Festival of Trees & Traditions at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT

The Festival of Trees & Traditions is a 33 year old tradition at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT. Enchanting displays of holiday trees, wreaths and decorations fill the halls of this world class museum to kick off the holiday season with a week long celebration of music, arts and special events.

This year, the festival begins on Saturday, December 2 with the opening of Candy Lane. Here, children learn about global holiday traditions through hands-on craft activities, visiting storytellers and puppeteers. Candy Lane is open at 10AM on every day of the festival. On opening day, children will be treated to a party just for them with a balloon artist, puppeteers and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. Connecticut author Janet Lawler will also be on hand to talk about her latest book A Mama Bug’s Love. Children under 12 can come to the party free of charge with a new, unwrapped gift for donation to Hartford’s homeless family shelters.

Opening day of the Festival of Trees & Traditions will also include concerts throughout the day by Connecticut musicians and ensembles. One of the day’s highlights is sure to be the Rocky Hill Congregational Church Jubilate Handbell Choir appearing at 11:30AM. Handbell choirs are an old tradition endeavored by those with a passion for spiritually uplifting sounds. The concert will be a perfect start to the year end holiday celebrations and set a festive mood for audience members young and old.

Throughout opening day other specialty choirs will carry on the Handbell Choir’s lead. the Hartt Suzuki Pianists, the MLC High School Show Choir, MLC Global Middle School Choir, MLC Global High School Gospel Choir and the Faith Congregational Church Sanctuary Choir will all lend their voices to fill the Wadsworth Atheneum halls.

On Sunday, the 3rd of December, the Ballet Theatre Company will offer a beautiful start to a day to be followed by a bevy of brass and chamber music from local ensembles. Classic Brass, Harmonia Mundi, Kids Klezmer Band, Solid Oak Big Band and the Granby Memorial High School Chamber Singers will all create a memorable Sunday afternoon filled with some of Connecticut’s finest musical groups.

The Festival of Trees & Traditions is closed on Monday December 4th but continues to shine throughout the week. On December 5th, the Wadsworth opens its doors early in the day for performances by the Newington High School Chamber Choir, Sedgwick Middle School First Strings, Old Saybrook High School Select Vocal Ensemble and Women’s Choir, and the Rocky Hill High School Chamber Choir.

On the 6th, the Wadsworth Atheneum is visited by the sweet sounds of Early Violin, Noah Webster Advanced Chamber Orchestra, Hartford Magnet Middle School Chorus, Barnard Brown Chorus, Hebron Avenue Singers, and the Farmington High School Madrigal Singers. The 7th brings the Hall High School Concert Choir, Quirk Middle School Concert Choir, the Hartford’s Chorale, and Silver Lane Singers. The museum will stay open late for Hartford’s monthly arts gathering, First Thursday. The galleries and Museum Shop will remain open so guests can enjoy the collections and shop for unique gifts while enjoying cocktails. Music by jazz pianist Anders Vercelli and the 35-member University of Connecticut Collegium Musicum will provide the perfect backdrop to a festive evening.

The Festival of Trees & Tradition starts its weekend festivities throughout the day of Friday, December 8 with performances by Hopewell Elementary School, Laurel School Filley Street Singers, Eastbury Select Chorus, The Master’s School Chamber Choir, Portland High School A Capella Singers, Westminster School Chamber Choir. The evening of Friday, December 8th will be a highlight of the week and a boost to the museum’s fundraising. The annual Reindeer Ball is the festival’s black tie party with music, dancing, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Saturday, December 9, is Family Day at the Festival of Trees & Traditions with appearances by Juggle Joy, a balloon artist, more puppeteers, and Santa and Mrs. Claus return with more Christmas spirit. Music from the West Hartford Women’s Chorale, Opera Express, Wethersfield Choralaires, the Governor’s Foot Guard Brass Quintet and St. Michael’s Gospel Choir will make the Wadsworth Atheneum alive with holiday spirit.

Closing day of the Wadsworth Atheneum’s Festival of Trees & Traditions starts at 10AM on Sunday, December 10th. The day will be filled with joyous voices and instruments from Hartt Community Division, Windsor High School Chamber Choir, CCSU & Hartt Community Division Tuba Ensemble, the Dick Santi Swing Band, Windsor High School Gospel Choir and the Valley Shore Chorus. It will be the last day to enjoy the “Winter Wonderland” of enchanting trees, wreaths and decorations that deck the Atheneum’s halls.