Festival of Trees. -COURTESY PHOTO

The 19th Annual Festival of Trees is set to once again transform the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC) into a sparkling holiday wonderland, showcasing elaborately decorated trees by local businesses to benefit Goodwill of Southwest Florida and SBDAC. This year also marks the return of the beloved Teddy Bear Drive and the “Very Beary” Christmas tree featured at the Festival of Trees, where community members donated new stuffed animals and toys to bring comfort and cheer to children at Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Southwest Florida Children’s Network.

Each year, the community comes together to donate new teddy bears and unwrapped toys, which are lovingly placed on the “Very Beary” Christmas tree at the Festival of Trees. After the festival, the tree is delivered to the hospital lobby, where the bears are gifted to children spending their holidays in care.

In 2019 Festival of Trees had an indoor ice rink. The tree was decorated with bears sliding down the ice. -COURTESY PHOTO

“We have done a ‘Very Beary’ tree for the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Festival of Trees since its inception,” Debra A. Donatto, director of communications and marketing, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. explained. “We began adding the Southwest Florida Children’s Network about 5 years ago because we had so many donated toys to share. We also delivered to the Salvation Army for the past three years or so.”

Among the forest of decorated displays, this special tree stands out—its branches filled with teddy bears and donated toys underneath that will soon make their way to children at Golisano Children’s Hospital on Dec. 9 to help bring comfort and joy to its young patients during the holidays.

“We have been told by the Golisano staff that the ‘Very Beary’ tree is their favorite tree of the season, and how excited the children are to see it in the lobby and get a holiday gift,” Donatto adds. “Being in the hospital away from family is scary for anyone, but especially for a child. If they have to be in the hospital during the holidays, that is even more difficult. Giving them a toy or a bear brings a smile to their face and connects a positive memory with the experience that makes a lasting positive impact.”

The teddy bear and toy drive expanded after the untimely death of Janet Wilson, who was a part of the festival of many years and was on the Board of Directors for the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Donatto explained. “Friends of Janet (FOJ) was established, and we added the FOJ logo to our donation boxes in her honor.”

For many in the community, the Festival of Trees isn’t just an event; it’s a holiday tradition that continues to bring people back year after year.

“The Festival of Trees has become a holiday tradition in Fort Myers because it blends nostalgia, creativity, and community impact in one place,” according to Devon Morreale Parker, president and CEO of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. “Families come year after year because they see local businesses, artists, and nonprofits pour their hearts into these trees. It’s festive, joyful, and accessible — and it reflects the spirit of a community that loves coming together to support something bigger than themselves.”

The 2024 Toy Tree delivered to Golisano Children’s Hospital. -COURTESY PHOTO

What started nearly 20 years ago with Goodwill and SBDAC working together has blossomed into a treasured holiday tradition that benefits the community, as festival attendees can win one of the adorned trees through the purchase of a raffle ticket.

“It began as a small holiday fundraiser and has grown into a signature downtown tradition,” Parker reflects. “Over the years, the trees have become more elaborate, more creative, and more reflective of the people and businesses that make Fort Myers unique. We’ve added more programming, more hands-on activities for families, and stronger partnerships with local designers and organizations. Every year it feels bigger and more ambitious.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Goodwill of Southwest Florida and SBDAC have worked collaboratively for nearly two decades, Donatto explained. “We consider their team a part of our extended family. We have held other events at their venue and have shared resources over the years. We share in the experience of delivering the trees to the winners’ homes,” she adds.

One Christmas tree delivery after the festival that resonated took place in 2022, after Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, particularly Fort Myers.

“One that comes to mind is from the Festival of Trees immediately following Hurricane Ian in 2022. One of the tree winners won a home improvement themed tree and their home had flooded. We delivered and set up their tree in their emptied living room that had the lower four feet of drywall removed,” Parker described. “They were so happy because the tree came with lots of tools and home improvement gift cards that they were able to use to help repair their house.”

Another heart-warming recollection Donatto shares about people who have won trees in the past includes COVID Christmases and the feeling of seeing the impact a delivered tree with gifts has on the recipients.

