Merry-Time Festival of Trees
November 8-December 10

Joyously celebrate the holidays by enjoying dozens of beautifully decorated Christmas trees scattered throughout the museum’s galleries. Lovingly decorated by local businesses, organizations and residents each of these extraordinary trees is adorned with beautiful ornaments and special surprises. Best of all, every tree will go home with a lucky winner in our Merry-Time Festival of Trees raffle! Enjoy a live auction, a silent auction, the tree raffle drawing and a score of heavy hors d’oeuvres at the event’s final gala, “Jingle, Jingle, Mix & Mingle” on December 10. Create a new holiday tradition for your family and friends by joining in this wonderful festive event. Museum admission includes a daily festival rate of $10 for adults (includes a free $5 Merry-Time Festival of Trees raffle ticket).

We are currently looking for sponsors for the 2019 Festival! Click here to find out how you can become a sponsor! 

Tug Lighting & Merry-Time Festival of Trees Opening Day
November 8, 2019
4pm-6pm
Celebrate the holiday season with hot cocoa and carols for the opening of the Merry-Time Festival of Trees and the lighting of the Tug John Purves.

Merry-Time Festival of Trees
November 8 – December 10, 2019
Daily 10am-5pm
During the 8th Annual Merry-Time Festival of Trees, visitors to the museum can explore not only the exhibits dedicated to Great Lakes maritime history, but also the beautiful holiday trees scattered throughout the museum galleries. With every admission, visitors receive a free raffle ticket to try to win one of the donated trees.

Kids Day & Santa on the Tug
December 7, 2019
10am-1pm
Children of all ages will delight in visiting Santa aboard the historic tugboat John Purves during Merry-Time Fun Kids Day. Enjoy family activities, holiday crafts, and a museum scavenger hunt starting. Santa will be on board the John Purves, where kids can share their Christmas wishes.

Jingle Mixer
December 10, 2019
5:30pm-8:30pm
The Merry-Time Festival of Trees culminates with the popular Jingle Mixer Gala where guests will enjoy live seasonal entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, along with a live and silent auction and tree raffle drawing. The Jingle Mixer Gala offers not only a fun evening at the museum, but also helps support the year-round operations, mission, and educational programing of the Maritime Museum.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Tree Raffle!