Sea turtles, local veterans, teens and others will benefit from the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s 5th annual Festival of Trees, which opens Nov, 7 at the Museum on Ocean Isle Beach.

Through Dec. 31, the Museum galleries transform into a magical Christmas wonderland, providing a family-friendly holiday activity, fostering friendly competition among 20 tree sponsors, raising funds and providing opportunities to increase community awareness of impactful causes.

Area organizations join the Museum for the annual event and decorate themed trees for a silent auction with the proceeds benefiting a non-profit. The highest bidders will take home decorated trees once the festival concludes. Each visitor receives one ballot to vote for their favorite tree, and visitors who want to increase preferred trees’ chances of winning can purchase additional ballots. The winner for the guests’ favorite tree will be announced Dec. 23.

It is a delightful time to stroll through the Museum at a leisurely pace and admire trees artfully decorated while also enjoying the Museum programs and exhibits. Themes for this year’s event include ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, “Elf” (the movie), Disney as well as coastal, nautical and traditional holiday themes.