Sea Festival of Trees | Sundays

As one of New England’s must-see holiday traditions, the 12th Annual SeaFestival of Trees fundraiser opens Saturday, November 23, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, MA. With over 135 extravagantly themed trees, a full-size indoor skating rink, a spectacular giant sand sculpture, and Santa’s Workshop, this immersive winter wonderland has grown into a cherished event for all ages. The Festival runs on weekends through December 8, plus Tuesday, November 26 and Thursday, December 5, with special events and themed evenings bringing magic to every visit.

SeaFestival of Trees

This year’s festival promises awe-inspiring sights and experiences, from an Elf-themed Candy Cane Forest with towering striped canes and an 8-foot narwhal, to a stunning 10-foot-tall Christmas tree sand sculpture created by master sculptor Greg Grady. Kids will delight in visiting Santa’s Workshop, where they can explore toy-stuffed curio cabinets and play at a Toy Testing Station with timeless classics like Etch A Sketch.

With proceeds benefiting the Salisbury Beach Historic Carousel, the SeaFestival of Trees has welcomed more than 250,000 visitors over the years and raised over $1 million to help preserve this cultural icon. “It’s a joyful event where families can experience the season’s wonder while supporting our historic carousel,” said Kathy Aiello, managing director of the festival.

What to Expect at the SeaFestival of Trees:

• Dazzling Tree Display
  • Explore over 135 beautifully themed trees donated by local businesses and families, each illuminated with holiday magic. Themes range from beloved characters and winter wonderlands to beachy and whimsical motifs. Some trees include gifts valued at $1,000 or more, and each tree will go home with a lucky winner in the Festival’s tree raffle. Visitors can purchase a raffle card with 25 entries for only $5, choosing their favorites for a chance to win.
• Giant Sand Sculpture
  • An 8-foot wide, 10-foot-tall sand sculpture of Santa’s North Pole Christmas, meticulously crafted by Master Sculptor Greg Grady from 8,000 pounds of sand.
• Indoor Skating Rink
  • No winter coats needed! The synthetic Seaside Ice rink offers free skating, with rentals available for all ages.
• Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Forest, and Santa’s Sleigh
  • Walk through a forest of candy canes, peek inside Santa’s toy-making shop, and capture a memory in Santa’s giant hand-carved, life-sized sleigh.
• Photos with Santa + North Pole Post Office
  • Capture a festive photo with Santa in his big red velvet chair, then write a letter to him on special holiday stationery and send it straight to the North Pole with our North Pole Express mailbox.
• Special Appearances and Immersive Photo Spots
  • The Snow Queen and Green Grinch will make scheduled appearances, with themed backdrops straight from Whoville and the Ice Palace.

Special Events & Theme Nights:

• Spirits of Christmas Gala & Grand Tree Lighting (November 22, 6pm-9pm)
  • Kick off the holiday with a festive gala, complete with live music, tree awards, cocktail samplings, and a sparkling first view of the decorated trees.
• Elf Day (November 24)
  • Bring out your inner elf with games, a make your own paper snowflake craft, and Buddy the Elf himself.
• Holiday Dance Shows (November 24, 1pm-4pm)
  • Lively holiday performances by regional dance schools on the Blue Ocean Music Hall stage.
• Triton Night (November 26, 5pm-8pm)
  • Half Price festival admission for all Salisbury, Byfield, Newbury, and Rowley residents and students.
• Sippin’ Santa Girls Night Out (December 5, 5pm-8pm)
  • Sip a complimentary holiday cocktail sampler, shop at local coastal-themed artisan tables, spin the prize wheel with 92.5 The River Radio, and try the fun adult-themed scavenger hunt.
• Bruins Night (December 6)
  • Don your favorite Bruins gear for a night on the ice, with a chance to win Bruins tickets.
• Polar Express Pajama Party (December 7, 10:30am-12pm)
  • Enjoy a cozy, story-filled morning with cocoa and brownies, dancing, a keepsake silver bell for each child, North Pole Bingo, and a visit from Santa! Ticketed event.
• Santa & The Grinch Holiday Brunch (December 8, 10am-12pm)
  • This popular Naughty and Nice brunch features table visits and photos with the jolly old fellow and the mean green one, filled with music, interactive games, and more. Ticketed event.

Festival Hours & Admission

• Admission: $10; children 5 and under, $5.
• Location: Blue Ocean Event Center, Salisbury, MA.
• Hours: Open weekends November 23-December 8, with additional hours on November 26 & December 5. Full schedule at SeaFestivalOfTrees.com or call the hotline at 978-462-2512.

For more information on special events, character appearance schedules, and ticketing, please visit SeaFestivalOfTrees.com.

About Salisbury Beach Historic Carousel
A preserved 1909 Looff-Mangels carousel, a rare treasure in historic preservation, housed on Salisbury Beach and open year-round.

About Blue Ocean Event Center
A state-of-the-art event venue on the Atlantic, hosting corporate, wedding, and social events with stunning oceanfront views.

SEA FESTIVAL OF TREES HOURS (subject to change)

• Saturday, November 23         11am-8pm
• Sunday, November 24             11am-5pm
• Tuesday, November 26           5pm-8pm
• Friday, November 29              11am-8pm
• Saturday, November 30         11am-8pm
• Sunday, December 1               11am-5pm
• Thursday, December 5            5pm-8pm
• Friday, December 6                 5pm-8pm
• Saturday, December 7             11am-8pm
• Sunday, December 8               11am-5pm  Tree Raffle Winners Drawn 5pm