Experience the magic of the holiday season in Bellevue, WA, where enchanting events draw both locals and visitors into a festive wonderland. Bellevue's Snowflake Lane transforms downtown into a winter spectacle with live toy soldier drummers and mesmerizing light displays, while the Bellevue Botanical Garden's Garden d'Lights bathes the night in over half a million radiantly arranged lights.
For those craving a classic winter activity, the seasonal ice-skating rink at Bellevue Downtown Park offers open-air fun for all skill levels, nestled beautifully against the city's skyline. This holiday season, Bellevue presents a variety of activities and experiences that are sure to delight and create cherished memories.
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The Top Christmas Events in Bellevue
- Snowflake Lane
- Garden d'Lights
- Ice Skating at Bellevue Downtown Park
- Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink
- Menorah Lighting Celebration
Bellevue Holiday Light Displays
Garden d'Lights
What to Expect:
Half a million lights crafted into botanical displays
Description:
Bellevue Botanical Garden's annual Garden d'Lights event illuminates the winter nights with over half a million lights. Artfully crafted into intricate botanical displays, these lights transform the garden into a luminous landscape. Stroll through glowing flowers, animals, and cascading waterfalls, all meticulously designed to mimic the garden's natural beauty. This event began in 1994 with a modest display created by dedicated volunteers, growing over the years into the expansive exhibition seen today.
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Bellevue Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Snowflake Lane
What to Expect:
Nightly parade with live toy soldier drummers
Description:
Bellevue's Snowflake Lane transforms the city's downtown into a winter spectacle. Live toy soldier drummers march nightly, creating a rhythmic backdrop for the dazzling light displays. You can catch "snow" flurries, regardless of the weather, as they fall from the sky during each performance. This tradition began in 2002, swiftly becoming a cherished part of Bellevue's holiday season. The event showcases local talent, with many performers hailing from nearby high schools and dance studios.
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Bellevue Other Holiday Activities
Ice Skating at Bellevue Downtown Park
What to Expect:
Open-air ice rink in the heart of downtown
Description:
Bellevue Downtown Park hosts a seasonal open-air ice rink, offering a quintessential winter experience amidst the city's skyline. Glide across the smooth ice surface, feeling the crisp winter air on your face. The rink accommodates skaters of all skill levels, with special events like themed skate nights adding variety to the season. This winter tradition harkens back to the early 20th century when Bellevue's lakes would freeze over, providing natural skating rinks for locals.
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Ice Skating at Bellevue Downtown Park
Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Covered outdoor rink with state-of-the-art light show
Description:
The Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink offers a unique skating experience with its covered outdoor setting and state-of-the-art light show. Glide across the ice as colorful lights dance overhead, synchronized to upbeat music. The rink's innovative design allows for skating in any weather, a feature inspired by similar rinks in European cities. Special events throughout the season include costume nights and skating lessons for beginners.
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Menorah Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Public menorah lighting with traditional foods and music
Description:
Bellevue's Menorah Lighting Celebration brings the spirit of Hanukkah to the heart of the city. A giant menorah stands tall in Bellevue Downtown Park, with a new candle lit each night of the holiday. Traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot are served, their aroma wafting through the crisp winter air. This event, which began as a small community gathering, has grown to become a significant celebration of Jewish culture and tradition in the Pacific Northwest.
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Nearby Events
Christmas Ship Festival (Seattle)
What to Expect:
Floating holiday choir performances on Lake Washington
Description:
The Christmas Ship Festival brings holiday cheer to the shores of Lake Washington. Decorated ships sail the waters, carrying choirs that perform for onlookers gathered along the beaches and parks. The festival's origins date back to 1949, when one family began the tradition of caroling from their boat. Today, you can join the festivities by boarding a ship or listening from the shore as the melodies drift across the water.
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Enchant Christmas (Seattle)
What to Expect:
World's largest Christmas light maze
Description:
Enchant Christmas boasts the world's largest Christmas light maze, a labyrinth of twinkling lights and towering sculptures. Navigate through the illuminated pathways, solving the maze's story-driven challenge. This event also features an ice skating trail, allowing visitors to glide through a forest of lights. Enchant began in 2016 in Vancouver, Canada, and has since expanded to multiple cities, bringing its unique blend of light art and interactive storytelling to Bellevue.
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Gingerbread Village (Seattle)
What to Expect:
Elaborate gingerbread structures created by top local architects
Description:
The annual Gingerbread Village showcases intricate, edible architecture crafted by Seattle's top architects and culinary artists. These elaborate gingerbread structures, often standing several feet tall, depict fantastical scenes and famous landmarks. The sweet aroma of gingerbread permeates the air as you admire the detailed creations. This event, which began in 1992, has raised over $1 million for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through voluntary donations.
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Winterfest at Seattle Center (Seattle)
What to Expect:
Indoor winter carnival with miniature train village
Description:
Winterfest at Seattle Center brings the charm of a winter carnival indoors. The centerpiece is an elaborate miniature train village, complete with tiny landscapes and moving parts. Watch model trains wind their way through the intricately designed scenery. This event has been a Seattle tradition since 1988, growing from a small display to a full-fledged festival that captures the imagination of visitors young and old.
