Become a Designer

The following registration fees are required for anyone choosing to decorate a tree, wreath or gingerbread house and must be paid at the time of registration. Please note the registration fee offsets a portion of the cost of the trees and administrative costs to the Institute. Registration fees are non-refundable. 

Trees can be decorated with any style or theme you choose, so let your imagination run wild! Designers will be responsible for providing all decorating and display materials for their tree(s). Kennedy Krieger Institute will provide all artificial trees and tree stands (these trees and stands must be used; no substitutions allowed). Tree decorating will take place on-site at the Cow Palace on Saturday, November 23, through Monday, November 25, 2024. 

• 7-Foot Tree Information and Guidelines 2024
• 4-Foot Tree Information and Guidelines 2024
• 2-Foot Tree Information and Guidelines 2024

Anyone can create a wreath at home to be displayed and sold at Festival of Trees. It’s easy to be a wreath designer at Festival of Trees – you can decorate it at home and just drop off your item at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 23, through Monday, November 25, 2024. You, as a designer, are responsible for supplying your own artificial or dried wreath and all decorating/display materials. All items should be included as part of the donation to Kennedy Krieger Institute. Registration fees cover a portion of the administrative cost.

Wreath Information and Guidelines

Anyone can create a gingerbread house at home to be displayed and sold at Festival of Trees. It’s easy to be a gingerbread designer at Festival of Trees – you can decorate it at home and just drop off your item at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 23, through Monday, November 25, 2024. You, as a designer, are responsible for supplying your own gingerbread and all decorating/display materials. All items should be included as part of the donation to Kennedy Krieger Institute. Registration fees cover a portion of the administrative cost.

Gingerbread House Information and Guidelines

• Registration Opens – Tuesday, September 2 at 9:00am
• Registration Closes – Thursday, October 2 at 11:59pm
• Designer Survey Opens – Wednesday, October 15 at 9:00am
  (surveys will be sent to the email provided during registration)
• Designer Survey Closes – Monday, October 27 at 11:59pm
• Designer Days - Designers will choose a date and time to drop off pre-decorated items and/or to decorate their trees on-site at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Cow Palace.
  • Saturday, November 22 – 10:00am – 4:00pm
  • Sunday, November 23 – 8:00am – 4:00pm
  • Monday, November 24 – 8:00am – 12:00pm
• Tree Buy-Back Phone Calls – Tuesday, November 25 – 12:00pm – 6:00pm
  (designers will have 24 hours to call or email back and purchase their item; otherwise, it will be on sale to the public)
• Designer Preview Party – Friday, November 28 – 9:00am – 10:00am
• Festival of Trees 2025 – Friday, November 28 – Sunday, November 30

All trees, wreaths and gingerbread designs are considered for various designer awards. 

These awards include: 

• Best in Show
• A Traditional Christmas
• Holiday Flair
• Most Unique
• Honorable Mention

*Please remember that judging is subjective and cannot be changed once the winners are determined. Ribbons will be mailed to the winners after the event; please do not take your ribbon with you.