Snowflake Lane, Garden D'Lights Return To Bellevue For The Holidays

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue's signature Christmas celebrations will get underway shortly after Thanksgiving, giving Eastside neighbors plenty of festive events to check out over the next few weeks.

Nightly performances at Snowflake Lane begin Nov. 25 and will run through Christmas Eve, with parades starting at 7 p.m. each evening. Revelers are invited down to the Bellevue Collection to take in the sights and sounds of dancers, drummers and holiday floats on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square. Portions of Bellevue Way will be closed during the events, and free parking is available in nearby garages.

Santa will be on hand to light the 30-foot Christmas tree at Bellevue Place Wintergarden on Friday, Nov. 25.

Also returning this month is Garden d'Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, which will be opening each evening between Nov. 26 and Dec. 31, except for Christmas Day. The popular spectacle boasts more than a half-million lights crafted by more than 130 volunteers into plants, animals, and other natural features. Last year's event drew more than 70,000 visitors, according to the city.

Children 10 and under can check out the lights for free, and tickets run $8 for adults. Tickets must be purchased in advance online for specific dates and times.

Bellevue's Downtown Ice Rink will also be back at Downtown Park between Nov. 18 and Jan. 8, and residents can catch holiday performances at the Meydenbauer Center Theatre from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23.