Five Eastside mayors will issue a joint proclamation marking Welcoming Week across Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish, the City of Bellevue announced on Monday, Aug. 31.
The proclamation invites residents to connect across differences at free and low-cost events running throughout September at City Hall and Bellevue community centers.
The centerpiece is Experience Bellevue!, a free, biennial celebration set for Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bellevue City Hall.
"Welcoming Week is our chance to open the doors of city government and show everyone belongs here," Mayor Mo Malakoutian said in the announcement. "When longtime residents, newcomers, immigrants and refugees all come together, we strengthen the bonds that make Bellevue such a vibrant, compassionate community."
Welcoming Week is a national initiative started in 2012 by Welcoming America. It brings together neighbors of all backgrounds, with a focus on immigrants and refugees.
East King County cities have participated for 11 years, according to Eastside for All, the regional hub that hosts a full calendar of events.
Local nonprofits, neighborhood associations and the King County Library System also host programming alongside the five cities.
What to expect at Experience Bellevue!
The event packs City Hall with multicultural performances, a fire truck display, a police drone program demonstration and a City Hall scavenger hunt, according to the city's Experience Bellevue! page. Workshops include salsa lessons, tai chi and mahjong.
Families can visit the KidsQuest Kid Zone, sample food from global vendors and watch a storytelling showcase where community members share how they have built belonging in Bellevue.
Free coffee and pastries will be available until noon while supplies last.
The event is free.
Guided tours of city facilities and select workshops have limited capacity. The city encourages advance registration at ExperienceBellevue2026.eventbrite.com.
Broader Eastside schedule
The Eastside for All calendar lists Welcoming Week events running Sept. 10–19 across the five participating cities. Bellevue's own city-organized programming runs Sept. 14–19, according to the city's Experience Bellevue! page.
Residents who need alternate formats, interpreters or other accommodations should contact the city at least 48 hours before an event at 425-452-7855 or [email protected].
