What’s New for Golden Hour Unboxed

We post news here as it happens. Check back before you come. If you registered, we also email the big items — but this page is always the most current.

• August 17, 2026

  Who is this night for? Everyone.

  You do not have to be a business owner. You do not have to know anyone. Come however you like.

  • Come to shop. Fifteen Black-owned businesses and makers will have tables, from candles and art to sea moss, sauce, jewelry and clothing.
  • Come to listen. We have storytellers, live music, and a pitch showcase where founders share their ideas out loud.
  • Come to give. Bring school supplies for our Pack the Box drive. Every box goes to students who need it.
  • Come for the garden. Walk the paths, sit in the light, and enjoy one of the prettiest places on the Eastside.
  • Come to meet people. Community groups will be tabling too, with information on housing, water safety, retirement savings, the library and more.

  Bring your family. Bring a friend. Bring your curiosity. There is room for all of it.

• August 17, 2026

  Weather, what to wear, and what to bring

  Right now the National Weather Service says Sunday will be near 76 degrees and mostly cloudy. That is close to perfect for an evening in the garden. Forecasts change, so check again on Saturday. We will update this page if anything shifts.

  It will get cooler once the sun goes down. Bring a light jacket or a wrap for around eight o’clock. If the sun comes out, bring a parasol, a sun hat, or sunglasses. The light at that hour is worth being outside for.

  Wear shoes you can walk and stand in. You will be on your feet most of the night. Dress is garden casual — wear what makes you feel good.

• August 17, 2026

  Accessibility at the garden

  Most of the main paths are packed gravel, built to meet ADA standards, so they work for wheelchairs and walkers. There are several disabled parking spots in the lot, and accessible restrooms near the Trillium Store.

  One thing to know: the garden does not lend wheelchairs. Please bring your own equipment.

  We will have chairs inside the Aaron Education Center for anyone who needs to sit. If you have a specific need, email katoya@toyboxconsulting.net ahead of time and we will plan for it.

  For anything about the facility itself, the garden’s own site is the best source: bellevuebotanical.org/accessibility

• August 17, 2026

  Service animals yes, pets no

  Service animals are welcome. No other pets are allowed at Bellevue Botanical Garden, so please leave your dog at home for this one. That is the garden’s rule and it applies to every visitor.

• August 17, 2026

  Please check in, and expect a full room

  We are expecting a full house. Checking in at the front table only takes a minute, and it helps our team take good care of you.

  The Aaron Education Center has a set capacity. We will watch the room so it never gets too full, which means we may ask you to step out to the patio or the garden for a little while. Please come with some flexibility.

  This is a relaxed night, not a sit-down dinner. Walk around, meet people, and go where the good conversation is. There will be snacks, and we will raise a toast together.

• August 17, 2026

  Bringing the family

  All ages are welcome and families are encouraged to come together. The garden is a living collection, so please keep everyone on the paths and watch little ones near the flower beds. Strollers do fine on the main pathways.

• August 17, 2026

  If you are a business owner, bring your cards

  Bring business cards, and bring a sample of what you make if you would like to. Only our vendors can sell that night, but you are very welcome to talk about your work with anyone you meet. That is the whole point of this room.

• August 17, 2026

  Come early and walk the garden

  Bellevue Botanical Garden is open to everyone all afternoon, and late August is one of the prettiest times of year to be there. The city takes care of this garden for all of us. Please do more than walk from your car to the door — come early, take the paths, and make an evening of it.