A church filled with light, colour and Christmas joy

Christmas Tree Festival

Come and enjoy around 45 beautifully decorated trees, a warm welcome and the joyful sights of Christmas at St Matthew’s Church, Ashford. Help us raise £2,500 to support warmth and welcome for our community this winter.

29 November–13 December 2026 St Matthew’s Church, Ashford

Our parish warm hub runs from October half-term until Easter, including December, offering a warm, dry and comfortable place to find company and a friendly welcome. Your support helps meet the heating and lighting costs that make this possible.

Plan your visit Get directions Support our warm hub

Christmas Tree Festival 2026 poster showing the dates, opening times and a decorated Christmas tree

Festival countdown Opens 29 November 2026 at 10:30

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Around 45 trees Decorated by our community

Vote for a favourite By QR code or cash pot

Stalls and refreshments Stay and enjoy the festival

Supporting our warm hub Warmth, comfort and companionship

A joyful community celebration

Come in from the cold and discover Christmas wonder

St Matthew’s will be transformed by trees decorated with imagination, care and festive spirit. Take your time, enjoy the displays, meet friends and neighbours, and choose the tree that most captures your heart.

The festival lasts a fortnight; the warmth and welcome it supports continue through the winter. Our warm hub offers local people somewhere to come in from the cold and spend time with others. Whether this is your first visit or you already know us well, there is a place for you here.

Creative displays

Trees decorated by schools, groups, organisations, families and local businesses.

Tree voting

Support your favourite tree using its QR code or the donation pot placed in front of it.

Stay awhile

Enjoy refreshments, browse the stalls and share in the cheerful festival atmosphere.

Christmas raffle

Join in the seasonal fun and help support the life and mission of the parish.

Plan your visit

Festival opening times and location

Visit St Matthew’s Church from 29 November–13 December 2026. Weekend opening times are below. Weekdays are lunchtime only, 12:00–13:00.

Saturdays: 10:00–16:00
Sundays: 10:30–16:00
Weekdays: 12:00–13:00 · lunchtime only
Festival dates: Sunday 29 November–Sunday 13 December 2026

Vote during your visit

Vote for your favourite tree

Explore the displays, choose your favourite and find its number. Each tree has its own QR code and numbered donation pot. You vote by making a donation: the amount donated by QR code and cash is added to that tree’s total.

Donate by phone

Scan the QR code beside your chosen tree and check its number. Select £1, £2 or £5, or enter your own amount, and complete the secure card payment.

Donate with cash

Place your cash donation in the numbered pot in front of the tree. The contents of that pot will be counted towards that tree’s total.

Both payment methods count towards the same tree’s total. Your donation supports our £2,500 winter warmth appeal and helps the parish provide a warm hub, whichever tree you choose.

Be part of the display

Decorate and enter a tree

Groups, organisations, schools, businesses, families and individuals are welcome. Entry is free. Your tree can be simple, creative or elaborate: every display helps make the festival special.

Apply by 22 November

Submit one application per tree by Sunday 22 November 2026, then confirm your email using the link we send you. The Parish Office will arrange your display space and any electrical requirements.

Prefer a paper form or need help? Email office@smam.org.uk or call 01784 259093.

Plan your display

Set up: Friday 27 November, 09:00–16:00.
Collect: Monday 14 December, 09:00–15:00.
Label your tree with your name or organisation and theme.
Use safe lights in good condition, with no flashing lights.
Label adaptor plugs with your name and contact details.

Please ask the office about suitable tree sizes, who supplies the tree and electrical availability before buying or planning your display.

Help keep our community warm

Support our warm hub this winter

From October half-term until Easter, including December, our parish warm hub offers local people a warm, dry and comfortable place to spend time, find companionship and receive a friendly welcome.

We aim to raise £2,500 towards the winter heating and lighting costs that help make this possible. Our winter gas and electricity bills have averaged approximately £7,438 over the last three years.

In a typical winter week, around 20 hours of church opening provide community space outside regular worship, including coffee mornings, prayer, welcome and companionship.

Support the appeal by donating when you vote for a tree. You can also support the parish through our general donations page. For a donation specifically towards this appeal, or for current warm hub opening times, contact the Parish Office.

Make a general donation

Volunteer your time

Help welcome visitors, serve refreshments, set up, steward or clear away. Let the Parish Office know how you would like to help and when you are available.

Sponsor warmth and welcome

Could your business contribute £250, £500 or another amount towards our winter warmth target? Gifts, refreshments, printing and practical support are welcome too. Ask about sponsorship.

Spread the word

Invite friends, neighbours and colleagues, or help publicise the festival locally. Contact the Parish Office to offer publicity or other practical support.

Questions and enquiries

Contact the Parish Office

For festival enquiries or to offer your help, email or call us using the details below.

office@smam.org.uk 01784 259093 Parish contact page