Bellevue After Dark

Bellevue After Dark returns Nov. 16: explore the season and earn rewards

Bellevue After Dark is back, and this year it reaches farther. It’s the first season of the challenge with the 2 Line running from Downtown Redmond across Lake Washington through Seattle and on to Lynnwood City Center, so more of the region is within reach after sunset.  

From Nov. 16 - Dec. 14, get around by transit, carpool, vanpool, walking or biking, log your trips and earn rewards along the way.

How it works

Sign up for the challenge at bit.ly/Bellevueafterdark

Log your non-drive-alone trips each day at bit.ly/cywbtriplog.

Reach your trip goal:  

Log at least 10 trips during the challenge for a chance to earn a 5-pack of Garden d’Lights tickets ($50 value).

Log at least 15 trips for a chance to earn a 10-pack of Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink tickets ($220 value).

Reward recipients will be announced Dec. 21 on Instagram at @ChooseUrWayBell and on Facebook at @ChooseYourWayBellevue.

You need to sign up for the challenge and log your trips to be eligible.

Where to go after dark

Plan your route with Google Maps or OneBusAway before you head out.

Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink 
The rink opens Nov. 13 at Bellevue Downtown Park and runs through Jan. 18. Find hours and tickets on the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink website.

Light rail: Take the 2 Line to Bellevue Downtown Station. From there, it’s about a 12-minute walk west along the Grand Connection pedestrian corridor.

Bus: Routes serving Bellevue Transit Center, a short walk from the park, include 220, 226, 240, 249, 250, 270, RapidRide B Line, 532, 535, 556, 560, 566.

BellHop: Request a free BellHop via the Circuit app for a ride from the station to the park.

Snowflake Lane 
The nightly parade runs on Bellevue Way between NE Fourth and NE Eighth streets at 7 p.m. from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. It’s a short walk from both Bellevue Downtown Station and Bellevue Transit Center.

Some streets close and some bus routes detour during the parade. Check King County Metro service advisories before you head out.

Garden d’Lights 
Bellevue Botanical Garden lights up with more than half a million lights from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3. The Garden is closed Christmas Day.

Tickets: Tickets are sold online for half-hour entry windows, so plan your trip to arrive on time. Find tickets, special nights and event details on the Garden d’Lights website.

Getting there: Request a free BellHop via the Circuit app for a ride to the Garden’s drop-off zone, or find a transit route with Google Maps or OneBusAway.

Redmond Lights

Take the 2 Line to Downtown Redmond Station, then walk about five minutes to Downtown Park. Redmond Lights runs Saturday, Dec. 5 through Jan. 4 and kicks off with live entertainment on Dec. 5 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

On the platform, board a 2 Line train headed to Downtown Redmond. For the ride home, board a train headed to Lynnwood City Center. On Sundays, the last train toward Bellevue leaves Downtown Redmond at 11:03 p.m.

Tips for getting around after dark

Be seen: Wear light-colored or reflective layers. If you’re biking, use front and rear lights.

Plan your ride home: The 2 Line runs from 5 a.m. – 12 a.m. Monday - Saturday and 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Sundays. Trains come every 12 - 16 minutes late at night, so check your last train before you head out.

Dress for the weather: A rain layer and warm accessories make waiting at a stop or walking between destinations more comfortable.

Share the ride: Heading out with friends? Carpooling counts, and it makes the trip home more fun.