Bellevue Magic Seasons Kicks off Friday Nov. 23

Bellevue Magic Season, the collection of downtown holiday events that include outdoor ice skating, music performances and more, gets in gear from Nov. 23 through Jan. 13.

The skating rink at the Magic Season Ice Arena opens at Bellevue Downtown Park on Friday. The regular price is $10, though there are some opportunities to skate for free -- and opportunities for people with babies to have their children experience the ice in strollers and opportunities for free lessons. Other events include music at the Bravern and a nightly outdoor music celebration at the Bellevue Collection, along Bellevue Way and NE Eighth Street. Check out this year's times and dates of family-friendly events.

Got photos of Magic Seasons past? Share them with your neighbors on Bellevue Patch.

Here's the rundown of this year's celebration, produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association.

Chaplins Bellevue Volkswagen Ice Arena brought to you by Bank of America at Bellevue Downtown Park
November 23 - January 13
NE 1st Street and 102nd Avenue NE

* The region's largest open-air holiday skating experience!
* $10 admission (includes skate rental)
* Special skate days including Free Skate Mondays, 2-For-1 
   Tuesdays, Free Lesson Wednesdays and Stroller Skate Thursdays

Snowflake Lane and Celebration Lane produced 
and presented by The Bellevue Collection
November 23 - December 31
Along the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street

* Snow falls as live toy soldiers, winter characters, music and a 
   dazzling light show brighten the night!
* Shows nightly at 7 p.m.; Free
* Don't miss Santa's Arrival Parade on November 23 - one night only!

Garden d'Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden
November 24 - December 31
12001 Main Street

* Over a half million lights turn the Bellevue Botanical Garden into 
   a blossoming winter wonderland!
* Open nights from 5-10 p.m.
* $5 admission; Purchase advance tickets at gardendlights.org

Holiday Performances at The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center
November 23 - December 30
NE 6th Street and 112th Avenue NE

* A magical series of musical and dramatic productions by local
   and regional performance groups!
* Purchase tickets to most shows at brownpapertickets.com 

Enchanted Holidays at The Shops at The Bravern
November 23 - December 24
NE 8th Street and 112th Avenue NE

* Holiday activities for the whole family!
* Photos with Santa, pony rides and weekly story time

KidsQuest Children's Museum's Gingerbread Lane hosted by Hilton Hotel Bellevue 
December 1 - 16
300 112th Avenue SE

* Enjoy unique gingerbread creations by local architecture firms, 
   bakeries and businesses on display at Hilton Hotel Bellevue!
* Sign up for Family Gingerbread Workshops at kidsquestmuseum.org