Falkirk's Festival of Trees to return for second year in December - here's how to get involved
With December just around the corner, a popular community initiative which brought festive cheer to Falkirk town centre is coming back for 2026.
The Falkirk Festival of Trees is returning for a second year after proving a hit last Christmas, and organisers are now calling on local businesses, community groups, schools and individuals to get involved.
The festival, which saw dozens of Christmas trees decorated by community groups on display, is moving into the former River Island store in the Howgate Shopping Centre, with the trees featuring inside the unit and festive entertainment on the main mall outside.
This year, the event will run over three weekends – December 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20.
Last year’s debut event saw hundreds of people come to see the trees and raised £1579 for charity First Step Pantry, the foodbank in the Howgate.
Since then, the volunteers behind the event have formed a constituted committee to run the festival and help it grow.
Once again the festival will be raising money for local good causes with this year’s charity partners Kings Cafe Soup Kitchen, Braveheart and First Step Pantry.
The festive event is supported by Falkirk Delivers, in partnership with Falkirk Arts Network, which is leasing the unit in the Howgate.
Elaine Swords, chair of the Festival of Trees committee, said: "Last year showed what Falkirk can do when people come together.
"We were overwhelmed by the creativity in the trees, the talent of our performers and the generosity of everyone who visited.
"We’re delighted to be back for 2026, over three weekends this time, and we’d love as many local businesses, groups and families as possible to be part of it.”
Stefanie Paterson, assistant BID manager at Falkirk Delivers, added: “The Festival of Trees brought a real buzz to the town centre last Christmas.
"It gave people another reason to come into Falkirk, spend time here and support local shops.
“We’re pleased to be supporting the committee again, alongside Falkirk Arts Network, and we’re looking forward to seeing the Howgate unit transformed this December.”
There are plenty of ways for people to get involved in the Festival of Trees.
Businesses, community groups and individuals can register to display a tree at https://forms.gle/NbHJ3x7s7jNJ7zXB8 Spaces are limited and allocated on a first come, first booked basis.
As part of the festival, there will be entertainment each day in the mall outside the unit. Any singers, dancers, musicians and other performers interested in taking part can apply at https://forms.gle/arCsg27BZNk5jfCS8
Anyone interested in volunteering at the event can sign up at https://forms.gle/3ZriuFp5cNV3gSfy5
Once you’ve registered, a member of the committee will be in touch.
More information on the festival programme, performers and opening times will be available over the coming weeks. Follow the Falkirk Festival of Trees on Facebook.