City events take center stage in It's Your City

Published June 30 2026

If it seems like there are more events happening in Bellevue these days, it's not your imagination. The city is supporting more events this year than it ever has before. It's also making it easier for people to host their own events here, which could be eligible for city grants or may require permits.

The increase in programming, including World Cup-related events, is featured in the Summer-Fall issue of It's Your City, which is going to residential and business addresses in Bellevue this week. Other highlights from the resident newsletter include:

• Budget discussions: The City Council has begun discussing the 2027-28 budget, with consideration of options to fund infrastructure investments that will support future growth and council priorities.
• Beaver deceivers: When beavers started damming up Richards Creek this spring, causing persistent flooding on Southeast 26th Street and Kamber Road, Bellevue Utilities engineers got creative.
• New pop-up off-leash dog areas: Bellevue dog owners have more places to let their pets play freely, with the city opening new pop-up, off-leash areas at three locations across Bellevue.

For this issue's Council Corner column, Councilmember Vishal Bhargava discusses how good local government is built on accountability and results. "Every major initiative should ultimately be judged by a simple question: Did it work?" he notes.

The next issue of It's Your City will come out in November. If you have questions or comments, please contact [email protected]. You can access back issues of the newsletter at It's Your City.