The Eastside’s leading collection of holiday attractions, returns Nov. 26 – Jan. 9 with memory-making festivities and traditions throughout downtown Bellevue.

On Nov. 26, skaters took to the ice at the Group Health Ice Arena featuring a new larger ice surface and the spectacular Snowflake Lane at The Bellevue Collection.  The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center also opens its magical series of holiday performances on Friday.  Garden d’Lights illuminated its breathtaking displays on Saturday, Nov. 27 at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.  Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern is underway now through Dec. 31.  The KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s Gingerbread Lane is on display at the Hilton Hotel Bellevue Dec. 3 – 9.

The Bellevue Magic Season celebrates its 14th year as a presenting partnership between the Bellevue Downtown Association, the City of Bellevue, The Bellevue Collection, The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue Botanical Garden and The Shops at The Bravern, along with many other supporting community organizations and downtown businesses.

 Group Health Ice Arena brought to you by Bank of America:  Nov. 26 – Jan. 9

 The Group Health Ice Arena brought to you by Bank of America presents the region’s only open–air holiday ice skating experience.  The festive ice arena offers shelter for all-weather skating and stunning views of the park’s waterfall.  For more information call (425) 453–1223.

· New, larger ice skating rink

· Bellevue Downtown Park – NE 1st Street and 102nd Avenue NE

· $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. 

· Produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association

Snowflake Lane:  Nov. 26 – Dec. 24

Produced by The Bellevue Collection

Experience the grandeur and tradition of Snowflake Lane along the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street at The Bellevue Collection.  Snow falls nightly as live toy soldiers and winter characters, music and a dazzling light show brighten the night.  On November 26th, Santa arrives at 9 a.m. to his Workshop in Bellevue Square for photos, and Snowflake Lane premieres at 7 p.m.

· Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street

· Shows nightly at 7 p.m.

· Free

Celebration Lane:  Dec. 26 – Dec. 31

Produced by The Bellevue Collection

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

· Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street

· Shows nightly at 7 p.m.

· Free

For more information call (425) 454–8096, or visit http://bellevuecollection.com/.

Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden:  Nov. 27 – Jan. 1

Supported by 98.1 Classical KING FM

This popular festival features over half a million lights which transform the Bellevue Botanical Garden into a blossoming winter wonderland.  Over 150,000 people enjoy this dazzling display each year. Charlotte the spider remains a favorite and will be back in her web near the Ground Cover Garden.  For tickets and more information call (425) 452–6844, or visit http://gardendlights.org/.

· Bellevue Botanical Garden – 12001 Main Street

· Open nightly, 5 – 10 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.)

· Advance tickets and reservations are required and can be purchased at their website.  
$5 per person; children 10 and under free

· Free parking at Wilburton Hill Park

The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center:  Nov. 26 – Dec. 31

Presented by 98.1 Classical KING FM

The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center hosts a magical holiday series of musical and dramatic productions by regional and local performance groups.  For tickets contact Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838–3006. For complete information on holiday performances call (425) 450–3810, or visit www.meydenbauer.com.  The Theatre is located at NE 6th Street and 112th Avenue NE.

· Nov. 26 – 28:  Bellevue Youth Theatre presents “Miracle on 34th Street”

· Dec. 3 – 4:  Attic Theatre presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

· Dec. 5:  Bellevue Youth Symphony presents “Magic of Mistletoe”

· Dec. 10 – 12, 17–19 and 22–23:  International Ballet Theatre’s classical production of “The Nutcracker”

· Dec. 20:  Magical Strings presents “A Celtic Yuletide”

· Dec. 31:  Seattle Choral Company presents “Carmina Burana”

Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern:  Nov. 19 – Dec. 31

Presented by The Shops at The Bravern

Enchanted Holidays kicks off at 6 p.m Nov. 19.  Enjoy a holiday tree lighting, the arrival of Santa Clause, a spectacular light show and live entertainment.  For complete special event information and additional Enchanted Holidays activities, visit http://thebravern.com/holiday.

· The Shops at The Bravern – NE 8th Street and 112th Avenue NE

· Photos with Santa – November 26–December 23.  Visit http://thebravern.com/holiday for hours.

· Nightly Light Show – Shows at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. in the NE 8th Arrival Court.

· Cool Winter Nights – Every Thursday in December from 5:30–7:30 p.m.  Live music, drinks and bites near the covered and heated 110th fireplace.  $5 entry benefits Childhaven.  21 and over.

· Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Mariposa in Neiman Marcus – Dec. 4 and 11 from 9–10:30 a.m.  Call (425) 452-3333 for reservations.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s Gingerbread Lane:  Dec. 3 – 9


Hosted by Hilton Hotel Bellevue

Build your own unique gingerbread structure and put it on display.  Visit www.kidsquestmuseum.org for more information and to register for the gingerbread house workshops.

· Hilton Hotel Bellevue – 300 112th Avenue SE

· Dec. 3 – 9:  Gingerbread Lane Houses on Display at Hilton Hotel Bellevue

· Dec. 4:  Build your own unique gingerbread structure and put it on display.  Activities include gingerbread house building workshops, photos with Santa, awards presentation, and a holiday children’s choir performance.

 The Bellevue Magic Season is supported by the following sponsors and partners:  Group Health, Bank of America, City of Bellevue, The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, The Bellevue Collection, Bellevue Botanical Garden, The Shops at The Bravern, The Seattle Times, KOMO 4 TV, KOMO Newsradio, STAR 101.5, 570 KVI, 98.1 Classical KING FM and Gravity Design.