You don’t have to travel all the way to Alaska, Greenland, or the Scandinavian countries to see the gorgeous northern lights (also known as Aurora Borealis). You just have to get to Bellevue, Washington! Every year, the city hosts a breathtaking festival called Borealis that shows thousands of people the splendor and wonder of seeing the northern lights up close and personal.

Information About the Festival

The Borealis Festival of Light is a free event that shows off light art and projection mapping. From start to finish, many colorful beams of light are projected onto surfaces that highlight key visual effects. If you’ve seen colors in a kaleidoscope, you’ll understand how the lighting and illusions appear on walls during each performance.

This festival takes place in a neighborhood that’s called South Lake Union. It runs from October 9–13, 2019. Everyone who attends is taken on a walking tour through the area as lights illuminate the surroundings. Along the way, different international and regional artists use their skills to make the illuminations stand out.

There are two components to Borealis. The first is the country’s largest competitive video-mapped projection contest. Artists will show off a series of light-based installations across the façade of the Museum of History and Industry. The second is the South Lake Union tour, which shows light installations in plazas, parks, nooks, piers, and water surfaces.

Hotels by the Festival

The Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside has amenities that will make a weekend trip to the Borealis Festival so much more fun. There’s a heated indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and a great in-house restaurant. The hotel is in the heart of Bellevue’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district known as the Bellevue Collection, making it easy to find something to do.

The Hilton Bellevue is conveniently located near I-405 and I-90 and just ten minutes from downtown. It offers a complimentary shuttle to nearby locations, a large fitness center, and a heated outdoor pool.

Convenient Ways to Visit the Festival

If you want quick access to the Festival of Light, rent a car after arriving in Bellevue. The top rental companies in the city are Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and National Rental Car. You can also visit destinations South Lake Union by shuttle.

However, if you’re going to use a shuttle, arrive near the neighborhood early, and plan activities that will keep you occupied until the festival begins. During the day after the festival is over, Bellevue is an easy city to walk to stores and restaurants.

Food Worth Trying Before the Festival

If possible, eat a light meal before the Festival of Light begins. A hardy meal isn’t the best option because you’ll have to walk around a lot during the light tour. You can get delicious sandwiches and salads before the festival at Homegrown.

While attending the Festival of Light, you’ll focus on colorful and vibrant beams throughout the event. Where you stand will impact your experience, so you must get to a great spot early, so save up your appetite for after the show.

Published: 2019-09-25 08:26:11