Sample season's magic at Snowflake Lane, Garden d'Lights

Head to the ice rink at Bellevue Downtown Park for more wintry fun, daily (except Christmas Day) through Jan. 11. The outdoor rink is partly covered, with warming hut, spectator area, food concessions and rental skates.

Garden d'Lights holiday light sculptures transform Bellevue Botanical Garden into a fantasy holiday garden that blooms from 5-10 every evening, a short drive away from downtown Bellevue. Inspired by plants found in Northwest gardens and assembled by volunteers, the 500,000-light display includes animal characters children can look for with a "Critter Hunt" map available at the visitor center.

Magic Season attractions are as popular as ever this year, spokesman Patrick Bannon said. Parking and sidewalk space are easier to find on weekdays and there's more room on the skating rink during the week, with the exception of Monday's popular free-skating days. Downtown Bellevue parking is free and usually plentiful. Garden d'Lights brightens rainy evenings with smaller crowds.

Bellevue Square and many other downtown shops and restaurants are open extended hours for holiday shopping, and Bellevue Botanical Garden's gift shop is open evenings with gardening books, tools, accessories and decorative botanical-themed items for nature lovers.

The details

Snowflake Lane: 7 p.m. daily through Dec. 24, then as Celebration Lane, 7 p.m. Dec. 26-31, along the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and Northeast Eighth Street, Bellevue. 425-454-8096 or www.magicseason.com.

Getting there: From Interstate 405 via Highway 520 or I-90, take Exit 13B west onto Northeast Eighth Street or Exit 13A to Northeast Fourth Street, Bellevue; free parking at Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square; free parking with merchant validation until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, other times free at Bellevue Place.

Ice arena: 3-9 p.m. today, 3-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 3-9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 1-9 p.m. Wednesday, 3-9 p.m. Dec. 18, 3-11 p.m. Dec. 19, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Dec. 20-23, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 4, 3-9 p.m. Jan. 5-6, 1-9 p.m. Jan. 7, 3-9 p.m. Jan. 8, 3-11 p.m. Jan. 9, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Jan. 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 11, Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; $10 with skate rental, $7 if you bring your own ice skates; free skating Mondays with pass from Bank of America Bellevue locations. 425-453-1223 or www.magicseason.com.

Getting there: From I-405, Exit 13A West, take Northeast Fourth Street to Bellevue Way, turn left onto Bellevue Way, then right onto Northeast Fourth Street; from I-90, exit at Bellevue Way, turn left onto Northeast Second Street. Free three-hour parking while skating available in two city parking lots adjacent to the park.

Garden d'Lights: 5-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 3, Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue; free, donations encouraged. Dogs and other pets not allowed. Garden gift shop open 4-10 p.m. daily. 425-452-2750 or www.bellevuebotanical.org.

Getting there: From I-405, take the Northeast Eighth Street exit. Go east on Eighth, turn right onto 120th Avenue Northeast, then left onto Main Street. Parking at the garden $5, parking at Wilburton Park free.