By Marguerite Curran, Muskegon Museum of Art
The Muskegon Museum of Art’s 14th Festival of Trees runs Nov. 21 through Dec. 2, 2018. Each year, MMA volunteers and staff transform gallery spaces with festively designed Christmas trees and decorations, many of which can be purchased through the silent auction during the Festival. The Festival has become a local community holiday tradition that offers special events, holiday music, visits with Santa, Money Tree and special gift raffles, and holiday shopping. Festival of Trees looks different every year; this year’s theme is “A Fantastical Holiday Adventure.”
Funds raised through tree and decoration sales, raffles, sponsorships, and ticket sales benefit the museum. For information on sponsoring an event or tree in 2019, call 231.720.2573.
Hours
The Festival will be open Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 2 and will be closed on Thanksgiving. Open daily 10am to 5pm and Sundays noon to 5pm.
Admission
Purchase tickets at the door: $10 Adult, $5 MMA Member, $3 child 3-17 years (under 3 free); $15 Every-Day Festival Pass. To purchase gift passes, call 231.720.2580 or purchase at the Museum Store.
Special Festival of Trees Events
First Day Food Drive — Wednesday, Nov. 21
Special half-off adult admission: $5 with a food donation for Loaves and Fishes food pantry, just in time for the holidays. Regular adult admission: $10.
Family Day — Friday, Nov. 23, 10am-5pm
Santa will stop in for a visit from 2-4pm and the fun will include a kids’ craft activity, scavenger hunt, and performances from The Nutcracker by the Michigan Youth Ballet Theatre from 1-3pm. Call 231.720.2571 for group bookings. Special Family Day half-off adult ticket price: $5.
Teddy Bear Breakfast — Saturday, Nov. 24, 8:30–10:30am
Teddy Bear Breakfast is especially fun for kids ages 3 to 8 years old, with a full family breakfast; visit with Santa, teddy bear checkup (by a certified teddy bear nurse), Teddy Bear Parade, and more.
Tickets: Adults $15, Kids 12 and younger $8. Tickets include breakfast, all activities, and Festival of Trees admission. Tickets are limited and sell out early. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase tickets in advance.
Deck Your Halls: DIY Holiday Project Demo — Sunday, Nov. 25, 1–3pm
Floral designers Deb Moon from Lefleur Shoppe and Skeeter Parkhouse from Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts will demo how to create unique holiday décor during this event. Ticket includes a take-home DIY kit, refreshments, and Festival of Trees admission. Items created during the demo will be raffled to the audience. Holiday Cheer, from 1:00 to 1:30 pm, will include a light snack, coffee, and cash bar.
Space is limited.
Advance Tickets: $35 per person/$30 MMA member. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase. Purchase tickets by Nov. 18.
Senior Day — Tuesday, Nov. 27, 10am-5pm
Special Senior Day half-off ticket price: $5 for ages 65+. Free coffee and cookies, vendor samples, door prizes, and more. For large groups, call 231.720.2571.
THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris, Presented by Andrew Zahrt
Friday, Nov. 30 & Saturday, Dec. 1, 6:30pm Cocktail Hour | 7:30pm Performance
(ADULT CONTENT: For mature elves only). THE SANTALAND DIARIES is the story of a Macy’s elf during the holiday crunch. At first, the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, he becomes battle-weary and bitter. When a new Santa is ushered into the workshop, one who seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, our hero experiences an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill, just before his employment runs out. Arranged by Joe Mantello
Ticket includes cocktail hour with a complimentary drink and refreshments in the Festival of Trees galleries. $12 adult, $10 MMA Member, $15 at the door.
Call 231.720.2580 to order advance tickets.
Santa at Festival of Trees
Santa will be at the museum on Family Day and on Saturdays during Festival of Trees:
- Family Day Friday, Nov. 23, 2–4pm
- Saturday, Nov. 24, 12–2pm
- Saturday, Dec. 1, 2–4pm
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in downtown Muskegon. Visitor information at www.muskegonartmuseum.org or 231.720.2570. Membership information: 231.720.2571. Museum Store and Event Ticket Sales: 231.720.2580.
