Spreading Holiday Cheer!

The 2024 annual SeaFestival of Trees fundraiser lights up the seacoast to kick off the holiday season with the Sprit of Christmas Gala featuring the Grand Tree Lighting, dancing and cocktails on Friday, November 22nd and the general festivities will open to the public on Saturday, November 23rd and close on Sunday, December 8th. View the specific dates and times under the heading, Hours & Admission. The Sea Festival of Trees is the perfect family outing. Make it part of your family holiday tradition!

Experience the magic of the holiday season with stunning oceanfront views as the backdrop for a maze of more than 100 beautiful sparkling trees with 50,000 twinkling lights. The 2024 SeaFestival of Trees welcomes guests with a breathtaking, giant Sand Sculpture display of Santa’s North Pole castle, created free-hand with 8,000 pounds of sand, by local NH resident Greg Grady.

Make sure to check out the candy cane forest, and take a walk through Santa’s workshop to get a peek inside his toy filled cabinets and toy testing station where kids can play with classic toys such as: Etch A Sketch and Jester Jack in the Box! Meet Elsa the Ice Queen in front of the castle gates and keep an eye out for the Grinch as his curiosity just might lure him out of the Grinch Tree to explore the festival. If you’re looking to meet the Event VIP’s: Santa, Elsa and The Grinch, check the Sea Festival of Trees website for the daily schedule.

Remember to bring your skates for ice skating at Seaside Ice, a beautiful indoor rink surrounded by holiday cheer! The cost of skating is included in the Sea Festival admission and skate rentals are available for $5.

Purchase raffle tickets in person only, for a chance to win one of the Sea Festival of Trees stunning themed trees. There are two types of tickets available for purchase: White Raffle Tickets are $5 for a sheet of 25 tickets and Red Raffle Tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20, The red tickets are for the showcase trees and prizes valued at $1,000 – $4,500. Purchase tickets using cash or a credit card and put your tickets in the dispensers in front of the trees that you would like to win. IMPORTANT Note! Make sure to provide a phone number where you can be reached on Sunday, December 8th between between 5:30 – 9 pm. Tree winners must respond to the festival contact within one hour in order to accept their tree, otherwise another winner will be selected.

This fun holiday family tradition is made possible through a collective effort of volunteers and donations from businesses and individuals throughout the community. Donations from the Sea Festival of Trees event benefit the Salisbury Beach Partnership’s fund to bring back the historic carousel. Thank you to Newburyport Bank, the Presenting Sponsor and all of the Sea Festival of Trees sponsors for helping fund this wonderful holiday event cherished by the local Salisbury community as well as families throughout the North Shore of MA and Southern Seacoast of NH.

The Sea Festival of Trees is a great place to Shop Local for holiday gifts. Enjoy shopping at Santa’s Tree Top Gift Shoppe, while the kids check out the extra cool, 7 foot tall teddy bear!

Seaglass and Capri are always wonderful dining options however, if you’re looking for something quick and easy to make the kids happy, try the North Pole Café amongst the displays of trees. The Café is located on the second floor at the Blue Sky Lounge. Enjoy “Buddy’s Favorites” from house made Papa Elf pizza to Mac & Cheese Buddy Bites and full bar service is also available.

Parking is available in the lot next to Blue Ocean for a small fee. You can also park for free on the street or in the Salisbury Municipal Parking Lot just a couple of blocks from the venue.

In addition to the Sea Festival of Trees festivities, Blue Ocean Event Center is also host to fun holiday Special Events as well. Check the Newburyport Events Calendar to find details for these events as well as other festive holiday happenings in the local areas.

Special Events

Friday 11/22 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Spirit of Christmas Gala & Grand Tree Lighting –
purchase tickets

Sunday, 11/24 from 11:30 – 4:30
Holiday Dance Shows – included in admission

Tuesday, 11/26 from  – 5:00 – 8:00
Triton Night – special VIP pricing

Sunday, 12/1 from 12 – 2 pm
Elf Day – included in admission

Thursday, 12/5 from 5 – 8 pm
Sippin Santa – included in admission

Friday, 12/6 from 5 – 8 pm
Blades the Bruin – included in admission

Saturday, 12/7 from 10:30 – 11:45 am
Polar Express PJ Party – purchase tickets

Sunday, 12/8 from 10 am – 12 pm –
Santa & the Grinch Brunch – purchase tickets
Santa Arrives Via Firetruck

Tickets for special events are available for purchase at the Blue Ocean Box Office only, 978-462-5888.

Location

Blue Ocean Event Center
4 Ocean Front North
Salisbury, MA 01952
978-462-2512

Hours & Admission

Saturday 11/23 from 11am – 8pm
Sunday 11/24 from 11am – 5pm
Tuesday 11/26 from 5 – 8pm
Friday 11/29 from 11am – 8pm
Saturday 11/30 from 11am – 8pm
Sunday 12/1 from 11 am – 5 pm
Thursday 12/5 from 5pm – 8pm
Friday 12/6 from 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 12/7 from 11am – 8pm
Sunday 12/8 from 11am – 5pm

$10 for Adults
$5 Children Ages 5 and Under

General Admission Sea Festival of Trees tickets are ONLY available at the door. There is not an online/advance ticket purchase option.

Raffle Tickets

Support Local by purchasing raffle tickets to win one of the beautifully decorated trees. There are two types of raffle tickets available for purchase. White Raffle Tickets are $5 for a sheet of 25 tickets. Red Raffle Tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. The red tickets are for the showcase trees and prizes valued at $1,000 – $4,500. Tickets are only available for purchase in person at the Sea Festival of Trees.

Place your tickets in the dispensers located in front of the trees that you would like to win. Make sure to include a phone number where you can be reached on Sunday, December 8th between 5:30 – 9 pm when the tree winners are called. Tree winners must respond to the festival contact within one hour, otherwise another winner will be selected.

Santa, Elsa & The Grinch

Visit Santa, Elsa and the Grinch during the final SeaFestival of Trees weekend!
Santa
Thursday 12/5 from 5-8 pm
Friday 12/6 from 5-8 pm
Saturday 12/7 from 12-7 pm
Sunday 12/8 from 12-4 pm
Elsa
Friday 12/6 from 5:30-7:30 pm
Saturday 12/7 from 12-4 pm
Sunday 12/8 from 12-4 pm
Grinch
Thursday 12/5 from 5-8 pm
Friday 12/6 from 5-8 pm
Saturday 12/7 from 2-7 pm
Sunday 12/8 from 2-4 pm 

Special Events

Are you looking for special holiday events? Scroll down to the bottom of the article for the dates and times of special events and visit the Newburyport Events Calendar for more details and ticket information.