CULLMAN, Ala. – Christmas may still be a couple of months away, but the City of Cullman Tree Commission is already making plans for one of the community’s annual holiday traditions, the Festival of Trees.
During its Oct. 20 meeting, the Commission discussed preparations for the 2026 event, which will once again feature Christmas trees decorated by students from local public and private schools, along with the Cullman County Public Library. The decorated trees will be displayed in the foyer of the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center (CWAC), where residents and visitors can enjoy them free of charge during regular operating hours.
Participating schools and the library will decorate their trees Dec. 2–3, with judging scheduled for 1 p.m. on Dec. 3. The Festival of Trees opening ceremony will follow at 5. The decorated trees will remain on public display from Dec. 4-27, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy the students’ creativity and holiday spirit.
Commission members are reaching out to participating schools and coordinating the details that help bring the event together each year. Commission member Jason Fowler confirmed that local Boy Scouts will assist with setting up and taking down the display.
In other business, the Commission discussed upcoming grant opportunities, plans for the Arbor Day Poster Contest and the Dec. 2 deadline for submitting the City’s Tree City USA and Growth Award applications. Members also discussed opportunities for additional training and professional guidance from arborists.
The Commission scheduled an additional meeting for Monday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m., as preparations for the Festival of Trees continue.
The Festival of Trees is free and open to the public during CWAC’s regular operating hours.
