Holiday begins with Festival of Trees

"Enchanted Christmas," the 19th Annual Festival of Trees, will be held Nov. 11 - 18 at the Masonic Center in Downtown Racine. This year’s event will include new activities and entertainment, and tours of the Masonic mansion, built by Henry S. Durand in 1857. The house, which was sold to the Masons of Racine in 1921, is at 1012 Main Street.

The Festival opens at noon on Sunday, Nov. 11 offering visits with Santa, and holiday treats in the Candy Cane Café. A kids area will offer face painting, storytelling, magicians, and costumed characters. There will also be holiday bingo and movies. The marketplace will offer early Christmas shopping from Downtown boutiques.


The Festival will provide over 50 one-of-a-kind decorated trees, garlands and wreaths as well as spectacular holiday decorations throughout the Mansion. Visitors can win a tree, wreath or garland by purchasing raffle tickets. The tree raffle drawing will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18.

Senior Holly Day will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. Seniors 55 and older will receive discounted admission, a complimentary raffle ticket, and pastry from Home Instead Senior Care. Seniors will also enjoy a performance by the Kitchen Band and a game of Holiday Bingo.

Entertainers wanted. Check HERE.

Family Night on Friday, Nov. 16 is sponsored by WRJN and Lite Rock 92.1. From 5-9 p.m. guests will be greeted by live reindeer and children can enjoy Rudolph’s “bouncy house” in the parking lot, and Star Wars characters inside. Live entertainment will be performed by the MIT’s from 6-8 p.m. and Night Wing from 8-9 p.m. And, a spaghetti dinner will be served in the ballroom from 5-8 p.m.

Special Memory Tree Ornaments will be available for $10, and will be hand-painted with the name of a loved one, and displayed throughout the Festival. The ornament is a glittery red star, and after the festival ends they may be picked up at the DRC office.

General admission prices to the Festival are: $6 adults; $4 seniors; $4 children (ages 3-12). Children under age 3 are admitted free.

The Festival will be open the following dates and times:

Sunday, Nov. 11 – noon – 7 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 12 – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 13 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 14 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 15 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 16 – 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 17 – 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 18 – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For more information, go HERE or call the Downtown Racine Corporation office at 262-634-6002.