Play Date! Breakfast With Santa, Dickens Carolers, Tree Lighting & Firehouse Munch

Nov. 30: at Bellevue Way and NE 8th

• 7 p.m.
• Join the nightly display of lights, music, live toy soldiers drumming and magical snow until December 24th.  Line up prior to 7 p.m. along the sidewalks of the Bellevue Collection (, and ). 
• Cost: Free

Nov. 30, Dec. 5th, 6th and 7th: Free Nights at

• 5 pm to 10 pm
• For the whole family.
• Enjoy seeing the Bellevue Botanical Garden transformed into the magical Garden D’Lights by over a half a million lights.
• Cost: Free. No tickets are required on Free Nights but it is “first come, first serve” as capacity allows, so plan to come early or late. Directions and information on parking options is available online.

Dec. 1: Reindeer Festival at the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah

• 10 am to 4:30 pm daily, Dec. 1 to 23rd, 11 am to 3 pm Dec. 26 to 30th
• For all ages
• Visit Santa’s reindeer, mail a letter to Santa while waiting to have photos taken with Santa and hear a holiday story read by an elf. While you are at the zoo visit the Bengal tigers and new cougar cubs too.
• Cost: $12.50 adult or $10.50 two to 12 (includes admission to the entire zoo), under age two are free.

Dec. 2: Mercer Island Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch

• 7 PM to 9 pm
• For kids of all ages
• Gather at the for the tree lighting then move to the North Fire Station for the Firehouse munch. Don’t forget your camera for photos with Santa.
• Cost: Free. Families may choose to donate a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots gift drive.

Dec. 3: Breakfast with Santa

• 10 am to noon
• At the Mercer Room in the .
• Families with kids of all ages
• Enjoy a delicious brunch and visits with Santa and his elves. Bring your camera. 
• Cost: $7 per adult, $5 per child This popular event fills fast so call 206 275-7609 to reserve your family’s spots.

Dec. 3: The Dickens Carolers at the

• 3:30 to 4 p.m.
• At the
• Families with kids of all ages
• Carolers adorned in Victorian dress sing holiday favorites in four-part harmonies.
• Cookies and punch provided by the
• Cost: Free

Dec 4: Drop In Gym for Special Needs Kids and Teens at the

• 2 pm to 4 pm
• Enjoy a new program for special needs kids and teens ages five to fifteen.  Meet up with friends and family to enjoy playing in facility with your child or teen. The facility is not staffed so supervision by a parent or caregiver is required at all times. Next drop in gym for Special Needs Kids and Teens will be Dec. 18th.
• Questions? Call 206 275-7609
• Cost: $3.25 per resident, $4.50 for non-residents of Mercer Island.

Sweet Deals

Cyber Week Sales

• Deal: “Cyber Monday” has been extended into a week long sale of online deals from major retailers including Toys R Us and Target.  A list of retailers offering online sales this week and the top items and prices is available online here and here. 
• Good Through: December 3

Fred Meyer

• Deal: Friends and Family Discount Days. Shop like a Fred Meyer employee when you use these reusable online coupons you print off and can use again every time you shop for savings including up to 15% off toys, 20% off jewelry and 10% off electronics. And the discount can be combined with other coupons and existing store sales for extra savings.
• Good Through: December 1