Racine Uptown Tree Festival This Weekend

RACINE, WI — Santa is coming to Uptown Racine this weekend to help celebrate the second-annual Uptown Tree Festival.

Local non-profit organizations created one-of-a-kind holiday trees that are now on display in the windows and businesses of Uptown through New Year’s Day.

On Dec. 7, people are invited to vote for their favorite tree. The first-place winner will receive $500 for their participating non-profit organization.

After voting for a tree, people are welcome to stay in the area for some extra holiday cheer. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be free, handicap-accessible trolley rides to enjoy the trees in comfort.

A horse drawn carriage - $2 per adult ride and $1 per child per ride - will be trotting the streets of Uptown. Special guests, Sweatshop Movement and VGR Community Choir will be entertaining throughout the day.

There will be free hot chocolate for ages 12 and under, and specialty adult hot beverages and holiday treats will be available for purchase at The Branch at 1501.

Santa will be available for photos, yet he won’t be the only celebrity available for photos: a notable snow princess and her side kick snowman will delight attendees with their presence at 1322 Washington Avenue, along with a Holiday Pop-Up Market with local artisans to get some of your Christmas shopping done too.

After the event, Uptown plans to spread hope and joy by giving the Christmas trees back to the sponsoring non-profits so they may share the trees with families in need for next year.