Details and tickets come from the organiser (desmoines.gaycities.com). Check with them before you go. Facebook page ↗
Presented by Iowa Realty Festival of Trees & Lights is a five-day public event that is the main fundraiser for Blank Children's Hospital. The event features beautifully decorated trees, entertainment, children's activities, food, shopping and more! Your attendance means you are supporting valuable programs at Blank Children's Hospital. Programs that would not be possible without the generous support of our community. We invite you to attend Festival, volunteer at Festival or support Festival by making a contribution, decorating a tree or donating books. In 1984 the Festival of Trees & Lights made its debut in Des Moines, and since that time families and friends of all ages have eagerly awaited this fun-filled event to kick-off the holiday season. With beautifully decorated trees, a fun-filled children's area, food, entertainment and special events, "Festival" has become a central Iowa tradition. Event Info: Event Hours: Wed., Nov. 25 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 26 - 1 to 7 p.m. Fri., Nov. 27 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat., Nov. 28 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun., Nov. 29 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $5 at event Children 2 & Younger: Free Purpose of Festival To develop support and community appreciation of Blank Children's Hospital through a community - wide holiday event. To promote community volunteerism in support of Blank Children's Hospital. To provide revenue to support the Child Life and Advocacy & Outreach programs at Blank Children's Hospital. Both the Child Life and Advocacy & Outreach programs are provided to everyone at little to no cost, and no one is ever turned away for any reason. That is why community support of Festival is so important. Festival revenue helps ensure these important services are available to all children, including the nearly 40 percent of young patients who are either uninsured or underinsured. In its 30-year history, the Festival has provided more than $7.1 million in financial support for Child Life, the Center for Advocacy & Outreach and other special programs and projects to serve the unique needs of children and their families. Festival is a volunteer supported event. Hundreds of volunteers give of their time to not only work at Festival but also help plan the event. In addition, a steering committee of volunteers is busy planning almost year round.