2023 Fort Myers Technical Institute’s Nutcracker Tree. -COURTESY PHOTO

“December 2020 was huge. People kept thanking us for giving them hope and bringing a sense of normalcy back to their lives. One lady even said we saved her life. She came down to Florida after losing hope up north and found her way to Festival of Trees,” Donatto recalled. “She told us that she was in a bad place mentally, but the festival gave her the hope she needed to pick up her spirits and made her realize that everything will be ok.”

An additional memorable tree delivery involved bringing a large tree up an elevator to an apartment that was full of children. “The look on their faces when they saw the beautiful tree with all the toys was priceless,” Donatto said. “Just knowing that you are part of someone’s amazing holiday experience is so heartwarming. It’s all about bringing joy to others – that’s what it’s all about.”

With those heartfelt memories still shaping the festival’s legacy, residents are once again bringing their gifts—and their goodwill—to uphold a tradition that continues to grow.

“Your gift brings so much joy to children in our local community – especially during the holidays. A small gesture creates a lifetime of wonderful memories,” Donatto believed. “We hear from the children (who are grown now), sharing their memories on how much that gift meant to them. They are still coming to Festival of Trees with their children in hopes of sharing that joy with their little ones.”

With nearly 30 themed Christmas trees featured at the festival in 2024, organizers say the momentum is setting the stage for even more creative themes and community participation in 2025.

“The biggest trend I see is that each year tree designers go bigger and more over the top with their designs. Each year tree designers find new ways to go over the top with their creativity and generosity,” Parker says.

For Parker in 2024, a couple of trees that stood out as personal favorites included LCEC’s “Fa La La Fiesta” tree and “Norman Love Confections’ A Very Chocolatey Christmas” tree.

As the 20th anniversary of this festive holiday event approaches in 2026, Parker and Donatto have even bigger visions than sugarplums dancing in their heads.

“We want to continue expanding its creative footprint — more elaborate tree installations, more hands-on art activities, and even greater opportunities for local artists and students to showcase their work,” Parker continued. “We’re also looking at ways to enhance the experience with evening programming, musical performances, and expanded community collaborations. The festival is one of Southwest Florida’s most beloved holiday destinations and we are excited to see it grow.”

In addition to more volunteers, Donatto also wishes for new event and tree sponsors in future festivals. “We couldn’t do Festival of Trees without them,” she said. Publix is the 2025 festival’s title sponsor.

Every raffle ticket purchased, every volunteer hour, and every visit to the event makes a difference.

2023 ENT Specialists of Florida’s Florida Christmas Tree. -COURTESY PHOTO

“You’re not just enjoying beautifully decorated trees — you’re supporting job training, arts education, outreach programs, and arts programs. And community revitalization. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of something uplifting and deeply local, this is it,” she stated.

Planning starts in the summer with a Jingle Mingle to prep the event’s tree designers and goes through the tree delivery, which could not be done without the support of Two Men and a Truck, which volunteers their team and trucks annually to ensure trees are delivered to the winners, according to Donatto.

Volunteers are integral to the event, whether they are volunteering throughout the Festival of Trees or serving as the tree designers.

“They are creative and generously give of their time and talents to create trees that are works of art in and of themselves,” Parker believes. “Volunteers help assemble trees, greet families, staff activities, and create a warm, welcoming environment. Each tree represents hours of imagination and teamwork, and the businesses that sponsor them treat the festival like a gift to the community.”

Lee County Supervisor of Elections is another organization that volunteers its time and manpower to set up voting booths with official ballots so visitors can vote for their favorite trees, according to Donatto.

“We just encourage everyone to come out to the Festival of Trees. It’s the most fun you’ll have while supporting two local charities,” Donatto added.

Gratitude for partners and the community is a common feeling for event organizers.

“We’re proud to host this now 19-year-old tradition with Goodwill, and we’re grateful to every artist, business, volunteer and family who make it special,” Parker stated. “The Festival of Trees reminds us that creativity can bring a community together — and that joy is something we build collectively.”

The 19th Annual Festival of Trees in Fort Myers takes place from Dec. 4 through Dec. 7, 2025, at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

In The KNOW:

WHERE: Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Fort Myers, Florida.
WHEN: The festival runs from December 4th to December 7th, 2025.
TICKET PRICES: Entry is $2 per person, with free admission for children under 5 years old. Complimentary entry is also available with a new toy donation.
VOLUNTEER SIGN UP: signup.com/go/rerwBRC
MORE INFO: fortmyersfestivaloftrees.com/