Bellevue Magic Season: Through Jan 11. Activities include:
• Group Health Ice Arena: Daily through Jan. 11 in the Bellevue Downtown Park.
• Garden d’Lights: 5-10 p.m. nightly, Nov. 29-Jan. 3. Annual holiday display uses more than 500,000 lights throughout the gardens. Cost: Free; donations encouraged. Parking: $5. Bellevue Botanical Gardens, 12001 Main St., Bellevue. 425-451-3755 or www.bellevuebotanical.org.
• Snowflake Lane/Celebration Lane: 7 p.m. through Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-31 at The Bellevue Collection.
2008 Christmas Ship Festival: Dec. 2, 6 and 18. Come out to various Bellevue beaches to hear carols, enjoy hot cider, a bonfire and family fun. Times and locations: 8:30-9:10 p.m. Dec. 2 at Newcastle Beach Park, 4400 Lake Washington Blvd. S.E.; 8:30-8:45 p.m. Dec. 6 at Chism Beach Park, 1175 96th Ave. (music only); 8:35-8:55 p.m. Dec. 18 at Meydenbauer Beach Park, 419 98th Ave. S.E.
Magic Seasons Remembered: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6. Discover family holiday traditions of Bellevue’s past, with Santa, music and heritage crafts at this open house. Presented by Eastside Heritage Center and Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department. Winters House, 2102 Bellevue Way S.E., Bellevue. 425-450-1049 or www.eastsideheritagecenter.org.
Brad Craft reads Capote’s “A Christmas Memory”: 7 p.m. Dec. 11. Come enjoy a holiday tradition at the bookstore, as book buyer Craft reads Truman Capote’s holiday story. Free. University Book Store, 990 102nd Ave. N.E., Bellevue. 206-634-3400.
Newcastle Santa Parade: 1:30-3:30 p.m. (west side of town) and 5-7 p.m. (east side) Dec. 13. Santa Parade presented by Rotary Club of Newcastle. Day’s events also include photos with Santa at QFC at noon, and carols sung by Newcastle Elementary students, noon-1 p.m. Downtown Newcastle.
Forest Ridge Choir Concert: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Church will host free holiday concert by Forest Ridge Girls Choir. Bellevue First United Methodist Church, 1934 108th Ave. N.E. 425-454-2059.
Santa at Molbak’s: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 21. Santa will visit the store each week through Dec. 21. Also: Various Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19, carolers will perform at the store. Molbak’s, 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville. 425-483-5000.
Issaquah Reindeer Festival: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 1-23. Children can meet the reindeer, visit with Santa, listen to stories read by an elf, and make an art project. Proceeds benefit the reindeer and other animals at the zoo. Admission: $8-$10.50; free for ages 1 and younger. Cougar Mountain Zoological Park, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah. 425-392-6278 or www.cougarmountainzoo.org.
Bellevue Holiday Craft Show: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 3-5; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 6. Hand crafted items from Northwest crafters and designers. Admission: Free. Hilltop Holiday at the Northwest Arts Center, 9825 N.E. 24th St., Bellevue. www.NWAC@bellevuewa.gov.
Kirkland Arts Center Holiday Arts Sale Preview Party: 7:30-11 p.m. Dec. 5. Features wine and hors d’oeuvres, live Brazilian music and a look at art for sale by more than 120 regional artists. Sale runs Dec. 6-21; part of the proceeds go toward the arts center. 620 Market St., Kirkland. 425-822-7161, ext. 107.
2008 NW Holiday Arts Gift Show: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 13. Features works by 50 Northwest artists, including paintings, pottery, clothing, jewelry, food and more. Portion of sales benefits Liberty Road Foundation. Admission: Free. The Redmond Athletic Club, 8709 161st Ave. N.E., Redmond. www.nwholidayarts.com.
