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Families and friends can celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Bellevue with various events, including festive photo experiences, holiday markets, and dining options for Thanksgiving. Highlights include the Snowflake Lane parade and the enchanting Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Numerous local venues will host events from late November through December.
The City Council approved a $600,000 investment for immigrant and refugee legal assistance, food, and financial support. This funding follows community requests and builds on previous allocations for urgent needs. The council also reviewed updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance and co-living housing regulations.
Bellevue Naturalists invite applications for a free training program aimed at cultivating environmental volunteers from the community. Training runs from February 5 to April 23, 2026, with Bellevue residents receiving selection priority. Volunteers must commit to 100 hours of service post-training.
Bellevue will host a graduation ceremony for the 2025 Bellevue Essentials program featuring keynote speaker Kevin P. Henry, a former city diversity leader. Henry aims to inspire 36 graduates with insights on leadership and community engagement. The event, open to the public, will take place on November 19 at City Hall.
Bellevue has appointed Bindi Lassige as the new director of human resources and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, starting on November 24. Lassige brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience, including a decade at the Gates Foundation, where she focused on equity and organizational accountability. She succeeds Joy St. Germain, who retires after 36 years of public service.
Bellevue's Community Programming Fund has supported nearly 40 events this year, including a book giveaway and a night market. The program aims to unite residents and visitors in public spaces and may continue next year with a focus on series-based programming and World Cup themes.
Bellevue allocates $235,000 to support local food assistance agencies following federal SNAP benefit cuts affecting families. The funding will distribute resources to 11 community organizations and provide grocery gift cards to those in need.
Bellevue Utilities updates its storm and surface water, drinking water, and wastewater plans to ensure reliable services and environmental protection. Residents can provide feedback through an online survey by November 12 and apply to join a focus group to discuss community water priorities.
Bellevue's Code and Policy team will host a hybrid town hall on November 17 to discuss proposed code amendments impacting development and housing. Community members can participate in person or virtually to learn about upcoming projects and engage with city planners.
Bellevue seeks organizations to provide culturally and linguistically specific opioid education and prevention services, offering up to $10,000 for the initiative in 2026. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on November 19, aiming to enhance connections between crisis response workers and community groups.