Entering its 28th year, the Council of 101’s Festival of Trees kicked off the holiday season in Central Florida with this year’s holiday event “Tis the Season.” For a few weeks, the Orlando Museum of Art become a winter wonderland filled with designer decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, which are also all for sale BTW. If you have never been to a Festival of Trees event, you are missing out. The wife and I have been going since around 1999 and this year was one of the first years that our two year old daughter was able to attend and really enjoy it. This year the event runs from November 15 – 23, 2014, 10am – 5pm daily. If you are looking for a fun holiday event, this is a nice day out.
It is isn’t all just look at trees though at this event, there are tons of other holiday shopping available in the Festival Boutique, drawings for various prizes and a fantastic Toyland Town activity area and shop for the children, which is great when you have a two year old. Mostly importantly the jolly red man himself, Santa, is there to meet the kids and take pictures for free. This is not just a department store Santa, this guy was the real deal. My daughter probably sat on his knee actually chatting with him for quite a while. Plus, there is also face painting and free holiday tattoos for kids.
Compared to the Festival Of Trees that we have attending in the past in New York, this is a definitely a little more cultural and upper class since it takes place at the Orlando Museum of Art. I will use the word “arty”. But it is a still a good event. The admission is a little high personally $10 Adult and $6 Child (ages 3-11) but it also includes admission to current Orlando Museum of Art exhibitions including Lamar Peterson: Suburbia Sublime and David Rathman: Stand By Your Accidents.
Last time I attending this event at the Orlando Museum of Art, it was a little bit different. In the main room, it was transformed in a Christmas world with a stage and band playing music through, there was also a band in the main hub hallway as well. This year, the main room had a more artistic feel to it, playing out more like the them of the art museum. Also before you leave be sure to stop by the Festival Café for some amazing food. This is not just quick service amusement park food. This is quality hand made sandwiches and salads. ‘Till next year!
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