Bellevue celebrates Welcoming Week

Published August 31 2026

Welcoming Week is a national celebration that brings together neighbors of all backgrounds, especially those who are immigrants and refugees, to build strong connections and affirm the importance of inclusive communities. The City of Bellevue will celebrate through a variety of free and low-cost public events at City Hall and Bellevue community centers throughout September.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, the city's biennial Experience Bellevue! program will serve as the flagship event for this year's Welcoming Week festivities. The community is invited to City Hall, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., to explore, connect and feel at home together through diverse, family-friendly activities.

"Welcoming Week is our chance to open the doors of city government and show everyone belongs here," said Mayor Mo Malakoutian. "When longtime residents, newcomers, immigrants and refugees all come together, we strengthen the bonds that make Bellevue such a vibrant, compassionate community. I'm grateful to every neighbor who shows up to welcome one another fully."

East King County has been celebrating Welcoming Week since 2016 with events hosted by local nonprofits, neighborhood associations, the King County Library System and the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond and Sammamish. Eastside for All is the hub for Eastside Welcoming Week and hosts a calendar of events.

The City of Bellevue is committed to creating welcoming and inclusive places where everyone can prosper together. The mayors of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish will issue a joint proclamation inviting the community to connect across differences at Welcoming Week events.

For alternate formats, interpreters or reasonable accommodations, please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-7855 (voice) or email [email protected]. For complaints regarding accommodations, contact the city's ADA, Title VI and equal opportunity officer at 425-452-6168 (voice).