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OMA Festival of Trees — Celebrating 36 Years!

The annual Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is my go-to event to kick off the holiday season in Central Florida. For those who like to decorate early, it always occurs the week before Thanksgiving, giving the buyers an opportunity to display their creative finds for visiting family and friends while feasting on that fabulous fried turkey dinner.

Each year the Orlando Museum of Art Festival of Trees has a different theme. Gifts of the Season was the theme chosen for the 36th anniversary of this popular event. It is always presented by the Council of 101, a group of nearly 300 women who volunteer their time and talents to make this holiday tradition possible. They were founded in 1965 with a vision to further the cultural development and education of the visual arts in Central Florida. Their two main fundraisers, Festival of Trees in November and Antiques Show in February, provide much needed financial resources for the Orlando Museum of Art.

Upwards of 20,000 people visit the Festival of Trees each year! And since it began over three decades ago, more than $5 million dollars has been contributed, making it the major fundraiser for this popular Central Florida Art Museum.

 

How to Purchase a Festival of Trees Item

While strolling through the various venues at the Festival of Trees, you’ll notice that each item is accompanied by a sign like the one pictured above. The sign contains an item number, title of the piece, the name of the donor, name of the designer, and a selling price. When an item has been purchased, a red SOLD sticker will be placed on it. Payment for available items should be made at the sales desk in the Council of 101 Grand Gallery. The items may be picked up immediately after the close of the Festival on Sunday, and during the day on Monday. Arrangements for delivery can be made for the larger trees.

Deck the Halls at Orlando Museum of Art!

There are three main showcase areas for the Festival of Trees — Deck the Halls, Designer Trees and Vignettes, and Gingerbread Village. In the Deck the Halls area you’ll see stunning displays of unique wreaths and small tabletop trees. I love decorating for Christmas, so I’m always impressed by the level of ingenuity expressed here. Clever imagination and originality abound. A wreath is just a wreath, unless it was conceived by one of the inventive designers at Festival of Trees! They’re constantly coming up with innovative new ways of doing wreaths. Some of the resources and materials they use literally blow my mind. Check out a few of my favorites from Deck the Halls…

Designer Trees and Vignettes — Photo Tour

The one-of-a-kind trees, winterscapes, and vignettes offered in this section are truly brilliant. If you don’t come away inspired, you may want to check your pulse! Even if you choose not to purchase a tree, I guarantee your own creative juices will be flowing by the time you get home.

*TIP…  Take lots of photos.  Keep them in a digital album and refer back to them year after year. Use them as a starting point to create your own holiday masterpiece. Oftentimes you can improvise, using materials and color schemes more conducive to your own home decor, and achieve the same outstanding results.

Plan to linger in this area for a while. There’s usually Christmas music playing softly in the background — sometimes via live musicians or choirs. Allow the sights and sounds of the season to seep into your spirit. After all… it is the most wonderful time of the year!

 

Gingerbread Village at Orlando Museum of Art Festival of Trees

Your nose knows how to find this area! Just follow the sweet and spicy scent of gingerbread. The awesome aroma permeates an entire section of the Orlando Museum of Art. Sponsored by Macy’s, each gingerbread masterpiece is created by local culinary artists and available for purchase. Take a moment to notice the remarkable detail in each one. Here’s seven of my favorites from the Annual Festival of Trees…

Entertaining by Design Drawings at OMA Festival of Trees

One of my hubby’s favorite parts of the Festival of Trees at Orlando Museum of Art is the opportunity to win a spectacular prize. Patrons of the Festival can purchase tickets for the drawings. They’re very reasonably priced at $1 each or 25 for $20. There’s a wide variety of donated items — things like Gift Baskets, Gift Certificates for Dinner, Design Consultation, Getaways, Progressive Wine Dinner, Spa Services, Cocktail Party for 20 People, Shopping Spree, Tablescapes, Designer Jewelry, and Decorated Trees. Choose the items that interest you and simply deposit a ticket in the container located by each item. Then, wait for your phone to ring after the close of the Festival of Trees! We’re still waiting… but hey, it’s for a great cause, right? Check out a few of the drawings from previous years…

Toyland Town and Santa Claus at OMA Festival of Trees

As with any other place that features fragile displays, great caution must be used if choosing to take young children to the Festival of Trees. But if you do, be sure to visit Toyland Town, a special area where children can do crafts, play games, and even join in a scavenger hunt. At select times Santa will be present to receive the wish list for all good little girls and boys! Then your little ones can shop-till-they-drop in the Toyland Shop which is filled with kiddie gifts and great stocking stuffers. (Mom and Dad can visit the Festival Boutique for unique grown-up gifts!)

I highly recommend the Reindeer Romp Children’s Party, a specially ticketed evening event that occurs mid-week during the nine day Festival of Trees. Entertainment for the kiddos includes things like Balloon Artists, Storytellers, Comedy Variety Artists, Crayola Experience, Face Painting, Sing-Alongs, StiltFun, Russian Ballet of Orlando, Photo Booth, and Santa Claus himself! It’s a wonderful holiday party for the entire family.

***Reindeer Romp information and tickets (November 18, 2022)

***Breakfast with Santa information and tickets (November 12 & 19, 2022)

Festival of Trees Special Events

Each year there are specially ticketed events happening at the Orlando Museum of Art Festival of Trees. The Festival opens with a Tree Lighting Reception followed by a Formal Gala that includes Food, Wine and Spirits, Entertainment, and a Silent Auction.

Additional information regarding admission pricing, parking, special event tickets, senior day, entertainment schedule, photos from prior Festival of Trees, and Orlando Museum of Art Membership can be found on the Orlando Museum of Art website.

 

Want More Themed Christmas Tree Ideas?

For those craving even more themed Christmas tree ideas, check out my review of the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs. This year the popular holiday event begins on November 11, 2022, and will showcase 20+ trees, all inspired by a specific Disney character or story. If you love all things Disney, and happen to be in the Central Florida area for the holidays, you may want to check this out. Here’s the best part… it’s FREE! I know, you can’t say that about too many Disney related things, right? Disney Springs is a great way to experience the magic of Disney, without paying the outrageously high theme park admission prices. And, the atmosphere is especially magical during the holiday season!

Please Share Your Thoughts

I hope you have been filled with inspiration from the photo tour of Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art in Central Florida. Please share your thoughts, ask a question, or simply let me know you have visited today by leaving a reply in the comment section below. Hearing from you is the best part of my day!