AKRON, Ohio – Akron Children’s 44th annual Holiday Tree Festival is set for Nov. 15-23, promising nine days of beautifully decorated themed trees, sparkling lights, seasonal entertainment and holiday cheer.

The free event raises money for the hospital through the sale of the trees, wreaths and holiday décor.

Presented by the volunteers of Akron Children’s, the festival will be held at the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St.

Hours for this year’s festival are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 17, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 18, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 22 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23.

A preview gala, featuring a cocktail hour, dinner, dessert buffet and silent auction of the trees will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14. For reservations, call 330 543 8424 by Nov. 1.

The festival ribbon cutting will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 15, and the Breakfasts with Santa are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 15 and 22. Register HERE.

This year’s festival will feature 153 decorated trees, 70 wreaths and 172 holiday gifts for purchase. The selection of trees run the gamut from classic themes featuring candy canes, snowmen and woodland animals to those tying in with popular culture icons such as Barbie, Charlie Brown, “The Golden Girls” and the musical “Wicked.”

Several dozen choirs, orchestras and instrumentalists will perform holiday favorites throughout the festival.

“We love keeping this a free event for the community,” said Susan Berk, event chair. “That’s made possible because of the dedication of our sponsors, decorators and hundreds of volunteers. We encourage you to get caught up in the magic of seeing the elegant trees with shiny ornaments, the charming ones created by school children and Scout troops and the ones that touch our heart because of the stories behind them.”

The Holiday Tree Festival is Akron Children’s biggest fundraising event. Since its beginning, the festival has raised more than $7.6 million to benefit the continued efforts of medical research, education and patient care programs at Akron Children’s.

For more information, click HERE.

Pictured at top: A scene from the 2024 Holiday Tree Festival.