November 2020 Archives - Page 2 of 2

Festival of Trees Celebration Returns for the Holidays

34th Festival of Trees 2020 Orlando Museum of Arts

The Festival of Trees is back for its 34th year at the Orlando Museum of Art to bring joy to Central Florida with advanced tickets available now.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 12-29, with the exception of Mondays and Thanksgiving Day.

During this time, the Orlando Museum of Art will be transformed into a holiday wonderland filled with stunning décor and holiday cheer. This year’s theme is “Joy to the World—Celebrating a Season of Joy,” selected by the Council of 101 to focus on adding a little joy during the holiday season.

But while the fun will be what Central Floridians have come to expect from the beloved event, the Council of 101 has scaled down the event this year and made some changes to ensure a safe a fun event for all.

Tickets will be managed through reserved admissions due to limited capacity. Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Onsite visitors will be asked to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines. For those who can’t make it out, organizers have enhanced the virtual experiences, offering online tours of the festival, virtual events, and even the opportunity to purchase a tree online.

“The Festival of Trees is a truly a favorite tradition here in Central Florida. It’s what really makes it feel like the holidays for so many people,” said Jill Toole, president of the Council of 101. “While some things will be different this year, we’re proud we could still bring the holiday spirit to our community, perhaps when we need it most.”

Onsite or online, guests can experience the decorated halls of the museum and enjoy more than 25 decked-out trees, exceptional gingerbread houses, pop up vendors, elegant Entertaining by Design table settings, performances by talented local entertainers, and special drawings throughout the event. Not to be missed are the Santa sightings on the weekend, and children can make their Christmas requests by writing letters.

The first weekend of the festival kicks off with Ugly Sweater Day on November 14, with dignitaries and special ambassador appearances anticipated for this fun-filled theme event.

The Council of 101 events, including the Festival of Trees, have raised over $12 million for the Orlando Museum of Art’s educational programs. Festival of Trees benefits lifelong learning programs at the Orlando Museum of Art. Reaching deep into the community, these programs support many people from different walks of life, age, and income groups.

34th Annual Festival of Trees General Admission:

Thursday, November 12- Sunday, November 29 (Excluding Mondays and Thanksgiving Day)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to relish in the holiday season. Tickets are available at Councilof101.org or by calling 407-896-4231 ext.254. Tickets will be managed through reserved admissions as the museum is operating at limited capacity. Advanced ticket purchase is encouraged. Onsite visitors will be directed to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Ticket Prices for 34th Annual Festival of Trees:

Adults $15
Children (3-11) $7
Seniors (65+) $12
Military Personnel & First Responders (with valid ID) $12

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Councilof101.org or call 407-896-4231 ext.254

Tickets On Sale For Give Kids The World Village’s Night of a Million Lights Holiday Spectacular

For the first time ever, Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee will open its gates to the public – offering a glimpse into the magical, whimsical non-profit resort that fulfills the wishes of critically ill children from around the world.

Give Kids the World Night of a Million Lights Holiday Spectacular

From Friday, November 13, through Sunday, January 3, 2021, visitors can experience the childlike wonder of the Village during Night of a Million Lights, a walk-through, fully immersive holiday light spectacular.

More than three million lights will adorn the 84-acre resort, including a 150-foot lighted tunnel along the Avenue of Angels leading to elaborately decorated wish family residential villas; more than 50 larger-than-life holiday-themed wireframes, some spanning more than 40 feet; an enormous dancing gingerbread arch; and out-of-this-world space-themed decorations showcasing the Village’s newest centerpiece, Henri’s Starlite Scoops.

A stellar group of corporate treasured Partners will showcase their design talents by adopting and decorating a residential villa for display throughout the 52 nights of the event.

Tickets are on sale starting October 1 at www.gktw.org/lights, enabling guests to walk among the brilliant lights and participate in a variety of fun and festive activities in a safe, socially distant manner. Ticket prices start at $15 for children ages 3-17 and $25 for adults, and include on-site parking, complimentary ice cream and hot cocoa, and unlimited access to the Village’s wheelchair-accessible attractions – including The Enchanted Carousel; Marc’s Dino Putt; Kelly’s Sunny Swing; Lori’s Magical Flight; an interactive model railroad; and the Village’s iconic Castle of Miracles, where thousands of stars fill the ceiling in honor of wish children who have visited the Village. The event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, with staggered entry times at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. (confirmed at the time of purchase) to ensure social distancing. Mask wearing will also be required for all guests.

Proceeds from the event will support Give Kids The World’s mission to provide wish vacations for critically ill children and their families. When wish-granting organizations receive a request from a critically ill child who wants to visit Central Florida, Give Kids The World fulfills the wish – providing each child and his/her family with a magical week-long stay at absolutely no cost. Each family receives transportation, accommodations in one of the Village’s 166 storybook residential villas, all meals and snacks, nightly entertainment, tickets to Orlando’s world-class theme parks and attractions, and priceless interactive experiences at the Village. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 176,000 families from 50 states and more than 76 countries.

Give Kids The World Village closed to wish families in mid-March due to the global pandemic, delaying more than 4,000 wishes. Night of a Million Lights is designed to raise funds to ensure that the wishes of critically ill children can return bigger and better than ever before once the Village reopens.