Snowflake Lane returns to Downtown Bellevue on Friday, Nov. 27, for its 22nd season of nightly holiday parades.

The free parade, presented by The Bellevue Collection and the Kemper Freeman family, runs every night at 7 p.m. through Thursday, Dec. 24, according to the Downtown Bellevue Network. Two weeks before that, the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink opens Friday, Nov. 13, at Downtown Park. Together they are two of Downtown Bellevue's longest-running holiday traditions.

The parade route stretches between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square, from NE 4th Street to NE 8th Street. Parking is free in Bellevue Collection garages, according to the event's official site.

Nearly 180 characters appear each night, including dancers, costumed figures, polar bears, snowmen and Santa. Greg Thompson Productions produces the show, and most of the dancers and performers are students. Their roles include toy drummers, jingle belle dancers and snow princesses.

The Bellevue Collection's figures for the 28-night season: close to 400,000 guests and more than 55 snow machines running nightly.

Jennifer Leavitt, senior vice president of marketing for The Bellevue Collection, said the parade brings multiple generations and the community together to celebrate the holidays.

Kemper Freeman Jr. started Snowflake Lane in the early 2000s after visiting New York City's Fifth Avenue and Chicago's Magnificent Mile. He wanted a holiday celebration in Downtown Bellevue that would bring the local and regional community together, according to the Downtown Bellevue Network.

Beyond the parade

Opening night wraps up with a tree lighting at Bellevue Place Wintergarden, where Santa counts down to lighting a 30-foot holiday tree. Families can also take photos with Santa at the Snowflake Lane Factory inside Bellevue Square Center Court through Dec. 24.

Local school choirs and orchestras perform holiday music at Bellevue Square Center Court on Dec. 1–4 and Dec. 7–11.

Ice rink pricing and hours

The Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) has run the ice rink for 29 years. The covered venue features more than 9,000 square feet of real ice and draws more than 45,000 skaters a season.

The rink stays open every day from Nov. 13 through Jan. 18, 2027, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. It sits one block south of Bellevue Square at NE 1st Street and 100th Avenue NE, near Inspiration Playground.

New for the 2026–27 season, "Cheapskate Mondays" offer $12 admission with skate rental included on select Mondays. Full pricing, which includes skate rental (non-skaters get in free):

  • Cheapskate Mondays (Nov. 16–Dec. 14 and Jan. 4–11): $12
  • Weekdays, Monday–Thursday (Nov. 13–Dec. 17 and Jan. 4–18, except Nov. 25, Nov. 26 and Jan. 18): $16
  • Weekends and holidays (Nov. 13–Dec. 17 and Jan. 4–18): $22
  • Winter break (Dec. 18–Jan. 3): $24
  • Season pass: $189

Patrick Bannon, BDA president and CEO, said the rink is a tradition the association is proud to bring back each year and that it draws people into downtown to enjoy local shops and restaurants.

Walk-up admission is limited. The BDA recommends buying tickets in advance at bellevueicerink.com.