Experience the magic of the season at the Everson!

The Everson is proud to present the 2023 Festival of Trees and Light, a beloved Central New York holiday tradition.

Now in its 38th year, the Festival will offer more performances and activities than ever!

A wide variety of trees, wreaths, and other seasonal items will be available for purchase, and the Museum Gift Shop will have plenty of selections for your holiday gift-giving. Plan on making the Festival of Trees & Light part of your holiday season.

Here are just a few items that will add to the success of the Festival:

Pre-lit decorated trees of all sizes
Decorated wreaths
Unique seasonal and winter-inspired décor items, representing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years, winter solstice, or any seasonal celebration
Artisanal individual gift items and ornaments

Schedule of Events:

December 2, 2023:

Winter Art Studio:
Open Hours

The Winter Art Studio invites families to engage in self-led, holiday-themed art activities, creating treasured festive memories together. Whether your artistic passions lie in painting, drawing, sculpting, or crafting, there's an activity that suits every member of your family.

10:00am: Lana Goldman Piano Studio - Auditorium

10:00am - 12:00pm: Evergreen Wreath-Making - The Beadel Gallery

Gather the whole family and join us for a heartwarming day of creativity and holiday spirit. This hands-on art activity is perfect for kids and their parents, allowing everyone to explore their artistic talents while crafting beautiful wreaths using fragrant evergreen branches. Sponsored by Carol Watson Greenhouse.

1:30pm and 2:30pm: CMC Dance Company - Hosmer Auditorium

1:00 - 5:00pm: Clay Snowmen

Embrace the holiday spirit with our family-friendly clay snowman sculpting workshop! Join us for a delightful hands-on experience that's perfect for kids and parents alike. Under the guidance of our skilled instructors, you'll mold and shape your very own clay snowmen, complete with scarves, hats, and whimsical features. This creative and heartwarming activity is a fantastic way to bond with loved ones, express your artistic side, and bring a touch of winter wonderland into your home.

7:00pm: Carrie Monolakos - Auditorium

The Everson Museum of Art is proud to present  singer, actress, songwriter, voice coach—and Syracuse native—Carrie Manolakos, for a one-night-only performance on December 2, 2023 at the Everson Museum of Art.

Carrie starred as Sophie in Mamma Mia! on Broadway, and as Elphaba in the second national tour of Wicked. Film and soundtrack credits include The Greatest Showman, Incredibles 2, Dear Evan Hansen, Croods: A New Age, and more.

Learn more about Carrie Manolakos and Book Your Tickets! https://everson.org/connect/carrie-manolakos/

December 3, 2023:

10:00am - 12:00pm: Indigenous Cornhusk Dolls

Delve into the rich traditions of Native American cultures as you mold and decorate your own cornhusk and learn about the significance of these timeless creations. This hands-on experience is not only a chance to nurture your artistic talents but also a unique opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities.

12:00pm: Sudha Raj Dance Studio - Auditorium

1:00 - 5:00pm: Winter Animal Water-Coloring

Watch as your kids' imaginations come alive on the canvas, as they create watercolor paintings of intricate, icy scenes filled with penguins sliding on icebergs or fluffy polar bears frolicking in the snow.

12:30 - 2:00pm: Bright Forever - Sculpture Court

Megan Hook is a singer/songwriter releasing music under her band name "The Bright Forever."  Megan sings, writes the songs, plays guitar, piano, and adds other bells and whistles.

2:00pm & 3:00pm: Tawn Marie Dance Company - Auditorium

2:00pm: Gem Duo - Sculpture Court

2:00 - 4:00pm: Drop in Winter Art-Making for Kids - Danial Family Education Center

All ages are welcome to drop in anytime to enjoy winter themed art-making activities taught by local educators and high school students from the Everson Teen Arts Council!

4:00pm: Sudha Raj Dance School - Hosmer Auditorium

December 6, 2023:

Dr. Tom Dooley Choraliers - Sculpture Court

11:00am: LaFayette Senior High Band - Auditorium

December 7, 2023:

11:00am: ESM High School Choir - Sculpture Court

5:30 - 8:00pm: 3rd Annual A Cappella Jam - Hosmer Auditorium

Where are all of our aca-nerds at?! This Pitch Perfect meets the Everson event will leave you feeling energized and filled with the type of joy that only ensemble music performances can create.

