Designer Awards
All trees, wreaths and gingerbread designs are considered for various designer awards.
These awards include:
- Best in Show
- A Traditional Christmas
- Holiday Flair
- Most Unique
- Honorable Mention
View this year's award winners!
All Festival of Trees award winners will be entered into the 2024 Festival of Trees Fan Favorite Contest, during which social media users can vote for their favorite design(s)!
The designs that receive the most “likes” will each be crowned “Festival of Trees 2024 Fan Favorite.” Each design category will have a winner: 7-foot tree, 4-foot tree, 2-foot tree, wreath and gingerbread house. Voting is now open and ends on Sunday, December 1, at 9 p.m. EST.
Vote here!
*Please remember that judging is subjective and cannot be changed once the winners are determined. Ribbons will be mailed to the winners after the event; please do not take your ribbon with you.
Become a Designer
Designer registration for Festival of Trees 2024 is now closed.
If you are interested in being added to the designer email list for 2025, please fill out this form.
We are always looking for creative individuals, groups and organizations to help increase the holiday spirit by designing a tree, wreath or gingerbread house for Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Festival of Trees!
We are always looking for creative individuals, groups, and organizations to help increase the holiday spirit by designing a tree, wreath or gingerbread house for Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Festival of Trees!
Creations are considered a donation to Festival of Trees. Each design will be priced for the public to purchase, thus raising money for the children of Kennedy Krieger Institute.
In appreciation for the donation, each registered designer will receive complimentary general admission tickets to Festival of Trees 2024 and complimentary tickets to the Designer Preview Party for every item they design! If you are unable to attend the Designer Preview Party, these tickets can be used as general admission tickets at any time throughout the event.
All trees, wreaths, and gingerbread designer spots are on a first come, first served basis. Please register early as space is limited and certain items will sell out!
Please read the Festival of Trees Designer Contract carefully, as well as the specific item guidelines below.
For any designer questions, please contact: FestivalOfTrees@KennedyKrieger.org
Tree Designers
Trees can be decorated with any style or theme you choose, so let your imagination run wild! Designers will be responsible for providing all decorating and display materials for their tree(s). Kennedy Krieger Institute will provide all artificial trees and tree stands (these trees and stands must be used; no substitutions allowed). Tree decorating will take place on-site at the Cow Palace on Saturday, November 23, through Monday, November 25, 2024.
- 7-Foot Tree Information and Guidelines 2024
- 4-Foot Tree Information and Guidelines 2024
- 2-Foot Tree Information and Guidelines 2024
Wreath Designers
Anyone can create a wreath at home to be displayed and sold at Festival of Trees. It’s easy to be a wreath designer at Festival of Trees – you can decorate it at home and just drop off your item at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 23, through Monday, November 25, 2024. You, as a designer, are responsible for supplying your own artificial or dried wreath and all decorating/display materials. All items should be included as part of the donation to Kennedy Krieger Institute. Registration fees cover a portion of the administrative cost.
Gingerbread Designers
Anyone can create a gingerbread house at home to be displayed and sold at Festival of Trees. It’s easy to be a gingerbread designer at Festival of Trees – you can decorate it at home and just drop off your item at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 23, through Monday, November 25, 2024. You, as a designer, are responsible for supplying your own gingerbread and all decorating/display materials. All items should be included as part of the donation to Kennedy Krieger Institute. Registration fees cover a portion of the administrative cost.
Registration Fees
The following registration fees are required for anyone choosing to decorate a tree, wreath or gingerbread house and must be paid at the time of registration. Please note the registration fee offsets a portion of the cost of the trees and administrative costs to the Institute.
| Item | Registration Fee |
| 7-Foot Tree (limit 1 per designer) | $40.00 |
| 4-Foot Tree (limit 1 per designer) | $25.00 |
| 2-Foot Tree | $5.00 |
| Wreath | $5.00 |
| Gingerbread House | $5.00 |