Family Fun at the Festival of Trees

By Rachel H and Guest Blogger Mary Craig Tennille

Although I must admit that I was not happy hearing Christmas music playing in the stores on Halloween day, this past week of falling leaves and chilly weather has started to get me excited for the holidays! The Festival of Trees is one of my favorite events of the holidays. My family attends every year, and my children always look forward to having their picture taken with Santa without the long line at the mall! They love the crafts and the gingerbread houses! I enjoy the Christmas trees, the vendors and the performances. If you have never been, you'll be ready to go after reading about all the fun below! ... Rachel H

If you’re looking to treat your kids to some fun and support a great cause at the same time, come out to the Festival of Trees Nov. 21-22! There is plenty to keep everyone busy and happy, plus you will be supporting Brenner Children’s Hospital.

For kids 2-12, there is Christmas Playland, where kids can write letters to Santa, make crafts, play games and have their faces painted. They can even go to their own Children’s Shop (no adults allowed!) and buy gifts for under $6.


There will be music and dancing from Triad Baptist Hand Bell Choir, Whitaker Elementary School Chorus, Snappy Tappers, and Academy of Dance Arts. There is also the Christmas Tree Forest, with 40 beautiful trees and wreaths. There’s a snow-covered Gingerbread Village, and specialty shops where you can browse for gifts from Karen and Nancy Homemade Goodies, Sassy Selections, Hip Chics, The Pampered Chef and many others.

There are also some extra-special attractions. On that Saturday morning, kids can have breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m., pass along their Christmas wish lists and get their picture taken with him. The Demon Deacon and Bolt, the Winston-Salem Dash mascot, will be there. Dewey’s Bakery will have treats to snack on as well.


If you want to get a head start on Friday, Nov. 20, there’s a Gingerbread Tea Party, a snippet of “The Nutcracker” performed by the UNC School of the Arts, an interactive performance by Musicare and a visit from Santa, all for a separate cost of $20. There’s also the first-ever Holiday Girls’ Night Out Friday night from 7-10 p.m., with cocktails, entertainment and shopping (with gift wrapping) for $25.

It’s all at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds’ Education Building. Open 9-6 on Saturday the 21st and noon-5 on Sunday the 22nd. Tickets are sold only at the door – $6 for adults, $3 for kids 2-12. Park for FREE! And it all supports Brenner Children’s Hospital. Please call Cindy Caines at (336)716-7985 if you need more information.


So many volunteers have worked hard to make the Festival of Trees a spectacular event. This is its 22nd year of bringing holiday family fun to many. Come out and get a festive start to your holiday season!

Posted by Triad Smarty Pants at 5:00 AM