Festival of Trees

Founded in 1984, the Festival of Trees supports ongoing operational and restoration efforts for the Embassy Theatre Foundation. The Festival is the organization’s largest annual fundraising event.

Lobbies of the Embassy Theatre and former Indiana Hotel transform into a wonderland of decorated trees at various sizes, shapes and a broad array of themes. Admission includes visits with Santa and festive entertainment on stage including the Grande Page pipe organ as well as youth choirs, dance performances and more! Attendees are encouraged to register to win various goodies* as well as vote for their favorite trees and visit the animated holiday windows along the building on Harrison Street. We will also feature concurrent events like Breakfast with Santa.

More details about this year’s festivities will be provided late summer 2025.

Why get involved with this beloved tradition?

The Festival of Trees offers organizations a unique opportunity to participate in one of northeast Indiana’s most popular annual community events and the Embassy Theatre Foundation’s largest fundraiser:

Community Visibility — The Festival of Trees generally attracts more than 25,000 visitors annually. Beginning with the Night of Lights, the Embassy is a featured stop in the city’s annual downtown lighting ceremony, where we unveil the Harrison Street holiday windows and the opening night for Festival of Trees.

Youth Performance Opportunity — Youth entertainment on the Embassy stage is a highlight of the festival, with 40+ performances including 30+ regional dance groups, choirs and orchestras on the stage throughout the festival. The youth performances provide an entertainment backdrop for the festival, and performers receive an opportunity to experience the Embassy’s iconic stage where legends have stood before them.

Community Involvement — This event opens the doors to Fort Wayne and surrounding communities and gives the public the opportunity to participate as patrons, musical performers, event volunteers, sponsors and/or tree decorators. The 2024 festival featured 63 beautifully decorated trees.

Regional Impact — In keeping with its mission to preserve and operate one of Indiana’s largest historic theaters, the Embassy manages ongoing restoration and maintenance efforts, all with the primary goal of improving and securing the theater for future generations. Overall, the Embassy welcomes more than 130,000 visitors annually. The Festival of Trees provides funding that allows the Embassy to remain a thriving theater for northeast Indiana to treasure.

If you are interested in sponsoring a tree, please reach out to Katie Price, chief philanthropy officer, at 260.247.9383 or katie@fwembassytheatre.org.

Anyone interested in decorating a tree should contact Brittneay King-Pope, special events director, at brittneay@fwembassytheatre.org or at 260.247.9384.

*Embassy Theatre Foundation Gaming License #015875