A Magical Christmas Wonderland With Over 60 Decorated Trees Returns To Maine This November
More than 60 fully decorated Christmas trees fill two floors of a Moorish-style temple, and you could take one home. Every single tree is up for grabs through a raffle. That’s not a typo.
The building alone looks like it belongs in a storybook. It has terra-cotta details, a domed roofline, and murals painted over a century ago. I can’t imagine a grander backdrop for tinsel and twinkle lights.
This year’s theme is a train ride, so expect plenty of choo-choo charm. Santa and Mrs. Claus are on the schedule too. Even the Grinch shows up, which feels like a bold choice for a holiday party.
Maine has plenty of holiday traditions, but few mix sparkle and kindness this well. So which tree would you wish for?
Sixty-Plus Trees And Every One Could Be Yours
Winning a fully decorated Christmas tree sounds like a daydream. At the Kora FEZtival of Trees, it’s the whole point.
More than 60 display trees spread across two floors of the Kora Shrine Temple. Each one gets its own look, so no two feel the same.
Here’s how it works. You buy raffle tickets and drop them in for the trees you love most.
Some folks spread tickets around for better odds. Others go all in on one dream tree and hope for the best.
Either strategy is fair game. The real challenge is picking favorites when every corner sparkles.
Take your time on the first lap. Snap a photo of each tree you like so you remember which ones made you stop.
Then circle back and decide where your tickets should land. A little planning beats panic-dropping tickets at the exit.
Winning would be a fantastic surprise for your living room. Imagine skipping the whole untangle-the-lights routine this year.
Even without a win, wandering past dozens of themed trees is a festive treat. It’s a holiday stroll with a lottery twist, and honestly, that’s a pretty great combo.
All Aboard The Kora Express For 2026
Choo-choo! The 2026 theme is the Kora Express, and it brings a train-themed spin to the whole celebration.
Trains and Christmas have always been close friends. Think of toy tracks circling the tree on a snowy morning.
A theme like this gives decorators a fun lane to play in. Expect creative ideas built around rails, stations, and holiday journeys.
Kids who love trains may lose their minds a little. Grown-ups who grew up with model railroads might feel the same way.
The theme also helps tie two floors of trees together. Each display can tell its own story while still riding the same track.
Here’s a fun game for families. Have everyone count how many train touches they spot across the displays.
Winner picks the dessert at the food court. Loser carries the coats, which is fair in any household.
This marks the 21st annual FEZtival, so the event has had plenty of practice. A train theme feels like a cheerful way to keep the tradition rolling.
Bring your best conductor energy. A paper hat is optional but strongly encouraged.
A 1908 Temple That Steals The Show
Few holiday events happen inside a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This one does.
The Kora Shrine Temple was built in 1908 by the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Local architect George M.
Coombs designed it.
Its Moorish-inspired style makes it stand out on the street. Look for the ornate facade, terra-cotta details, and that eye-catching domed roofline.
The temple joined the National Register in 1975. That honor recognized its distinctive design and lasting role in the community.
Inside, the building offers large halls and a banquet hall. Those roomy spaces help explain how so many trees fit under one roof.
The interior also features murals by artist Harry H. Cochrane.
They add old-world character you won’t find at a mall holiday display.
Give yourself a moment to look up and around between trees. The architecture deserves just as much attention as the ornaments.
It’s a little like getting two attractions for one ticket. You come for the tinsel and leave with a mini history lesson.
Not bad for a Saturday outing in Maine.
Santa, Mrs. Claus, And One Very Green Guest
Santa clearly knows a good party when he sees one. He and Mrs. Claus both visit the FEZtival for photos and holiday cheer.
That makes this a handy stop for families checking off the yearly Santa picture. You get trees, treats, and a photo op in one trip.
The guest list doesn’t stop there. The Grinch makes an appearance, along with the Elf on the Shelf.
Yes, the Grinch. Apparently even he can’t resist this many decorated trees in one place.
Kids who adore that mischievous elf may finally meet their household spy face to face. Some might have questions about recent reports to the North Pole.
A few tips can make photos go smoother. Charge your phone before you arrive, and pick outfits early to skip the morning scramble.
Little ones sometimes get shy around big characters. Let them watch from a distance first, and they’ll often warm up fast.
No pressure, though. A crying-on-Santa’s-lap photo is a classic family treasure in its own right.
Either way, these visits add real magic to the day. Memories like these tend to stick around long after the decorations come down.
