November 24, marks the return of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s annual Festival of Trees event at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Now in its 34th year as a holiday mainstay tradition, the 2023 three-night event promises to bring forth plenty of onsite activities, entertainment, and other fun and festive follies.
While it doubles as a beloved family-friendly attraction for all to come out and enjoy, Festival of Trees is also essentially one of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s major annual fundraiser events. As it has always been and always will be, the driving mission behind this heartwarming event is to benefit patients (and their families), students, and programs provided by the Institute. It’s also a way to raise awareness for the great work Kennedy Krieger does.
Festival of Trees continues to grow and expand, becoming more and more festive each year. Since starting back in 1990, Kennedy Krieger’s Festival of Trees has more than tripled in size, now showcasing nearly 900 trees, wreaths, and impressive gingerbread house displays decorated by local families, businesses, and organizations. It even ranks as the largest holiday offering of its kind on the East Coast.
In addition to the dazzling displays of trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses, Festival of Trees also plays host to numerous ongoing activities and beloved holiday diversions on location of the North Pole Kids’ Area. The fun and festive endeavors to explore here include classic carnival games, a fun house, rides (train, boat, motorcycle), a wheelchair-accessible carousel, a remote control racetrack, a stunning LEGO display, holiday crafting and coloring activities, cookie decorating, Letters to Santa, and more. Kids can even meet Santa Claus live and in person as well!
Live ongoing entertainment performances will take place on the Rosemore Entertainment Stage all three days to make the event an even more merry occasion. Friday’s Main Stage performances will include Milkshake, Pam the Kindersinger, the C. Miltones (a capella group), Michael Rosman’s Amazing Feats of Comedy, and the White Marsh Ballet Academy. On Saturday you get to see entertainment and acts by the Moving Company Dance Center, Dave Thomen of D’s Magic, Teelin Irish Dance Company, White Tiger Tae Kwon Do, the Ballet Nouveau School, and Ain’t Misbehavin’ Big Band. Sunday’s entertainment will include Ballet Chesapeake, Kangaroo Kids Jump Rope, McHale School of Irish Dance, and Heart of Maryland Chorus. In addition to Main Stage acts and entertainments, there will be ongoing Storytimes and Kiddie-Friendly events taking place onsite at the Cozy Corner in the Holiday Village.
In addition to enjoying displays, activities, and entertainment throughout the weekend, Festival of Trees presents a vast marketplace setup of various vendors—the perfect all-in-one stop for holiday shopping. A profuse and well-versed lineup to check out, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list. Click here for an interactive map or to read more about every vendor to be onsite at this year’s event.
You won’t want to miss the 2023 season’s Festival of Trees event. Doors open at 10 a.m. every day of this year’s event, which will run November 24, 25, and 26. Closing time is 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The Timonium Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, 21093. To learn more about Kennedy Krieger’s Festival of Trees, visit the website at www.kennedykrieger.org/festivaloftrees.