HOLIDAY | Christmas extravaganza

One of the best places to go in Springfield to feel the joy of the holiday season (30,000 people thought so last year), the Festival of Trees is a nine-day Christmas extravaganza. Decorated trees, swags and wreaths (150 to be exact) are decked out by area designers and groups. It’s always fun to see the new ideas for ornamentation. There’s also an elaborate hand-crafted Gingerbread Village, a Candy Cane Express train that kids love to ride around the Orr Building, photos with Santa, fresh out-of-the-oven tasty gingerbread cookies, and a performance area with dozens of area musicians and dancers. All the details are here, MemorialsFestivalofTrees.com.