Bellevue · Nov 12 to Nov 18

This week in Bellevue.

The dated things to know between now and next Thursday, from issue 9 of the Bellevue Dispatch. Every item links its public source.

What the city decided and what changed

The budget now carries a 0.1% transportation sales tax

On Nov. 3, council voted 5–1 for a hybrid option that uses the Transportation Benefit District for a 0.1%, 10-year sales tax, with no car-tab fee increase.

$15 million is set aside to move Fire Station 6

Council unanimously designated $15 million in long-range planning reserves to buy land for a new site for the aging station.

Free naturalist training opens for the Class of 2027

Classes run Jan. 26 to April 29, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with some Saturday field trips.

BEACON, the city's equity and outreach advisory network, is adding members

It advises the city on making programs and services easier to reach.

get ready for the first windstorm

Windstorm season is the time to set this up, before the lights go out.

Why the fire-damaged building on 100th Avenue NE near NE 1st Street is still standing, and whether anything is planned

A reader in Downtown asked why the fire-damaged building on 100th Avenue NE near NE 1st Street is still standing, and whether anything is planned.

On the calendar

Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink

Nov 13 to Jan 18 · Daily; hours vary by day · Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 NE 4th St. The outdoor seasonal rink in Downtown Park, run by the Bellevue Downtown Association, opens for its 2026-27 season. Organizer's page

City of Bellevue offices closed

Nov 26 to Dec 25 · Nov 26, Nov 27 and Dec 25 · Bellevue City Hall and city offices. City offices close for Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Organizer's page

King County transfer stations closed on Thanksgiving

Nov 26 · All day · King County solid waste facilities, including the Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station. King County offices and its transfer stations and recycling facilities close on Thanksgiving Day; garbage pickup changes come from your own hauler. Organizer's page

Sound Transit holiday schedules

Nov 26 to Jan 1 · Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day · Link light rail and ST Express. Link and ST Express run Sunday schedules on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day; on Nov 27 Link runs a Saturday schedule and ST Express a weekday one. Organizer's page

Snowflake Lane

Nov 27 to Dec 24 · 7 PM nightly · Bellevue Way NE between NE 4th and NE 8th St (Bellevue Square to Lincoln Square). A nightly street parade of drummers, dancers and Santa with machine-made snow, now in its 22nd year. Organizer's page

Wintergarden Tree Lighting

Nov 27 · After the 7 PM Snowflake Lane parade · Bellevue Place Wintergarden. Santa counts down to lighting a 30-foot tree, with photos, holiday music, cookies and cocoa. Organizer's page

Garden d'Lights

Nov 28 to Jan 3 · 4:30 PM first entry; last entry 9 PM (8 PM on $5 nights) · Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St. The botanical garden's paths are lit for evening walks through the holidays; closed Christmas Day. Organizer's page

The full holiday guide

Bellevue, once a week

Get this every Thursday at 6 AM.

The Bellevue Dispatch is a free five-minute email every Thursday at 6 AM. One section is written for your own neighborhood.

Add your address and once a month your neighborhood block includes an estimate of what your home would sell for today. Kept private and never sold.

Free. One email a week, Thursday 6 AM. Unsubscribe in one click. Your email stays with the Bellevue Dispatch: never sold, never given to advertisers, and shared with no one unless you tick the box. Our standards.