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Festival of Trees

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0ur Holiday Tradition
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0ur Holiday Tradition
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0ur Holiday Tradition
Festival of Trees Logo

Festival of Trees 2026

Supporting the Community

The Lawrence Festival of Trees is O'Connell Children's Shelter's signature holiday fundraiser. Local businesses, clubs, families, and artists donate themed trees, wreaths, and gingerbread creations for public viewing and a live auction. Every dollar raised supports children and families served by OCS.

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Overview

November 27 - December 6

Maceli's Banquet Hall & Catering

1031 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence, KS 66044

Benefiting O'Connell Children's Shelter

Every dollar raised supports children and families served by O'Connell. 

Viewing Hours

General Public Viewing Hours throughout Festival Week:

Suggested Donation: $10 for adults and $5 for children older than 6

Friday, November 27: 10 am - 7pm

Saturday, November 28: 10 am - 7 pm

Sunday, November 29: 10 am - 6 pm

Monday, November 30: 10 am - 8 pm

Tuesday, December 1: 10 am - 8 pm

Wednesday, December 2: 10 am - 7 pm

Thursday, December 3: 10 am - 4:30 pm

Friday, December 4: 10 am - 9 pm

Saturday, December 5: 9 am - 3 pm

Sunday, December 6: 10 am - 2 pm

Special Thanks to our presenting sponsor of Festival Week - Cherry Hill Properties

Special Events Schedule

November 27: Festive Final Friday with Jazz Cigarettes - Tickets Available Here

November 28: Cocktails & Carols - Donation at Door

November 30 & December 1: Cookies with Santa - Donation at Door

December 1: Senior Viewing Hours - Donation at Door

December 2: Holiday Trivia and Ugly Sweater Contest - Tickets Available Here

December 5: Breakfast with Santa - Tickets Available Here

December 5: Auction Party - Tickets Available Here

Important Dates & Deadlines

These dates are important for those wanting to decorate an item:

September 8: Pledge Forms Due

September 15: Notice of Acceptance

October 20: Final Profile Due

November 23 & 24: Set Up Days

November 27-December 6: Viewing Hours

December 5: Auction

December 7: Tree Delivery

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Ways to Participate

and Make a Difference

A volunteer carefully hangs a wooden ornament on a Christmas tree during the O'Connell Children’s Shelter Festival of Trees event in Lawrence, Kansas.

Decorate a Tree or Decor Item

Join the tradition by decorating and donating a themed tree, wreath, or décor item. Your entry will be displayed and auctioned to benefit OCS.

Learn More >

The exterior entrance of Maceli's Catering & Events in Lawrence, Kansas, the host venue for the O'Connell Children’s Shelter annual Festival of Trees fundraiser.

Attend the Auction Party

Bid on trees at the Gala Auction Party at Maceli's. Tickets available in advance or at the door (if not sold out).

Buy Your Tickets Here

Three women sitting at a registration table with paperwork at a Festival of Trees event, with decorated trees and attendees in the background.

Volunteer

Help check people in during viewing hours, assist at the Auction Party, or wrap trees for delivery. We'd love your help!

Volunteer >

Support the Festival Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the Lawrence Festival of Trees is a meaningful way for businesses and organizations to invest in the Lawrence community while gaining valuable visibility throughout the event. Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $10,000, with benefits including logo placement on invitations, signage, social media, and advertising, as well as tickets to the Auction Party. To learn more or get in touch, contact Maren at festival@oconnellcs.org.

View Sponsorship Levels >

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Events & Info

For More Joy & Cheer

Santa Claus sitting on a stage holding a young boy with a stuffed animal during a holiday event, with decorated trees and a festive backdrop.

Cookies with Santa

Nov 30 & Dec 1  •  4:30-6:30 pm

Visit Santa, enjoy cookies from Eileen's, and get your picture taken.

Suggested Donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children older than 3; $20 for families of 4 or more people

Special Thanks to our presenting sponsor - Truity Credit Union and our cookie supplier again this year - Eileen's Colossal Cookies!

Santa Claus sitting on stage at the Festival of Trees, laughing with three women; one woman leans in to give Santa a kiss on the cheek.

Breakfast with Santa

December 5  •  9-11 am

Join us for breakfast with Santa!

Ticketed Event - On sale here

Special Thanks to our presenting sponsor - Kessler Contractors

A volunteer carefully hangs a wooden ornament on a Christmas tree during the O'Connell Children’s Shelter Festival of Trees event in Lawrence, Kansas.

Cocktails & Carols

November 28  •  Doors open at 7 pm

Holiday cocktails while viewing the trees, with carols by the Marvelous Mistletones.

Suggested donation of $10 per person

Special Thanks to our presenting sponsors - Vibralux Media and Stoker Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning

Close-up of decorated Christmas tree branches with ornaments including a rocking horse, gold baubles, and stars.

Holiday Trivia & Ugly Sweater Contest

December 2  •  Doors open at 7 pm; Game begins at 7:30 pm

Test your holiday knowledge. Winning & worst teams earn prizes. Ugly sweater contest too!

$100 for teams of up to 4; $25 per additional participant

Claim your team here

Several decorated Christmas trees with lights and ornaments on display indoors near large windows at a Festival of Trees event.

Auction Party

December 5 •  Doors Open 5:30 pm; Auction Program begins at 7 pm

Our main event! Bid on decorated trees at the Gala Auction at Maceli's.

General Admission: $100/person

Seated Reserve: $125/person

VIP: $200/person

Buy your tickets to the Auction Party Today!

Special Thanks to our presenting sponsor - Creative Planning

Red knitted mitten holiday ornament at the O'Connell Children's Shelter Festival of Trees event.

Mitten Tree

Throughout the Festival

Select a mitten with a family's wish list. Shop for your adopted family and return gifts by the due date.

 

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Past Festival of Trees

Memories & Lasting Impact

Santa Claus posing with a young girl and an adult seated at a decorated table during a holiday event, with Christmas trees and lights in the background.
Multi-level wooden log tree display with miniature holiday scenes, figurines, and ornaments, with a QR code info sheet at a Festival of Trees event.
A festive indoor display at the O’Connell Children’s Shelter Festival of Trees, featuring decorated Christmas trees with gingerbread man ornaments and holiday lights.
Handcrafted wooden tree decorated with lights and small winter village scenes on each branch, displayed indoors at a holiday Festival of Trees.
Decorated Christmas tree with black-and-white checkered ribbon, lights, and ornaments, with an informational placard and other decorated trees behind it.
Santa Claus sitting on a stage holding a young boy with a stuffed animal during a holiday event, with decorated trees and a festive backdrop.
Santa Claus sitting on stage at the Festival of Trees, laughing with three women; one woman leans in to give Santa a kiss on the cheek.
Dress form decorated as a Christmas tree with lights and a dark ribbon dress, displayed between decorated trees with an information card below
Several decorated Christmas trees with lights and ornaments on display indoors near large windows at a Festival of Trees event.
Winter village display with lit miniature houses and tall illuminated trees arranged on artificial snow with purple lighting.
Two women wearing festive Christmas tree costumes standing in front of holiday decorations at the O'Connell Children’s Shelter Festival of Trees.