A one-of-a-kind holiday show

Snowflake Lane is an extravaganza worth the drive

By Marguerite Cleveland on December 6, 2018

It has to be something special to brave the traffic and drive from the South Sound area up to Bellevue. Snowflake Lane is the something special. The event has become a well-loved holiday tradition with up to 10,000 spectators attending each evening.

"Snowflake Lane is a one-of-a-kind, free holiday show you won't find anywhere else in the Northwest," said Jennifer Leavitt, VP of Marketing, The Bellevue Collection. "This nightly 20-minute parade and performance features falling snow, beautifully lit floats, dancing characters, live toy soldiers, colorful lights, music and, of course, Santa Claus. It is a great event to come for an early dinner, see the show and enjoy holiday shopping, or even stay the night with one of the Shop and Stay hotel packages offered at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, W Bellevue or The Westin Bellevue. The show is every night at 7 p.m. through Christmas Eve and plan to come early and find your best spot on the sidewalk between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square.

Kemper Freeman, CEO and chairman of Kemper Development Company and the visionary behind The Bellevue Collection, the retail heart of Seattle's Eastside, envisioned creating an engaging holiday experience in Bellevue and found his inspiration on New York City's Fifth Avenue and Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

"Until you experience Snowflake Lane in person, you just cannot understand how special this event has become for the thousands of people who line the street each night," said Freeman. "Bellevue has been our family's home for several generations and being able to give back to this community with Snowflake Lane has been so rewarding and joyful for us. It warms our hearts to see the faces of the children as they experience the dancers, costumed characters, the music and especially the snow. We don't get a lot of snow around here so having it fall each night during the show is a real treat to behold."

The professional production features almost 250 local, talented teenagers who went through a competitive audition to be selected for their roles as Toy Soldier Drummers, Jingle Belle Dancers, Snow Storm Drummers, Jungle Elves and Snow Princesses. Each one is decked out in lavish costumes as they perform choreographed song and dance numbers. The charming winter wonderland along Bellevue Way is created with colorful lights and falling snow. Insider Tips: Plan to arrive early and take advantage of the free parking. The event attracts up to 10,000 people a night so you want to stake your spot along the parade route. Also make sure to stop in Lincoln Square to view the Fallen Soldier Tree.

Bellevue can be a bit of a drive, so do some holiday shopping, have a nice dinner and experience the Snowflake Lane show -- it is well worth the trip.

SNOWFLAKE LANE, 7 p.m., nightly, last show Dec. 24, The Bellevue Collection, 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, free, snowflakelane.com