Weekend Celebration
Saturday, November 15 & Sunday, November 16 from 10 AM – 5 PM
The Festival of Trees community weekend celebration event will be held on Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16. The Gazette, along with Co-Presenting Sponsors ESCO Group and IBEW 405, are thrilled to return this treasured holiday tradition to Lindale Mall.
Holiday train rides, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and hourly performances only scratch the surface of what you’ll experience at Festival of Trees. Shop for unique and local holiday gifts from 45+ Iowa market vendors. Local holiday enthusiasts and businesses have come together to uniquely decorate themed trees and wreaths. The trees will be auctioned off throughout the Festival of Trees week!
Attending Festival of Trees supports our area nonprofits. Every year, The Gazette designates a local non-profit to receive a portion of the tree auction proceeds and one local nonprofit as the recipient of the product drive donations.
This year’s recipient of the Festival of Trees tree auction proceeds is the Young Parents Network (YPN) and the product drive donation proceeds will go to Foundation 2 Crisis Services. Visit these nonprofit websites to learn more about each of their programs and how you can support them before, during, and after the Festival of Trees.
Event Schedule
Nov. 15
Saturday
Event Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a 1 hour break from 1 – 2 p.m.
Kids Cookie Decorating: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Holiday Train Rides: 10am – 5 p.m. with a 1 hour break
Performances:
Group of Iowa Conservatory Singers – 10 a.m.
Young at Harp – 11 a.m.
New Horizons Band of Cedar Rapids – 12 p.m.
The Pointe School of Dance – 1 p.m.
The Sarah King Woodwind Studio – 2 p.m.
Prestige Dance Studio – 3 p.m.
Five Seasons Chamber Music – 4 p.m.
Nov. 16
Sunday
Event Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a 1 hour break from 1 – 2 p.m.
Kids Cookie Decorating: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Holiday Train Rides: 10am – 5 p.m. with a 1 hour break
Performances:
Group of Nolte Nutcracker Dancers – 10 a.m.
Alisabeth Von Presley & Christmas In The Key Of A – 11 a.m.
Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale – 12 p.m.
Franklin Middle School Illumination Show Choir – 1 p.m.
Dances With Scissors – 2 p.m.
Orchestra Iowa School’s Harmony and Odyssey Youth Choruses – 3 p.m.
Harmony Hawks Chours – 4 p.m.
Tree Bid
Winners
Sunday Pick Up: Nov. 16 – 5 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Monday Pick Up: Nov 17 – 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Take home a piece of the magic!
Our 2025 Festival of Trees ornament is a beautiful keepsake to remember this year’s celebration. Perfect for your tree or as a gift, it’s a timeless reminder of holiday joy and community spirit.
A new twist on holiday tradition
Win a fully decorated tree for only $5! Add some extra sparkle to your season with our brand-new Raffle Tree! For just $5 per entry, you could take home a beautifully decorated holiday tree- ornaments, lights, and all! The winner will be announced on Sunday!
Only 200 tickets will be sold, so make sure you grab your tickets as soon as possible, which can be purchased at the event.
The Gazette Festival of Trees Tree Raffle benefits The Young Parents Network (YPN) to support local families and children. Tickets are $5 each or 4 for $20, with a maximum of 200 tickets available. The drawing will take place on November 16, 2025, at 4 p.m. during the Festival of Trees at Lindale Mall. The winner need not be present to win and must claim their prize by November 30, 2025, by contacting Elena Stark at elena.stark@thegazette.com for disbursement. Entries purchased by cash or credit card are subject to a small processing fee and cannot be sold outside the state of Iowa.
