Magic Season Gets in Gear in Bellevue

Bellevue Magic Season, the collection of downtown holiday events that include outdoor ice skating, music performances and more, celebrates 15 years from now through Jan. 8.

The Skate at the Magic Season Ice Arena is open at Bellevue Downtown Park. The regular price is $10, though there are some opportunities to skate for free -- and opportunities for people with babies to have their children experience the ice in strollers. Other events include music at the Bravern and a nightly outdoor music celebration at the Bellevue Collection, along Bellevue Way and NE Eighth Street. Check out this year's times and dates of family-friendly events.

The Magic Season Ice Arena

What: 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 close to the park’s waterfall. For more information call 425-453–1223 or visit  magicseason.com  .

Where:  – NE First  Street and 102nd Avenue NE 

Tickets: $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, visitmagicseason.com.

Stroller Skating - Families who wish to skate with their little ones in strollers may skate at the rink during specified hours on Thursdays. Normal $10 admission rate applies for each skater (includes skate rental) while strollers are free. Stroller skating will be on Thursdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & Jan. 5. Hours for stroller skating will be from 2 to 3 p.m. and 10 to 11 a.m. on those designated days.

When: Hours vary. Check the schedule for more details.

Snowflake Lane | Nov. 25 – Dec. 24

Produced by The Bellevue Collection

What: Experience the grandeur and tradition of Snowflake Lane along the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and NE 8^th Street at . Snow falls nightly as live toy soldiers and winter characters, music and a dazzling light show brighten the night.

Where: Bellevue Way and NE Eighth Street

When: Shows nightly at 7 p.m.

Tickets: Free!

Celebration Lane | Dec. 26 – Dec. 31

Produced by The Bellevue Collection

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

Where: Bellevue Way and NE Eighth Street

When: Shows nightly at 7 p.m.

Tickets: Free!

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

Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden | Nov. 26 – Dec. 31

Supported by KeyBank and 98.1 Classical KING FM

What: 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.

Where:  – 12001 Main Street

When: Open nightly, 5-10 p.m. (Last entry at 9:30 p.m.), Advance tickets available online atgardendlights.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 | Nov. 25 – Dec. 31

Presented by 98.1 Classical KING FM

What:  hosts a magical holiday series of musical and dramatic productions by regional and local performance groups. For more information on holiday performances call 425-450-3810 or visit theatreatmeydenbauer.com.

Where: The Theatre is located at NE Sixth Street and 112th Avenue NE.

When:

Nov. 25-27:  Bellevue Youth Theatre presents A Christmas Carol

Dec. 4:  Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra presents The Magic of Mistletoe

Dec. 9-11, 16-18 & 21-23:  International Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker

Dec. 19:  Meydenbauer Center presents Magical Strings A Celtic Yuletide

Dec. 28-29:  Ballet Bellevue presents The Sleeping Beauty

Dec. 31:  Seattle Choral Company presents Carmina Burana

Tickets: Call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006 or visit brownpapertickets.com.

Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern | Nov. 18 – Dec. 24

What: Get your photo taken with Santa at  and also celebrate with pony rides on the weekends and live entertainment on Fridays. Enchanted Holidays kicked off Nov. 18 with a special holiday tree lighting led by Santa, pony rides and festive live musical entertainment. The event benefited the Moyer Foundation.

When: 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. 

Dec. 2:  Captain Smarty Pants (Seattle Men’s Chorus Ensemble)
Dec. 9:  Sensible Shoes (Seattle Women’s Chorus Ensemble)
Dec. 16:  Sensible Shoes and Captain Smarty Pants
Dec. 23:  The Dickens Carolers

KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s Gingerbread Lane | Dec. 1 – 21

Hosted by 

What: Enjoy the magic of the season with a display of unique gingerbread creations and ’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.orgfor more information and to sign-up for workshops.

Where: Hilton Hotel Bellevue – 300 112th Avenue SE

When:

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.

-- Information from the Bellevue Downtown Association