Benefitting Charities for the 2026 Christmas Tree Festival
We welcome applications from local charities to be considered as beneficiaries of St Thomas’s Christmas Tree Festival 2026. Applicants must have entered a tree in a previous Festival. If you would like your organisation or charity to be considered in 2026 please either apply in writing to The Organisers, Christmas Tree Festival Committee, at The Parish Office, St Thomas’s House, St Thomas’s Square, Salisbury, SP1 1BA or send an email to treefest@stthomassalisbury.co.uk.
Your application should explain the local need which your organisation seeks to address, what your organisation does to address this need, what impact your organisation has and how a donation from the Christmas Tree Festival could make a difference to the lives of those you support. The committee meets in early June to consider applications and select the two beneficiary charities. The deadline for applications 1st June 2026.
Entering a Tree or Nativity Scene in 2026
In 2026 the Festival will run from Tuesday 1st to Sunday 6th December. The application form for entering a tree or nativity scene will open on-line through the St Thomas’s Church website on 1st September. The entry form will be taken off-line as soon as entries are full. A few hard copy entry forms will be made available in the Church if that is your preferred way to enter. Places fill very quickly so do please apply early to avoid disappointment.
2025 Christmas Tree Festival – a community celebration
St Thomas’s Church held the 21st Anniversary of its Christmas Tree Festival from Tuesday 2nd December to Sunday 7th December 2024. As a community event, and despite some bad weather, the Festival was enjoyed by more than 12,000 people local to Salisbury and many others from across the UK and around the world. There was no charge to enter a tree or nativity scene. We were joined by local organisations, charities and businesses as well as individuals, schools and play groups who delighted and amazed us with over 100 highly original, inspiring and creative Christmas trees and nativity scenes, each of which told its own story of Christmas.
Just as important as the Christmas trees and nativity scenes was the full and varied programme of inspiring music provided throughout the week. Over 1,000 performers from choirs, schools and local music groups, from nursery age to the nineties, entertained our visitors to a non-stop enchantment of choral, instrumental and folk music and dance.
The Church Festival Café was busy providing a delicious feast of home-baked cakes throughout the week which were extremely popular and much enjoyed. The time and talents of many members of the congregation and volunteers from the wider community made the whole event possible, overseen by a small organising committee.
Entry to visit the Festival was, as always, free but donations were welcomed at the exit in aid of two local charities and the church itself. Thanks to the generosity of visitors making donations and the profits from the Festival Café, the Church was able to present cheques of over £8,000 to each of Clouds House and Julia’s House at the Carols for Busy People on 17th December. The Church itself benefits from an equal sum towards its maintenance and work in the parish and city.
The Clergy Team and congregation of St Thomas’s are already looking forward to welcoming all exhibitors, musicians, singers and visitors to Christmas Tree Festival 2026.
Contact us
Email: treefest@stthomassalisbury.co.uk
What some of our visitors and exhibitors said:
- A beautiful display bringing community together
- Very many thanks for giving so many small groups in Salisbury an opportunity to be part of the community
- Brilliant, clever and very moving in such a fantastic building
- The best festival I have ever been to
- Just gorgeous and inspirational
- It really lifted my spirits
- What a wonderful start to Christmas, what messages of joy
- Thank you. Look forward to next year!