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Winter Solstice Night Market (Seattle)
What to Expect:
Asian-inspired night market celebrating the winter solstice
Description:
The Winter Solstice Night Market infuses Bellevue with the vibrant energy of Asian night markets. Vendors line the streets, offering unique gifts, crafts, and cuisine that blend Eastern and Western holiday traditions. Sample aromatic street food as you browse the eclectic mix of stalls. This event celebrates the winter solstice, an important occasion in many Asian cultures, marking the gradual return of longer days.
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Magic in the Market (Seattle)
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market
Description:
Magic in the Market brings holiday cheer to Seattle's iconic Pike Place Market. The historic marketplace buzzes with activity as local artisans and farmers offer special holiday wares. Witness the lighting of the market's towering holiday tree, a tradition that dates back to the early 20th century. You can create personalized ornaments at craft stations scattered throughout the market, adding your own touch to the festivities.
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Woodland Park Zoo WildLights (Seattle)
What to Expect:
Zoo animals recreated in light displays
Description:
WildLights at Woodland Park Zoo reimagines the animal kingdom through the medium of light. Intricate light sculptures depict zoo animals in action, creating a luminous nocturnal safari. Wander through glowing forests and savannas, spotting familiar and exotic creatures. This event, which began in 2013, not only entertains but also educates visitors about wildlife conservation, aligning with the zoo's mission to inspire conservation of animals and habitats.
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Holiday Light Show at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (Renton)
What to Expect:
Synchronized light show on Lake Washington's shoreline
Description:
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park hosts a dazzling synchronized light show along Lake Washington's shoreline. Thousands of lights flicker and dance in time with holiday music, reflecting off the lake's surface for a double dose of brilliance. This display, which began as a small community project, now draws visitors from across the region. You can view the show from the warmth of your car or brave the winter air for an up-close experience.
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Holiday Light Show at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival (Leavenworth)
What to Expect:
Bavarian-themed village transformed into a holiday spectacle
Description:
The Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival transforms this Bavarian-themed village into a holiday spectacle. Half a million lights illuminate the town's Alpine-style buildings, creating a scene straight out of a European Christmas card. Witness the dramatic moment when the entire town lights up simultaneously each Saturday and Sunday. This tradition began in the 1960s as part of Leavenworth's effort to reinvent itself as a tourist destination, inspired by the town's mountain setting.
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Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival
Snoqualmie Santa Train (Snoqualmie)
What to Expect:
Vintage train ride through the Cascade foothills with Santa
Description:
The Snoqualmie Santa Train offers a journey through time and the scenic Cascade foothills. Board a vintage train car from the early 20th century, beautifully decorated for the season. As the train chugs through the winter landscape, Santa makes his way through the cars, greeting passengers. This event, run by the Northwest Railway Museum, not only provides holiday cheer but also preserves an important part of the region's transportation history.
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Holiday Express Train (Portland)
What to Expect:
Festive train ride along Lake Washington's eastern shore
Description:
The Holiday Express Train whisks passengers along Lake Washington's eastern shore on a festive journey. Vintage railcars, decked out in holiday finery, provide a cozy setting as you travel through the winter landscape. Carolers serenade passengers with classic holiday tunes, filling the cars with melody. This seasonal excursion, operated by the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, revives the golden age of rail travel while showcasing the natural beauty of the lake shore.
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Kirkland Winterfest (Kirkland)
What to Expect:
Waterfront holiday celebration with lighted boat parade
Description:
Kirkland Winterfest lights up the shores of Lake Washington with a unique waterfront celebration. The highlight is a parade of boats adorned with thousands of lights, gliding across the dark waters in a dazzling display. On shore, ice sculptors create frozen masterpieces before your eyes. This event, which began in the early 2000s, has become a beloved tradition that showcases Kirkland's close connection to its lakeside setting.
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Issaquah Reindeer Festival (Issaquah)
What to Expect:
Up-close encounters with live reindeer
Description:
The Issaquah Reindeer Festival offers a rare opportunity to meet Santa's helpers up close. Live reindeer roam a specially designed enclosure, allowing visitors to observe these majestic animals in a naturalistic setting. Learn about reindeer biology and their role in Arctic ecosystems from knowledgeable handlers. This educational event, hosted by the Cougar Mountain Zoo, began as a way to connect urban residents with wildlife and has since become a cherished holiday tradition.
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Redmond Lights (Redmond)
What to Expect:
Luminary walk connecting downtown to Redmond Town Center
Description:
Redmond Lights illuminates the city with a unique luminary walk connecting downtown to Redmond Town Center. Thousands of glowing luminaries line the Redmond Central Connector trail, creating a path of light through the winter darkness. Along the way, encounter art installations, live performances, and interactive displays celebrating diverse holiday traditions. This event, which began in 1998, reflects Redmond's commitment to community, arts, and cultural diversity.