The Magical Festival of Trees

Christmas Trees, that symbol of hope and joy, take center stage at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. From December 3 - 5, the Marco Island Center for the Arts will host its beloved Festival of Trees, marking the 11th year of this treasured holiday tradition. This jovial event has become an essential part of the Marco Island holiday season and a special fundraiser to support the Art Center’s educational programs and initiatives. 

According to the Art Center, “The Festival of Trees brings together local businesses, organizations, and creative individuals to showcase beautifully decorated trees in a celebration of community, art, and the spirit of the season. Founded in 2014 by Marco Island volunteer and art supporter Dave Rice, the festival has grown into a cherished event for both residents and visitors.”

For this season, over 40 creative Christmas trees are ready for your silent bids to be taken home or gifted for a good cause. As in past years, a Marco Island Shell Tree is a much anticipated holiday tradition. This three-foot tree was made from shells collected on Marco over the past year. The tree has all of Marco’s favorite shells …. alphabet, lightning whelks, rose murex, olives and if you look closely, you might even spot the elusive Junonia! This tree is one of a kind – found only at the “Festival of Trees” at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. 

The Marco Island San Marco Catholic Church has been part of this tradition since the beginning, and they usually bring several small Christmas trees with different holiday themes. Father Dave Foley and artist/volunteer Teri Bernil were busy adding the finishing before bidding began. One white tree was a tribute to the U.S. Postal Service and decorated with canceled holiday stamps, a toy postal service delivery truck, and a set of Forever Holiday Stamps. Teri’s “Simply Gold” Tree came with handmade gold origami Peace Dove – a perfect message for the holidays.

The Festival of Trees has hundreds of motifs from Santa Claus, Father Christmas, nativity scenes, glitter, beads, clay reindeer, owls, tortoises, poinsettias, and many more. These are one-of-a-kind, unique creations for the holiday table or for your gift list – you will leave with at least one!

There is always one theme that seems to tug at everyone’s heart – the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It first made its appearance in 1965 as an animated TV special where Charlie Brown sets out to find the true meaning of Christmas and comes across a scraggly “nobody wants” kind of tree. 

Sixty years later, the symbol of the Charlie Brown tree has come to represent the true spirit of Christmas. Christmas is not about the extravagant hangings or the perfectly shaped tree!

At the Festival of Trees, another popular symbol up there with Santa is Frosty the Snowman. The story of Frosty the Snowman coming to life with the help of his magical hat! The Marco Island Art Center is magically transformed by local artists sharing their art to create an annual Festival of Trees. Here’s your unique chance to silently bid on one or several trees and take home or gift the magic of Christmas!