5 Essential Bellevue Holiday Events

BELLEVUE, WA - There are plenty of wonderful holiday activities in the city this holiday season. Here are five highlights that we picked for your enjoyment:

1. Garden d'Lights - Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St. - Bigger and better with new flowers and critters to find - and a new path will take you partly through the woods. Of course, old favorites like the aquarium, vegetable garden, and poinsettia tree are still part of the extravaganza too. Daily through Dec. 31, 4:30 to 9 p.m.
2. Hilltop Craft Show - Northwest Arts Center, 9825 NE 24th Street - Come and enjoy a delightful, unique, whimsical, one-of-a-kind craft show featuring thousands of handcrafted items from over 65 selected crafters. Through Dec. 3, check website for times
3. "A Christmas Carol" - Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16051 NE 10th Street - The 25th-anniversary celebration for this traditional retelling of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, Bellevue Youth Theatre style. Multiple showtimes in December
4. A Winter Wanderer - Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center, 5808 Lakemont Blvd SE - Come explore the beauty of winter in Lewis Creek Park. Rain or shine, enjoy a guided tour of the mosses and lichens of the park, the deciduous and evergreen trees, and discuss wildlife preparations for the winter. Dec. 10, 10 a.m. - noon
5. Christmas Ship Festival - Meydenbauer Beach Park, 419 98th Avenue NE - Join us on shore to welcome the Christmas Ship Festival, presented by Argosy Cruises. Come with family and friends to marvel at the parade of boats as they come by the beach. There will be a beach fire for warmth. Bring a flashlight for safety. Dec. 22, 8:30 to 9 p.m.