Using about 500,000 tiny twinkling lights, Bellevue Botanical Garden will be transformed into a winter wonderland every evening during the annual Garden d'Lights festival from Saturday, November 29th through Saturday, January 3rd, 2009, featured in Bellevue's annual Magic Season. Inspired by plants found in Northwest gardens, hundreds of volunteers bundle strings of commercial grade outdoor lights into three dimensional flowers, shrubs, vines, and critters. In November, these creations are 'planted' in the Botanical Garden and, with a flip of a switch, this unique holiday garden blooms every evening from 5:00-9:30 pm.
Hundreds of volunteers design and make new flowers for the display every year so it continues to grow. In addition to artistic interpretations of plants, the volunteer team has created several charming animal characters. The large green frog remains a favorite and will be back by his pond in the Groundcover Garden.
Garden d’Lights has become a holiday tradition for many families and groups around the Northwest.
Your Donations Are Needed. In order to continue making this a special family event available to everyone (no admission fee), please give generously when you visit. There is a $5 fee for parking in the Botanical Garden parking lot, although free parking is available to the east at Wilburton Hill Park. Parking fees will support future Garden d’Lights.
Enjoy the wonders of Garden d'Lights without the crowds! Schedule your visit early in the Magic Season or mid-week to maximize your experience!
Come, enjoy the dazzling magic of Garden d'Lights, bring your aunts and uncles, grandparents and grandchildren, third cousins and anyone else you can think of who will enjoy the lights!
Dogs or other pets and alcohol are not allowed in the garden.
The Garden gift shop, 'The Trillium' will be open 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm each night with books, garden tools, accessories and decorative botanical items for the home.
Our Wonderful Sponsors:
City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department
provides the power and infrastructure for Garden d'Lights. They pay the power
bill, provide administration and assist with the set up of the event. They
also give a generous cash donation as part of the City's support of the Bellevue
Magic Season. Special thanks to BBG staff and other City employees that work
on Garden d'Lights.
This is the 4th year HomeStreet Bank has been the major cash sponsor of Garden d'Lights. HomeStreet is locally owned and is located on Main Street at 101st in Old Bellevue. Thanks to their support we are able to add something new each year.
Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center is also sponsoring Garden d'Lights and provides a 'treasure map' and crayons, so kids can locate and color special Garden d'Lights critters.
Classical KING FM 98.1, presenting sponsor, provides beautiful background music and on-air advertising. From the Nutcracker to your favorite carols, share the gift of great music!
And a big special thanks to the Bellevue Downtown Association for allowing us to be part of the Bellevue Magic Season!
