SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The 40th Annual Festival of Trees and Light returns to the Everson Museum of Art. The event will run from Dec. 4-13, 2025.
Eventgoers can expect to view the displays of tree and décor, enter in raffle baskets, watch live performances and make crafts. Everson Museum’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Kaziah Searles, says the festival spreads holiday cheer.
“It’s a really, it’s a week right after Thanksgiving, so it’s a really great way, first week in December, to kick off the holidays, to feel festive. There’s great raffles, there’s performances. It just makes you start feeling cozy,” said Searles.
All of the trees and wreaths on display at the festival are available for purchase. The money raised will go towards the museum’s fundraising.
“One of our biggest kind of terms throughout this year is finding a way to demystify the art experience and make our selection accessible for everyone. So, um, a big piece of what we do when it comes to the fundraising, when it comes to the festival of trees and light is being able to raise funds so we can do stuff that’s impactful for the community,” said Searles.
The community comes together for this event to volunteer and assist in collaborations. One of the volunteers, Kathy Winger, has been lending a hand to the Festival of Trees and Light since 2005.
“When I retired, I’ve always been interested in the arts and the Everson, which I’d been coming to forever. And so I just jumped on and began volunteering,” said Winger.
Even after 40 years, the festival continues to bring in new families. Kaitlyn Clifford brought her family after learning about the event.
“We just came to Syracuse for a hearing test and went to Rise and Shine Diner, and they told us about it here. So it’s our first time here. We saw the raffles, which were a big hit,” said Clifford.
The festival unveiled a new light installation created by FutureBrand for this year. A schedule with the list of events for the festival can be found at Everson Museum of Art’s website.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Festival of Trees and Light returns for its 40th year
Elizabeth Gottlieb: A classic Syracuse holiday tradition is back at the Everson Museum for another year of festive art and colorful decorations. Director of Marketing and Communications, Kaziah Searles, says the event brings the holiday spirit.
Kaziah Searles: It’s a really, it’s a week right after Thanksgiving, so it’s a really great way, first week in December, to kick off the holidays, to feel festive. There’s great raffles, there’s performances. It just makes you start feeling cozy.
Gottlieb: All the trees and wreaths at the festival are available for purchase, and the money goes to the museum’s fundraising.
Searles: One of our biggest kind of terms throughout this year is finding a way to demystify the art experience and make our selection accessible for everyone. So, um, a big piece of what we do when it comes to the fundraising, when it comes to the festival of trees and light is being able to raise funds so we can do stuff that’s impactful for the community.
Gottlieb: It’s the 40th year of the festival, and yet new families are coming to enjoy the holiday cheer.
Kaitlyn Clifford and family: Well, I really like the LEGO one. Yeah, did they have a LEGO basket? Mm hmm. That was pretty cool.
Gottlieb: Kaitlyn Clifford decided to bring her kids after learning about the event.
Clifford: We just came to Syracuse for a hearing test and went to Rise and Shine Diner, and they told us about it here. So it’s our first time here. We saw the raffles, which were a big hit.
Gottlieb: While the community comes to partake in the events’ activities, other community members, like Kathy Winger, are lending a helping hand.
Gottlieb: For NCC News, I’m Elizabeth Gottlieb.
Kathy Winger: When I retired, I’ve always been interested in the arts and the Everson, which I’d been coming to forever. And so I just jumped on and began volunteering, and, um, over the, well, since 2005, I would say.