A holiday tradition is coming together at the Bellevue Botanical Garden as Bellevue Park Department personnel and volunteers work to install 500,000 lights that make up the Garden D’Lights display.

The lights transform the garden into a blossoming winter wonderland that attracts more than 150,000 people each December. The display is inspired by plants found in Northwest gardens and gardens around the world.

The extended route through the garden is enhanced with a flowing river in lights and four waterfalls. There’s also a pond and border display on the main lawn.

To make it happen, hundreds of volunteers, like Tom Furin, work to make new creations along with old favorites. In 2011 Snap d’Dragon joined the list of over 30 “critters” including Charlotte in her web and Willie the Slug. Also popular is the “Aquarium in Lights” in the Visitor Center with the pulsing jellyfish and the garden’s own octopus.

Garden D’Lights will be on view from 5-10 p.m. from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31 with last entry to the exhibit each day at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5 a person with children age 10 and under free. There also are free nights for everyone from Nov. 26-29 and Dec. 3-6. Money raised helps support the Botanical Garden.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.gardendlights.com.