43rd Annual Holiday Tree Festival
Thanks to our generous donors and decorators, we have reached our limit for trees, wreaths and holiday gifts!
Thank you to the Volunteers of Akron Children's for their hard work and dedication putting this event on each year, and thank you to everyone who decorated, donated or visited the festival. Since its beginning in 1982, the Holiday Tree Festival has raised more than $7.3 million for the hospital's patient care programs, education and research.
Please mark your calendars for 2024's festivities at the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308:
November 15: Holiday Tree Festival Gala
November 16-24: Holiday Tree Festival
November 16 and 23: Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, November 16, 2024
10 a.m. - Miller South Piano Department
11 a.m. - Miller South Rising Stars
Noon - Miller South Concert Choir
1 p.m. - Keith Barnet
2 p.m. - Lisa and Heather Malyuk
3 p.m. - The McDaniel Family
4 p.m. - Master Singers Chorale
5 p.m. - Copley 7th/8th Grade Choir
6 p.m. - Sto-Notes
7 p.m. - Metro Parks Ensemble
Sunday, November 17, 2024
1 p.m. - New Horizon Band
2 p.m. - Jackson High School Jacks and Jills
3 p.m. - Premium Blend
4 p.m. - Rubber City Ukes
Monday, November 18, 2024
11 a.m. - Glen Oak High School Symphonic Strings
Noon - Stow Munroe Falls High School Orchestra
5 p.m. - Amy Sauriol, Piano
6 p.m. - ETC Heid's School of Musical Arts
7 p.m. - Akron Pops
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Noon - Manchester Voices
1 p.m. - Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Choirs
2 p.m. - Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Bell Choir
4 p.m. - Treble Makers, Coventry Elementary
5 p.m. - Walsh Jesuit Chamber Choir
6 p.m. - Julie and Molly McCreary
7 p.m. - Fran and Friends
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
4 p.m. - South East High School Jazz Band
5 p.m. - Firestone High School Vocal Jazz
6 p.m. - Firestone High School Madrigal Singers
7 p.m. - Riverfront Community Band
Thursday, November 21, 2024
11 a.m. - Leighton Lyrical Singers of Aurora
Noon - Lake Center Vocal
1 p.m. - Lake Center Band and Orchestra
4 p.m. - Grace Notes
5 p.m. - Girl Scout Troop No. 91336
6 p.m. - Rittman High School Chorale and Interludes
Friday, November 22, 2024
11 a.m. - Roosevelt High School Orchestra
Noon - Roosevelt High School Vocal Ensemble
1 p.m. - Sandy Roeger, Piano
2 p.m. - Matt Nelson
4 p.m. - Coventry High School Chamber Ensemble
5 p.m. - Northwest High School Singers
6 p.m. - Supertonics Flute Ensemble
7 p.m. - Fille Excitees Horn Quartet
Saturday, November 23, 2024
10 a.m. - Silver Lake Singers
11 a.m. - Ballet Excel Ohio
Noon - Moca
1 p.m. - Majestic Voices
2 p.m. - The Claes Family
3 p.m. - Akron Derby Town Chorus
4 p.m. - Good Knights Band
5 p.m. - Cuyahoga Valley Community Chorus
Sunday November 24, 2024
1 p.m. - Western Reserve Suzuki School
2 p.m. - Hudson Community Chorus
3 p.m. - 722
Enjoy and purchase hundreds of trees, wreaths and other holiday decorations to benefit Akron Children’s. The festival is FREE and open to the public during these hours:
Saturday, Nov. 16: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 17: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 18: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information, please call Volunteer Services at 330-543-8424.
Breakfast with Santa will be held Saturday, Nov. 16 with a ribbon cutting/festival opening following breakfast, and Saturday, Nov. 23. Download the registration form below.
Santa's schedule is here!
Monday, Nov. 18 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Santa Charles and Candace |
Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. | Santa Dale |
5-8 p.m. | Santa Jim | |
Wednesday, Nov. 20 | 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. | Santa Dale |
5-8 p.m. | Santa Jim | |
Thursday, Nov. 21 | 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. | Santa Jim |
2-4:45 p.m. | Santa Frank | |
5-8 p.m. | Santa Mike and Mary | |
Friday, Nov. 22 | 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. | Santa Chris |
Saturday, Nov. 23 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Santa Dale |
10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Santa Bill | |
Sunday, Nov. 24 | 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m. | Santa Kris |
2:30-6 p.m. | Santa Mike and Mary |
The success of the Holiday Tree Festival depends upon the help of more than 1,000 volunteers like you who assist by greeting guests, selling raffle tickets, working among the trees or at the retail table.
Here is a brief overview of the available volunteer opportunities:
- Raffle: Volunteers sell raffle tickets at tables located around the raffle display in the middle of the festival room.
- Cap and Bootie Tree: The Cap and Bootie Tree is decorated with photos of babies who are former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients. Volunteers share information about the tree and monitor the monetary donations placed on the tree by festival attendees.
- Trees/Wreaths/Gifts: Volunteers circulate throughout the display areas to keep an eye on the trees, provide information on items for sale and assist potential buyers with a purchase.
Please use this form to sign up early – we can’t do it without you!
The Cap & Bootie Tree is decorated with photos of babies and children who have been patients in the NICU at Akron Children’s. We would love to have your child featured on this special tree.
- Photos should be no larger than 4X6.
- Please include your child’s name and birthdate on the back. (This will not be visible to the public.)
- NICU and current day photos are both welcome!
Submitted photos cannot be returned, and we must have a completed consent form. All photos must be received by November 1. Photos received after that date will be saved for next year’s tree.
Please send your photos and completed release form to Akron Children’s, Volunteer Services, 1 Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308
Thanks to our donors and decorators, we've reached our limit for everything!
For more information about the Holiday Tree Festival, contact:
Mary Leuca
Chairperson, Holiday Tree Festival
htfmary@yahoo.com
Vicki Parisi
Akron Children’s Volunteer Services
330-543-8425
vparisi@akronchildrens.org