Holidays at the Crosley Festival of Trees takes on a whole new look and feel this year as the event celebrates its 11th anniversary! Bedecked in holiday splendor, the meticulously restored Crosley mansion on beautiful Sarasota Bay is a delight for all ages during the Festival.

 

The Festival features dozens of beautiful professionally decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and vignettes created by the area's top interior designers in the theme of holiday entertaining. You’ll also see a rare collection of antique Crosley automobiles (December 1st only), Crosley memorabilia including radios, and model train displays. For Cincinnati Reds fans, you’ll find autographed baseballs and other items. You can even shop for gifts in our spectacular gift shop.

 

Usher in the holiday season by joining us at this family-friendly festival.  You’ll be enthralled by the unique and diverse decorations and how well they showcase the mansion’s exceptional nostalgic glamour – and you’ll find plenty of ideas to incorporate into your own holiday decorating!

 

The Crosley Estate is located off North Tamiami Trail (US 41) at One Seagate Drive, just south of the Hilton Garden Inn. Admission to the Festival only costs $8 for adults and is free for children under the age of 12. Hosted by the Crosley Estate Foundation, proceeds from the event will be used to help restore the Crosley Estate carriage house.

 

For more information, call 941-722-3244.

Special Events

 

The Manatee Players will perform “Rockin’ Around the Crosley Christmas Tree,” created exclusively for the Festival of Trees and staged in a brand new outdoor theatre venue.  Relive the birth of rock and roll through this toe-tapping holiday revue featuring music from the 1950s and ‘60s.  Expect your traditional holiday favorites – with a “twist”! Performances are Monday - Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.  Tickets cost $19 for adults, $8 for children under the age of 12 and include free admission to the Festival.  Call 941-748-5875 for revue tickets.

 

Afternoon tea inside the historic mansion will feature specialty teas, homemade scones and other culinary delights professionally catered by Brass Bell Catering. Seatings are daily at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.  Tea tickets, which include free admission to the Festival, cost $25. Last year’s tea was a tremendous success and sold out early, so reserve your seats now by calling 941-722-3244 – space is limited.

 

Michael A. Banks, co-author of the book “Crosley,” will be at the Estate signing copies of the book on December 1st and 2nd from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Mansions. Yachts. Airplanes. Luxury cars. Lavish parties. Powerful and glamorous friends.  Wealth beyond the dreams of most Americans. But also loss, failure, divorce and tragic deaths. “Crosley” tells the tale of Lewis and Powel, Jr., the brothers who pioneered radio manufacturing and broadcasting, were kings of the refrigeration industry, and maverick automakers.  It’s a story of fathers and sons, of success and sorrow, of epic ambition and groundbreaking innovation.  It is also one of the great un-told tales of the 20th century. “Crosley” made the bestseller lists in the New York Times, Business Week and the Wall Street Journal.

 

Dickens’ Holiday Gala

On Friday, December 14th, after the Festival has ended, the Crosley Estate Foundation keeps the merriment rolling by presenting the Dickens’ Holiday Gala, hosted by Charles Dickens, at the Crosley mansion. Cocktails (cash bar) will be served beginning at 5:00 p.m. to take advantage of the gorgeous sunset over Sarasota Bay. Dinner will be served at stations beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The evening will be full of festive surprises!  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 941-722-3244 no later than December 7th.  Tickets cost just $45 per person.