The festival offers visitors an opportunity to view a nice collection of Christmas trees and wreaths. Each item is crafted and donated by local North Georgia individuals, churches and businesses. You can simply walk among and enjoy looking at the decorated items or you can place a bid on particular trees or wreaths that would fit well in a place that you want to decorate for Christmas. The bidding is in the form of a silent auction. At the close of the auction, December 12th at 2 AM, the winners are able take their prize trees and wreaths home. All of proceeds of the auction are donated to the White County United Way and benefit more than 20 charity organizations that serve White County.
The Festival of Trees is held in Unicoi Lodge and Conference Center. Admission to the event is free although there is a $5 fee for parking at the lodge in Unicoi State Park. If you time things right you can also enjoy other local Christmas time events. These include the Helen Christmas parade, the lighting of the village, White Christmas on the square and Lighted Parade in Cleveland, the Tour of Homes and the Deck the Halls and Gingerbread House Contest at Unicoi.