Steamboat's 32nd Festival of Trees Opens at History Museum

Steamboat Springs —The Steamboat Springs History Museum is open. It is November 13th, and the doors are swinging wide for the 32nd annual Festival of Trees.

This is the single most important fact: the festival runs from Nov. 13 through Nov. 28. For nearly two weeks, the museum transforms into a winter wonderland. The building, usually quiet and dusty with history, fills with color. More than two dozen holiday trees stand in the rooms. They are not generic store-bought decorations. Each tree is uniquely decorated by local nonprofits, schools, clubs, and businesses. The creativity is personal. A local club might build a tree out of recycled materials. A school group might focus on a specific historical theme. The variety ensures that every visitor sees something new.

Admission is a key detail for locals. For Routt County residents, entry to the museum and the festival is always free. This removes the financial barrier for families. Out-of-town visitors pay regular admission rates. The schedule is consistent: open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is one exception. The event is closed on Thanksgiving Day. That is the only break in the calendar.

The event is a community effort. Twenty-eight sponsoring businesses support the festival. Two dozen decorating groups work on the trees. Museum volunteers handle the logistics. Candice Bannister, the executive director of the Steamboat Springs History Museum, oversees the operation. Her team manages the flow of people and the setup of exhibits.

Activities are available for all ages. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree in the decorating competition. There are prizes to enter to win. Children have a specific task: search for hidden golden keys among the trees. Participation earns them prizes. This turns a passive viewing experience into an active game.

The museum’s historic Victorian house is part of the display. It is beautifully decorated. The décor offers a glimpse into holiday traditions of the past. Visitors can see how people celebrated Christmas in earlier eras. The historic setting provides a backdrop for family photos. The sparkling trees and the architecture create a visual contrast.

A specific event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14. At 11 a.m., the museum hosts Pioneer Christmas Storytime for Kids. Staff members wear period costumes. They bring history to life through local stories. They discuss pioneer and Victorian holiday traditions. This program targets younger audiences. It combines education with entertainment.

Holiday shopping is another component. The museum store operates during the festival. It features locally made gifts. Historic photographs are available for purchase. Books related to Steamboat Springs’ history are stocked. Old-fashioned toys are displayed. Unique Steamboat treasures are listed in the inventory. Purchases support the museum directly.

The trees do not disappear after the festival ends. On Dec. 1, the decorated trees are delivered to their sponsoring businesses. They remain on display in those locations for the entire season. This extends the visibility of the project. The community sees the trees in commercial spaces, not just in the museum.

Fundraising is the primary goal. The festival is the museum’s largest annual fundraising event. Revenue supports educational programs. It funds historic preservation efforts. Exhibits receive financial backing. Community activities are subsidized. These investments keep Steamboat Springs’ history alive for future generations.

Corporate sponsorship underwrites the costs. Yampa Valley Bank is the longtime presenting sponsor. Steamboat Ace Hardware provides supporting sponsorship. Steamboat Sotheby’s contributes to the funding. Dusky Grouse Coffee is also a supporting sponsor. These partners cover expenses that ticket sales alone cannot meet.

The festival serves as a kickoff to the holiday season. It is a pre-holiday tradition. People gather before the major holidays begin. The atmosphere is festive. The community comes together in one location. The shared experience reinforces local bonds.

Visitors are encouraged to participate. Whether it is a continued family tradition or a first-time visit, the invitation is open. The goal is to celebrate the community and heritage. The aim is to highlight what makes Steamboat an extraordinary place to live and visit.

The museum stands ready. The trees are decorated. The doors are open.