Fall Activities in Bellevue

The crisp cool air, and golden rays of sunlight dance on red leaves. There’s a faint smell of cinnamon and excitement that lingers everywhere, for fall is finally here! In Bellevue, WA, there is a seamless transition from one gorgeous season to another, and Summer to Fall is no exception. Although we are sad to see Summertime go, we are excited for all the fun Fall activities Bellevue has to offer! Bellevue’s central location makes it the perfect base camp for visitors looking to explore Washington this fall. Here are some fun things to do this fall guaranteed to bring on all the fall feels.

Here are just a few ways to celebrate the season’s newest colors in Bellevue. For a full lineup, visit our events calendar!

Experience the Harry Potter: Magic At Play in Bellevue

Harry PotterTM: Magic at Play is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the Wizarding World to life through hands-on magical moments and active play for witches and wizards of all ages. Doors open on November 10 at the Shops at Bravern in Bellevue. 

Explore multiple rooms of fun inspired by Harry’s own adventures in discovering the Wizarding World, packed with playful celebrations of your favorite places and moments. Journey from Privet Drive to Platform 9 ¾™, discover and represent your Hogwarts™ house, make your own magic in Hogwarts™ classes, find your position on the Quidditch team, and so much more! Dust off your house robes and practice your swish and flick, because this journey will bring out the young witch or wizard in all of us.

Tickets are available now at: https://harrypottermagicatplay.com/ 

Outdoor Fall Activities- Pumpkin Patches, Apple Picking, And Corn Mazes

Fall is the time for harvesting and enjoying nature’s bounty before winter sets in. Bellevue and the surrounding areas have a rich agricultural history that sets the stage perfectly for the quintessential autumn with brightly colored leaves, heaping baskets of apples, rows of pumpkins, and mazes of corn. The best part about exploring the fall farm activities, is that there is usually delicious treats like kettle corn, candied apples, and cider involved!

KELSEY CREEK FARMS

A seasonal Bellevue tradition, the Kelsey Creek Farm Fair is happening on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 11-4 pm celebrating everything the fall season has to offer. Fun, family activities including crafts, inflatables, entertainment, tractor rides, and vintage tractor displays will be on full display. Entry to the fair is free and costs vary for food and activities. Complimentary shuttles will run from Wilburton Park and Ride and Bannerwood Sports Park.  For more information, please email kelseycreekfarm@bellevuewa.gov.

APPLE PICKING AT SWAN TRAILS FARM

Swan Trail Farms has a Farm Festival that runs from September 25 to October 31st. Just 40 minutes North of Bellevue, the farm offers U-pick famed Cosmic Crisp Apples, a petting farm, Washington State corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a cider mill, and more!

REMLINGER FARMS

35 minutes East of Bellevue, Remlinger Farms has a sizable Fall Festival that runs for six consecutive weekends during the season: Starting September 30th to October 31st, enjoy the U-pick pumpkin patch, canoe rides, the giant slide, and pumpkin pie spiced mini donuts.

There are also many pumpkin patches near Bellevue! Some of the closest ones include:

  • Serres Farm (18-minute drive):
    Pumpkin patch open in late September featuring animal train, corn maze, an U-pick pumpkins.
  • Fall City Farm (28-minute drive):
    Farm Store and U-Pick Pumpkin Patch opens September 28!
    October Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-6pm and Sundays from 10am to 5pm September 30th- October 29th. 
  • Two Brothers Pumpkin Patch at Game Haven Greenery (40-minute drive):
    Pumpkin Patch is open daily beginning Saturday, September 30 and runs through October 31
    Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:30am-6pm
  • Craven Farms (40-minute drive):
    Farm Festival open daily from September 16th – October 29th
    Hours: Daily from 9:30am-dusk

Where To See The Fall Leaves In Bellevue:

Fall is the perfect time to plan a hike: The temperature is cooler, the trails are less crowded and the leaves are changing colors! Leaf-peeping is a must on any Bellevue autumn itinerary.

For the urban hikers:

Bellevue’s parks, trails, and forests are bursting with colorful foliage! Located near downtown, the Bellevue Botanical Garden offers visitors 53-acres of gardens, meadows, wetlands, and woodlands to explore picturesque fall colors. The Gardens are free and open from dawn to dusk every day!

Or, if you’re looking for an all-day adventure, the Lake to Lake Greenway Trail offers nearly 100 miles of hiking terrain from east to west, connecting Lake Sammamish to Lake Washington. Wind through boggy wetlands, towering forests and historic farms across nine parks throughout Bellevue.

