Despite cancellations of holiday events throughout the region due to COVID-19, Bellevue and local business organizations still have plans to bring some festive cheer for families.

The Bellevue Downtown Association has created a Season of Cheer campaign, promoting the city’s shopping, dining and entertainment during the holiday season. The BDA and Bellevue Collection both supported colorful lights in Downtown Park and Main Street in old Bellevue.

The BDA’s website will also include gift-giving guides and takeout locations throughout downtown.

“Nothing about this year is normal, but downtown’s resiliency and creativity is alive and well,” Mike Ogliore, vice president of events & operations at BDA, stated in a press release. “Our restaurants and shops— they’re adapting to create new holiday offerings, and individually, they make downtown what it is. Our campaign is all about bringing that story together to build a warm and inviting seasonal experience in return.”

The Bellevue Collection has additional holiday happenings including photo reservations with socially-distanced Santa Claus, and a parade-less Snowflake Lane offering intermittent snowfall, lights and music from 5 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 24, along Bellevue Way.

The Collection will also be home to the annual Gingerbread Candy Shoppe, put on by KidsQuest Children’s Museum. The shop will also provide curbside pickup, open Dec. 16 to Dec. 19. Shoppers can custom create a gingerbread house kit to take home.

“As we’ve adapted and responded, we’ve seen the strength of our businesses and the excitement in our community to get back downtown, Ogliore stated. “We’ve learned the power of storytelling and the importance of creatively supporting small businesses, and we’ll continue to do that in an even bigger way, for the holidays and beyond.”

More information on Season of Cheer campaign is available at bellevuedowntown.com.