• Registration applications open July 1, 2025, at NaplesFestivalofTrees.com, and will be limited to the first 40 Large Trees (6 to 9 ft). Additional small tree (3 to 5 ft) spaces are available. Registration closes October 1, 2025 or when slots are full. Don’t wait!

• The Naples Festival of Trees seeks to keep Christ at the center of the celebration. 

• Trees must have a story and theme that points to Jesus – His birth, ministry, miracles, words, or parables. Examples of themes include “The Bethlehem Star Tree”, “Ascending Dove Tree”, “The Wind and the Waves Tree”, or “The Good Shepherd”. You may also find inspiration in Christmas hymns such as a “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” tree.

• Your submitted story card must connect your tree’s theme to Jesus. Be creative and Christ honoring. Include the name of the tree, the name of the sponsoring organization, individual or family, and the Christian organization or cause that will receive the auction proceeds. A business or family or organization’s name may be included with the story card, and tree dedication i.e. “The Fishers of Men Tree” donated by The Johnsons. A Christian non-profit or church may sponsor and decorate its own tree. If you wish to donate a portion of the proceeds of the tree to support next year’s festival, that works too. Contact Tree Chair Gina Edwards with any questions at 239-399-0809 or email NaplesFestivalofTrees@gmail.com.

• Trees with decorations that overtly advertise a business, product, group or cause – other than Jesus – are not permitted.

• No words or sayings on trees, other than scripture verses or hymn lyrics, are allowed.

• Non-Christmas colored trees are difficult to sell and won’t be accepted. 

Structure

• Use new artificial or pristine-condition pre-owned trees only.

• Pro Tip - 7.5 ft. is the tree height that is preferred, as these fit through a regular-sized door and are most likely to get the most bids. If you plan to sell your tree to a business with a larger space, a larger tree may be suitable.

• The purchase of an approved heavy-duty stand with wheels is mandatory. Amazon Link to buy.  

• Each tree space will measure 7 ft. wide by 7 ft. deep.

• As Christmas trees are not generally designed for transport, strict adherence to the following guidelines for Large Trees (6 to 9 ft) will ensure your beautiful tree does not bend or fall apart during delivery to its new home at the conclusion of the Naples Festival of Trees.

• All Large Trees (6’ to 9’) must have their trunks reinforced with the following:

  • • Rebar: One continuous piece (3/8 inch works best) must be attached to the tree trunk. Rebar should extend from base to 6 “ above top tree joint so the trunk won’t bend.

    • Hose Clamps or Zip Ties: Metal hose clamps or zip ties should secure the rebar to the tree trunk, above and below each joint of the tree to prevent separation during delivery.

    • See video (COMING SOON!) on how to reinforce your tree trunk and secure your ornaments.

Lighting

• All lighting on trees must be LED. Use warm white LED alone or mixed with colored LED lights

• Pre-Lit trees are preferred. For strings, use about one string of lights per foot of tree.

• If using colored lights, start with a base of white as colored aren’t bright enough on their own.

Decorating

• Use unbreakable ornaments. Avoid thin and fragile glass ornaments as they may break during transport.

• Upscale vintage/ pre-owned ornaments may be used but all tree decor must be high-quality and in pristine condition. Use your judgment to make sure your tree is sold.

• All decorations must be wired/ secured to the tree. Hot glue metal ornament caps to balls to ensure they don’t pull apart.

• Bring original tree box or quality storage bag with your tree name written on it.

• All decorations must be nonflammable (No Straw)

• Please furnish a tree skirt. Attractive tree skirts and a few accessories help the tree to sell.

• Please provide a box for any fragile item(s) placed under your tree to ensure safe transport during delivery.

• You may include items around your tree to be sold with the tree as part of the silent auction, including gift certificates or gift items, but all items must come with no strings attached.

• No overt advertising or inappropriate materials are allowed. Businesses and other organizations are welcome and encouraged to decorate and donate trees but may not display signage advertising their business or service nor may they place discount coupons of any kind on or around the tree.

• Keep a record of expenses and save receipts for your tax purposes. You’ll be asked to provide an approximate value for your tree and recommended opening bid.

• A Decorator’s Workshop will be held in August to provide demonstrations of wiring, gluing of ornaments, and tree reinforcement, decorating tips, and other helpful hints. 

**IMPORTANT**The following will NOT BE ACCEPTED at the Festival of Trees 

• • Used, crooked or trees generally in poor condition.  Trees that are pre-owned must be in full, artificial, pristine-like condition only.

  • Event organizers reserve the right to reject any tree donation that does not keep with the theme or mission of the event.

  • No weapons, tobacco, alcohol, adult content, political or occult material or related gift cards.

  • No trees that overtly advertise a business or product or cause. Keep the focus on Jesus.

  • No fragile glass, water features, sand, fake snow, batting, live trees or plants.

  • No Multimedia Presentations (TV’s, DVD players) with your tree. Multimedia content may be suitable for use on the Festival website and related promotions. Let us know what you have in mind.

  • Nothing more than 20 pounds should be included with the tree.

  • No trees with separate insertable branches. Tree branches must be permanently connected to the tree trunk by the manufacturer.

  • No inflatables/ lawn ornaments.

July 1 – October 1, 2025

Tree Registration open at NaplesFestivalofTrees.com

August 5, 2025 at 7 p.m.  (Option 1:  Zoom Meeting)

Mandatory Tree Decorator Workshop

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 (Option 2: In Person Meeting)

Tree Decorator Workshop

Rebar kits available for purchase onsite

October 1 – November 14 on Tuesday Evenings from 6-7 p.m.

Weekly Drop-in Naples Festival of Trees Volunteer / Christmas Market Makers Meeting. Come and get your questions answered!

October 25, 2025 – Deadline for Story Card Changes

(Optional) Advance Promotional Photographs of Your Tree

Submit photos of your completed tree to the Naples Festival of Trees (Email them to naplesfestivaloftrees@gmail.com) by October 25.  This will allow ample time for promotion ahead of the online auction, which opens online November 8, 2025. 

• An online form to submit your photos will be available on NaplesFestivalofTrees.com and instructions. 

• Photography assistance will be provided as needed to help you showcase your group’s beautiful tree.

Remember to promote your tree on social media and elsewhere prior to the event.   The more you make an effort to pre-sell and promote your tree, the higher the bids you’ll receive for your tree and your designated organization’s cause.

Thursday, November 13, 2025 

Onsite Tree Set-Up & Decorating (3180 Estey Ave, Naples, FL 34104)

You’ll be assigned a window of time to decorate and display your tree on site, either Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Do as much as possible in advance.  Review the Tree Check-Off List and turn in all documents, gift cards, etc.  

Be prepared with scissors, florist wire, wire cutters, glue gun, ladder/step stool, and additional ornaments if using glass.  Items such as a broom, dustpan, and garbage bags may also be helpful. You may also wish to bring a cart/wagon to help you transport items to your tree space.

Friday, November 14, 2025 @12pm

Tree Decorating Ends & Private Gala Set-Up in Tree Hall begins

Saturday, November 15, 2025 - 2-8pm

Enjoy the Festival!  Bring your family and friends to the Naples Festival of Trees.