Other nearby gorgeous trails with fall colors include:

For the thrill-seekers:

Bellevue is an ideal basecamp for thrill-seekers wanting to explore three different national parks. Venture through the fall foliage of the North Cascades National Park during the day and coming back to an array of dining options at night. Less than 2 hours away, Mount Rainier National Park is famous for the iconic peak that is a staple of the Washington landscape and provides hiking trails ascending to the more than 14,00 feet above sea level.

How to get there: Evergreen Escapes offer several day-trip excursions leaving from Downtown Bellevue! Or you can sign up for a course on fall day hikes and backpacking in the area from REI!

An Artful Autumn!

Looking to bring more color and fun to the fall season? Bellevue has some great exhibits and performances that are sure to inspire.

DRACULA

The cult classic Dracula returns to the Meydenbauer stage for a three-night showing from October 27-29. Presented by the International Ballet Theatre, the performance features fanciful floating set pieces, undying love, dark drama, and a little bit of humor. This spooktacular performance is a must-see on our list, and recommend purchasing tickets soon!

Positive Fragmentation Art Exhibit

The Bellevue Arts Museum has a new art exhibition running from September 30, 2023 - March 10, 2024. "Positive Fragmentation: From the Collections of the Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation" is an exhibition showcasing over 200 prints from contemporary women artists, each utilizing fragmentation—deconstructing and reconstructing ideas and objects—as a key artistic approach. The range of artworks is vast, from those that highlight the human body to ones that draw inspiration from the dynamism of urban landscapes. This exhibition stands out for its emphasis on women artists of color, a demographic historically underrepresented in museum collections and showcases. Among the renowned featured artists are Polly Apfelbaum, Judy Chicago, Jenny Holzer, Kara Walker, and several others, each contributing their unique vision to this groundbreaking collection.

Fall Festivals in Bellevue

The Pacific Northwest is made of a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions. Fall is a great time to explore and learn about the different cultures that make our region so beautiful. This year we have multiple festivals that celebrate time-honored traditions and highlight our different cultures.

The Northwest Chocolate Festival

October 1 & 2 | Issaquah, Washington

Just 15 minutes east of Bellevue you’ll find yourself in the neighboring City of Issaquah where the fabled Issaquah Salmon Days takes place on October 1 & 2.  What initially began as an art show to celebrate the miraculous return of salmon grew to become a marketplace for more than 270 on-site artists selling their handcrafted art pieces to a crowd of more than 180,000 people. This award-winning fall season kick-off event has grown to become an incredibly popular celebratory event that combines arts, culture, and entertainment for an incredibly enjoyable experience.

ISSAQUAH SALMON DAYS

October 1 & 2 | Issaquah, Washington

Just 15 minutes east of Bellevue you’ll find yourself in the neighboring City of Issaquah where the fabled Issaquah Salmon Days takes place on October 1 & 2.  What initially began as an art show to celebrate the miraculous return of salmon grew to become a marketplace for more than 270 on-site artists selling their handcrafted art pieces to a crowd of more than 180,000 people. This award-winning fall season kick-off event has grown to become an incredibly popular celebratory event that combines arts, culture, and entertainment for an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Bellevue's Jazz & Blues Music Series

October 7-8 | Bellevue

Established in 2008 by the Bellevue Downtown Association, the Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series is more than an event - it's a testament to the city's unyielding passion for music. The very best in national and regional talent takes center stage, promising an unforgettable auditory adventure. Highlighted artists include:

  • Stacy Jones: Feel the intense rhythm and blues from this award-winning Seattle singer-songwriter.
  • Pearl Django: Surrender to the enchanting rhythms of one of the most celebrated Hot Club style groups.
  • Gail Pettis: A former orthodontist, she now entrances audiences with her mesmerizing jazz vocals.


Come visit for the perfect fall getaway in Bellevue!

Bellevue in the fall is a tapestry of vibrant colors, rich traditions, and unforgettable experiences. From wandering through the golden hues of our parks to indulging in the sensory delights at our seasonal festivals, every moment spent here is a cherished memory in the making. As the leaves transform and the air grows crisper, there's no better place to immerse oneself in all the wonders of the season. Whether you're an art enthusiast, an adventure-seeker, or someone who just appreciates the simple joys of autumn, Bellevue welcomes you with open arms. So, pack that cozy sweater, mark your calendars, and let Bellevue be your fall getaway destination. Experience firsthand why fall in Bellevue is truly unparalleled.