This past weekend, Chanda and I visited the Akron Children’s Hospital Tree Festival 2024, an event we look forward to every year. If you’re not familiar, it’s a holiday tradition where beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and other festive decorations are displayed and sold to benefit a great cause. The timing is intentional—it’s held about a week and a half before Thanksgiving so buyers can take their purchases home to kickstart their holiday decorating. Each year is different, with fresh themes and creative designs, and this year didn’t disappoint.
One thing we noticed right away was the strong Grinch theme running throughout the festival. It seemed like every other tree had a nod to the Grinch, from whimsical designs to full-on recreations of Whoville. Another highlight for us was a tree featuring a stunning 3D-printed Big Ben and ship—it was so unique and detailed that we were shocked it didn’t win an award. Other standout displays included a Seuss-inspired upside-down tree, and even a Bluey tree, which we knew would be a hit with families. It’s always incredible to see the thought and effort people put into these designs.
As much as we loved the festival, we did miss the old venue at Quaker Square. Back then, the event had a cozier, more intimate vibe that made it feel extra festive. The current space is much larger but doesn’t quite capture that homey, Christmas-y atmosphere. Even so, it was still a wonderful experience, and we’ll definitely keep coming back. This festival has been part of both of our lives for years—Chanda attended as a kid, and I first came in high school when my show choir performed at the event.
If you’re in the Akron area during the holiday season, this is a must-see event. Whether you’re there to shop or just admire the incredible displays, it’s a festive outing for a great cause. Plus, you never know what unique and creative designs you’ll find. For us, it was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season, and we’re already looking forward to next year!
website: https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/Holiday-Tree-Festival.html
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