December 8, 2023:

11:00am: Onondaga Central High School Choir - Sculpture Court

12:00pm: Minoa Elementary 2nd Grade Chorus - Sculpture Court

3:00pm: Gem Duo - Sculpture Court

December 9, 2023:

10:00 - 11:30am: The Students of Carol Rothwell - Auditorium

10:30am: The Music School of CNY Guitar Ensemble - Sculpture Court

12:00pm: The Flute Students of Lana Stafford - Sculpture Court

10:30am: The Music School of CNY Guitar Ensemble - Sculpture Court

12:30pm: Salt City New Horizons Orchestra - Auditorium

2:00pm: Jhankaar Rhythms - Auditorium

Quarantine Quartet - Sculpture Court

3:30pm: Guzmáns Dance Studio - Hosmer Auditorium

December 10, 2023:

10:00am - 12:00pm: Creative Gift-Wrapping

Join us in crafting your very own, one-of-a-kind wrapping paper using basic printmaking techniques. Not only will your gifts be beautifully wrapped, but they'll also carry the heartfelt touch of your family's artistic expression. This activity is a wonderful way to add a touch of warmth and originality to your holiday presents.

10:00am - 12:00pm: Ornament Making

Join us for a delightful holiday activity for kids and families. Dive into the holiday spirit with us as we craft personalized ornaments using a variety of materials, guided by Everson educators who will spark your creativity. From traditional snowflakes to jolly Santas and more, these handcrafted ornaments are perfect keepsakes or heartfelt gifts!

12:30pm: The Mason Dance Project - Auditorium

1:00 - 5:00pm: Ceramic Menorah Making

The Chanukah menorah or “chanukiah" is a nine-branch candelabra that Jews use to celebrate the festival of Chanukah. Join us for this drop-in workshop where you can create a unique menorah out of clay that will be decorated with colorful glazes and baked in a kiln! Families who don’t celebrate Chanukah are welcome to create their very own candle holders. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central New York.

1:00 - 5:00pm: Dreidel, I Made You Out of Clay!

In Yiddish the word is dreidel, in Hebrew it is sivivon and in English it is top, the center piece of the spinning game that is played during the festival of Chanukah! Anyone is welcome to come and make their own dreidel out of clay. After it is formed you can carve its surface and paint it with glaze. Then, we’ll fire it in a kiln, so it is ready and set to play during Chanukah! Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central New York.

2:00pm: Anjani Dance Academy - Auditorium

12:00pm: Harmony Katz singers - Sculpture Court

12:50pm: Katz Meow singers - Sculpture Court

1:20pm: Dr. Tom Dooley Choraliers - Sculpture Court

2:00pm: Joe Davoli Fiddle Studio - Sculpture Court

3:00pm: Gem Duo - Sculpture Court

3:30pm: Syracuse Pops Chorus - Auditorium

4:00pm: Harmonic Collective - Sculpture Court

December 13, 2023:

11:00am: Durgee Junior High School Orchestra - Hosmer Auditorium

11:45am: Lincoln Middle School Chorus - Sculpture Court

December 14, 2023:

11:00am: Frazer PK-8 School Band and Orchestra - Sculpture Court

11:30am: Chestnut Hill Middle School Orchestras - Auditorium

5:30 - 8:00pm: Holiday-Themed Open Figure Drawing

Enjoy an evening of holiday-themed figure drawing through the study of a clothed model in our stunning Rosamond Gifford Sculpture Court. Bring your own sketchbooks and pencils, or stop by to see artists at work. In collaboration with Open Figure Drawings Inc.

December 15, 2023:

11:00am: Festival Orchestras Celebration - Auditorium

Featuring:
Liverpool High School Symphonic Orchestra, Baker (Baldwinsville) High School Orchestra, Skaneateles High School Orchestra

11:00am: Solvay Middle School Jazz Band - Sculpture Court

12:30pm: Porter Elementary School Chorus - Sculpture Court

December 16, 2023:

10:30am: The Music School of CNY Guitar Ensemble - Sculpture Court

11:00am: Brig Juice Holiday Brass - Auditorium

1:00 - 5:00pm: Kwanzaa Art Making

Gather your family for a joyous Kwanzaa-themed art activity that honors the essence of this cultural holiday. This artistic celebration will teach the values of unity, self-determination, and collective work through fun and engaging craft activities.

1:30pm: Sentinel Vocal Ensemble - Sculpture Court

3:00pm: Wellwood Chamber Group - Sculpture Court

Dates: December 2 - 16, 2023

Location:

Everson Museum of Art,
401 Harrison Street,
Syracuse, NY 13202.

Festival Fees:

Nonmember: $14/day
Member: $10/day
Kids Under 12 (Under 3 - Free): $5/day

Click Here For More Information.