November 18 – December 2

Benefits Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance

A Star Is Born!  Feel like a star on our runway this year as you stroll through the breathtaking trees and wreaths below the stars!  Check out the dazzling displays while browsing posters and videos highlighting holiday theatres and shows in Franklin County!  Enjoy holiday train displays, courtesy of Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club and Waynesboro Model Railroad Club, stop by the Salvation Army hot cocoa stand during the Christmas Parade on November 23, help brighten the holidays by selecting a name from the Salvation Army Angel Tree, or support Heart for the Holidays by bringing supplies for Franklin County residents that need assistance.  Let us help you get in the holiday spirit while supporting Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance!
Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) is excited to bring holiday cheer at the 6th annual Festival of Trees held in the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center–the former 1865 National Bank of Chambersburg on the square.  Come see beautiful trees and wreaths decorated by local individuals, businesses and organizations!  Funds raised by the Festival will support Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance.
Visitors may vote for their favorite tree or wreath by purchasing four ballots for $1. Silent auction bids for trees and wreaths can be placed in person, via phone at 866-646-8060 or by emailing fcvbfestivaloftrees@gmail.com. Silent auction amounts will be displayed in the Visitors Center and online.
Current bid amounts will be updated online daily at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com. Email/Online Bids close on December 7 at 10 AM. In-Person and Phone Bids remain open until closing of Festival of Trees at noon on December 7.
Final votes for favorites and final bids for the silent auction will be announced the afternoon of December 7 at approximately 1:30 PM.
Festival of Trees hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Exhibit is not open on November 28 or 29.  Weekend hours are:
  • Saturday, November 23 – 4 PM – 8 PM
  • Sunday, November 24 – 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Small Business Saturday, November 30 – 9 AM -4 PM
  • Sunday, December 1 – 11:00 AM -2:00 PM
  • Friday, December 6 – 8 AM – 8 PM
  • Saturday, December 7 – 9 AM – Noon **Silent Auction ends at noon with winners announced that afternoon.**
HEY Kids! Enter our coloring contest. Download the picture here, color at home, and drop off at the 11/30 Visitors Center. Or, stop in person to color your picture.
We hope to see you for Festival of Trees!

Support Sharing the Heart of the Holidays:

Franklin County Visitors Bureau is joining Homeless Matters and Grocery Outlet to celebrate Sharing the Heart of the Holidays during the twelve days of Festival of Trees. Sharing the Heart of the Holiday is a way to support Franklin County residents that need a little help this holiday season. On each of the twelve days of Sharing the Heart of the Holidays, Franklin County Visitors Bureau is offering fun activities related to each day’s theme—something for children and adults.

During the twelve days of giving we will be collecting:

– Coats for Kids
– Books of All Kinds
– Grocery Gift Cards
– Mittens/Gloves, Scarves, Hats
– Laundry & Hygiene Items
– Gas Gift Cards
– Coats for Entire Family ALL Sizes
– Games & Snacks for Family Fun Night
– Art & School Supplies
– Baby Clothes, Formula & Baby Items
– Blankets & Linens
– Toys
(Collections will pause on Nov.23 and 24.)

The twelve days of giving fun activities are:

Snuggly and warm as a polar bear, a winter coat is a good friend. Make a polar bear ornament!
Take a look…it’s in a book.  A special craft is a book ornament with a holiday message.
 Cookies are a fun treat from the grocery story. Make a Gingerbread Man chain for our tree! Add a Gingerbread man and take one home for your tree.
Cozy mittens, scarves and hats keep away winter’s chill. Mitten-making-and-decorating is holiday fun.
The world around us glistens during the holiday season. It is fresh and bright. It is a perfect time to make a shiny ornament, decorated with glitter.
Everybody is on the go—scurrying here and there. Make a busy bird—a red cardinal.
Button up! It is getting cold. Make a button ornament!
Holiday time is the best for special treats. Help us make a candy cane chain; add a cane, and create your own candy take-home ornament.
Art is everywhere!  Make a Christmas Tree.
Babies are the ultimate gift.  Let’s celebrate by making bells.
Covers everywhere! Since we all hope for snow to cover the Earth during Christmas, let’s make snowmen and snowflakes.
Enjoy yourself! Create a one-of-a-kind ornament—Santa, snowman, tree, penguin, and many more.

Festival of Trees

Events & Activities

November 18

  • Festival of Trees open 4 PM – 8 PM
  • Chambersburg Christmas Parade 6 PM
  • Fort Loudoun visitors in period attire

November 20 – December 2

  • Sharing the Heart of the Holiday Fun Activity
  • Christmas Ornament
  • Letter writing to Santa
  • Coloring Contest
  • Franklin County Holiday Coloring Page

Small Business Saturday – November 25

  • Booksigning with Nancy Reyes
  • Conococheague Institute visitors in period attire
  • Taste testing of colonial beverages

December 1

  • Cocoa Crawl in Downtown Chambersburg
  • Shippensburg Historical Society and Fort Loudoun visitors in period attire
  • John Shindledecker reading classic Christmas stories

December 2

  • Online/Email Silent Auction Bids accepted until 10 AM on December 2. Phone and In-Person bids accepted until Festival of Trees closes at Noon on December 2.
  • Shippensburg Historical Society and Fort Loudoun visitors in period attire
  • Announce Winners of the Coloring Contest – Winner receives $50
  • Announce Festival of Trees Silent Auction Winners – Afternoon