11th Annual Winter Festival
Redmond Lights is Redmond’s winter festival. It began modestly in 1999 with a stroll down the Sammamish River Trail and has developed into a cherished tradition for many Redmond families.
Each year, families and friends gather at City Hall for food, music and a traditional tree lighting then walk down the Sammamish River Trail lined with luminaries and filled with music from a variety of cultures, ending up at Redmond Town Center for more food, fun and holiday entertainment.
Redmond Lights has always been a festival about diversity. Many cultures and faiths have celebrations during the winter season – often helping to bring light to dark winter nights. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Yule and Diwali all use fire, candles and light to brighten the spirits around the darkest days of the year.
www.redmondlights.com
Light up the Night
Weather and wind permitting, this year’s Redmond Lights will host a balloon glow near the end of the trail in the meadow west of Redmond Town Center. A balloon glow is a series of tethered hot air balloons filled with light as the balloon pilots burn the propane flames. If you have never seen this, it is a magical treat.
Warm Your Toes
At Luke McRedmond Park, you will be able to warm up at one of the several bonfires burning as you listen to music.
Sound and Light
As part of Redmond Lights and an introduction to the Digital Arts Festival on January 15 and 16, a unique sculpture will be erected at Redmond Town Center. The Sonic Forest, by artist/architect Christopher Janney, is a large, interactive sound and light sculpture.
This sculpture is one of Janney’s urban instruments played when people wave their hands in different places on the sculpture. If you are a musician, you are welcome to come with your instrument and jam with the sculpture and everyone else who comes to play. If you aren’t a musician now, you will become one when you enter the forest!
Sleigh Bells Ring
Merchants at Redmond Town Center will give away jingle bells beginning November 27. Bring these bells to Redmond Lights and at 8pm everyone will gather at Center Court to participate in a community chorus of bells to the tune of Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
Blink, Blink, Blink
At Redmond City Hall, more light displays will sparkle and more activities for the kids will keep everyone entertained. This year’s souvenir blinkers will be distributed from a booth at City Hall as everyone waits for the arrival of Santa to lead a very special tree lighting.
Whatever winter traditions you celebrate, whether it is Hanukkah, Christmas, Ramadan, Kwanzaa or the joy of the winter season, come join the whole community in celebrating Redmond’s winter tradition, Redmond Lights.