Your Holiday Shopping List Just Got Easier
Gift shopping and tree gazing in the same building? Count that as a win for anyone juggling a long list.
The FEZtival includes a craft fair featuring handmade items from local vendors. It’s a chance to knock out some holiday shopping while you’re already in a festive mood.
Handmade gifts often feel more personal than something grabbed off a big-box shelf. They also support makers right in the community.
Come with a loose plan. Jot down names of people who are tricky to shop for before you arrive.
That one uncle who claims he wants nothing? A craft fair is a great place to prove him wrong.
Bring a sturdy tote bag so your hands stay free. You’ll want them for raffle tickets and maybe a snack.
Vendor tables can vary, so browse the whole fair before buying. That first thing you love might have a cousin two tables down.
Shopping here also feels calmer than battling crowded store aisles. You can stroll, chat, and admire trees between purchases.
Holiday errands rarely come with this much sparkle. Your wallet and your stress level might both thank you.
Save Room For A Whoopie Pie
Tree admiring burns more energy than you’d think. Good news, the FEZtival has a food court ready to refuel you.
The menu covers plenty of crowd-pleasers. Options include pizza, hot dogs, burgers, salads, and French fries.
Chili and cornbread are on the lineup too. That pairing feels made for a chilly November afternoon in Maine.
Then there’s dessert. Whoopie pies make an appearance, which is fitting since they’re the official state treat of Maine.
Beverages are available as well. You can keep everyone hydrated without leaving the building.
Families with picky eaters can relax a bit here. Between pizza and fries, most kids will find something they’re willing to eat.
A smart move is grabbing food between laps. Eat after your first walk-through, then return to the trees with fresh eyes.
You’ll make better raffle decisions on a full stomach. That’s not science, but it sounds right.
Food sales also help the cause, so your snack does double duty. Few lunches feel this generous, especially one with a whoopie pie on the side.
Little Ones Get Their Own Brand Of Fun
Kids under 12 get in free with a paying adult. That alone makes this an easy yes for families.
The fun is built with little guests in mind. A fishpond activity gives younger kids something hands-on between tree viewings.
Fishponds are simple and charming. Kids drop a line, wait a moment, and pull up a surprise.
That small thrill can buy parents a few calm minutes. Sometimes that’s the best gift of the whole season.
Add in Santa visits, the Grinch, and the Elf on the Shelf, and kids stay busy. Bright trees covering two floors keep their eyes moving too.
Plan around nap time if you can. A rested kid enjoys sparkly things far more than a sleepy one.
Let children help pick which trees get raffle tickets. Giving them a vote turns looking into a fun little mission.
A train theme this year should also win over young fans. Plenty of kids have strong opinions about locomotives.
Families have made this a yearly tradition for good reason. It hits that sweet spot of festive, affordable, and genuinely kid-friendly.
Bid Quietly On Holiday Treasures
Raffles not your style? The silent auction offers another shot at taking something special home.
It features a variety of holiday treasures. You write down a bid, then check back to see if anyone topped you.
Silent auctions bring out a playful competitive streak. It’s polite, quiet, and secretly intense.
A little strategy helps here. Decide your top amount before you start so excitement doesn’t make the choice for you.
Check back near the closing time for your items. That’s often when friendly bidding battles heat up.
Some people love the auction because it feels more in their control than a raffle. Your result depends on your bid, not pure luck.
Winning items can make lovely gifts for someone on your list. Or you can keep the treasure and call it a well-earned reward.
Every bid also supports a great cause. Even if someone outbids you, your participation still helps keep the event going.
So grab a pen and size up the competition. Just try not to glare at the person who keeps raising your bid.
Book Your Entry Window And Help Kids Too
Timing matters for this one, so mark your calendar. The 2026 FEZtival runs Friday, November 20, through Saturday, November 28.
It closes on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone deserves a turkey break, even Santa.
Head to the Kora Shrine Temple at 11 Sabattus Street in Lewiston, Maine. The grand building is hard to miss.
Tickets are sold for specific 15-minute entry windows. That setup helps manage visitor flow and prevent overcrowding.
Once inside, there’s no time limit. Linger at the trees, shop, eat, and wander back for another look.
Grab your preferred window early, especially for weekend days. Popular slots during holiday season can go quickly.
Adult admission is affordable, and kids under 12 enter free with a paying adult. Bring some extra spending money for raffle tickets and treats.
Best of all, proceeds benefit the Kora Shrine Temple. It’s rare to find a holiday tradition that gives back this much.
Grab your crew, pick your window, and go wish on a tree.