Experience the grandeur and tradition of Snowflake Lane along the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street at The Bellevue Collection. Snow falls nightly as live toy soldiers and winter characters, music and a dazzling light show brighten the night.
• Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street
• Shows nightly at 7 p.m.
• Free

Celebration Lane | December 26 – December 31
Produced by The Bellevue Collection

Ring in the New Year with evening performances of Celebration Lane.

• Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street
• Shows nightly at 7 p.m.
• Free

For more information call (425) 454–8096 or visit bellevuecollection.com.

Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden | November 26 – December 31
Supported by KeyBank and 98.1 Classical KING FM

Brought to you by the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, Garden d’Lights festival features over half a million lights which transform the Bellevue Botanical Garden into a blossoming winter wonderland. For more information call (425) 452-6844 or visit gardendlights.org.

Bellevue Botanical Garden – 12001 Main Street

• Open nightly, 5-10 p.m. (Last entry at 9:30 p.m.)
• Advance tickets available online at gardendlights.org
• $5 admission; children 10 and under free
• Free parking at Wilburton Hill Park
• Free admission nights compliments of KeyBank: Nov. 28, 29, 30 and Dec. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14

The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center | November 25 – December 31
Presented by 98.1 Classical KING FM

The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center hosts a magical holiday series of musical and dramatic productions by regional and local performance groups. For tickets call Brown Paper Tickets at 800- 838-3006 or visit brownpapertickets.com. For more information on holiday performances call (425) 450-3810 or visit theatreatmeydenbauer.com. The Theatre is located at NE 6th Street and 112th Avenue NE.

• November 25-27: Bellevue Youth Theatre presents A Christmas Carol
• December 4: Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra presents The Magic of Mistletoe December 9-11, 16-18 & 21-23: International Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker
• December 19: Meydenbauer Center presents Magical Strings A Celtic Yuletide
• December 28-29: Ballet Bellevue presents The Sleeping Beauty
• December 31: Seattle Choral Company presents Carmina Burana

Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern | November 18 – December 24
Presented by the Shops at The Bravern

Enchanted Holidays kicks off November 18 at 6 p.m. with a special holiday tree lighting led by Santa, pony rides and festive live musical entertainment. For more information and additional Enchanted Holidays activities visit thebravern.com.

• The Shops at The Bravern – 11111 NE 8th Street (NE 8th Street and 112th Avenue NE)
• Tree lighting ceremony and Santa’s arrival supporting The Moyer Foundation – Nov. 18, 6 p.m.
• Photos with Santa – Wednesday-Sunday Nov. 25-Dec. 24 and every day Dec. 14-24, 12-6 p.m.
• Pony rides every Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26-Dec. 24, 12-6 p.m.
• Live entertainment every Friday, 7-8 p.m.
  • December 2: Captain Smarty Pants (Seattle Men’s Chorus Ensemble)
  • December 9: Sensible Shoes (Seattle Women’s Chorus Ensemble)
  • December 16: Sensible Shoes and Captain Smarty Pants
  • December 23: The Dickens Carolers

KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s Gingerbread Lane | December 1 – 21
Hosted by Hilton Hotel Bellevue

Enjoy the magic of the season with a display of unique gingerbread creations and KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s family gingerbread workshops. Local architecture firms, bakeries and businesses partner with KidsQuest Children’s Museum to custom design, bake and create awe- inspiring gingerbread structures displayed at the Hilton Hotel Bellevue. KidsQuest offers family gingerbread workshops with all the materials, snacks and holiday cheer. Visit kidsquestmuseum.org for more information and to sign-up for workshops.

• Hilton Hotel Bellevue – 300 112th Avenue SE
• Gingerbread House Displays: Dec. 1-21
• Gingerbread Family Workshops: Friday, Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10, 10-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.
• Family Concert: Saturday, Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m.

For more information visit www.bellevuemagicseason.com.