KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — An annual event that fills the Knoxville Convention Center with glimmering trees expertly decorated in a variety of styles is returning this year.
The Fantasy of Trees event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the East Tennessee Children's Hospital. According to a release from the hospital, it attracts around 60,000 people every year during the week of Thanksgiving. This year, more than 350 trees will be displayed alongside holiday accessories, door designs and table centerpieces.
You can find a full list of events and purchase tickets at this link.
There will also be an "Adopt-a-Tree forest." Children had a chance to choose how trees should be decorated and those trees are displayed in the forest. All the trees in the event are priced to sell.
All money raised from the event will go to the hospital's pediatric neurology services to add staff and equipment as well as increase awareness. The event formally kicks off Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
Organizers said they are working to increase the number of providers in the program, expand its space, and co-locate practices near places where children may get diagnostic services. It's also working to introduce services like epilepsy monitoring.
This year's theme is "Peppermint Palace." Different schools have built gingerbread structures. There's even a gingerbread Neyland Stadium and a bear cave!
Tickets to the event are $10 for adults and $8 for kids ages 4 to 12. You can purchase tickets at the door or online.
In 2022, the children's hospital said the event raised more than $1.3 million and helped the hospital buy a Lifeline ambulance used to take pediatric patients back and forth between ETCH. The year before that, Fantasy of Trees helped fund equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
A full schedule of the event is available below.
- Tuesday, Nov. 21: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. (special ticket required)
- Wednesday, Nov. 22: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 23: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 24: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 25: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 26: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Raffle drawing at 5 p.m.)
Attendees will have a chance to participate in the Fantasy of Trees' "Raffle Tree," winning one of several available prizes. The drawing happens Sunday.
First prize includes a decorated seven-foot tree with gifts including electronics, children's toys, games and more. The entire prize is worth thousands of dollars, organizers said.
Second prize includes home improvement tools and outdoor accessories, also worth thousands of dollars.
The event will include entertainment and music from several groups located throughout East Tennessee, including solo artists, dance team performances and local groups.