Saturday is pulling double duty this week — Holi turns Crossroads Park into a giant color fight in the morning, and Kelsey Creek Farm is dressing ponies in green for St. Patrick's Day in the afternoon. Two completely different celebrations, same day, both worth showing up for. Plus: a cafe comeback downtown, and a hidden garden most people walk right past. Here's your plan.
This Week's Adventures
Six hours of color throws, live music, and cultural celebration — and it's free. Holi is the Hindu festival of spring and color, and Bellevue's version at Crossroads is open to everyone. Wear white (or at least clothes you don't mind turning pink and orange), bring the kids, and prepare to get thoroughly covered in color powder. This is the kind of event where your phone photos will look incredible and your car seats will never fully recover.
More info →Dress a pony in green, make a St. Patrick's Day craft, and hunt for leprechaun gold. This one's for the little ones — ages 4 to 8, one hour, adult/child teams only. Pre-registration is required and spots fill fast, so check availability now.
More info →How to garden smarter in a changing climate — drought-ready planting, water conservation, and what to actually put in the ground this spring. Presented by the NW Perennial Alliance. If you've been staring at your yard wondering what survives out here now, this is the one.
More info →If you haven't started the summer camp scramble yet, this is your shortcut. Local camp providers all in one place — compare programs, ask questions, and sign the kids up before the good ones fill. Free to attend.
More info →New in the Neighborhood
The downtown Bellevue favorite has reopened and launched a Kickstarter to fund the next chapter. If you missed their coffee and community vibe, now's the time to show up and welcome them back.
More info →Their spring seasonal just went on tap — light, floral, and perfect for the first warm-ish weekends. Flights available. Grab one on a patio if the sun cooperates.
More info →Seasonal Spotlight
Tucked behind the Bellevue Botanical Garden's main paths, there's a walled garden most visitors walk right past. In early March, it's where the first daffodils and crocuses show up weeks before the rest of the garden catches up. Grab a coffee from the nearby Mercurys and take the gravel path past the Yao Garden — you'll see the stone archway on your left. Best on a weekday morning when you'll likely have it to yourself.
More info →Family Picks
Do both on Saturday
Holi runs all day, so you could throw colors in the morning and head to Kelsey Creek Farm for leprechaun gold in the afternoon. If your kids are 4–8, this is a pretty perfect Saturday. For Holi — pack a change of clothes and towels. For Kelsey Creek — register ahead of time, it's a small group.
Summer camp season is coming
The camps fair on Sunday at Bellevue College is free and gets all the local providers in one room. If you're the parent who signs up early, this is your day. If you're the parent who scrambles in June, this is also your day.
The jazz jam is a sleeper hit for older kids
If you've got a teen who plays (or wants to), the JazzClubsNW sessions are a low-pressure way to sit in with other students. And if you just want to listen, it's a free Thursday evening with live music. Next one is March 26.
Mark Your Calendar
Transfer botanical images onto wood, tile, or stone using melted beeswax. Unique date night or solo creative afternoon. $31.50 for members, $45 for non-members.
More info →A full day of live classical music at Crossroads — professional and amateur musicians performing nonstop from morning to evening. Drop in for ten minutes or three hours. No tickets, no schedule to follow, just music all day. Free.
More info →Two hours, all supplies provided, show up and help. Great for teens who need volunteer hours, and a nice way to meet neighbors on a Saturday morning. Free.
More info →Character meet-and-greets, activities, and performances for the little royals in your life. Check Eventbrite for tickets.
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