When: Every evening from November 24 through December 24, 2023. The show begins at 7 p.m.

 

Where: On Bellevue Way between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets

 

Snowflake Lane is a spectacular holiday production put on every year as a gift to the community from the Kemper Freeman Family and The Bellevue Collection. The parade dazzles visiting guests, who enjoy the wonder of falling snow, sparkling lights, festive music, toy drummers and dancers in this complimentary nightly parade of holiday floats.

 

Snowflake Lane is Kemper Freeman’s vision to create a family-centric and free holiday experience that would take place nightly over the entire holiday season. Fast forward to 19 years later, the parade now draws nearly 400,000 guests over 31 nights of the holiday season.

 

To create this event, Freeman reached out to a local specialist in the performance arena and a college friend, Greg Thompson, owner of Greg Thompson Productions. With the partnership of The Bellevue Collection marketing team and local sound, lighting and set-building companies, Snowflake Lane became a reality to celebrate the opening of Lincoln Square North as part of The Bellevue Collection in 2005. The magic of the nightly snow and the colorful spectacle of the performers drew growing crowds each year and the sidewalk show evolved into a large street parade delighting thousands every night.

 

For the community, Snowflake Lane has become a generational family experience where the tradition continues each year. Families return dressed in festive hats or sweaters as part of their annual family gathering for the holidays. The parade continues to draw new attendees from near and far, with many regional and international visitors coming to see this one-of-a-kind show.

 

Planning for an event of this scale takes months and coordinated efforts with The Bellevue Collection team and their many partners behind the scenes ensure each night is a magical occasion. The décor comes alive with an operations team who brings the technical magic, such as lighting effects, audio production and a snow show. The Greg Thompson Production team brought Kemper’s imagination to life, designing 16-holiday floats and choreographing 180 performers in custom-crafted costumes. The Bellevue Collection is committed to safety and security, working closely with the City of Bellevue departments, including management, police, fire and transportation for this nightly event.