Kennedy Krieger's Festival of Trees

A community-made display with a purpose

Kennedy Krieger’s FAQ counts more than 500 decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses in the exhibition. They are created by local designers, artists, florists, individuals, schools and community groups, then displayed alongside the sales booth. Buyers can take home some pieces, subject to different carry-out and pickup arrangements.

The event has been organized by Kennedy Krieger since 1990. Proceeds provide unrestricted support, giving the institute flexibility to address needs across patient care, research and its programs for patients and students. The festival also advertises more than 100 artisan vendors; its online vendor directory is labeled 2025, so it should not be treated as a confirmed list of this year’s sellers.

Further reading: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Festival of Trees | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗ · About Festival | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗ · Festival of Trees | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗ · Vendors | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗

Three days, with distinct stage choices

The schedule’s two stages make it possible to choose between different kinds of performances. The Main Stage is in the North Pole across from the carousel; the Holiday Market Stage is by the fireplace and wreath display in the Holiday Market. Friday ranges from Roseanne Hinch’s storytimes and 2 Cool 4 Yule to Dave Thomen of D’s Magic, White Marsh Ballet Academy and Evangelakia Greek Folk Dance Group. The C. Miltones, Mercy Mezzos, Ding Dong Chorus and The Maryvale Performance Choir are also scheduled that day.

Saturday offers an audience sing-along with Kennedy Krieger Nursing Staff & Friends, alongside Ballet Chesapeake, Wiślanie Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, Teelin Irish Dance Company and McHale School of Irish Dance. The Holiday Market Stage has the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Chorus and Dundalk Sweet Adeline Chorus; DJ Jenson’s bubble show is another Main Stage option. These are scheduled performances, not a promise that every act will be on at the advertised time.

Sunday’s daytime choices include The Moving Company Dance Center Ensembles, Kangaroo Kids Jump Rope, White Tiger Tae Kwon Do and City Ballet of Maryland on the Main Stage. Storytimes with Stephanie Guzman and Lola B are on the Holiday Market Stage. Families choosing a particular character visit or performer should check the posted schedule: Santa and other characters appear in specific time blocks, and the organizer says schedules can change.

Further reading: Entertainment | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗

Two ticketed events sit outside the regular hours

WTMD’s Sunday Morning Tunes Holiday Princess Singalong begins before the general festival opens on Sunday, Nov. 29: doors open at 8 a.m. and the concert starts at 8:30. Candice Shedd-Thompson, a professional musical-theater performer and wedding singer, and Kathryn Dobyns, a vocalist with the United States Navy Band’s Sea Chanters Chorus, perform songs from Disney films including “Frozen” and “Moana,” as well as holiday standards. The session is for all ages; dressing as a favorite prince or princess is an invitation, not a stated requirement.

A separate ticket includes all-day festival admission, reduced crowds, visits with Santa, special giveaways and unlimited amusement rides for children. The organizer describes ticket quantities as limited; that notice does not confirm current availability. Early prices through Nov. 13 at 11:59 p.m. are $35 per person for ages 3 and up, free for children 2 and under, or $120 for a family four-pack. From Nov. 14 through Nov. 29, the prices are $40, free for children 2 and under, or $140 for a four-pack.

Saturday’s Tinsel on Tap runs from 7 to 10 p.m., after daytime hours, and is for adults 21 and older with valid ID. Its separate ticket includes two drinks—cocktails, mocktails, beers or sodas—and access to a live DJ, dancing, holiday trivia hosted by Charm City Trivia, a style contest, a photo booth and local-vendor shopping. Additional food and drinks cost extra. The organizer also describes its ticket supply as limited. Prices are $40 through Nov. 13 at 11:59 p.m., $45 from Nov. 14 through Nov. 26, and $50 starting at midnight Nov. 27.

Further reading: Sunday Morning Tunes at Festival of Trees! | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗ · Tinsel on Tap | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗ · Festival of Trees | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗

The North Pole is a separate activity zone

The North Pole combines a full-size carousel and train with a fun house, Tubs of Fun ride, motorcycle ride, carnival games and a remote-control racetrack. Children can also find coloring, cookie decorating, letter writing to Santa and an interactive Maryland-themed Lego City assembled by Baltimore Brick Builders. The event lists Santa visits, character meet-and-greets and photo stations as well.

General admission does not cover every activity: rides and games use separately purchased tickets, while the organizer identifies viewing the displays, all-day entertainment, coloring, writing to Santa, the Lego City, Santa visits, meet-and-greets and photo stations as free within the event. The train and motorcycle are for children no taller than 54 inches. The carousel is identified as wheelchair accessible; its horse mounts have a 54-inch height limit, and an accompanying parent standing beside a child on a horse does not need a ticket.

Further reading: Rides, Games and Activities | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗ · Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Festival of Trees | Kennedy Krieger Institute ↗