Garden d’Lights illuminates holidays with half million lights

Published November 15 2022

Garden d’Lights, one of Bellevue’s signature events, opens on Saturday, Nov. 26, and will run nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31, 4:30-9 p.m., excluding Christmas Day.

Tickets – $8 for adults; free for children 10 and under – must be purchased online and are date- and time-specific. Tickets are required for everyone, including children, and are not sold at the event.

Parking in the garden’s lot is available for $5 per car (cash and credit/debit cards), or free with a state-issued disability parking permit. Free parking is available at Wilburton Hill Park, approximately a quarter-mile mile east of the Botanical Garden.

Approximately 130 volunteers donate 6,400 hours over an 11-month period to create an array of botanically correct plants, animals and natural features – including poinsettias, a fire breathing dragon and waterfalls – using incandescent and energy-saving LED lights, zip ties and rebar. New features this year include a snail, fairy door and a spot for photos just outside the education center. And live music from local groups will return to the event this year.

Last year, more than 70,000 visitors enjoyed the light show.

Garden d’Lights started in 1994 to entice visitors to the Garden during the winter. The event is made possible through a partnership of the Parks & Community Services Department and the nonprofit Bellevue Botanical Garden Society.