What to watch: The third annual Festival of Trees is Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Barbara & George H.W. Bush Convention Center. Attendees can stroll through a room full of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, drop raffle tickets into the tree they’d like to win, and possibly walk away with a festive decorated tree plus surprises hidden underneath.

Why it matters: The Festival of Trees offers families a joyful start to the holiday season while supporting a meaningful local cause. All proceeds directly benefit vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities in the Permian Basin, individuals who have experienced abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Visitors will enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, kids’ activities, holiday shopping, photo-ops, and more.

The big picture: Sponsored by gold-tier supporters Diamondback Energy and JumBurrito, the APS Advisory Board has built this event into one of Midland’s premier family-friendly fundraisers. Expect more than 50 decorated trees this year, each entered into a raffle for just $1 per chance. According to the Advisory Board, it’s a “fun-filled day for the whole family” and a favorite event of the season.

Go deeper: The event is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children aged five and under get in free. Tickets are $5, and raffle tickets are just $1 each. Local businesses and families generously donate and decorate the trees. As the Advisory Board puts it, “Why wait to celebrate when you can celebrate with purpose?”

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