Christmas trees are about to take over the Tipton County Museum. The museum’s sixth annual Festival of Trees runs Dec. 1 through Jan. 2, 2027, at the Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial & Nature Center, 751 Bert Johnston Ave. in Covington.

The quick version

Local businesses, organizations and families decorate themed trees, and they’re displayed throughout the museum for the holidays. The festival is a fundraiser for the museum. Its registration form says proceeds go toward the museum expansion, and its website says they support its fundraising and community programs.

It’s free to walk through. If you want to pick a favorite, there’s a ballot box: votes are $1 each, and the winning tree gets its name inscribed on the Festival of Trees trophy.

The museum also lists a Festival of Trees reception on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

Want to enter a tree?

Here’s what the museum’s 2026 registration form asks for:

  • Entry fee: a $25 entry fee/donation per tree.
  • Size: trees must be at least 6 feet tall and no more than 8 feet with a topper, and fully decorated.
  • Setup: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 21 through Nov. 30. Setup after 5 p.m. or on closed days is by appointment only. Every tree has to be in place by 9 a.m. Dec. 1.
  • Thanksgiving: the museum is closed Nov. 26 and 27.
  • Deadline: registration closes Nov. 30.

You can reserve and pay for a spot online through the museum’s website. You can also print the registration form and drop it off at the museum, email it to sonorati@covingtontn.com, or mail it with a check made out to the Tipton County Museum to P.O. Box 768, Covington, TN 38019. Questions go to the museum at (901) 476-0242.

Why it matters

The museum combines county history, a veterans memorial and a nature center on more than 20 acres in Covington. Events like this one help pay for what’s next there, and they give local groups a festive way to show off for a good cause.

Sources: Tipton County Museum, Festival of Trees event page, 2026 registration form and flyer; Tipton County Museum event listing for the Dec. 8 reception.

Image: Tipton County Museum’s 2026 Festival of Trees flyer, courtesy of the Tipton County Museum.