Charity Christmas tree festival has new venues

2024 will be the 16th annual Festival of Trees

A charity Christmas tree festival is moving from Plymouth's Theatre Royal to three new venues this year.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's (NSPCC) annual Festival of Trees, will take place in the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth Pavilions and Ocean Studios for the first time.

Each year local businesses, organisations and clubs came together to sponsor and decorate the trees, which raised £12,000 for the children’s charity in 2023.

Henry Street, NSPCC community fundraising manager for the South West, said he was delighted to have new venues and encouraged people to sponsor a tree.

'Vital support for children'

Sponsors of the Christmas trees will be able to attend the venues to decorate, ready for the Barbican lights switch-on on Saturday 16 November.

The trees will then be judged and prizes awarded to the best decorated.

"Plymouth's Festival of Trees has always been very popular with people at Christmas and is a fantastic way to celebrate the festive season and help raise money for the NSPCC", Mr Street said.

"Our services provide vital support for children and young people during the festive period including Childline which is available every day and night."

He added: "We hope that businesses, clubs and organisations across Plymouth will get involved and come along with their best Christmas tree decorating skills to ensure the Festival of Trees is sparkling."