North Country Festival of Trees returns Nov. 27 in downtown Watertown
The 2026 North Country Festival of Trees will run Nov. 27 through Dec. 6 at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown, featuring decorated trees, family activities, auctions and a holiday gala.
By Jessica Hale, ClickNNY North Country Desk
The 2026 North Country Festival of Trees will open Nov. 27 at the Dulles State Office Building in downtown Watertown, bringing decorated trees, family activities and fundraising events to 317 Washington Street through Dec. 6. The Watertown Family YMCA and Samaritan Medical Center Foundation are co-presenting the event, whose proceeds support local health care services and children’s programming.
This year’s theme is “A Christmas Carol: Dickens of a Christmas.” Public viewing and an online tree auction begin Nov. 27. People’s Choice voting will remain open in person and online through Nov. 29.
Festival events
The schedule includes a Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 28, followed by “Stories, Stockings and Santa” from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 29. Holiday movies are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5.
Live performances will include Northern Blend Chorus, Case Middle School A Cappella, Rhonda’s Footeworks, Johnston School of Irish Dance, Dance World and the Community Music School of Northern New York Jazz Ensemble.
Gala and auction
The Holiday Gala and Live Auction is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Dulles State Office Building. A decorators’ reception is set for 5:30 p.m. The gala, presented by Apogee Physicians, will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and an auction of decorated trees. Tickets are $90 per person, and reservations are required by Nov. 25.
Trees are judged in categories including Most Traditional, Most Innovative, Most Elegant, The Jim Henry Most Whimsical, Best Use of Theme and Judge’s Choice. Decorator registration closed Nov. 9.
The festival is a continuing holiday fundraiser in the Watertown area. In 2024, the event raised $75,289 for mental health services at Samaritan and children’s programming at the YMCA. Before 2025, it was held at the former Bon-Ton location at Salmon Run Mall. Last year’s theme was “A Winter Wonderland.”
Closing details
Public viewing and the online auction will close Dec. 6, with viewing ending at 2 p.m. Purchased trees can be picked up or delivered Dec. 6 and 7.
Event information and gala reservations are available through the Watertown Family YMCA’s Festival of Trees page and Samaritan Health’s gala page.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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