Published November 22 2016
Magic Season begins its 20th season on Friday. Visitors to Bellevue's annual holiday festival should anticipate increased traffic downtown as people surge into the area to take part in the fun. Video
Nightly performances at the popular Snowflake Lane will require the closure of Bellevue Way, from Northeast Fourth Street to Northeast Eighth Street, 6:45-7:45 p.m., from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. However, access to the Bellevue Arts Museum will be maintained for northbound traffic on Bellevue Way.
On Friday, Snowflake Lane will kick off with the Santa Parade, requiring the following closures, also 6:45-7:45 p.m.:
- Bellevue Way, from Northeast Fourth Street to Northeast 10th Street;
- Northeast Eighth Street, from 106th Avenue Northeast to just west of Bellevue Way;
- Southbound 106th Avenue Northeast from Northeast Eighth Street to Northeast 10th Street; and
- Northeast Sixth and Seventh streets, between 105th Avenue Northeast and Bellevue Way.
Other Magic Season activities include: Garden d'Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden; the Magic Season Ice Arena (this year at Ashwood Park, next to the Bellevue Library downtown), presented by Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card; Celebration Lane (Dec. 26-31) and holiday productions at the Meydenbauer Center Theatre.
Please drive carefully this holiday season, build in extra travel time to reach your destination safely and watch for pedestrians in crosswalks and driveways. Also, consider using other modes of transportation to avoid traffic congestion. Tools and resources are available at www.chooseyourwaybellevue.org/.
Keep up to date on traffic impacts by checking the city's traffic advisories page, updated weekly, the real-time Bellevue traffic map and cameras, or by following @BvueTrans on Twitter.