Festival of Trees and Traditions

December 2 – 12, 2021

Skip the line! Book your tickets online.

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.

Hours
Thursday, December 2–Sunday, December 12 (closed Monday–Wednesday)
Noon-5pm

Admission
Members: $5
Hartford Residents: $5
Adults: $20
Seniors: $17
Students: $10
Youth (age 17 & under): $5

Please note: The prices above reflect a $5 fundraising surcharge that is added to all museum admissions during Festival of Trees & Traditions.

The Wadsworth usually waives admission fees from 4–5 pm. Guests visiting the museum at these times during the Festival of Trees & Traditions fundraiser will be charged $5 for their admission.

Groups of 10 or more will receive a discount by reservation only. To schedule a group visit, call (860) 838-4046 or email tours@thewadsworth.org.

Schedule of Entertainment

Thursday, December 2
2pm | Harp music by Debbie Vinick

Friday, December 3
12:30pm | Bacon Academy Choir
2pm | Ballet Theatre Company
3:30pm | Trinity College Trinitones

Saturday, December 4
For the kids! Santa will be at the museum from noon-2pm and Ben Parker will lead an origami making session at 3:30pm. Take and make LEGO menorahs will be handed out.
12:30pm | Ariel Flutes
2pm | Creative Dance Center
3:30pm | The Troubadours (Elmwood/West Hartford Senior Center)

Sunday, December 5
12:30pm | Elizabeth Lyra Ross
2pm | Capitol Trombone Choir
3:30pm | Silk City Chorus

Thursday, December 9
12:30pm | First String from Sedgwick Middle School
2pm | Tyrollean Singers

Friday, December 10
12:30pm | Harmonia Mundi
2pm | Stafford High School Madrigal Singers
3:30pm | Farmington High School Madrigal Singers

Saturday, December 11 
See Festival of Trees & Traditions for free! Museum admission is free all day for December Second Saturday.
12:30pm | The Sweetest Key
2pm | Ballet Hartford
3:30pm | Concert Band – First Company, Governor’s Foot Guard Band

Sunday, December 12
12:30pm | Mighty Chamber Groups
2pm | GMHS Chamber Singers

 

 

Festival of Trees & Traditions is 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.

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 FAQs page.