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Exploring the Festival of Trees

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Historical Society’s annual Festival of Trees holiday exhibit is growing, with more to see and more time to see it.

The winter wonderland will be on display Friday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Dec. 30, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.

New this year, 72 elaborately themed trees will decorate the History Center, up from 50 trees in 2015. New themes will play off recent events, such as the World Series and Indiana’s Bicentennial Torch Relay, as well as pop culture favorites, such as Disney’s Frozen and Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros.

There are also opportunities to interact with the exhibit, such as voting for favorites or donating clothing items. HealthNet, a local non-profit network of primary care health centers, will be accepting new or gently-used coats, gloves, hats, mittens and scarves in a collection box located beneath its tree.

Also new this year, guests will enjoy live, local holiday music while taking in the magic of the trees at night. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, the History Center will be open 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. The exhibit’s remaining hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. The History Center is closed on Mondays.

Festival of Trees is free for IHS members. In addition, IHS is offering two free admission days this holiday season, on Saturday, Dec. 3, for Holiday Author Fair and on Friday, Dec. 9.