The Zonta Club of Traverse City's Festival of Trees returns to Grand Traverse Mall November 6–8, 2026, following a ticketed preview on Thursday, November 5.

For families and shoppers considering an early holiday outing, the most useful choice is which day's program fits their plans.

The organizer's schedule separates the preview, shopping activities and Santa visit rather than presenting identical entertainment every day.

Begin with the right admission

Thursday's Jingle Mingle runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the organizer listing tickets at $40 for an individual or $75 for a couple.

The preview's ticket listing places it in Suite 210, the former Gap store, and describes light refreshments and advance access to festival offerings.

Check final ticket availability and the complete checkout amount before arranging an evening around the preview.

Choose a themed day

The published schedule lists Foodie Friday on November 6 from 10 a.m. to noon, Sleigh Bell Saturday on November 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Santa & Mrs. Claus Day on November 8 from noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday's announcement includes free holiday crafts for children, while Saturday highlights the emporium and Tall Tree Gallery.

The organizer lists suggested admission donations of $2 per person or $5 per family for those three days, with children under five and adults 65 or older admitted free.

Those daytime admission details are separate from Thursday's ticket prices, so decide which experience you want before purchasing anything.

What the event supports

On its club website, Zonta describes its local service work as supporting nonprofit agencies through grants benefiting women and children in the Grand Traverse region.

Its broader mission emphasizes women's status, education, access to resources and freedom from violence.

That provides context for the fundraiser without establishing a specific grant recipient or a promised fundraising total for this year's event.

Readers who want to understand how proceeds are distributed can ask the club about its grant process and current priorities.

Keep the visit manageable

As a practical approach, choose one main activity, then leave room to browse rather than trying to fit every festival day into a single visit.

For a family outing, confirm the Santa schedule directly if meeting Santa is the reason for attending; the announcement does not establish an individual appointment for every child.

If you are looking for a particular handmade item, ask about availability before traveling, because an advertised gift category does not guarantee an exact design remains in stock.

Set a shopping budget separately from your admission donation so the costs of the outing remain clear.

Ask about volunteering

The festival page invites help from volunteers, sponsors, school groups and civic organizations, and provides a contact for getting involved.

Use the club's contact page or the event contact to confirm a specific task and arrival time before showing up to help.

Volunteering arrangements and public visiting hours serve different purposes, so follow the organizer's instructions for whichever role you choose.

For visitors bringing older relatives, note the listed age-based admission exception when planning the group, then confirm any mobility needs directly with the organizer rather than assuming the preview and daytime sessions have identical arrangements.

Before leaving home, check the day's schedule again and keep any preview-ticket confirmation available so you arrive for the program you intended.