45th Annual Festival of Trees & Traditions
November 29–December 9, 2018
Established in 1973 by the Women’s Committee as a museum fundraising event, Festival of Trees & Traditions has become an annual holiday custom for visitors from throughout the state and beyond. Every year community members, artists and organizations decorate holiday trees and wreaths to be displayed in the galleries throughout the week. All items are for sale, and profits help fund the museum’s special exhibitions, educational programs, and operating expenses. Purchase a tree or wreath for your home or donate it to a local charity.
Public hours for viewing the Festival of Trees & Traditions are 10am–5pm from November 30–December 9, except for Monday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 4 when the museum is closed.
Please note: The prices below reflect a $3 fundraising surcharge that is added to all museum admission prices during Festival of Trees & Traditions.
Members: $3
Hartford Residents: $3
Adults: $18
Seniors: $15
Students: $8
Youth (age 17 & under): $3
Please Note: The Wadsworth Atheneum usually waives admission fees every Wednesday–Sunday from 4–5 pm. Please note that guests visiting the museum at these times during the Festival of Trees & Traditions fundraiser will be charged $3 for their admission.
Groups of 10 or more will receive a discount by reservation only. To schedule a group visit, call (860) 838-4046.
Are you visiting the Wadsworth Atheneum for the first time, or returning after some time away? You’ll find lots of helpful information on our Directions & Parking page, and even more tips on our Planning Your Visit page.
Tours (free with admission)
Museum Highlights | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | 1 pm
Museum Highlights | Saturday and Sunday | 11:30 am, 1 pm, 4pm
“Monsters & Myths” | Saturday and Sunday | 2:30 pm
Special Events
WEEKEND FAMILY FUN
In the Hartford Courant Room
Storytelling by Jim Harriman
Saturday | December 1 | 1pm – 1:30pm
Face Painting by Tainted Inc.
Saturday | December 1 | 10am – 1pm
Lego Demonstrations with ConnLUG – LEGO® Enthusiasts of Connecticut
Saturday | December 1 & Sunday, December 2 | 1pm – 4pm
Saturday | December 8 | 1pm – 4pm
“Jingles,” the Elf on a Shelf
Saturday | December8 | 1pm – 3pm
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Thursday | November 29 | 5 – 8 pm
Night of Illumination!
5:30 pm: The Hartford Saengerbund in Avery Court
6 pm: Dance performance by Natyakshetram in Avery Court
6:30 pm: Moniuszko Choir in MGH
7 pm: Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus in MGH
7:15 pm – 7:45 pm: CT Ballet in Aetna Theater performing excerpts from Nutcracker
Movie – Love Actually | 8 pm
Friday | November 30 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: First String-Sedgwick Middle School
11:30 am: Travelers Chorale
12:30 pm: The Nutmeg Ballet
1:30 pm: The Metacomet Elementary Choir
2:30 pm: Stafford High School Madrigals
Saturday | December 1 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: Celesti Sondato / The Hartt School Community Division’s Adult Chamber Choir
11:30 am: Harmonia Mundi
12:30 pm: West Hartford Women’s Chorale
1:30 pm: Silk City Chorus
2:30 pm: The Solid Oak Big Band
Sunday | December 2 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: Farmington High School Jazz Band
11:30 am: The Sweetest Key
12:30 pm: Sound of New England
1:30 pm: A Charlie Brown Christmas Trio
2:30 pm: Capitol Trombone Choir
Musem Closed Monday, December 3 & Tuesday, December 4
Wednesday | December 5 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: Newington High School Chamber Choir
11:30 am: Plainfield High School Chorale
12:30 pm: Chamber Choir / Rocky Hill High School
1:30 pm: Connecticut Women’s Choral
2:30 pm: The Elmwood Troubadours
Thursday | December 6 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: Silver Lane Singers
11:30 am: Bacon Academy
12:30 pm: WHS Choralaires
1:30 pm: The Bell Tones
2:30 pm: Westminster School Chamber Choir
Friday | December 7 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy Choir
11:30 am: Central Elementary Singers
12:30 pm: Farmington High School Madrigral Singers
1:30 pm: Trinity College Trinitones
2:30 pm: GMHS Chamber Singers
Saturday | December 8 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: Free Second Saturdays for Families
11:30 am: Free Second Saturdays for Families
12:30 pm: Free Second Saturdays for Families
1:30 pm: Levas Community Choir
2:30 pm: Zolotyj Promin, Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Sunday | December 9 | 10 am – 5 pm
10:30 am: Ballet Theatre Company
11:30 am: Kol Shirenu / The Emanuel Synagogue
12:30 pm: Sanctuary of Faith & Glory
1:30 pm: YMCA Footlights Program
2:30 pm: The Glastonbury Ukulele Band
Contributors
If you’re interested in designing and contributing a tree or wreath to Festival of Trees & Traditions, please read about Contributor Information and fill out the Contributors Contract Form
Any question or concerns please contact Tabitha Hujar.
Entertainment
If you’re interested in performing at Festival of Trees & Traditions, please fill out the Entertainment Form
Any questions or concerns please contact Tabitha Hujar.
Night of Illumination and Festival of Trees & Traditions are presented by the Women’s Committee of the Wadsworth Atheneum. All proceeds from this event fund the museum’s special exhibitions, educational programs, and operating expenses.
