The holding of Christmas tree festivals is a comparatively recent innovation.  Local organisations are invited to decorate trees for display in the church. Between 10 and 13 December 2015 such a festival is being held at Trinity United Reform Church, in Mansel Road, Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton.

37 high quality trees are decorated, 19 by church organisations, 18 by sponsors, some of which are local voluntary groups and others of which are local businesses.  An admission charge of £4 per adult and £1 per child over the age of five is charged, raising funds for the church’s charity partner – Crisis, ‘the national charity for single homeless people’.  Visitors were invited to vote for their favourite tree or trees.

This is the first time Trinity Church (www.trinitywimbledon.org) has held a Christmas tree festival, but the organisers seem confident that it will not be the last.