Christmas: What's Open, What's Closed

Christmas as a federal holiday is being observed Tuesday. Here's what you need to know to get around during the week.

If you are traveling this weekend, check out the Washington State Department of Transportation web pages to plan your route. Be sure to check traffic and weather conditions along Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass, US 2 at Stevens Pass, Interstate 5 near the U.S./Canadian border and I-5 between Olympia and Tacoma.

There are still family activities over the holidays. The Magic Season Ice Arena is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until 6 p.m. Garden d'Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden is open both days as well. You can purchase the $5 tickets online.

Here is a list of what’s open and what's closed:

Bellevue City Hall is closed Tuesday, Dec. 25. It will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26.

Bellevue College is on winter break. The quarter starts Jan. 2.

Bellevue School District is on winter break and will return Jan. 7.

King County government: Closed Tuesday, Dec. 25.

US Postal Service: Closed Tuesday, Dec. 25.

King County Library System is closed Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25.

King County Metro transit: Reduced weekday service on Monday and will operate on a Sunday schedule on Tuesday. Transit also will be on reduced weekday service during the “winter holiday period” Dec. 26-28. Routes to the University of Washington are closed during winter break.

Sound Transit: Express buses will operate on regular weekday schedule on Monday, Dec. 24, and Sunday service on Tuesday, Dec. 25. Sounder trains will run on a reduced weekday schedule on Monday with no service on Tuesday. Tacoma Link will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday and Tuesday. Central Link will run on a Saturday schedule Monday and Sunday schedule on Tuesday. 

State of Washington: Closed Tuesday.

Washington State Ferries: Routes will operate on revised and holiday schedules.

Federal government: Closed Tuesday.

Banks: Many, if not most, will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Check your local branch.

Garbage and Recycling: Garbage and recycling will be on its regular schedule in Bellevue on Monday. There will be no collection Tuesday.

Shopping Centers: Many stores and restaurants keep different holiday hours from the main shopping centers, so check with an individual store for exact hours. Crossroads Bellevue is open until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. The Bravern is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas and reopens from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Different restaurants and shops at The Bravern may have different hours, so check out the website for more details. Bellevue Square is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas, and open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26.

Grocery Stores: QFC will close at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; the Bellevue Village QFC (downtown) will be open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day. Fred Meyer closes at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; all stores will be closed on Christmas Day.