2024 Festival of Trees Kickoff Celebration
Schedule
Sat Nov 23 2024 at 04:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
City of Gainesville, Georgia | Gainesville, GA
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Escape the cold at Jingle Mingle, if only briefly, and immerse yourself in the City of Gainesville’s fifth annual Festival of Trees.Happening simultaneously with Main Street Gainesville’s Jingle Mingle and Lighting of the Chicken, the 2024 Festival of Trees grand reveal is slated for 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, on the first floor of the Gainesville Administration Building, located at 300 Henry Ward Way.
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The City of Gainesville organizes the annual Festival of Trees, which has grown in attendance every holiday season since introduced in 2020. City employees help bring this magical seasonal offering to life.
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The Festival of Trees is a public display of themed Christmas trees decorated by City of Gainesville departments on the first floor of the Gainesville Administration Building. The kickoff event will be a reveal of the 2024 display, elevated by a photo backdrop for visitors to snap family photos, plus cups of piping hot cocoa and hot apple cider, and Christmas cookies, of course!
While you're here, the City encourages visitors to vote for their favorite Christmas trees (during Jingle Mingle only) to identify the winning department. Themes featured in the Festival of Trees change every year and City departments engage in friendly competition hoping to collect the most votes.
Though voting only happens Saturday, Nov. 23, visitors may observe and photograph the trees any time from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Christmas. This year, participating departments include the Gainesville Fire and Police departments, Community & Economic Development, Community Service Center, Information Technology, and Parks & Recreation.
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Join the City of Gainesville from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, on the first floor of the Gainesville Administration Building, located at 300 Henry Ward Way.
New in 2024, instead of the front doors, guests will be welcomed into the building via the north side entrance (facing Roosevelt Square). After enjoying the trees, casting their votes and taking advantage of the photo backdrop, visitors will exit through the front doors, where they will be greeted by City staff serving hot cocoa and hot apple cider. Take a seat, enjoy treats and a breather before returning to the Jingle Mingle festivities on the historic and Roosevelt squares in downtown Gainesville – just don’t miss the Lighting of the Chicken outside Main Street Market at 6:45 p.m.!
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Why not!? The Festival of Trees came about as City leadership brainstormed ways to restore the holiday spirit following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The small gesture had a BIG impact, and the display continues to attract more and more visitors year after year. In 2023, the City served almost 2,000 cookies during the Festival of Trees kickoff.
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Those who can’t make it to the Festival of Trees kickoff Saturday, Nov. 23, may view the trees at the admin building during regular operating hours – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. In observance of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, City administrative offices will be closed Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29, and Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 24-25. Departments will dismantle trees after Christmas.
Please note parking outside the admin building is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Find free and covered parking at any one of the following downtown parking decks, all located within walking distance to the holiday fun: Main Street Parking Deck, 301 Main St.; Gainesville North Parking Deck, 100 Brenau Ave.; and Hall County Parking Facility, 225 Green St.
Find additional information about Jingle Mingle here: https://www.exploregainesville.org/jingle-mingle/
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Where is it happening?
City of Gainesville, Georgia, 301 Henry Ward Way SE, Gainesville, GA 30501-3755, United States,Gainesville, GeorgiaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
