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The Dec. 4-5 celebration will feature decorated Christmas trees, a black-tie fundraiser and children’s activities. Proceeds will support cardiac care at McLaren Port Huron.
PORT HURON, Mich. — One of Port Huron’s longest-running holiday traditions returns in December, bringing decorated Christmas trees, a formal evening gala and free family activities to the city’s downtown.
The 38th annual Port Huron Festival of Trees is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. The McLaren Port Huron Foundation will host the two-day celebration, which will raise money to support cardiac care at McLaren Port Huron.
This year, the festival moves to The Bank on Military Street, giving visitors a chance to enjoy the holiday displays inside one of downtown Port Huron’s distinctive event spaces.
The celebration includes a ticketed black-tie gala Friday evening, followed by a free public viewing Saturday. Families can enjoy decorated trees, cookie decorating, a holiday scavenger hunt and the return of the popular Teddy Bear Hospital.
The event is part of a tradition that has connected holiday celebrations with hospital fundraising for nearly four decades.
Festival of Trees Has Become a Port Huron Holiday Tradition
For 38 years, the Festival of Trees has brought together local businesses, volunteers, families and hospital supporters to celebrate Christmas while raising money for health care.
The annual fundraiser centers on Christmas trees decorated by participating designers and community supporters. The displays offer visitors a range of holiday themes, from traditional ornaments and lights to more elaborate arrangements.
But the festival serves another purpose.
Money raised through the event helps McLaren Port Huron purchase equipment, improve services, and support hospital programs that benefit patients throughout the Blue Water Area.
Previous festivals demonstrate how the fundraiser has evolved. In 2024, proceeds helped purchase a three-dimensional cone-beam CT machine, according to McLaren. The hospital said the technology improved imaging capabilities for pulmonary and orthopedic physicians.
The 2025 festival supported a new hospital K-9 security unit intended to improve safety for patients, employees, and visitors. For 2026, organizers have selected cardiac care as the beneficiary.
That shift gives this year’s event a broader purpose than seasonal entertainment. Donations will support medical services for patients from Port Huron, St. Clair County, and surrounding communities.
Black-Tie Gala Opens the Festival Dec. 4
The festivities begin Friday, Dec. 4, with an evening fundraiser at The Bank in downtown Port Huron.
The McLaren Port Huron Foundation will host a reception for Beacon Society members and sponsors from 5 to 6 p.m. General admission begins at 6 p.m., with the gala continuing until 10 p.m. Guests can expect decorated Christmas trees, holiday refreshments and an evening devoted to supporting the hospital.
Festival of Trees Gala Details
| Event information | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, Dec. 4, 2026 |
| Sponsor reception | 5-6 p.m. |
| General admission | 6-10 p.m. |
| Venue | The Bank, Port Huron |
| Tickets | $125 per person |
| Couples admission | $200 for two |
| Beneficiary | McLaren Port Huron cardiac care |
| Organizer | McLaren Port Huron Foundation |
The $200 two-ticket package saves $50 compared with buying two individual tickets.
Tickets and registration information are available through the McLaren Port Huron Festival of Trees registration page. The event’s published listings identify the gala location as 600 Military St. However, other listings list The Bank at 800 Military St. Visitors should confirm the correct entrance with organizers before traveling.
Free Community Viewing Returns Saturday, Dec. 5
The next day, the festival opens its doors to the public at no admission charge. Saturday’s community viewing runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is designed for families, children and anyone interested in seeing the decorated trees.
The free event represents an important part of the festival’s recent development.
In 2025, organizers brought back a public viewing program alongside the formal gala. This arrangement allowed families to join the celebration without buying tickets to the evening fundraiser. That format continues in 2026.
Family Activities Planned for Saturday
Visitors can expect several activities:
- Designer Christmas trees: View decorated holiday trees prepared for the festival.
- Teddy Bear Hospital: Children can bring a favorite stuffed animal for a pretend medical checkup or purchase a bear for $5.
- Cookie decorating: A hands-on holiday activity for children.
- Holiday scavenger hunt: Families can search for seasonal items throughout the event.
- Raffles: Visitors can participate in fundraising drawings associated with the festival.
The Teddy Bear Hospital offers a particularly useful connection between the celebration and its hospital sponsor. Children can see familiar medical activities presented in a friendly setting, with stuffed animals serving as patients.
The program can help introduce young visitors to health care while providing a lighthearted holiday activity. The free community viewing is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Breakfast With Santa Adds Another Free Family Activity
Families planning to attend Saturday’s Festival of Trees can begin their morning with another holiday tradition.
The YMCA will host a free Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. until noon on Dec. 5. The breakfast gives children a chance to meet Santa before visiting the decorated trees and family activities at The Bank.
Because the two events overlap, families can attend the breakfast first and then visit the Festival of Trees, which opens at 10 a.m. The arrangement creates a morning of holiday activities without requiring families to purchase admission to either event.
Festival Proceeds Will Support Cardiac Care at McLaren Port Huron
The charitable purpose of the Festival of Trees changes each year, depending on the hospital’s priorities. For 2026, the foundation has identified cardiac care as the beneficiary.
This funding focus matters for a hospital serving Port Huron and surrounding communities. Heart disease remains a major public health concern, particularly among older adults. Fundraising events can help hospitals purchase medical technology, improve facilities, and support services beyond routine operating budgets.
McLaren’s previous Festival of Trees projects show how donations can translate into specific improvements.
In 2024, the fundraiser supported the purchase of advanced medical imaging equipment. In 2025, the foundation directed its fundraising efforts toward hospital security. The 2026 announcement identifies cardiac care as the intended beneficiary but does not specify which equipment, services or capital improvements will receive the proceeds.
A Different Setting for the 2026 Celebration
One notable change this year is the festival’s location. The 2025 Festival of Trees took place at the Blue Water Convention Center. This December, the celebration moves to The Bank in downtown Port Huron.
The change brings the event closer to downtown restaurants and businesses. It also gives visitors an opportunity to combine the holiday celebration with shopping or dining in Port Huron.
McLaren’s official festival page identifies the 2026 venue as The Bank, 800 Military St. Some third-party event listings identify 600 Military St. instead. Treat the hospital’s official address as the primary reference until organizers clarify the discrepancy.
What Visitors Should Know Before Attending
| Detail | Friday, Dec. 4 | Saturday, Dec. 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Event | Black-Tie Gala | Community Viewing |
| Time | 6-10 p.m. | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. |
| Admission | $125 per person or $200 for two | Free |
| Main attractions | Decorated trees, refreshments, fundraising | Decorated trees, Teddy Bear Hospital, children’s activities |
| Audience | Adults and hospital supporters | Families and general public |
| Venue | The Bank, Port Huron | The Bank, Port Huron |
Official event information: McLaren Port Huron Festival of Trees
Tickets and registration: Festival of Trees Registration
Visitors should confirm ticket availability, venue access and parking arrangements before traveling.
A Holiday Celebration With a Community Purpose
The Festival of Trees has lasted nearly four decades because it offers something beyond a conventional holiday attraction.
Families can enjoy decorated Christmas trees and seasonal activities. Local businesses and volunteers can participate in a community tradition. Hospital supporters can help improve local medical care.
This year’s emphasis on cardiac care makes the celebration especially important for older residents and families who depend on McLaren Port Huron. The free Saturday viewing also makes the event accessible to people who may not be interested in, or able to afford, the formal gala.
For residents of St. Clair County and Michigan’s Thumb, the Dec. 4-5 celebration offers a holiday outing with a charitable purpose. For McLaren Port Huron, the 38th Festival of Trees offers another chance to turn community participation into financial support for patient care.
